Breastfeeding Rate Declining in Nepal, Health Ministry Implements Strategies

Kathmandu. According to the latest data, the number of mothers breastfeeding is declining. According to the Nepal Demographic Health Survey 2022, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months has been limited to 56 percent.

The rate of feeding mother's milk within the first hour after the baby is born has also decreased to 56 percent. Nutritionists say that the situation of breastfeeding has worsened compared to 2016 due to various reasons, especially the increasing trend of Cesarean deliveries in private hospitals and the wrong practice of keeping mother and newborn separate for treatment under the pretext of reducing post-surgery pain. Mother's milk is considered nectar for infants.