Exclusive Breast-feeding in Early Infancy to Be Endorsed by WHO

GENEVA (Reuters Health) May 18 - The annual assembly of the World Health Organization is expected on Monday to accept a resolution recommending infants be exclusively breast-fed for 6 months.

The resolution, put forward by Brazil, was passed at the committee stage on Wednesday after more than 2 hours of debate, where many national delegates and several charities and organizations spoke strongly about the health benefits of breast-feeding.

The news agency, Agencia Estado, reported that Nestle, a maker of infant formula that has been the target of action by breast-feeding groups, has accepted the resolution without question.

The resolution urges member states of the World Health Organization to "support exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months as a global public health recommendation...and to provide safe and appropriate complementary foods, with continued breastfeeding for up to 2 years or beyond."

The passing of the resolution through committee was welcomed by groups that support breast-feeding that are attending the assembly. Dr. Audrey Naylor, President of Wellstart International, said: "This is a key moment, and not just for the developing world. The scientific evidence continues to confirm the importance and value of exclusive breast-feeding, and this will help our efforts to achieve optimal maternal and infant health everywhere."