The week, held annually from August 1 to 7 in over 120 countries, aims to encourage breast-feeding to improve the health of newborn babies across the country.

In Vietnam, most mothers breast feed and 55 percent of them breast feed within the first hour after giving birth. Only 10 percent of mothers fully breast feed while more than 36 percent intend to breast feed for 24 months.

In addition to general child care programmes, the Government has issued a decree on trading and using nutrition products for children. The decree also stipulates that medical staff and health centres should not advise mothers to use powdered milk or other dairy products to replace breast milk, except on doctors’ orders.