Recommendations for a multisectorial national policy to promote breastfeeding in Mexico: position of the National Academy of Medicine

Evidence strongly supports that to improve breastfeeding practices it is needed to strengthen actions of promotion, protection and support. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to establish a multisectoral national policy that includes elements such as design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs and policies, funding research, advocacy to develop political willingness, and the promotion of breastfeeding from the national to municipal level, all coordinated by a central level. It is until now that Mexico has initiated a reform process to the establish a National Strategy for Breastfeeding Action. This strategy, is the result not only of the consistent scientific evidence on clear and strong benefits of breastfeeding on population health and the development of human capital, but also for the alarming data of deterioration of breastfeeding practices in the country. The comprehensive implementation of the National Strategy for Breastfeeding Action that includes the establishment of a national committee, intra- and inter-sectoral coordination of actions, setting clear goals and monitoring the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes, is the awaiting responsibility of the public health agenda of the country.