Breastfeeding Rate Declining in Nepal, Health Ministry Implements Strategies

Kathmandu. According to the latest data, the number of mothers breastfeeding is declining. According to the Nepal Demographic Health Survey 2022, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months has been limited to 56 percent.

The rate of feeding mother's milk within the first hour after the baby is born has also decreased to 56 percent. Nutritionists say that the situation of breastfeeding has worsened compared to 2016 due to various reasons, especially the increasing trend of Cesarean deliveries in private hospitals and the wrong practice of keeping mother and newborn separate for treatment under the pretext of reducing post-surgery pain. Mother's milk is considered nectar for infants.

According to data, in 1996, the number of mothers exclusively breastfeeding was 75 percent. In 2001, it dropped to 68 percent. This number reached 53 percent in 2006 and 70 percent in 2011. According to the survey, the number of breastfeeding mothers reached 66 percent in 2016.

Lilabikram Thapa, chief of the Nutrition Branch under the Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services, said that although mother's milk is essential for the growth and development of infants, the number of breastfeeding mothers is continuously decreasing. He said, 'The number of breastfeeding mothers is decreasing. There are many reasons behind this decrease.'

According to Thapa, the trend of delivering babies through surgery has increased in urban areas, and the practice of keeping babies separate from mothers for treatment due to pain means that babies do not get to breastfeed immediately after birth. On the other hand, the number of breastfeeding mothers has decreased due to lack of encouragement from family members and the misconception that it spoils their figure, he said.

Due to misleading propaganda seen on social media, young mothers and adolescents have the wrong impression that 'breastfeeding spoils physical appearance (figure)', which is causing their confidence in breastfeeding to decline. Experts say that the rate of feeding newborns is continuously decreasing due to the lack of necessary encouragement and support from family and community.

The Department of Health Services has stated that the Government of Nepal has prioritized effective programs such as 'Human Milk Bank' (Amrit Kosh) and the deployment of skilled health workers to promote exclusive breastfeeding by displacing bottle feeding.

According to the Nepal Demographic Health Survey, as the breastfeeding rate has been declining, the Ministry of Health has adopted a multi-faceted strategy. In this regard, 'Human Milk Banks' have already been operated at Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital in Thapathali and BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan.

This year, with the support of UNICEF and the US government, a 'Human Milk Bank' is also being established in Bharatpur, Chitwan, the department said. Through this technology, milk donated voluntarily by other mothers will be processed and provided to infants who are unable to produce milk or are facing problems.

In addition, to overcome the difficulties in breastfeeding due to lack of experience or knowledge among mothers, the government has deployed two trained staff nurses each in 24 major hospitals across the country to facilitate mothers, teach them breastfeeding techniques (positioning), and boost their confidence.

The 'BMS Act Inspector' (Inspector) has been appointed to all 753 local levels' health coordinators, hospital representatives, and district and provincial officials to strictly enforce the Act on Substitutes for Breast Milk (Control of Sale and Distribution) 2049.

They will directly monitor whether there is any illegal promotion of bottle feeding or products that substitute mother's milk in pharmacies and clinics in their areas.

The department has stated that it is preparing to raise public awareness about the fact that breastfeeding is equally important for the health of the mother herself, not just for the health of the infant.

According to nutritionists, mother's milk is the first natural vaccine for infants, which promotes their mental and physical growth and protects them from various diseases.

Scientific studies have shown that mothers who do not breastfeed have a high risk of serious health problems such as breast cancer and uterine cancer. The department has stated that extensive awareness enhancement programs are being conducted at the health worker, public representative, and community levels.

Doctors have said that the thick and yellow milk (colostrum) that comes in the first few days after the baby is born is extremely beneficial for the baby's health. This milk contains abundant nutrients as well as a powerful immunity to fight diseases, hence it is also called the 'first vaccine' for infants.

According to experts, colostrum naturally contains immunity boosters. It acts as a protective shield for newborns, protecting them from various types of infectious diseases.