World Breastfeeding Week marked in Moldova

Chisinau, Aug. 1 /MOLDPRES/- In the Republic of Moldova, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated on August 1-7. The event will be aimed at strengthening the capacities of the actors who must protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

According to the National Agency for Public Health /ANSP/, in our country, about 78.4% of children were breastfed up to 6 months, up to one year this figure was 65.2% and up to 2 years 6691 were breastfed children.

“The Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts have further accentuated inequalities in access to safe food and skilled healthcare to support breastfeeding. Some countries, during the pandemic period, have implemented actions lacking scientific evidence, such as separating babies from mothers due to suspicion or infection with Covid-19. Also, difficult access to community breastfeeding support group services due to restricted social contact discouraged breastfeeding practices. Thus, this year has created an urgent need to improve education and increase the capacities of all actors involved in the breastfeeding chain. Education and transformation of existing systems, supported by evidence-based policies will help increase breastfeeding rates and improve nutrition and health in both the short and long term," the ANSP statement said.

According to the WHO, about 820,000 children's lives could be saved each year if each child was breastfed for one hour after birth and given only breast milk for the first six months of life.

WHO and UNICEF recommend the exclusive breastfeeding of the child up to six months and the continuation of breastfeeding, with the gradual introduction of complementary food, up to two years.

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