Every year, World Breastfeeding Week is commemorated from the 1st to the 7th of August, to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. The theme for this year is“ Closing the gap : Breastfeeding support for all ”. This campaign showcases the way that families, societies, workplaces and health workers can all be involved to increase breastfeeding success, duration and sustainability. Breastfeeding is in the mother’s domain and when fathers, families and workplaces support her, breastfeeding improves.
Breastfeeding promotes better health for mothers and babies alike. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding starting within one hour after birth, upto 6 months of age. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of pneumonias, diarrhoea, and ear infections in babies, apart from the long-term effects of protecting from allergies and increasing baby’s IQ! Not just babies, but moms are benefitted by decreased risks of breast, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
