August 1 – 7 is celebrated as World Breastfeeding week around the globe, organized and promoted worldwide by the WABA (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action), WHO (World Health Organization) and UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) to encourage breastfeeding for improving health of our babies. It is an important part of the sustainable development goal.
It was first celebrated by in the year 1992 and is now celebrated in more than 120 countries. Mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their baby for first six months in order to get the incredible health benefits, to fulfill the all vital nutrients. This will achieve healthy growth and development of their child, guard them from the lethal health problems and diseases including neonatal jaundice, pneumonia, cholera and many more. After six months, a supplemented breastfeeding can be given for one, two or more years.
The Breast Feeding Campaign aims to –
INFORM people about the new sustainable goals and how they relate to breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding.
FIRMLY ANCHOR breastfeeding as a key component of sustainable development.
GALVANISE ACTIONS at all levels in breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child feeding in the new era of sustainable development.
ENGAGE and collaborate with a wider range of actors around promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding.
The World Breastfeeding Week 2016 theme is all about how breastfeeding is a key element in getting us to think about how to value our wellbeing from the start of life, how to respect each other and care for the world we share.