THEME : EMPOWER PARENTS, ENABLE BREASTFEEDING:

World breastfeeding week is celebrated from the 1st to 7th of August annually to emphasis the importance and benefits of breastfeeding to mother and child as breastfeeding has incredible health benefits to both mother and child. this year theme is focused on empowering not just the mother but both parents to enable both parents understand the importance of breastfeeding in order to achieve the goals of breast feeding. WHO( World Health Organization)in parternaship with the(UNICEF) United Nations International Children s Emergency fund, is working towards promoting family friendly policies to enable breastfeeding parents nurture and bond with their children in early life.(WHO2019) This includes paid maternity leaves for a minimum of 18 months for both parents, to encourage the shared responsibility of caring for their children and also encourage breastfeeding work friendly environment for mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding is encouraged for the 1st six months before practicing supplementary breastfeeding for two years and above. . Increased ed breastfeeding could reduce infant mortality rate by 800,000 globally and reduce the risk of maternal death through breast cancer by 20,000, as studies have proven that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother and Baby:
I. Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for babies. It has the right amount of nutrients, is easily digested and readily available. Breast milk contains everything the baby needs for the first six months of life, in all the right proportions. Its composition even changes according to the baby’s changing needs, especially during the first month of life During the first days after birth, the breasts produce a thick and yellowish fluid called colostrum It’s high in protein, low in sugar and loaded with beneficial compounds Colostrum is the ideal first milk and helps the newborn’s immature digestive tract develop. After the first few days, the breasts start producing larger amounts of milk as the baby’s stomach grows.
II. Breast Milk Contains Important Antibodies: Breast milk is loaded with antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria.This particularly applies to colostrum, the first milk.Colostrum provides high amounts of immunoglobulin A , as well as several other antibodies When the mother is exposed to viruses or bacteria, she starts producing antibodies.These antibodies are then secreted into the breast milk and passed to the baby during feeding
III. Breastfeeding promotes healthy weight gain and helps prevent childhood obesity:The duration is also important, as each month of breastfeeding reduces your child’s risk of future obesity by 4% This may be due to the development of different gut bacteria. Breastfed babies have higher amounts of beneficial gut bacteria, which may affect fat storage .
IV. . Breastfeeding Makes Children Smarter:Some studies suggest there may be a difference in brain development between breastfed and formula-fed babies
V. Breastfeeding Helps the Uterus Contract:During pregnancy, the uterus grows immensely, expanding from the size of a pear to filling almost the entire space of your abdomen.After delivery, your uterus goes through a process called involution, which helps it return to its previous size. Oxycontin, a hormone that increases throughout pregnancy, helps drive this process.Your body secretes high amounts of Oxycontin during labor to help deliver the baby and reduce bleeding.Oxytocin also increases during breastfeeding. It encourages uterine contractions and reduces bleeding, helping the uterus return to its previous size.
Breastfeeding May Prevent Menstruation:Continued breastfeeding also pauses ovulation and menstruation.The suspension of menstrual cycles may actually be nature’s way of ensuring there is some time between pregnancies.
VI. It Also Saves Time and Money: Breastfeeding is completely free and requires very little effort.
By choosing to breastfeed, you won’t have to:
• Spend money on formula.
• Calculate how much your baby needs to drink daily.
• Spend time cleaning and sterilizing bottles.
• Mix and warm up bottles in the middle of the night (or day).
• Figure out ways to warm up bottles while on the go.
Breast milk is always at the right temperature and read to eat.
LETS TALK HUMANITY, LETS TALK EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING