August 1-7, 2009 Is World Breastfeeding Week

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 31 Jul 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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This week long observation of the importance of breastfeeding is organized by the World Breastfeeding Week organization (worldbreastfeedingweek.org). The theme this year is the importance of breastfeeding during emergency situations. It is important that when natural or man-made disasters strike that all involved remember the importance of maintaining and supporting breastfeeding of infants affected by the disaster.

The benefits of breastfeeding are well established and have been described by, among others, the WHO and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the United States (see below). AFIC joins the WBW organization and the WHO in indorsing August 1-7, 2009 as World Breastfeeding week.

WHO emphasized that "Breastfeeding is the ideal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family and the health care system. Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky breast milk produced at the end of pregnancy, is recommended by WHO as the perfect food for the newborn, and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age."

Similar with National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the United States, stated that "Breast feeding offers many benefits to your baby. Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients to help your infant grow into a strong and healthy toddler. Some of the nutrients in breast milk also help protect your infant against some common childhood illnesses and infections. It may also help your health. Certain types of cancer may occur less often in mothers who have breastfed their babies.

Women who don't have health problems should try to give their babies breast milk for at least the first six months of life. There are some cases when it's better not to breast feed. If you have HIV or active tuberculosis, you should not breast feed because you could give the infection to your baby. Certain medicines, illegal drugs, and alcohol can also pass through the breast milk and cause harm to your baby."

Reference

- http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breastfeeding.html
- http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Breastfeeding.cfm

Source
Asian Food Information Center (AFIC)

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