As of 2005, what percentage of infants were exclusively breastfed in conjunction with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative?

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was established to promote breastfeeding and ensure that mothers receive the support needed to initiate and maintain breastfeeding successfully. By 2005, significant progress had been made in increasing the rates of exclusive breastfeeding among infants due to the influence of the initiative. The correct percentage of infants who were exclusively breastfed during that time, which is 78.4%, reflects the positive impact of the BFHI and its emphasis on practices such as skin-to-skin contact, early initiation of breastfeeding, and providing mothers with essential information and support.

This statistic highlights the effectiveness of the strategies implemented under the BFHI to encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed, which is crucial for infant health and development. Exclusive breastfeeding has been recognized for its numerous benefits, including providing optimal nutrition and strengthening the mother-infant bond. The high percentage indicates that many hospitals and health facilities were successfully adopting the practices outlined by the BFHI, leading to increased awareness and support for breastfeeding among new mothers.