Recent NFHS-6 data reveals a significant decline in exclusive breastfeeding rates in India, effectively undoing nearly a decade of progress in just three years.
Key Takeaways
- Exclusive breastfeeding rates fell from 63.7% in NFHS-5 to 55.8% in NFHS-6.
- Major declines were observed in high-birth-rate states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana.
- While institutional deliveries have reached 90.6%, nutritional indicators for infants are regressing.
India's maternal healthcare landscape is presenting a complex paradox. While indicators like institutional deliveries (90.6%) and postnatal care coverage (82.8%) have shown consistent improvement, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding has taken a sharp downturn.
According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), the percentage of infants exclusively breastfed for the first six months dropped to 55.8%, down from 63.7% in NFHS-5. This regression essentially brings India's breastfeeding statistics back to levels seen nearly a decade ago during NFHS-4.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this is not a uniform national trend but a localized crisis in high-impact states. The decline in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana is particularly critical because these states contribute a massive share to India's total birth rate.
| State | Change (Percentage Points) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Sikkim | +21.3 | Improvement |
| Haryana | -28.3 | Decline |
| Uttar Pradesh | -25.1 | Decline |
| Kerala | +17.2 | Improvement |
The reversal of gains in key demographic states poses a significant threat to long-term child nutrition and public health goals.
Historical Background
The journey of breastfeeding in India has been volatile. From 54.9% in NFHS-4 (2015-16) to a peak of 63.7% in NFHS-5 (2019-21), the progress seemed steady until the recent data showed a sudden slip back to 55.8% in the current cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does NFHS-6 indicate about maternal health? It shows improved hospital delivery rates but a worrying decline in infant nutrition through breastfeeding.
2. Which states are leading in breastfeeding improvements? Sikkim and Kerala have shown significant positive growth in breastfeeding rates.
