“Supporting women to breastfeed can mean a child growing up in crisis getting his or her strongest, best possible start in life”

In times of crisis, a lot can get thrown in the air.

Questions like 国产视频渨here is home,国产视频� 国产视频渉ow am I going to feed and protect my family,国产视频� and 国产视频渨here will we sleep tonight国产视频� become commonplace 国产视频� and shared for huge numbers of families, communities, and young boys and girls who are facing these giant, heartbreaking uncertainties for the first time.

As a聽new聽国产视频聽report shows, critical early childhood development services 国产视频� such as聽health care聽for mother and child, good nutrition and 国产视频淪afe Spaces国产视频� to learn through play 国产视频� may fall by the wayside when physical safety feels at risk, or when displacement changes what seems possible.

However, it is exactly these services that are so important to provide stability and protection for young children and ensure their futures can be brighter.

As world leaders gather this week for the United Nations General Assembly and the Leaders国产视频� Summit on Refugees, they must remember that the聽development of our youngest generation cannot wait聽until conflict moves from their area, famine is over or waters recede from low-lying villages and the luckiest families may return to a more familiar way of life.

Either we ensure women and children in crisis have what they need now or we will see the impacts for generations to come.

In particular, supporting women to breastfeed can mean the difference between a child growing up in crisis getting his or her strongest, best possible start in life 国产视频� or being left behind.

Breast milk is lifesaving for infants enduring crisis because its formulation changes to match what a nursing infant needs,聽even changing composition if a child is sick.

In addition, possible lack of safe drinking water in emergencies can make formula use the path to deadly diarrhea and acute malnutrition.聽Almost 95% of child deaths in emergencies聽are due to聽diarrhoea聽caused by dirty water or inadequate hygiene.

Critically, supporting women who want to breastfeed is also about reinforcing a woman国产视频檚 right and ability to make important health and care decisions for herself and her family.

Ensuring women have 国产视频淪afe Spaces国产视频� to breastfeed and care for young children, and the ability to secure their own care and pursue聽their聽own medical or other聽needs,聽is about protecting personal agency within crisis and putting trust in women.

We also know that women who breastfeed聽reduce their own risk for cancer and diabetes.

Whether or not a child receives breast milk exclusively for the first six months following birth, and breast milk in addition to complementary foods after that until at least age two,聽is one of the most effective ways聽to prevent stunting 国产视频� chronic malnutrition.

It also makes sure that child has his or her best chance at growing up with a strong body and brain ready to take on the world国产视频檚 challenges 国产视频� from how to care for a family and build community, to running a thriving business, teaching the next generation, or even running for office.

But first comes survival. We know that the risk of death and disease in emergencies is聽20 times higher聽than normal for children under聽five,聽and that a young child国产视频檚聽brain development can suffer聽when violence is ever-present.

Breastfeeding is a clear part of the solution, providing a solid foundation for lifelong health and resilience. It is the first line of protection for infants in聽emergencies,聽and is a critical part of the support and services included in early childhood development that urgently聽require聽a great deal more attention and investment.