‘Fewer than half of Jordan’s newborns benefit from early breastfeeding’

AMMAN — Babies should be breastfed within an hour of birth, and should consume breast milk exclusively for their first six months for optimal health, UNICEF said on Tuesday, to mark World Breastfeeding Week.

According to a UNICEF statement, fewer than half of Jordan’s newborns benefit from early initiation of breastfeeding, and even fewer are exclusively breastfed.

“Although the government has made tremendous progress in public health, exclusive breastfeeding among families still remains low,” UNICEF Deputy Representative Ettie Higgins said.

The Ministry of Health, UNICEF and international NGOs are expanding their community outreach to promote breastfeeding, UNICEF said.