Exclusive breastfeeding: What the numbers say

60 per cent children are not exclusively breastfed from age zero to six months. [iStockphoto]

Although it has been established that poor infant feeding practices negatively affect the health, growth, and overall development of children and are a major cause of mortality in infants and young children, the recently released Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) states that 60 per cent children are not exclusively breastfed from age zero to six months. This statement could easily be substantiated by the high infant mortality rates reported by the same report.

According to the report, at age 0-1 month, 77 per cent of children are exclusively breastfed as opposed to 100% per WHO recommendations.