Promote Breastfeeding
Summary
Nepal is preparing to amend its breast milk substitute law to promote early and exclusive breastfeeding, after studies showed low breastfeeding rates and rising use of bottle feeding. The government is also considering longer paid maternity and paternity leave to support new mothers and infant nutrition.
Key Points
- Only seven in 10 infants under six months in Nepal are exclusively breastfed, while around 45% do not receive mother’s milk within the first hour of birth.
- Families spend about Rs. 4.26 billion annually on breast milk substitutes, and inadequate breastfeeding costs the country an estimated Rs. 21 billion.
- The government plans to amend the law controlling the sale and distribution of breast milk substitutes to strengthen breastfeeding promotion and regulation.
- Proposed changes to the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act include at least six months of paid maternity leave and 42 days of paid paternity care leave.
