“In 1981, officials from health systems around the world gathered in the World Health Assembly to respond to aggressive marketing strategies by the food industry. newborns and gods children, which was promoting formula feeding at the expense of breastfeeding and causing a dramatic increase in morbidity and child mortality. The result was the International Code on the Marketing of Substitutes of the breast milk, a policy framework designed to prevent commercial interests from damaging breastfeeding rates and endangering the health and nutrition of the planet’s youngest inhabitants. Over the past 4 decades, there has been a 50% increase in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding. As a result, an estimated 900 million newborns globally have enjoyed improvements in survival, growth and development through exclusive breastfeeding in their infancy. ” Henrietta Fore and the WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“L’breastfeeding is vital for nutrition, the health and well-being of boys and girls throughout their lives – they add -. Reduces costs for families, healthcare facilities and governments. Breastfeeding protects babies from infections and saves lives. It supports the emotional bond between mothers and babies, along with other mental health benefits. Despite this, aggressive marketing on breast milk substitutes continues to discourage women from breastfeeding, putting both the health of children and women at risk. ”
Longform
Covid: you can continue to breastfeed
by Tina Simoniello
“The fortieth anniversary of the adoption of the International Code on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes – underline Fore and Ghebreyesus – is an opportunity to mark the significant progress achieved in the protection and promotion of breastfeeding, but also a warning on the work still to be done. . Most countries have enacted laws to implement at least some provisions of the Code. But, unfortunately, only 25 countries have implemented measures that are substantially aligned with the Code. The Code remains as relevant today as it was 40 years ago. The year last, some baby food companies exploited the Covid-19 pandemic to promote their products, relying on unfounded fears that breastfeeding could transmit Covid-19. WHO and UNICEF indications are clear: mothers with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 infection should continue breastfeeding “.
“Governments must intervene”
On the 40th anniversary of the Code, UNICEF and WHO call on governments, health care professionals and the baby food industry to fully implement and comply with the requirements of the Code: “Governments must enact and enforce legislation to prevent commercial interests from threatening breastfeeding, optimal infant and child nutrition, and the health of children and women, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Healthcare professionals must protect, promote and support breastfeeding; must not accept sponsorship from companies that market baby and infant food for scholarships, awards, grants, meetings or events. The infant and toddler feeding industry must publicly commit to full compliance, at the level of global, the International Code on the Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes and subsequent resolutions of the World Health Assembly “. “Together – say Fore and Ghebreyesus -, we must consider the milestone of the 40th anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate the progress made in the promotion and support of breastfeeding and invite to courageously protect breastfeeding as the best start in life,” for every child “.
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The program
In the ‘Together for breastfeeding program that Unicef Italia has been carrying out for several years, compliance with the Code is required for all people who work in one of the 30 friendly hospitals, the 7 friendly communities and the 4 degree courses for protect families and themselves from commercial pressures. “During pregnancy and the first few years of life, families are particularly vulnerable to the marketing of breastmilk substitutes because they are making decisions about feeding their babies during this time.
They have the right to make an informed decision based on complete information, backed by evidence of efficacy, free of commercial interest, and with the necessary support to enable them to make their decision so as not to risk harming breastfeeding. For this reason, WHO and UNICEF invite all personnel and all health services to adhere to the Code “, he explains Carmela Pace, president of Unicef Italy.
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