The latest Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey showed that exclusive breastfeeding rates among children aged four to five months dropped from 80.8 percent in 2015 to 68.1 percent in 2020. Despite recommendations to exclusively breastfeed for six months, many infants in Rwanda are introduced to other foods earlier. ALSO READ: How is Rwanda boosting exclusive breastfeeding for working mothers? Health experts say this decline is linked to short maternity leave, lack of breastfeeding facilities at workplaces, early introduction of complementary foods, and limited family support. “Many mothers begin introducing porridge, cow’s milk, or other foods as early as four months. This mostly happens when they are preparing to return to work,” said Jean Yves Ntimugura, the Nutrition Advisor at the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), during a media orientation on July 31 in Kigali. ALSO READ: Rwanda surpasses global exclusive breastfeeding average Ntimugura added that mothers often lack day-to-day support after leaving the hospital, facing pressure at home from family members to introduce food early, while few employers provide the time or space needed to continue breastfeeding at work. “We can’t expect exclusive breastfeeding to improve without structural support,” he said. Rwanda’s maternity leave lasts 12 weeks. NCDA is pushing to extend it to six months, in line with World Health Organization recommendations. The same national survey shows stunting among children under six months increased from 10.5 percent to 16.2 percent over the same five-year period. The proportion of children aged 6 to 23 months receiving the minimum number of meals per day also fell. “These figures are linked, we are seeing poor breastfeeding practices followed by poor complementary feeding,” Ntimugura said Rwanda is yet to approve the Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes, which regulates the promotion of formula and related products. According to NCDA, delays in passing this code have allowed practices that undermine breastfeeding. “Products are being promoted as alternatives to breast milk. Without this code, we have no legal protection.” Another challenge is the absence of a national policy requiring workplaces to provide breastfeeding rooms or childcare options, Ntimugura noted, adding the need to advocate for mandatory breastfeeding spaces at work and in public areas. Ntimugura added that most employers lack awareness of the importance of breastfeeding support, with some unwilling to adjust working hours or provide space, as they consider it a private matter rather than a workplace responsibility. At the health facility level, NCDA plans refresher training for healthcare workers that includes on-site mentorship, practical demonstrations, and the integration of breastfeeding modules into medical and allied health curricula. “Training must go beyond theory, health workers need to actively guide mothers, not just tell them to breastfeed,” Ntimugura said. He stressed that family support, especially from fathers, is still lacking and urged more men to get involved in daily caregiving and recognize their role in supporting breastfeeding. “Breastfeeding isn’t something a mother can do alone. If she feels overwhelmed, stressed, or unsupported, it becomes difficult to keep it up,” Ntimugura said. Teen mothers face more challenges as some are rejected by their families or separated from their babies, which interrupts breastfeeding during the important early weeks, he added. “We have had cases where babies are taken from teen mothers to be raised by grandmothers, breastfeeding stops completely. We plan to raise awareness and reduce stigma toward young mothers through discussions during Umuganda, churches, and parent groups. World Breastfeeding Week, from August 1 to 7, will be marked with national and district-level activities throughout the month. The official launch is set for August 7 in Nyagatare District. On August 3, a breastfeeding rally will take place during car-free day events in Kigali and other districts. Under the theme “Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future,” the campaign includes radio and TV talk shows, community dialogues, workplace visits, and printed materials on breastfeeding best practices for distribution at public gatherings.
