Breast Health

World Breastfeeding Week

This week from 1^st to 7^th August the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) has been celebrating World Breastfeeding Week (WBW).  WBW is carried out in 170 different countries and this is the 19th year it is running.  This year's theme is “Talk to Me! Breastfeeding – a 3D experience”.

Spreading the Message

World Breastfeeding Week provides the opportunity to highlight the many health benefits of breastfeeding and to encourage everyone to support mothers who want to breastfeed.  This year however, WABA are determined to raise awareness outside of the health care sphere and encourage young people to get involved to help spread the message.

In association with the United Nation’s International Year of Youth, WABA commissioned a group of dedicated young people to partake in the United Nation’s call for action and help create awareness, mobilise and engage, connect and build bridges across generations, different cultures and religions.

In a press release, a spokesperson for WABA stated: “Youth account for about 18 percent of the world’s population and are therefore an invaluable sector to ally with in any public health movement” 

The “3D” theme is about looking at the dimensions of our lives and ensuring that communication is filtered throughout all channels so that it speaks to everyone. A young advocate from WABA YOUth stated that “as a young person I want to contribute to the global breastfeeding movement! Not only do I learn more about breastfeeding, but I need to make sure I talk to my friends and family when needed”.

Breastfeeding - The Statistics

Data published in the NHS The Information centre for health and social care, revealed that in 2005, 76 percent of mothers breastfed their babies compared with 69 percent in 1995.  Evidence shows that globally breastfeeding is on the rise, but more needs to be done to ensure that the correct health message reaches everyone and that support and information is offered to mothers to help them make choices. 

The Benefits

We are told that breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby, but let us now look at why this is the case?

Breast milk is considered to be rich in nutrients and antibodies which protects your baby from diseases and infections and also stimulates the baby's immune system. 

Studies have compared the health of children who were breastfed as babies and children who were given formula milk.  The results highlighted that breastfeeding substantially decreased the risk of illness and that the longer babies were breastfed, the greater the health benefits.  

The World Health Organisation and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety recommend breastfeeding with no other food or drink until around six months of age.    

The NHS Choices website advocates the many positive reasons why breastfeeding is good for baby, mother and society.  Aside from being the only natural food designed for babies, breast milk is available whenever, wherever and at the right temperature.  Let us not forget it is free! 

Benefits for baby

Less chance of:

1. Diarrhoea, upset tummy and gastroenteritis

2. Coughs and colds

3. Ear and chest infections

4. Urine infections

5. Allergies, asthma and eczema

6. Childhood diabetes and obesity in later life

It is also recognised that breastfeeding helps to strengthen the emotional and physical bond between mother and baby.

Benefits for Mother

Less Chance of:

1. Breast cancer

2. Ovarian cancer

3. Osteoporosis (Bone thinning)

Breastfeeding also helps mothers to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight more easily, as it naturally uses 500 calories per day.

Society also benefits from breastfeeding, not only are babies healthier, but it means less demand on the health service.  Mothers are healthier, which means less time off work, saving employers money and making family life less stressful.  Lastly, breastfeeding is environmentally friendly because there is no pollution, manufacturing, packaging or waste involved!

For further information on breastfeeding, please click on the NHS Choices website

What are you views?

We are interested to hear your views on breastfeeding and open up a discussion. 

Do you feel you have gained any benefits from breastfeeding?
Have you encountered any difficulties breastfeeding? Have you felt pressure to breastfeed and been unsuccessful?  Has working life prevented you from breastfeeding?
Were you given the right information and support?