June 5, 2000 

Why should you support increased duration of maternity leave and breastfeeding breaks? 
NGO Panel Maternity Protection  
ILO Conference 88th Session June 2000 Geneva 

Dr. Arun Gupta, Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India, IBFAN South Asia, Maternity Protection Coalition 

Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding are interrelated.  The period of lactation is in fact the fourth stage of labour.  This period is unique in its own way, preparing the baby to meet the challenge of the environment after full protection of about nine months inside the mother's womb.  Breastfeeding provides babies with a shield during the first months of life until their immune system is ready to face that challenge. 

This period allows a woman to come back to normal and to be with the new arrival in the family, ensuring the very basics of life-food, warmth, love. 

You should understand that breastfeeding exclusively is being recommended globally for all babies, rich or poor; it benefits the most if it is exclusive.  Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for about six months.  To ensure this for working women, maternity leave should be for a minimum period of six months, and a woman should be provided breastfeeding breaks when she joins work---at least twice a day to express breastmilk or breastfeed the baby. 

To the mother breastfeeding provides protection from anemia by reducing blood loss postpartum. Anemia contributes as a major factor to maternal mortality all over the developing countries.  Another long-term effect, that benefits the mother far into the future, is reduced cancer of breast and ovaries.  

To the baby, breastfeeding provides a crucial period of interaction with the mother that is education for the newborn.  It is not just providing the baby "milk," it is much more than that.  Breastmilk is a "live" fluid passing from the mother to the baby, containing cells that provide protection from diseases like respiratory infections, e.g. pneumonias, or diarrheas.  These two are major contributors to infant mortality.  The point I want to make here is that bottle-feeding, no matter how careful and hygienic, cannot give babies the same protection. 

Reduced malnutrition by ensuring exclusive breastfeeding during this period also is a major benefit, as malnutrition contributes to about 55% of under-five deaths in South Asia. 

This is a moment that will make history for the next 100 years.  Those involved should be proud of being a party to creating these instruments that protect mothers' right to breastfeed and work.  JOIN NOW the countries (like Brazil, Chile, Cote d'Ivoire, Vietnam, and Ghana) that are proposing amendments to increase the duration of maternity leave and breastfeeding breaks.