World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated annually during 1st – 7th August aims to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding. This event is organised every year by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), a global network that aims to protect, promote and support breastfeeding around the world.
Breastfeeding provides all the nutrition a baby needs for the first six months and also helps build a strong emotional bond between a mum and her baby. Breast milk also helps boost a baby’s ability to fight illness and infection by passing on the mother’s immune defences.
Optimal breastfeeding is vital to the lifelong good health and well-being of women and children.
World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends:
- Early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth.
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life.
- Continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond, with introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months.
For more information on breastfeeding and weaning, click here.