WORLD BREASTFEEDING MONTH

World Breastfeeding Month is an annual global event celebrated in August to encourage the importance of breastfeeding for newborn babies and mothers. The month is also a time to advocate for women’s right to breastfeed their babies anywhere and anytime.

Breastmilk is the perfect food for babies. It is packed with nutrients that are essential for brain growth and nervous system development. Breast milk also contains antibodies that help protect babies from various infections.

Breastfeeding has many benefits for both the babies and mothers.

For babies, breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of:

• Respiratory problems, such as pneumonia and bronchitis
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Ear infections
• Diarrhea
• Obesity
• Type 1 diabetes

For mothers, breastfeeding can help in:

• Lose weight after pregnancy
• Reduce the risk of postpartum depression
• Protect against breast cancer and ovarian cancer
• Strengthen the bond between mother and baby

World Breastfeeding Month is a time to celebrate the many benefits of breastfeeding and to encourage all mothers to breastfeed their babies. If you are a mother, please know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you breastfeed successfully.

Here are some tips for breastfeeding:

• Start breastfeeding as soon as possible after your baby is born.
• Feed your baby on demand, about every 1–1/2 to 3 hours.
• Make sure your baby has a good latch.
• Get help from a lactation consultant if you need it.
• Be patient and persistent. Breastfeeding takes time and practice.

The Importance of World Breastfeeding Month

World Breastfeeding Month is an important annual global event to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and improve the health of babies and mothers. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend that all babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, and then continue breastfeeding along with complementary foods until two years of age or beyond.

In developing countries, exclusive breastfeeding of infants younger than two years old has the highest potential impact on child survival. It has the ability to save approximately 13% of all deaths in children under the age of five years. In addition, it is also critical to achieving many of the newly announced Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

World Breastfeeding Month is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and to support mothers who are breastfeeding. It is also a time to call on governments and businesses to create policies and environments that make it easier for mothers to breastfeed.

The Indian Stake

India has the highest share of child deaths in the world, with 20% of all child deaths occurring in India. Malnutrition is responsible for over half of the country’s under-five mortality and infant mortality rates of 48 and 38 per 1,000 live births, respectively.

In addition, a UNICEF report found that Indian women have subpar breastfeeding practices. Only 65% of infants were reported to be exclusively breastfed at six months of age and 45% of infants received colostrum milk within one hour of birth.

Challenges to Optimal Breastfeeding Practice

There are many factors that can challenge optimal breastfeeding practices, including:

• Family and community factors, such as lack of support for breastfeeding mothers
• Health system and service factors, such as inadequate access to breastfeeding education and support
• Sociocultural factors, such as traditional practices that discourage breastfeeding
• Mother-infant interaction factors, such as breast problems or difficulty latching
• Workplace and employment factors, such as lack of paid maternity leave or break time for breastfeeding

Discuss Benefits of Breast Feeding With An Expert Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Noida

The Role of the Workplace

The workplace is one of the most important settings for promoting optimal breastfeeding practices. Many women return to work within the first year after giving birth, and this can make it difficult to continue breastfeeding.

Employers can play a role in supporting breastfeeding mothers by providing:

• Paid maternity leave
• Break time for breastfeeding
• A private place to breastfeed or express milk
• Access to a breast pump
• Information and support about breastfeeding

World Breastfeeding Month 2023 Theme: Let’s Make Breastfeeding and Work Work!

The theme for World Breastfeeding Month 2023 is “Let’s Make Breastfeeding and Work Work!” This theme highlights the importance of supporting working mothers who want to breastfeed their babies. Many work-related factors can make it difficult for mothers to breastfeed, such as lack of paid maternity leave, inflexible work schedules, and lack of lactation rooms. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all women have access to the following support to breastfeed while working:

• Paid maternity leave of at least 126 days (18 weeks)
• Paid lactation breaks to pump or nurse their babies
• Flexible work arrangements that allow mothers to breastfeed or pump during the workday
• Lactation rooms or other private spaces where mothers can breastfeed or pump

The WHO also recommends that governments and employers create policies and programs that support breastfeeding in the workplace. This includes raising awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, providing training for managers and supervisors on how to support breastfeeding mothers, and making it easier for mothers to breastfeed or pump at work.

By working together, we can make it possible for all mothers to breastfeed their babies, regardless of their employment status. Breastfeeding is one of the best things a mother can do for her baby’s health, and it is also important for the health of mothers. Let’s all work together to make breastfeeding and work work!

History of World Breastfeeding Month

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year at the starting of August. It was first celebrated in 1990 to commemorate the Innocenti Declaration, which was a landmark document that called for global action to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. Since then, WBW has grown into a global event that is celebrated in over 170 countries.

The theme for WBW changes every year. The theme for WBW 2023 is “Let’s Make Breastfeeding and Work Work!” This theme reflects the importance of supporting working mothers who want to breastfeed their babies.

WBW is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and to advocate for policies and programs that support breastfeeding. It is also a time to celebrate the many working mothers who are breastfeeding their babies.