Wednesday, August 1, has marked the onset of celebrations of the World Breastfeeding Week by the World Health Organization, according to a recent report. The group has started raising awareness regarding the same, while emphasizing its importance.

The WHO has told that some mothers often fail to breastfeed their babies due to some or the other reason. And the same becomes the cause of either baby’s slow growth or sometimes in their death.

Almost 66% of infant deaths are seen only particularly as a consequence of poor feeding practices. Also, while exclusive breastfeeding is extremely necessary, only 40% of all of babies receive the same for the initial six months.

Exclusively feeding a baby means to provide him or her only with mother’s milk with no water or any other kind of liquid. As revealed in the meanwhile, during this period, a baby can only be offered oral rehydration solution or vitamins and minerals drops if necessary.

Further, the WHO has been alerting people that it is only suboptimal breastfeeding, which causes diarrhoea deaths or acute respiratory deaths and that too at a very small age. “We urge governments and partners to join us in renewing their efforts, so that children all around the world get the best start in life”, said Dr. Flavia Bustreo, assistant director-general.