Zimbabwe is grappling with a serious infant nutrition crisis, as only 42% of infants are exclusively breastfed during their first six months. This figure falls alarmingly short of the 70% target set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, according to a recent report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
UNICEF has raised concerns about the potential long-term health impacts on Zimbabwe’s youngest citizens. The SDGs, established by the United Nations in 2015, aim to improve global health by promoting practices like exclusive breastfeeding, which is crucial for infant development.
Despite Zimbabwe’s efforts to promote optimal infant and young child feeding, the country has not met its breastfeeding targets. During the recent Breastfeeding Week, UNICEF highlighted the need for immediate action, underscoring this year’s theme, “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”
UNICEF’s report draws attention to findings from the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, which showed that only 59% of Zimbabwean infants were breastfed within the first hour after birth. Additionally, many infants are weaned off breastfeeding before they reach the recommended 24 months of age.
A troubling trend in Zimbabwe is the increasing use of bottles to feed infants between 0 and 23 months. The survey indicates that bottle feeding has risen to 23.7%—a jump of more than 10% in just five years. This shift not only disrupts natural breastfeeding processes but also poses environmental concerns due to increased plastic waste.
The growing preference for bottle feeding is largely driven by aggressive marketing from manufacturers of breast milk substitutes. These companies often position formula milk as a modern, superior alternative to natural breastfeeding, which influences social norms and diminishes the perceived importance of breastfeeding.
UNICEF emphasizes that breastfeeding support must be accessible to all mothers, regardless of their circumstances. This support includes providing paid maternity leave, accurate information on infant nutrition, and supportive workplace environments. Special assistance is also needed for young and working mothers, mothers with disabilities, and those living in poverty or affected by health conditions such as HIV.
To combat these challenges, Zimbabwe, with the support of UNICEF, has updated its national Infant Nutrition Regulations (SI-46 of 1998). These updates align national guidelines with the latest principles from the World Health Assembly, addressing the growing influence of digital media in promoting breast milk substitutes.
UNICEF is also collaborating with the Zimbabwean government and the World Health Organization (WHO) to advocate for a comprehensive approach to support breastfeeding. This strategy involves strengthening legislation, enhancing health systems, and promoting advocacy efforts that protect and encourage breastfeeding across the country.
Source: Newsday
