Though breastfeeding rates are increasing in Uzbekistan, an estimated 26.4% of children under six months of age are only exclusively breastfed (MICS 2006). While the timely initiation of breastfeeding is 67.1%, the Ministry of health reports that sharp decline of exclusive breastfeeding starts form the second month of birth, when mothers leave the maternities.

"The Breastfeeding Week, which we start tomorrow, gives us an opportunity to advocate for a very simple way to protect children’s lives", said UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan Mahboob Shareef. "The aim of the week is to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life which yields tremendous health benefits, providing critical nutrients, protection from deadly diseases such as pneumonia and fostering growth and development. Continued breast feeding after six months, for up to two years of age or beyond, combined with safe and appropriate complementary feeding, is the optimal approach to child feeding."

UNICEF has been working with the Government of Uzbekistan since 1997 creating baby-friendly hospitals where breastfeeding is protected, encouraged and supported. The program works with both mothers and medical personnel to educate them on the benefits of proper maternal and infant nutrition.

Expanding activities to primary health care level in 2006 the Ministry of Health managed to enhance the exclusive breastfeeding rate up to more then 65 % of children under six month months in pilot regions – Ferghana, Tashkent, Khorezm and Karakalpakstan regions.

Currently, there are 176 of certified baby-friendly institutions, covering more then 300.000 children throughout the country. Each of them uses 11 key principals for successful breast feeding

During the week a series of round tables, health fairs and community meetings will be organized side by side with day to day activities and consultations on breastfeeding issues. Various forms of leaflets and posters will be distributed to maternity houses and community healthcare facilities which can also be obtained from mahalla committees in each district.

This work also follows on from the evaluation of the Family education program which showed an increase in knowledge and awareness about the importance of breastfeeding in relation to health benefits such as fewer infections and allergies. This improvement was most notable among traditional Uzbek families.