The profile has shown that only 32 per cent of mothers are breastfeeding, reducing children’s chances of survival and development.
Speaking in Nairobi during the launch of the National Committee on infant and young child feeding, Dr. Nicholas Muraguri said that nutrition is a fundamental right for children.
Muraguri noted that the health sector should protect breastfeeding by regulating use of breast milk substitutes, for the benefit of both mothers and infants.
He added that early breastfeeding reduces the risks of bleeding after delivery and lowers chances of breast and ovarian cancer to the mother.
He urged the members of the committee to help raise awareness and benefits of breastfeeding to mothers.
About 11,000 children die annually due to inadequate breastfeeding with one in every three children chronically malnourished.
