Bottle-Feeding Linked to 33,700 Child Deaths Due to Diarrhea and Pneumonia

Quick Answer

Health experts in Karachi said inadequate breastfeeding is linked to an estimated 33,700 child deaths in Pakistan every year. Only 20% of newborns receive breast milk within the first hour, while 48% of babies under six months are exclusively breastfed. Babies under six months who receive no breast milk may face up to 15 times greater risk of death than exclusively breastfed babies.

Breastfeeding Rates and Child Health in Pakistan

Figures Shared by Health Experts

At a media workshop held at the Karachi Press Club, experts from the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology shared these figures:

• Only one in five newborns is breastfed within the first hour.

• About 48% of babies under six months are exclusively breastfed.

• Inadequate breastfeeding is linked to an estimated 33,700 child deaths annually.

• Diarrhoea and pneumonia are among the main preventable causes connected with these deaths.

• Babies under six months who are not breastfed may face up to 15 times greater risk of death.

• Partially breastfed babies may face around three times greater risk than exclusively breastfed babies.

• Bottle-feeding among children under two reportedly increased from 32% in 2006–07 to 48% in 2024.

Important correction: The risk is reported as 15 times higher, not 15% higher. The annual death figure is an expert estimate linked to inadequate breastfeeding, not a direct count of individually confirmed cases.

Recommended Feeding Practices for Babies

The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend starting breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.

Babies should receive only breast milk during their first six months unless a qualified medical professional advises otherwise. Water, formula milk or other foods should not be given during this period without a medical need.

Safe and suitable complementary foods should be introduced after six months. Breastfeeding can then continue alongside other foods for two years or longer.

Why Bottle-Feeding Can Increase Health Risks

Bottle-feeding is not automatically harmful in every situation, and some mothers may need to use formula for medical or personal reasons. However, unsafe water, unclean bottles, incorrect preparation or poor storage can expose babies to infections.

Breast milk provides nutrition and protection against illnesses, including diarrhoea and respiratory infections. It also has health benefits for mothers, including a lower risk of some diseases.

Parents who cannot breastfeed should seek advice from a qualified doctor or trained health professional about safe feeding options.

Support Required from Families, Hospitals and Employers

Breastfeeding should not be treated as the mother’s responsibility alone. Fathers, family members, doctors, hospitals and employers all have a role in creating a supportive environment.

Hospitals should help mothers begin breastfeeding soon after delivery. Families can reduce pressure on mothers by assisting with household responsibilities, while employers can provide suitable breaks and private spaces for breastfeeding or expressing milk.

Sindh introduced legislation in 2023 to protect and promote breastfeeding and regulate the marketing of breast-milk substitutes. Effective enforcement, trained healthcare workers and workplace support remain important for improving breastfeeding rates.

The workshop was organised by SICHN in collaboration with UNICEF and the Sindh Health Department during World Breastfeeding Week 2026. The figures were presented by health experts and supported by national nutrition data and UNICEF guidance.