# Breast milk programmes baby’s health, India’s exclusive breastfeeding at 55.8% 2026-08-07T19:05:49+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet India's National Family Health Survey-6 shows that only 55.8% of babies under six months were exclusively breastfed in 2023, 24, the first such data point from the latest round. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, with colostrum fed within the 'golden hour' after birth and no pre-lacteal feeds. Breast milk is customised to an infant's needs, containing nutrients, growth factors, hormones, antibodies, and human milk oligosaccharides. The Hindu reports that while lactation begins months before birth, milk production intensifies a day or two after delivery. India's rate remains below global targets, highlighting gaps in awareness and support for nursing mothers. ## Coverage - thehindu.com Tags: breast milk, breastfeeding, colostrum, India, Infant nutrition, NFHS Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/breast-milk-programmes-babys-health-indias-exclusive-breastfeeding-at-55-8/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/breast-milk-programmes-babys-health-indias-exclusive-breastfeeding-at-55-8/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.