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Moroccan Breastfeeding Rates Plummet, WHO Reports Health Concerns
Monday 5 August 2019, by
Breastfeeding is declining sharply in Morocco. Less than one in four mothers manage to complete a two-year breastfeeding cycle, according to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO).
On the occasion of the international breastfeeding week, the WHO has taken stock of breastfeeding in Morocco. 27% of mothers manage to breastfeed their newborn within an hour of birth, while 28% maintain breastfeeding during the first five months and only 43% during the first year.
According to the WHO, breastfeeding is the best way to fight breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It also helps reduce high infant mortality rates.
The low rate of mothers providing breastfeeding for two years postpartum forces the WHO to sound the alarm and encourage the extension of paid maternity leave, in order to reach a minimum duration of 6 months.