How breastfeeding and WASH are linked

Monday, August 1, 2016

World Breastfeeding Week is sponsored by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. Because of the importance of clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for good breastfeeding practice, this week represents an important opportunity to promote the linkages between the two. 

The Issue 

  • WASH is key to successful breastfeeding: 
  • 50% of malnutrition is linked to poor sanitation.
  • Breastfeeding on demand provides all the water a baby needs, even in hot weather
  • Mothers who do not wash their hands at appropriate times can pass harmful bacteria and pathogens to their infants during breastfeeding. 
  • Infants who are not breastfed are more vulnerable to infections and pathogens from contaminated water that cause diarrhoea. 
  • Formula feeding requires access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation.
  • Formula mixed with unsafe drinking water can cause bouts of newborn and child diarrhoea, which can lead to stunting, wasting, undernutrition, and even death. 

Relevant studies: 

  • Proper infant feeding practices and improved sanitation are two important strategies to reduce diarrheal morbidity among infants. Breastfeeding protects infants by decreasing their exposure to food- and waterborne pathogens and by improving their resistance to infections. Access to proper sanitation reduces exposure to enteric pathogens by separating excrement from the human environment. Exposing infants to unsafe or contaminated drinking water, even in small amounts, nearly doubles their risk of diarrhoea [Bulletin of the World Health Organization].
  • Infants without piped water or toilets and not breastfed are five times more likely to die after one week than those who were breastfed [Pediatrics].
  • Infants living in areas with poor sanitation who are mixed-fed have a higher risk of diarrhoea than infants in the same area who are only breast-fed. The risks of weaned infants are even higher [Journal of Biosocial Science].

How to Get Involved 

Here are ways your organization can promote WASH and breastfeeding linkages: 

Write about the work you and your organization are doing to promote breastfeeding and WASH for your newsletters and blogs. We are happy to share these through our communications channels. 
Tweet from now through August 7 using #Breastfeeding and #WASH. Sample tweets include: 

  • World #Breastfeeding Week is Aug 1-7. Infants who are breastfed suffer less from diarrhoea #WASH 
  • Drinking #water quality, sanitation, and #breastfeeding are interactive in their effects on infant health. #WASH 
  • #Breastfeeding is the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need. #WASH helps keep them in! #HealthyBabies 
  • Breast is Best! #Breastfeeding contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses, like diarrhoea #WASH
  • #Breastfeeding is a key to sustainable development. #WBW2016 #SDGs #Nutrition4Gold http://bit.ly/2aDp1iW
  • @WorldVision protects, supports & promotes exclusive #breastfeeding for first 6 months #WBW2016 http://bit.ly/2aCNEg5
  • #Breastfeeding means food security for children #WBW2016 #Nutrition4Gold
  • @WorldVision supports breastfeeding #WBW2016 #nutrition4gold http://bit.ly/2aCNEg5
  • Top Facts you should know about the importance of breastfeeding. #WBW2016 #Nutrition4Gold http://bit.ly/2axhz6H
  • Support moms to #breastfeed: provide adequate maternity leave & don’t forget dads and grandmas! #WBW2016 http://bit.ly/2ajBnHV
  • In fragile contexts @WorldVision sets up safe #breastfeeding spaces @WVUganda #WBW2016 http://bit.ly/2aDqeXK
  • Sub-optimal #breastfeeding contributes to 800,000 deaths a year. Support moms! http://bit.ly/2ajBnHV
  • If all babies were fed only #breastmilk the first six months of life, 800,000 children would be saved every year. #WBW2016 #Nutrition4Gold
  • Check out @WorldVision Mother Baby Friendly Office movement #WBW2016 #Nutrition4Gold http://bit.ly/2aDoIF7

To learn more about World Vision's work to integrated WASH into programmes to improve maternal, newborn and child health, visit our BabyWASH page.