Lucknow: Exclusive breastfeeding among infants below six months in UP has fallen sharply from 59.7% in 2019-21 to 34.6% in 2023-24, according to National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6). Doctors attributed the decline to lack of counselling, early use of formula milk, mothers returning to work soon after delivery, and delays in starting breastfeeding.The findings were discussed during World Breastfeeding Week, being observed from Aug 1-7, when doctors and policymakers stressed the need for stronger support systems in hospitals and communities.Faculty at the department of paediatrics, KGMU, and nodal in charge of the Comprehensive Lactation Management Unit, Prof Shalini Tripathi said many families start formula feeding because they wrongly believe mothers do not produce enough milk in the first few days after childbirth.Anaya Kapoor, 25, from Gomtinagar faced a similar problem. After a C-section at a private hospital, she struggled to breastfeed her newborn and was advised to switch to formula milk. The baby later developed constipation. She then approached another hospital, where doctors explained that delayed breastfeeding had affected both the baby’s ability to latch and her milk production. With counselling and lactation support, breastfeeding was established within two days.Experts advised families not to worry if milk appears inadequate during the first 2-3 days after delivery. A newborn’s stomach is about the size of a cherry, and the small amount of colostrum produced during this period is sufficient for the baby’s needs. Doctors said milk production usually increases around the third day.“A mother should breastfeed at least eight times during the day and twice at night. Frequent feeding stimulates prolactin and oxytocin, hormones responsible for milk production and milk let-down,” Prof Tripathi said.Experts said caesarean delivery does not affect breastfeeding. “The real problem is separation of the mother and baby after delivery and the unnecessary use of feeding bottles, which can lead to nipple confusion,” said Prof MM Faridi, paediatrician and dean of a private medical college.According to doctors, breastfeeding within the first hour of birth can reduce neonatal deaths by nearly 20%.
