World Breastfeeding Week 2008
World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7, 2008) is currently underway. This is an initiative of the World Breastfeeding Alliance, a global network of individuals & organizations concerned with the protection, promotion & support of breastfeeding worldwide. The WBW website has a map of the world covering with flaming Olympic torches linking to activities supporting the week. You can download a beautiful WBW poster from this link
Here is their description of WBW 2008:
Breastfeeding results from a reproductive health continuum for the mother to the child with no beginning or end, from generation to generation. When a practice is disrupted, it must be restored. However, restoration of the breastfeeding culture demands more resources and mobilization.
In conjunction with the Olympics next August, WBW 2008 calls for greater support for mothers in achieving the gold standard of infant feeding: breastfeeding exclusively for six months, and providing appropriate complementary foods with continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond.
As every country sends its best athletes to compete at these global games, it is important to remind ourselves that, in a similar fashion, a healthy young athlete can only emerge from a healthy start on life. There is no question that optimal infant and young child feeding is essential for optimal growth and development.
Supporting Mother = Supporting Her to Provide the Golden Start For Every Child !
In New York City we are working on promoting the Baby Friendly Hospital initiative, developed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Happily, in July of 2008 Harlem Hospital became the first baby friendly hospital in New York City.
Here are the Ten steps to a Baby Friendly Hospital.
1. Maintain a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.
6. Give infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
7. Practice “rooming in”– allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
8. Encourage unrestricted breastfeeding.
9. Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.
10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.
posted by Matt Anderson, MD
With thanks to Rebecca Williams, MD and Natalie Davis, MD
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