One of the best ways to space the birth of your children is with ecological breastfeeding. However mothers cannot space their babies if they do not have the right breastfeeding information and support.
During World Breastfeeding Week the WHO and UNICEF called for governments to support breastfeeding. Why? Because breastfeeding is the healthiest choice for babies and mothers. This natural process protects infants from deadly diseases, especially in the first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer in women.
Most importantly, 820,000 children’s lives would be saved every year by increasing the rates of breastfeeding. In 2017 only 40% of children younger than six months are fed breast milk exclusively, and only 23 countries had breastfeeding rates above 60%.
The main emphasis of the report was to stress the importance of breastfeeding services and support to ensure women and children can benefit from breastfeeding. The recommendation is that babies be breastfed exclusively at least for their first six months, then have a diet of breast milk and other food until they are two years old.
Sheila Kippley