Breastfeeding is the most efficient way to promote maternal and infant health. Every year in the month of August, more than 120 countries around the world join with UNICEF and WHO to celebrate World Breast Feeding Week (August 1 to 7). This annual global campaign is led by World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA).
Breastfeeding should be initiated within the first hour of birth. Infants should be breastfed exclusively for 6 months and it should be continued up to 2 years or beyond along with complementary foods,
Breastfeeding has a wide range of benefits for infants and mothers. Some of the major advantages of breastfeeding for the child are listed below:
Improving Child Survival
Protecting against life-threatening & chronic illness
Promotes healthy growth & boosts early child development
Supports healthy brain development
Associated with higher performance in intelligence tests
Breastfeeding also offers several positive aspects to the mother:
Protecting against Post-Partum Haemorrhage and Post-Partum depression
Helps in reducing the chances of ovarian and breast cancer
Protects from heart disease and type 2 diseases
The theme of WBW 2022 is ‘ Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support’. The factors that contribute to a positive environment for breastfeeding are given as follows:
1. At National Level
Implementing policies that guarantee parental leave, protect the right to breastfeed in the workplace, and bring strict regulations on the marketing of breast milk substitutes.
2. Health Care Facilities
Educate and support mothers to breastfeed immediately after birth and beyond.
3. Social Norms
Positive social norms such as supporting and encouraging breastfeeding in public places help to empower mothers to breastfeed.
4. At the Community Level
Support from trained counselors and peers, including other mothers and family members plays a key role.
5. Support from Partner
Support from the husband or partner has a great influence on breastfeeding.
Let us promote and encourage breastfeeding for infant and mother health, thus helping to create a healthy world.
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