Only 39.3 pc mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding

Bhopal, Sep 21 (UNI) Regular breastfeeding and vaccination has led to an increase in the number of immunised children in the country.

A survey -- conducted by the Centre and the UNICEF -- has found that 39.3 per cent mothers in India practiced exclusive breastfeeding for six months, while 93 per cent mothers practiced breastfeeding for 10-12 months.

Madhya Pradesh with 31.2 per cent lags behind national average in terms of exclusive breastfeeding, while Chhattisgarh accounts for 61.4 per cent.

Karnataka tops the list with 88.2 per cent, while Jammu and Kashmir is on the bottom with 3.9 per cent. Exclusive breastfeeding is 22.5 per cent in the national capital, 66 per cent in Maharashtra and 41.8 per cent in Rajasthan.

The survey revealed that 75.1 per cent newborns received early breastfeeding with most mothers in Goa (97.5) and Kerala (97) providing their first milk. Uttar Pradesh is reported least with 52 per cent early breastfeeding.

Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh reported 76.2 and 85.2 per cent early breastfeeding, while New Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra reported significant 94.2, 91.3, 90.7 and 90 per cent early breastfeeding.

The WHO has recommended to provide breastfeeding in first two hours of birth.

United Nations Population Fund's (UNDP) Madhya Pradesh programme convenor Dayakrishna Mangal said early breastfeeding increases immunity in newborns.

According the survey, it is seen that in the states, where mothers provided early and exclusive breastfeeding, also took initiative in getting their kids vaccinated.

For instance, in Kerala -- with 86.5 per cent early and 66.8 per cent exclusive breastfeeding -- 84 per cent children were vaccinated.

In Karnataka, where 84.3 children were vaccinated, 73.4 per cent children were provided early breastfeeding, while 88.2 per cent were given exclusive breastfeeding.

Goa recorded 74.4 per cent early breastfeeding and 90.7 per cent vaccination, while 56.4 per cent children in Himachal Pradesh received early breastfeeding and 90 per cent children were vaccinated.

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