In celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week, BCOT (African American Breastfeeding Cultural Outreach Taskforce had scheduled Breastfeeding Challenge Kick off Event in Oakland California on 8/23/18.
#3MonthsBreastfeedingChallenge (@BreastfeedOakland) is on the mission to support all parents to offer their babies breast milk for the first 3 months of life!
Rupal Asodaria (middle) with De Linda Horton, M.A., MDN WIC Director and Allana Samuel
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mother and baby desire. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.
If breastfeeding were scaled up to near universal levels, about 820 000 child lives would be saved every year (1). Globally, only 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. (via WHO)
Pic: Breastfeeding mother holds her shirt up with NursElet to provide all possible comfort to hold her baby rather holding her shirt.
However breastfeeding mothers start giving up before that! There’re many Barrier Shuffle. It can be lifestyle, going back to work, and lack of support, stress which may affect the milk supply, family obligation or illness.
Research shows that once mother passes the 3 months of breastfeeding challenge, it’s more likely that she’ll continue breastfeed her baby for a year or longer.
Counselors, doula, and peer council members of WIC provide education to families the value of breast milk and how they could possibly support breastfeeding mothers to encourage for longer breastfeeding.
There're many resources available in the community. Always reach out.
By: Rupal Asodaria