Words can't describe how blissful I was, feeling his warmth and looking at his flushed face so close to me. I began nursing him at the breast while we were still in the delivery room, and he was beside me always, receiving only my breastmilk. In Chile, breastfeeding support and counselling for mothers have led to enormous health benefits for tens of thousands of children like Juanito in little more than a decade. In 1985, only 4 per cent of infants were exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their lives. And preliminary results of a national survey in 1996 suggest that the exclusive breastfeeding rate for the first six months is now about 40 per cent.
Training is an important part of the answer.
The Na tional Breastfeeding Commission, organized in 1992, has also kept breastfeeding high on Chile's child health agenda. Another effective measure was expanding 'baby-friendly' practices into primary health care centres, where trained staff offer breastfeeding education and support. The first week after delivery, I joined a group session at the clinic to share my concerns with other breastfeeding mothers. I feel very secure, having easy access to professional advice on any breastfeeding questions. These achievements in Chile have been replicated across the world through BFHI and related efforts.