Relationship of exclusive breastfeeding with public health programs in Brazil

Abstract

Breast milk is the only ideal and sufficient food for the growth and development of the newborn. The Ministry of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding until the first 6 months of life, when it is possible to start the process of introducing food. In Brazil, the first breastfeeding indicators have revealed only 2.9% of children were exclusively breastfeeding (EBF). Several factors contributed to this rate. However, in 1981, one of the pioneer programs to encourage breastfeeding (EB) was founded. Since then, other programs have been created and implemented to encourage mothers to breastfeed. An analysis made by SISVAN of the last 5 years (2015 to 2020), indicated the annual breastfeeding rates. Thus, we performed a revision about the incentive and promotion programs for breastfeeding implemented in this period, observing its relevance to the rates of EBF. Based on the studies obtained, it was possible to perceive a positive impact in the years where there was implementation of EBF incentive programs, and a negative impact on EBF rates in the years where such programs were not implemented.