Madhya Pradesh Sets Benchmark for Breastfeeding Practices, Exceeds National Average
Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a frontrunner in promoting and implementing effective breastfeeding practices, outperforming most states in India. According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data, Madhya Pradesh has made remarkable progress in the area of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (EIBF), surpassing the national average. This crucial practice witnessed a notable increase of 6.9% in Madhya Pradesh, rising from 34.4% in NFHS-4 (2015-16) to 41.3% in NFHS-5 (2019-21).
Early initiation of breastfeeding refers to the practice of breastfeeding newborn babies within one hour of birth. The data reveals that more than a third of children born in Madhya Pradesh now benefit from this practice. Furthermore, the adoption of this practice has witnessed significant growth in 13 districts, with a remarkable increase of 20%. In 11 districts, the practice grew by 10-19%. Notably, Alirajpur district displayed the highest increase of 28.8%, while Singrauli saw a modest 0.5% growth.
The data also emphasizes the direct relationship between institutional delivery and EIBF. Children born in healthcare facilities are more likely to be breastfed within the first hour of birth compared to those born at home. Between the two surveys, institutional delivery rose by 10%, while EIBF increased by 6.9% in Madhya Pradesh.
Another crucial indicator of Infant and Young Child Feeding is Exclusive Breastfeeding under six months (EBF). In this aspect as well, Madhya Pradesh has shown tremendous progress. Nationally, EBF witnessed an 8.8% growth from 54.9% to 63.7%. However, Madhya Pradesh showcased a remarkable 15.8% increase, taking the state’s EBF rate from 58.2% to an impressive 74%. This means that three-quarters of children in the state are exclusively breastfed until the age of six months, providing them with essential nutrients for optimal growth and development.
Additionally, the survey highlights the introduction of solid or semi-solid food along with breast milk between 6 to 8 months of age as another indicator of good breastfeeding practice. In Madhya Pradesh, there has been a 1.4% growth in this practice, reaching a rate of 38.1%. Indore stands out as the best performer in this aspect, with 60.9% of children being introduced to solid and semi-solid food after six months of birth.
Moreover, the percentage of children aged 6-23 months receiving an adequate diet in Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a healthy increase of 2.6% between the two surveys, compared to a national growth rate of 1.7%.
The commendable progress made by Madhya Pradesh in breastfeeding practices is a testament to the state’s commitment to the health and well-being of its newborns and young children. The results underline the effectiveness of efforts to raise awareness about the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding up to six months. By surpassing the national average, Madhya Pradesh serves as a role model for other states to emulate, encouraging them to prioritize breastfeeding as a crucial aspect of infant care. The state’s achievements in this domain will undoubtedly have a lasting positive impact on the health and development of future generations.
