World Breastfeeding Week is an annual celebration held every year from August 1 to 7 in over 120 countries, including the Philippines. World Health Organization (WHO) states breastfeeding as one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. This year, the theme for breastfeeding week is 'Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility.
World Breastfeeding Week aims to highlight the huge benefits that breastfeeding can bring to both the health and welfare of babies, as well as a wider push fir maternal health focusing on good nutrition, poverty alleviation and food security.
Breastfeeding is the best way to provide young infants with the essential nutrients required for growth and development. Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean, and acts as the babies' first vaccine, protecting them against many common childhood according to WHO.
There are many benefits of breastfeeding in infants. It helps boost their immune system, lowers the infant's mortality rate, lowers the risk of developing infections such as respiratory tract infections, diabetes, allergic diseases, and childhood leukemia, and helps enhance the cognitive function of the baby.
Additionally, breastmilk is extremely nutritious and healthy for the baby and can help the baby develop a healthy weight.
There has been a lot of misinformation around breastfeeding specially amid COVID 19 pandemic. Transmission of active Covid-19 through breast milk and breastfeeding has not been detected to date according to the World Health Organization hence, there is no reason to avoid or stop breastfeeding.
According to WHO, a woman with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 can breastfeed if they wish to do so. The breastfeeding woman just has to follow few precautions. Before breastfeeding, a mother should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. In case of unavailability of water, one can use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 per cent alcohol content. Moreover, one should always wear a mask during any contact with the baby, including while feeding.
Various countries across the globe have its own way of celebrating World Breastfeeding Week. In the Philippines, it will celebrate breastfeeding month, themed “Tulong-Tulong sa Pagpapasuso sa - First 1,000 Days! (Let’s help each other to support breastfeeding in the first 1,000 days!).” This is to highlight the countries efforts to support the First 1,000 Days in the life of a child, including exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months.
The Department of Health in the entire month of August will conduct collaborative activities with partners including technical forums and public interactive sessions. This is done to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Week is celebrated to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. The celebration aims to raise awareness of the health and wellbeing outcomes of breastfeeding and the importance of supporting mothers to breastfeed for as long as they wish. #NPC CPDotollo
