In this presentation we will see how breast feeding,, a natural phenomenon and protector of human species has to be protected by Universal laws and legislation. Yet we have to fight for this right through awareness raising and advocacy to the government as well as lay public.

1. Promoting Breast
Feeding as a Right of a
Child
Dr. Naeem Zafar
MBBS, DCH, MD, DCHN, FCPS
President, PAHCHAAN
Protection and Help of Children Against Abuse and Neglect
Convener Child Rights Committee, Pakistan Pediatric
Association
naeem.zafar@pahchaan.org

2. (Protection And Help of CHildren Against Abuse and Neglect)

3. Mother Feeding as a Saviour of
Species
 All Mammals have mammary glands for their
offsprings to continue their growth after birth as
opposed to other species born through eggs
 One of the major reasons why Mammals
survived and thrived on planet earth is Mother
feeding
 Humans probably mother feed for maximum
time. They are afterall the most complex
species
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4. Breast Feeding Since birth of
Humans
 Mothers have been
feeding their babies since
time immemorial
 All religions and Faiths
have promoted breast
feeding
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5. Breast Feeding unanimous
decision in Islam
 "The mothers shall suckle their offspring for two
whole years"(ALBAQARAH:233)
 Th Holy Prophet suckled from a foster mother,
Dai Haleema. He was not fed Cow or Goat Milk
 Consensus on All Sects and all Fiqahs on
breast feeding
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6. CRC and Breast Feeding
Article 24(e) To ensure that all segments of
society, in particular parents and children,
are informed, have access to education
and are supported in the use of basic
knowledge of child health and nutrition,
the advantages of breastfeeding, hygiene
and environmental sanitation and the
prevention of accidents;
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7. CRC and Breast Feeding
Article 27.3. States Parties, in accordance
with national conditions and within their
means, shall take appropriate measures
to assist parents and others responsible
for the child to implement this right and
shall in case of need provide material
assistance and support programmes,
particularly with regard to nutrition,
clothing and housing.
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8. Other International
Committments
 World Summit for children 1990
 Exclusive Breast feeding for 4-6 months
 4th World Conference on women
 Promotion of Public Information
 2000 WABA Consensus Statement
 International Code of Marketing of Breast
milk Substitutes 1990
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9. Why mphasize on Breast
Feeding
 More than 1/3 child deaths due to effects
of malnutrition
 Sub-optimal breastfeeding practices
increase newborn infections by six times,
diarrhoea by three times and pneumonia
by 2.5 times, the three major killers of
infants before they reach their first
birthday
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10. Impacts of Breast Feeding
• Protection from diarrhea, respiratory diseases,
middle ear and urinary tract infections;
• Immunological protection (colostrum -first milk)
and enhanced immune functions;
• Promotion of correct development of jaw and
teeth;
• Improved cognitive development, visual and
hearing function;
•
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11. Impacts of Breast Feeding
 Decreased risk, compared to artificially fed infants:
chronic diseases (obesityvi, cancer, adult
cardiovascular diseases, allergic conditions and
diabetes). The prevention of obesity is all the more
 Important as also many developing countries are
facing a double burden of malnutrition:
breastfeeding represents a response to both
undernutriton for infant and young children and the
prevention of obesity.
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12. Benefits to Maternal Health
 Less postpartum bleeding, decreased
incidence of osteoporosis, risk reduction of
ovarian-, breast- and other reproductive
cancers later in life, delay of the return of
fertility;
 Enhanced self-esteem, lower rates of
depression after giving birth, better return to
pre-pregnancy weight, stress reduction and
mother-baby bonding.
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13. Challenges to Optimal feeding
 Correct and unbiased information
 Breastfeeding and the Baby Food
Industry
 Maternity protection
 Supportive health care system
 Medicalisation of foods vs breastfeeding:
Ready to Use Foods (RUFs)
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14. What should Government Do
A comprehensive Infant and Young Child
Feeding Policy formation and
implementation of
”protect, promote and support framework”
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15. Protect
 Fully implement the International and
Country Code of Marketing of Breastmilk
Substitutes
 Maternity protection measures
 Maternity leave rules,
 Provision of space for working women,
 Allowance of time to feed
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16. Promote
Reliable and impartial information which
positions breastfeeding as a norm for
feeding infants and clearly explains the
risks of artificial feeding.
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17. Support
Skilled breastfeeding counseling as well as
peer, workplace and community support.
Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)
Ten steps for successful breastfeeding,
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18. Ten Steps to Successful
Breastfeeding
Every facility providing maternity services and care for newborn
infants should:
1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely
communicated to all health care staff.
2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this
policy.
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and
management of breastfeeding.
4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within half an hour of birth.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed, and how to maintain
lactation even if they should be separated from their infants.
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19. Ten Steps to Successful
Breastfeeding
6.Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk,
unless medically indicated.
7. Practise rooming-in - that is, allow mothers and infants to
remain together - 24 hours a day.
8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
9. Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or
soothers) to breastfeeding infants.
10.Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and
refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or
clinic.
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20. Responsibility of non-state
actors
Role of the infant food manufacturers and
distributors:
Role of health workers:
Role of civil society:
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21. (Protection And Help of CHildren Against Abuse and Neglect)