Breastfeeding is the first investment every child deserves

Evelyne Nzeke breastfeeds her 11 month- old 

 child during the launch of Breastfeeding Week at the Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Nairobi. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The best time to give a baby the best start in life is prenatally. The next best time is at birth. Breastfeeding is one of the simplest, most effective and affordable interventions for improving a child survival, strengthening maternal health and building healthier societies. Yet despite overwhelming scientific evidence, many infants in Kenya are still denied the full benefits of exclusive breastfeeding during their first six months of life.

As the world marks World Breastfeeding week, under the theme "Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthen what works,” we are reminded that breastfeeding is not solely a personal choice or a mother’s responsibility. It is a vital public health priority that requires support from families, employers, healthcare providers and governments. When we invest in breastfeeding, we invest in healthier children and mothers and a stronger future for our nation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be breastfed within one hour of birth, receive only breast milk for the first six months of life, and continue breastfeeding alongside complementary foods until at least two years of age.

Breastmilk is uniquely designed to meet an infant's nutritional needs. It provides all the nutrients a baby requires during the first six months while also delivering antibodies that protect against common childhood illnesses.

The benefits for breastfeeding extend well beyond infancy. Children who are breastfed are more likely to perform better cognitively, have a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese, and are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Mothers also benefit significantly as breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, supports recovery after childbirth and contributes to improved maternal health throughout life.

In Kenya, the journey towards promoting breastfeeding and infant nutrition has seen remarkable progress, which plays a pivotal role in nurturing healthy infants and ensuring their survival due to its nutritional benefits.

The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS, 2022) indicates a slight decline in rates of exclusive breastfeeding. To contain this measure, the Ministry of Health has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering an environment conducive to breastfeeding through legislative and policy frameworks, aided by collaborations with stakeholders in both the public and private sector.

According to the Ministry, concerted efforts have led to the establishment of lactation stations in over 100 organisations, alongside community-based initiatives like the Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).

These lactation programs have enhanced the capacity of healthcare workers and community health promoters, with approximately 902 community health units now implementing BFCI.

These figures represent substantial progress compared with previous decades, reflecting sustained investments in maternal and child health programmes.

However, the statistics also reveal that four out of every ten Kenyan infants still do not receive exclusive breastfeeding during their first six months. This gap matters because the first 1,000 days, from conception to a child's second birthday, are critical for brain development, immunity and lifelong health.

Several barriers continue to prevent mothers from breastfeeding successfully. Many women return to work shortly after childbirth and often find themselves in workplaces that lack lactation rooms, flexible work schedules and sufficient maternity support.

In addition, women encounter aggressive marketing of breast-milk substitutes, despite international guidelines designed to protect breastfeeding. Also, inadequate family support and limited access to skilled breastfeeding counselling further complicate the journey for many new mothers.

Supporting breastfeeding therefore requires action far beyond the health sector. Employers should create breastfeeding-friendly workplaces by providing adequate maternity leave, clean and private spaces for expressing milk, and flexible work schedules.

Health facilities should continue strengthening breastfeeding counselling before and after delivery, while communities must encourage fathers, family and other caregivers to become active partners in supporting breastfeeding mothers.

Equally important is protecting families from misleading marketing practices. Breast-milk substitutes have a place when medically indicated, but families deserve accurate, evidence-based information that empowers them to make informed decisions for their children's health.

As Kenya continues working toward universal health coverage and improved maternal and child health outcomes, breastfeeding must remain a national priority. Every mother deserves the knowledge, encouragement and practical support needed to breastfeed successfully. Every baby deserves the healthiest possible start.

This World Breastfeeding Week, let us create homes, workplaces, health systems and public policies that make breastfeeding possible for every mother.