Percentage of infants breastfed at 6 months of age is the percentage of infants reaching their first birthday in the given calendar year who were breastfed, at least partially, when they were 6 months of age.
The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, with introduction of complementary foods and continued breastfeeding thereafter (WHO, 2001).
To ensure comparability in monitoring of breastfeeding rates, WHO recommends that the following definitions of breastfeeding be used (EU Project on Promotion of Breastfeeding in Europe, 2004):
| - Exclusive breastfeeding: the infant receives only breast milk from his/her mother or a wet nurse, or expressed breast milk, and no other liquids or solids with the exception of drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, mineral supplements or medicine.
- Predominant breastfeeding: the infant’s predominant source of nourishment is breast milk. However, the infant may also receive water and water-based drinks; Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS); drop and syrup forms of vitamins, minerals and medicines; and ritual fluids (in limited quantities).With the exception of fruit juice and sugar-water, no food-based fluid is allowed under this definition.
- Complementary feeding: the infant receives both breast milk and solid (or semi-solid) food.
- No breastfeeding: the infant receives no breast milk.
Also see: EU project Breastfeeding promotion in Europe
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Literature and data sources
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