In Haiti, breastfeeding remains one of the most powerful means of improving children’s survival and long-term health. The World Health Organization recommends, where possible, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding with complementary food for up to two years or more. Studies show that breastfeeding can reduce infant mortality by 13% and prevent millions of deaths worldwide every year. Yet for many mothers, the decision to breastfeed is not a simple one.
In Plateau-Central and Bas-Artibonite, Zanmi Lasante works with mothers and families to provide the knowledge, care and community support needed to make breastfeeding safe and sustainable. Nurses, doctors and community health workers play an essential role in accompanying families from pregnancy through to the child’s early years. This accompaniment includes prenatal counseling, postnatal visits, nutritional support when breastfeeding is not possible, as well as ongoing education on good feeding practices.
The mothers accompanied by Zanmi Lasante often describe the importance of having a nurse by their side after childbirth, or of receiving a visit from a community health worker when they are going through doubts.
These testimonies reflect the reality of many rural families faced with obstacles such as lack of information, medical complications or poverty. For them, breastfeeding is not just a personal choice, but also a public health issue. Without appropriate support, many turn to alternatives that are not always safe or sustainable.
Why breastfeeding is important
Breast milk provides complete nutrition, strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhea, two of the main causes of infant mortality in Haiti.
According to UNICEF, only 40% of babies in Haiti are exclusively breastfed for the first six months, well below global targets. This gap highlights the importance of investing in education and structural support, two areas in which Zanmi Lasante has made notable progress.
ZL integrates breastfeeding promotion into its broader maternal and child health programs. In hospitals and health centers, mothers receive advice from qualified nurses and midwives. In communities, ASCPs visit families, answer questions and help mothers overcome difficulties. And when breastfeeding is not possible, ZL ensures that families have access to safe alternatives and ongoing monitoring, reducing the risk of malnutrition.
These efforts are not isolated. They are part of a broader vision to strengthen Haiti’s healthcare system and highlight maternal and child health as a national priority. By combining medical care, community involvement and advocacy with the authorities, ZL and its partners, including the MSPP, are building the foundations for a healthier future for children.
For Zanmi Lasante, promoting breastfeeding is about more than just nutrition. It’s about dignity, solidarity and the fundamental right of every child to start life in good health. By accompanying families with compassion and science-based care, ZL demonstrates that it’s possible to make progress, even under difficult conditions.
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