Integrating social determinants of breastfeeding into guidelines: an approach to enhance health equity in infants / Integrando las directrices sociales determinantes de la lactancia materna: un enfoque para mejorar la equidad en la salud de los bebés

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is recognized as an important public health issue with high social and economic implications. Improved breastfeeding practices could save 1.4 million children annually from starvation and substantially reduce the burden due to communicable and non-communicable diseases in infants. The WHO recommends onset of breastfeeding within one hour after birth, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and breastfeeding for two years. Known factors impacting on breastfeeding are social determinants exacerbating health disparities in infants. The "development of guidelines that promote health equity and are appropriate to the cultural and social context" is part of the people-centered care approach. Addressing social determinants in respective guidelines as well as taking into account the different breastfeeding stages are neceesary steps to scale up breastfeeding rates for vulnerable mothers and their children.