Breast-feeding rate in China falls far below world average

China's health authority reported a breast-feeding rate of 27.8 percent, far below the world average of 38 percent, at an awareness-raising event on Friday to mark World Breastfeeding Week, from Aug 1 to 7 each year.

According to the World Health Organization, breast-feeding is the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need. Breast-feeding is recommended until infants reach 6 months, and it should be continued with supplementary foods for up to two years.

In China, the breast-feeding rate for babies up to 6 months is expected to reach at least 50 percent, according to the Outline Program for Development of Chinese Children (2011-2020), issued by the State Council.