Breastfeeding improved in India

Breastfeeding practices in India have improved in the past few years but efforts are needed to sustain these and address issues like maternity leave and other benefits besides ensuring mother-friendly workplace, the UNICEF has said. "In India, between 2006 and 2013, there has been an improvement in the breastfeeding rates. The latest data show that 44.6 per cent children are put to breastfeeding within one hour of birth and 64.9 per cent children under six months of age are exclusively breastfed," UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Gayatri Singh told media persons.