According to a survey conducted in 2017, only 37.7% percent of the mothers of Pakistan practice exclusive breastfeeding during the early six months of development of their newborn. This low percentage is associated with children’s poor cognitive and restricted physical development and influences the mother’s health in various ways.
Effects of Restricted Breastfeeding on Children’s Health
Research clearly states that the most effective time frame of breastfeeding for better growth and development of children is six months to 2 years.
During this time, exclusive breastfeeding provides the children with many benefits listed below.
- All the vitamins and minerals that are requisite for better development can be provided by breastfeeding. Thus, if the mother practices exclusive breastfeeding, most of Pakistan’s children can be saved from nutritional disorders.
- During the earliest days of breastfeeding, Colostrum (the first form of milk) provides maternal immunity to children. This immunity can protect children from a wide range of infectious diseases. According to a research study, children who are breastfed during the first six months of their life have a chance of better survival than the remainder.
Mother’s Susceptibility to Cancer
In Pakistan, the ratio of exclusive breastfeeding is still higher as compared to European countries. But with time, this percentage is declining. All this is responsible for the increased prevalence of breast cancer among women in Pakistan.
Thus, to ensure the better health of both mother and children, the society of Pakistan should promote exclusive breastfeeding.
