India Sees Rise in Prompt Breastfeeding Post-Birth: NFHS-6 Survey

The NFHS-6 reveals half of Indian newborns are breastfed within the first hour of life, an increase from previous years. While exclusive breastfeeding rates dropped, initiatives like POSHAN Abhiyaan show positive impact on child nutrition and health, improving stunting and severe wasting among children under five.

According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), the proportion of newborns in India breastfed within the crucial first hour of birth has reached 50.1 percent in 2023-24, a nearly 10-point increase from the 41.8 percent observed in the 2019-2021 period.

The Ministry of Health attributes these positive trends to collaborative programs like POSHAN Abhiyaan and the Integrated Child Development Services, which aim to enhance child and maternal health outcomes. However, while breastfeeding initiation improved, exclusive breastfeeding rates for infants under six months dropped to 55.8 percent from 63.7 percent, highlighting an area for ongoing support.

Encouragingly, the survey shows a marked decrease in stunting and severe wasting among children under five, signaling advances in long-term nutrition. Initiatives under the National Health Mission, focusing on maternal and infant care, have also aided in these improvements.