World Breastfeeding Awareness Week is celebrated August 1 – 7 each year. Established in 1992, the purpose of this celebration is to encourage breastfeeding to improve the health of babies and mothers around the globe.
In 2018, USA declared that public breastfeeding is now legal in 50 states. Free the nipple. Feed the babies. La Leche League International and WIC provide education and support to moms in breastfeeding their newborns.
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), also known as Baby Friendly Initiative, is a worldwide programme of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, launched in 1991 following the adoption of the Innocenti Declaration on breastfeeding promotion in 1990. The criteria for a hospital's Baby Friendly accreditation include: Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
Many medical experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, strongly recommend breastfeeding exclusively (no formula, juice or water) for the first six months. Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants, including vitamins, protein and fats, all of which babies need to grow. Breast milk also contains antibodies that help infants fight off multitude of illnesses. Breastfeeding is known to help ward off infections among infants. Breastfed babies have fewer, or at least less severe, colds than formula-fed babies. Fewer colds means fewer ear infections.
Picture: Anjelica (NursEletMama)
Colostrum, the milk mothers produce in the first few days after birth. Colostrum also contains higher amounts of white blood cells and infection-fighting substances than mature milk.
Breastfeeding is the foundation of good health for moms and babies throughout their lives.
Choosing whether to breastfeed is a highly personal decision. Some moms may not be able to do so. The ultimate goal is a healthy baby.
By: Rupal Asodaria