JUBA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- There is a sharp increase in exclusive breastfeeding in South Sudan following the development of UN-backed infant nutrition guidelines by the Ministry of Health, the UN children's agency UNICEF said on Thursday.

UNICEF attributed the rise to the development of the maternal infant and young child nutrition guidelines by the Ministry of Health and the training of healthcare providers on appropriate infants and young children feeding practices.

"The Ministry of Health and UNICEF are working together with WHO and WFP and other partners in South Sudan to increase support and investments for improving infant and child feeding practices," Mohamed Ag Ayoya, UNICEF representative in South Sudan, said in a statement issued to mark the start of the World Breastfeeding Week.

The World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually from Aug. 1-7 to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of children and their mothers.

"There is no doubt that the absolute best nutrition for babies is found in breast milk. We all have a responsibility to provide an environment for mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies up to the age of six months, when complementary foods should be introduced," Ayoya.

He said the breast milk should be given alongside nutrient dense complementary foods until the age of two years and beyond.

According to UNICEF, early initiation within the first hour of birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding for two years or more, is the best possible start a child can have for improved nutrition, growth and development.

It said breastfeeding which is central to achieving optimum health and ensuring the survival of infants and young children plays a key role in the prevention of infant morbidity and mortality, particularly due to diarrheal diseases and pneumonia.

Riek Gai Kok, minister of health in South Sudan said the government is committed to achieving 98 percent exclusive breastfeeding in the next five years with support from health and nutrition partners.