2010 World Breastfeeding Week is August 1^st -7^th

And this year’s theme is:

Most women have heard that breastfeeding gives babies a healthy start in life.  To fit breastfeeding in their lives, however, mothers need the whole community to support their decision beginning with the earliest days after their baby is born.

This year’s theme draws attention to simple steps that hospitals, health care providers, workplaces, the community & families can take to help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals.

Research shows that these steps directly increase breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates among breastfeeding mothers.  The steps include: establishing evidence-based policies, providing training for staff, helping mothers hold their babies skin-to-skin immediately after birth, avoiding supplements (formula) unless medically indicated, avoiding bottle nipples (teats) and pacifiers, eliminating free distribution of infant formula samples, and connecting mothers to support in the community once they are discharged from the hospital.

Nearly all medical and professional organizations worldwide emphasize the importance of breastfeeding and the role of support for new mothers.  Research is clear that breastfeeding is vital for infant growth and development, with a profound impact on both infant and maternal health.  Breastfeeding provides nutritional and health advantages that last far beyond infancy, including reduced risk of acute otitis media (ear infection), non-specific gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory tract infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).  It has also been shown to be vital for women’s health by lowering the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes, and even cardiovascular disease throughout life.

The World Health Organization, American Academy of Pediatrics, and other medical organizations recommend that babies exclusively breastfeed (no formula, cereal, or baby foods) for at least the first 6 months of life and continue breastfeeding for at least 1-2 years to gain the maximum health advantages.  These health outcomes also directly link to health care costs.  In the United States, it has been estimated that more than 13 billion dollars could be saved annually if women breastfeed exclusively to six months.

For more information on breastfeeding and the benefits of breastfeeding, contact the Noble County WIC office @ 740-732-4958 or contact your local hospital / birthing facility to speak with their International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).