New breastfeeding policy comes into effect in Rajasthan

New breastfeeding policy comes into effect in Rajasthan

News:
1. Rajasthan government has launched new breastfeeding policy.

Important policy:

1. The policy came into effect for encouraging it promotion among rural communities.
2. The policy is expected to meet the nutritional needs of young children.
3. The initiative has been taken as part of the National Nutrition Mission-2022.
4. The policy was jointly developed by the Department of Women and Child Development and National Health Mission.
5. It would also ensure “more intensive work” towards improving the current breastfeeding rates.
6. The new policy stipulates initiation of supporting mothers to ensure the continued exclusive breastfeeding and counseling till two years of the child’s age.
7. The National Family Heath Survey-4, heighted that the early initiation of breastfeeding in the State was only at 28.4%, while only 58% infants were able to exclusively breastfeed during the first six months of their lives.
8. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said the initiative should be utilized for reducing infant and neonatal mortality and improving children’s immunity towards infections.
9. The State had noticed a remarkable progress in institutional deliveries, which were currently at 86.6%, the early initiation of breastfeeding was low.
10. Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months has also doubled during the last decade.