Breastfeeding provides a nutritious, easily digestible food when a sick child loses his or her appetite for other foods. Continued breastfeeding during diarrhea reduces dehydration, the severity and duration of diarrhoea, and the risk of malnutrition.

Provides total food security: Breastmilk is a hygienic source of food with the right amount of energy, protein, fat, vitamins, and other nutrients for infants in the first six months. It cannot be duplicated. It is the only safe and reliable source of food for infants in an emergency.

Meets all water requirements
Breastmilk, is 88 percent water. Studies show that healthy, exclusively breastfed infants under 6 months old do not need additional fluids, even in countries with extremely high temperatures and low humidity. Offering water before six months of age reduces breastmilk intake, interferes with full absorption of breastmilk nutrients, and increases the risk of illness from contaminated water and feeding bottles.

Optimizes child’s physical and mental growth and development

Infants fed breastmilk show higher developmental scores as toddlers and higher IQs as children than those who are not fed breastmilk. It supplies key nutrients that are critical for health, growth, and development

Benefits for women
Benefits maternal health

Reduces the mother’s risk of fatal postpartum hemorrhage and premenopausal breast and ovarian cancer. Frequent and exclusive breastfeeding contributes to a delay in the return of fertility and helps protect women against anemia by conserving iron.

Bonds mother and child
Provides frequent interaction between mother and infant, fostering emotional bonds, a sense of security, and stimulus to the baby’s developing brain.

Saves money
Families save money that would have been spent to treat illnesses due to contaminated and inadequate breastmilk substitutes. It eliminates dependence on costly breastmilk substitutes, feeding equipment, and fuel for preparation.

Protects the environment

Breastmilk is a naturally renewable, sustainable resource that requires no fuel for preparation, packaging, shipping, or disposal.