Breastfeeding Basics: A Simple Fix for Child Health

A solution that's free, doesn't need any fancy equipment, and could save the lives of over 800, 000 children each year. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it's not. It's actually something we already have: breastfeeding. Experts say that if moms around the world breastfed their babies optimally, it could cut child mortality by at least 10 percent. So, what does optimal breastfeeding mean? It's all about timing and exclusivity. Give your baby your milk within the first hour after birth, stick to just breast milk for the first six months, and then gradually introduce solid foods while still breastfeeding till they're two years old. But here's where things get tricky. In places like Kenya and Madagascar, some moms are giving their babies water during the first six months. They think it's helping their little ones cool off on hot days, but they don't realize it can do more harm than good. Those tiny tummies can't handle much, so water can push out the breast milk and leave babies without the essential nutrients they need to grow strong. Plus, that water might contain nasty pathogens that babies' still-developing immune systems can't fight off.