Overview

The health benefits of breastfeeding particularly six months exclusive breastfeeding for mothers, infants and the world economy are well established (WHO, 2016b). However, increasing the rates and duration of exclusive breastfeeding is a major global health challenge. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 11 million under five-year-olds die every year, with most of these deaths happening in the first year of life. Sixty percent of infant deaths are directly or indirectly associated with malnutrition, and twothirds are due to improper feeding methods (WHO, 2003). The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and WHO in 2003 created the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding to draw attention to the importance of infant feeding practices which have an impact on the nutritional status, health and development of children. The strategy identifies that a lack of breastfeeding, especially breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of life, is a significant risk factor for childhood morbidity and mortality (WHO, 2003). A recent study on the long-term health benefits of breastfeeding (Binns, Lee, & Low, 2016), identifies that significant health advantages for both mother and baby can be achieved with the initiation and prolonged duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

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