Optimal breastfeeding is one of the most powerful practices for promoting the health and wellbeing of newborns. It is a universal solution that lays the foundation for the good health and survival of women and children. With so many benefits for both mother and child, we want to bring awareness to this wonderful practice. Why does the practice of breastfeeding require our attention?

Breast milk contains hormones and the perfect balance of protein, vitamins, antibodies, and more to help babies grow and develop. Breastfeeding not only promotes the healthy growth and development of babies but also promotes survival and protection against life-threatening and chronic diseases. It also boosts early child and brain development. Of course, there are many benefits to the nursing parent! Breastfeeding can help protect mothers against postpartum depression and hemorrhages, ovarian and breast cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

The overall rate of breastfeeding for infants under six months is only 40%. Scaling up breastfeeding rates can prevent 20,000 maternal deaths and 823,000 child deaths annually, as well as prevent over $300 billion in economic losses annually. With more awareness and promotion of breastfeeding, more families can be supported and quiet some of the stigmas surrounding breastfeeding. The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Awareness (WABA) is a global network that is dedicated to the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding and is a wonderful resource for education and action steps towards optimal breastfeeding.

WABA celebrates Breastfeeding Awareness Week every year with a specific campaign goal to focus on each year. The 2021 campaign focuses on how breastfeeding contributes to the survival, health, and wellbeing of all, and the imperative to protect breastfeeding worldwide. Although the awareness week has passed, the importance of breastfeeding and action steps to support it should not be left to worry about next August. Breastfeeding requires investment at all levels, from individual to academic to public health policy.

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action provides specific ways to get involved, whether you’re a man, woman, young person, healthcare provider, or employer. You can be the voice for mothers around the world with advocacy, providing support, and enabling and empowering mothers to breastfeed.

Check out the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) website at https://waba.org.my/ for more information about World Breastfeeding Week (first week of August every year) and their initiatives, as well as what YOU can do to support breastfeeding. You can also visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/ to learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding.