Introduction:
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of mothers and babies.
It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration signed in August 1990 by government policymakers, WHO, UNICEF and other organizations to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Key Facts:
- Breastfeeding for the first six months is crucial for baby and mother.
- Breast milk contains natural antibiotics, which protect infants from infectious illnesses such as gastritis, diarrhea and pneumonia.
- Breastfeeding protects mother from breast and uterine cancer, diabetes and postpartum depression.
- In the long term, breastfeeding protects infants from obesity-related illnesses, diabetes and increases the IQ.
- At the age of 6 introduce your baby gradually to solid foods.
Official Date:
Globally: August 1st-7th, 2019.
Locally: Dhu'l-Qi'dah 29th- Dhu'l-Hijja 6th, 1440H.
Objectives of the World Breastfeeding Week:
- Encouraging parents to breastfeeding.
- Raising awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and damage caused by complementary feeding.
- Providing proven scientific material about the importance of breastfeeding.
- Supporting breastfeeding at workplaces.
Theme of the World Week:
Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding