Breast milk is an ideal way of providing food for the health, growth and development of infants, and it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers.

A recent review has shown that on a population basis exclusive breastfeeding for six months is the optional way of feeding infants. Thereafter infants should receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond. (WHO; 2000-2004; A Report card on exclusive breastfeeding).

Breast milk is the natural first food for babies, it provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a childs nutritional needs during the second half of the year and up to one-third during the second year of life (WHO, 2000-2004).Breastfeeding promotes sensory and cognitive development and protects the infants against infection and chronic disease. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infants mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia and helps for a quicker recovery during illness (Kramer M et al,2001}

Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well being of mothers, it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment (WHO, 2000-2004: A report on Nutrition).

While breastfeeding is a natural act, it is also a learned behaviour. An extensive study has demonstrated that mothers and other caregivers require active support for establishing and sustaining appropriate breastfeeding practices. WHO and UNICEF launched the Baby friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in 1992, to strengthen maternity practices to support breastfeeding based on the foundation of the ten steps to successful Breastfeeding to protect, promote and support Breastfeeding {WHO,2000-2004}.

Exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life stimulates babys immune systems and protects them from diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection; two of the major causes of infant mortality in the developing world and improves their responses to Vaccination. Particularly in unhygienic conditions however breast milk substitutes carry a high risk of infection and can be fatal in infants. Yet only slightly more than one-third of all infants in developing countries are exclusively breastfed for the first six months (UNICEF; May 2006, A report card on Nutrition; Number 4}.

One out of every three children is exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life in the developing world. The highest rates (43 percent and 41 percent) are currently found in East Asia/Pacific and Eastern/Southern Africa respectively and the lowest rates in West/Central Africa (20 percent) and CEE/CIS (22percent) (UNICEF, May, 2006; A report card on Nutrition; Number 4).

Although percentages continue to be low across the developing world, various data across the world indicate that exclusive breastfeeding rates have improved: Between 1990 and 2004, the figure rose from 34 percent to 41 percent.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the rate over the same period doubled from 15 percent to 32 percent. West/central Africa made noteworthy progress as the exclusive breastfeeding rate rose more than five fold. African counties that have made major strides in exclusive breastfeeding since 1990 include Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal: the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (UNICEF. May 2006 A Report card on Nutrition. Number 4,).

AED and its partners faced challenges when they launched their campaign People had said it couldnt be done Schubert, the Behaviour Change Community Co-coordinator for the LINKAGES project and the former LINKAGES resident advisor in Ghana in her speech before the festival. They thought we are dreaming. Throwing away colostrums, the high nutritious first milk a mother produces was a common practice in Ghana: And many mothers gave their infants water to drink in addition to their breast milk. This is particularly dangerous because often the water is contaminated with bacteria that can lead to childhood illness (AED; 2006 Linkages celebrate five years in Ghana).Together (AED and its Partners) proved them all wrong Schubert said, People understood and believed our message Research has shown that exclusive breastfeeding reduces diarrhea and pneumonia and other life threatening infection (AED, 2006)

The food and Nutrition Research Institute Department of service and Technology (FNRI DOST) recommends Breastfeed infants exclusively from birth to six months and then, give appropriate foods while continuing breastfeeding (FNRI-DOST compound Gen. Santos Avenue 2002).

The promotion protection and support of breastfeeding is an exceptionally cost-effective strategy for improving child survival and reducing the burden of childhood disease particularly in developing countries (Horton et al, 1996; Morrow et al 1999, Sikorsk et al, 2002; Arifeen et al, 2001, Blacket et al, 2003 Jones, et al, 2003).

Scientific evidence has guided the development of international recommendations for optimal infant feeding practices which include exclusive breastfeeding for six months, that is, milk only with no other liquids or foods given, and continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond with timely addition of appropriate complementary foods (Butte et al, 2002; Kramer and Kakuma, 2002; WHO, 2002). Compliance with the above recommendation has significant child health and nutritional benefits. The Bellagio child survival study Group has identified optimal breastfeeding in the first year of life as one of the most important strategies for improving child survival (Black et al, 2002, Jones et al, 2003).