Only half of the infants in the Republic of Moldova are exclusively breastfed up to six months, and only 15% of children are still fed with breast milk at the age of one year. Only one in ten mothers continue breastfeeding until the children turn two, as it is recommended by specialists. The trend is downward and worrying, according to a report produced by UNICEF in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, which analyzes eating habits in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, an essential period for their health and development, IPN reports.
Despite international recommendations, less than half of Moldovan children aged 0 to 5 months benefit from exclusive breastfeeding. The study shows that, although there is a slight increase compared to 2012, when the rate was 36%, Moldova has not yet reached the global target of 50% set by the WHO by 2025.
Although 94% of babies are breastfed at least once, only 72% are breastfed in the first hour after birth, an essential moment for the correct initiation of breastfeeding. More than a third of newborns receive other fluids or formulas from the first two days of life. Among the causes invoked are the lack of support from the medical staff, the low level of information, but also the aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes.
According to experts, in addition to the short duration of breastfeeding, complementary nutrition leaves to be desired. More than a quarter of children between 6 and 23 months do not receive a minimum variety of foods, and 41% do not benefit from a minimum acceptable diet, that is, they are not fed often enough or with products from all essential food groups.
The data also reveal another problem. Parents introduce into the diet of very young children products that are inappropriate for their age. More than half of children under the age of two consume sweetened beverages, sweets and processed products such as cold cuts or chips.
This early exposure to sugar, salt and processed fats can contribute to long-term health problems, such as childhood obesity or metabolic disorders. The study points to a direct link between the lack of correct information and inappropriate eating habits.
Some 38% of parents rely on online sources when making decisions about their child’s diet, and 30% ask relatives for advice. Only 59% indicated the family doctor as the main source, and the proportion of those who received guidance on breastfeeding during pregnancy is 64%.
Moreover, only one in four women was advised by medical staff to breastfeed immediately after giving birth. Specialists point out that this lack of support in the first hours of life, which is a crucial moment for initiating breastfeeding, significantly reduces the chances that the baby will benefit from natural food during the recommended period.
The study draws attention to the aggressive promotion of formula milk, bottles and nipples, including in medical institutions. Almost 40% of parents said they had seen such advertisements in hospitals or clinics, and 7% received free samples of products intended for infants.
These practices run counter to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes, which Moldova undertook to respect. However, UNICEF specialists warn that the national legislation is not clear enough and does not provide real protection against commercial influences.
“Feeding is not just about nutrition – it is about shaping human potential,” said Maha Damaj, UNICEF Representative in Moldova. She noted that healthy habits start at home, but they need the support of an entire network, from medical professionals to the community and decision-makers.
Angela Paraschiv, secretary of state for health, said that these data will contribute to the improvement of policies and programs dedicated to parents. “We recognize that investing in early nutrition is not only a public health priority, but also a strategic investment in our country’s future prosperity,” said the official.
Among the recommendations made in the study are strengthening the training of health professionals on breastfeeding counseling, ensuring stricter regulation of advertising for infant products, expanding support services for mothers and launching public awareness campaigns.
The report’s conclusions underline that in order to protect the health of future generations, it is essential that all stakeholders – parents, healthcare workers, institutions and policymakers – work together to promote proper nutrition from the first months of life.
The UNICEF research was carried out between October and December 2024 and covered a representative sample of 1,206 parents and caregivers from all regions of the Republic of Moldova, with children under the age of two. It is the first study of this type conducted after a break of more than ten years.