Pune: Maharashtra Reports 82% Early Breastfeeding Rate, Outperforms National Average on Key Child Health Indicators

Pune, 3rd August 2026: Maharashtra has recorded a significant improvement in early breastfeeding, with 82% of newborns being breastfed within the first hour of birth, according to the latest data released by the state’s Public Health Department to mark World Breastfeeding Week.

The figures indicate steady progress in maternal and child healthcare, with Maharashtra outperforming the national average on several key child health indicators. However, officials said reducing disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural areas remains a priority.

According to the data, 84.2% of newborns in rural Maharashtra are breastfed within the first hour of birth, compared with 79.5% in urban areas.

The state has also emerged as one of the country’s better-performing states in exclusive breastfeeding, with 68.4% of infants receiving only breast milk during their first six months of life. Health experts said exclusive breastfeeding plays a vital role in reducing infant mortality, improving immunity, and preventing malnutrition.

Officials attributed the improvement to enhanced antenatal counselling and the sustained efforts of Anganwadi workers and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), who have been creating awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding at the community level.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. Health officials said misconceptions about breastfeeding persist in some tribal areas and migrant settlements due to limited awareness. In response, the Women and Child Development Department has launched village-level awareness campaigns under the ‘Stanpan Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative to encourage early and exclusive breastfeeding.

Medical experts said breastfeeding strengthens a baby’s immune system and is particularly important for infants with low birth weight and those living in districts with high levels of malnutrition. Studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months can reduce the incidence of pneumonia, diarrhoea, and other infectious diseases by 50% to 60%.

The department also highlighted several areas requiring greater attention. These include stricter implementation of maternity leave provisions, the establishment of breastfeeding rooms in corporate offices and unorganised workplaces, and efforts to discourage traditional practices in tribal districts such as Melghat, Gadchiroli, and Nandurbar, where some families still feed newborns honey or herbal preparations instead of initiating breastfeeding immediately after birth.
Officials also expressed concern over the increasing use of formula milk in urban areas, attributing the trend to misconceptions about inadequate breast milk, aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes, and changing lifestyles.