Six million lives a year are being saved by exclusive breastfeeding, and global breastfeeding rates have raised by at least 15 per cent since 1990, says a report released on the 15th anniversary of the Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding.

Between 1990 and 2000, exclusive breastfeeding levels for children under six months in the developing world have increased by as much as three or fourfold in some countries.

"Exclusive breastfeeding is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat child hunger and death", said UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman. "The Innocenti Declaration created a movement that has helped to save millions of lives and brought us closer to the Millennium Development Goals."

Veneman said the achievements since the Innocenti Declaration should inspire us to do more to reach out to vulnerable mothers and children. She praised the dedication of a vast international community of breastfeeding advocates, who have worked tirelessly to turn the promises of the Innocenti Declaration, and the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative, into action.

Through their efforts, nearly 20,000 hospitals in 150 countries have become "baby-friendly", more than 60 countries have laws or regulations implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and many countries have some form of national breastfeeding authority.

But the Innocenti partners warned that the original goals of the Declaration are still far from met. For instance, only 39 per cent of infants in developing countries are exclusively breastfed. Lack of awareness amongst mothers and lack of support from health workers and communities is largely to blame.

Breast milk gives a baby ideal nourishment during the critical first months of life, as well as vital immunity against killer diseases like pneumonia. Babies should be exclusively breastfed from birth to six months, and then breastfed alongside age-appropriate, complementary feeding for two years and beyond.