Overview
- National Family Health Survey (NFHS‑6) data show breastfeeding within one hour rose from about 42% to 50%, while exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months fell from 63.7% to 55.8%.
- A private 2026 Aeroflow Breastpumps survey found most parents plan to breastfeed yet nearly 40% who aimed for seven months or more did not meet that goal and 57% said better access to support would have helped.
- Health experts identify clear barriers that stop continuation after discharge: Caesarean deliveries, poor access to lactation counselling, limited home support and a lack of workplace pumping breaks or paid leave.
- Officials in Pakistan and provincial authorities in Punjab used World Breastfeeding Week to restate commitments, noting Punjab cut child stunting from 36% to 27% but still sees one in four children affected and urges stronger program delivery.
- Public‑health commentators urge scaling proven measures—Baby‑Friendly hospital practices, lactation counselling at every maternal contact, community engagement, workplace lactation facilities and stricter marketing enforcement—to turn early initiation into sustained breastfeeding.