Only 12% of Thai babies are breastfed during their first six months while about 25% of the family income is spent on powdered milk despite breastfeeding having immense benefits for children's health, a study has found.
In Thailand, 46% of newborns are breastfed in the first hour after their birth but an alarmingly low percentage are breastfed after that, according to the Lancet Breastfeeding Series 2016 by Sue Horton at the University of Waterloo.
The study said breastfeeding contains sources of nutrients and immunity. It also helps reduce risks of diabetes, obesity and breast cancer when children grow up.
The risk of breast cancer among mothers falls 6% for each year of breast-feeding.
The study also indicates 50% of children under the age of two who have diarrhoea lack immunity due to not being fed breast milk.
"More than 25% of family incomes are spent on powdered milk to feed their babies which is an unnecessary expense. It results from a competitive market which convinces mothers powdered milk is good despite the fact that mothers' milk is the best for children's health," according to Ms Horton's study.
She also suggested the government promote breastfeeding by creating a mother zone in workplaces and other public areas. The places would have to be clean and tidy so they are suitable for breastfeeding and breast-milk pumping for storage.
Meanwhile, Health Department director-general Wachira Pengchan yesterday said the department encourages mothers to breastfeed their babies as it is good for children's development.
Mr Wachira said breastfed infants are also likely to have higher intelligence quotient levels than those fed on powdered milk.
He said there was a misconception among Thais that breastfeeding was an outdated method despite the fact that mother's milk is beneficial to babies' health.
In its efforts to ensure adequate nutrition for infants through breastfeeding, the Public Health Ministry has also proposed "milk code" measures to regulate powdered milk marketing, he said.