An health survey in Nepal; estimating that 55 neonates in 100 are breastfeeding within the first hour of their life on earth in Nepal. But the rest of 45 neonates in 100 somehow do not access breastfeeding from their mothers; within the first hour of birth remain at higher risk of death and disease was reporting the world health organization.
The revealing that there are nearly half of the babies born in Province 2 receive feedings such as honey; water and cow milk other than the breastfeeding during the first three days of their life. According to the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016; Province-7 tops the list with 70.7% of mothers suckling to their neonates within the first hour of their birth while Province 2 is the lowest in the list with only 45.3% mothers suckling to their newborns within the first hour of giving birth.
Neonates higher risk of death
But the study in Nepal providing a maximum of 98 days of maternity leave to expectant mothers working in the formal sectors and government offices. Maternity leave is helpful for both mother and neonates as it increases the possibilities of breastfeeding to a great extent and reduces the maternal mortality rate as well as infant mortality rate.
In the working mothers must be giving breastfeeding breaks at the workplace; when they are carrying the babies along. Organizations and government offices which employ a number of women must provide a safe, private; and hygienic space for breastfeeding and also storing breast-milk at affordable childcare. Nepal Government has already started working in this direction as a mandatory arrangement of lactation room in local and provincial level offices is to be constructed in the same building.
Asthma and attack of allergies
Breast milk contains antibodies that help a newborn fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers the risk of catching asthma and attack of allergies to neonates. Those babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months, without any formula suggested from outside; have a fewer rate of ear infections, respiratory diseases, and bouts of diarrhea.
However, the maternity leave is taking only for two times during the entire service period; which is somewhat akin to putting a ban on motherhood and depriving women of the leave that they deserve when they choose to become a mother after the birth of their second child as some activists argue. Nepal Government has already started working; in this direction as a mandatory arrangement of lactation room in local; and provincial level offices is to be constructed in the same building.