Begun immediately after birth, breastfeeding cuts in half the chance that babies will die during their most vulnerable period of life, the first 28 days. Yet still, breastfeeding is widely undervalued and poorly practiced. The IRC is working to educate communities about its benefits.
This week marks World Breastfeeding Week which is celebrated every year in more than 170 countries to encourage proper breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.
Breastfeeding requires no costly technology or medicine. Yet it remains the most effective way to reduce mortality rates among newborns: begun immediately after birth, breastfeeding cuts in half the chance that babies will die during their most vulnerable period of life, the first 28 days.