Exclusive breastfeeding can be defined as giving a child no other food or drink, not even water, except breast milk for the first 6 months of a Childs’ life, but allows the infant to receive ORS, drops and syrups (vitamins, minerals and medicines).
Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is very important to ensure the growth, health and development of children to their full potential. It is a known fact worldwide that exclusive breastfeeding is beneficial for both the mother and child, as breast milk is the best source of nutrition for an infant.
Exclusive breastfeeding of an infant for the first six months carries enormous benefits such as lowered risk of gastrointestinal infection; it also protects against infections, like ear infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infection in the infant while the mother returns to her pre-pregnancy weight and health very rapidly.
Exclusive Breastfeeding also protects the child against diarrhea and other common childhood illnesses and also have long term health benefits for the mother and child, such as reducing the risk of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence.

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Even the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months, followed by breastfeeding along with complementary foods for up to two years of age or beyond.
Other benefits of exclusive breast feeding include decreased risk of allergies and lactose intolerance. The infant experiences less nappy rash and thrush. Lower respiratory tract diseases can be avoided if exclusive breastfeeding is adopted by mothers as there are many infants who are hospitalized with moderate to severe respiratory infection which is caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. It has been reported that severe lower respiratory tract diseases may eventually lead to childhood asthma. And this risk can be reduced in infants of less than 1 year of age if they were breastfed exclusively for six (6) months or more unlike those who are formula fed.