When it comes to breastfeeding of infants in their first six months, it is the mothers in the rural areas who have fared better than their urban counterparts.
According to a new report by child rights body, CRY (Child Rights and You), while 56 per cent children in the rural areas have received exclusive breastfeeding in their first six months, in urban set ups the percentage is 52 per cent.
After analysis of the data from the latest NFHS survey in 2015-16, the report prepared by the CRY said three in every five children in India ie nearly 60 per cent of children below three years of age are denied of 'first immunization' in form of the first milk of their mother.
Colostrum, the first yellowish milk considered the first immunisation for infants contains antibodies to protect the newborn against diseases. It is considered the most effective, naturally available and least expensive life-saver ever.
The report was released during the World Breastfeeding Week celebrated in the first week of August every year.
"The status of breastfed children in India still remains far less than promising. Even though breastfeeding practices takes a positive turn across the country, only two in every five children below three years are reported to be breastfed within the first hour of birth," the report said.
It further said that a worrying trend is observed when it comes to exposing the child to complementary feeding - introducing her to semi-solid and solid food along with breast milk.
"While in 2005-06 more than 52 per cent of children within the age-group of 6-8 months were reported to receive complementary feeding along with breast milk, the figure has come down to 42.7 per cent in 2015-16. Also, children growing in urban set ups seem to fare poorly than their rural counterparts, when it comes to exclusive breastfeeding in first six months," the report said.
Puja Marwaha, the CEO at CRY, said exclusive breastfeeding during her first six months is essential for the overall development of the new-born. "The fact that mother's first milk is of utmost importance to the initial immunity development of the child makes it a mandatory diet for the baby. Mean intakes of mothers milk provide sufficient energy and protein to meet requirements during the first 6 months of infancy.
However, these are not surely as widespread pieces of information as they should be," said Marwaha.
World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and breastfeeding with home-made food for minimum two years.