Mother’s milk is the best nourishment. Children are most vulnerable. The nutrients in mother’s milk gives protection to babies against diseases like diarrohea and pneumonia which are the major cause of infant mortality. So we can clearly see the importance Breastfeeding as a life saving intervention as the risk of mortality increases by six times in breastfed babies less than 2 months of age.
Across the world, 120 countries celebrate World Breastfeeding Week every year from 1 to 7 August to persuade breastfeeding for improving the health of babies around the world. WHO and UNICEF policy-makers shaped the Innocenti Declaration in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. World Breastfeeding Week is endorsed by UNICEF, WHO and FAO.
According to WHO a baby should be breastfeed until he/she is six months old, and should be continued along with the additional nutritious complementary foods up to two years or beyond.
Objectives of World Breastfeeding Week
• The entire week dedicate attention to the imperative role that breastfeeding plays in global crisis.
• WBW lays stress on the need for dynamic defense and support of breastfeeding before and during emergencies.
• World Breastfeeding Week is a good time to inform mothers, breastfeeding advocates, communities, health professionals, governments, aid agencies, patrons, and the media on how they can contribute their support to breastfeeding before and during a disaster.
• WBW marshal action and foster networking and alliance between the people skilled in breastfeeding and those involved in emergency response.