World Breastfeeding Week 2020

WBW is celebrated every 1-7 August in commemoration of the 1990 Innocenti Declaration. WBW started in 1992, with annual themes including healthcare systems, women and work, the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, community support, ecology, economy, science, education and human rights.

Since 2016, WBW is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2018, a World Health Assembly resolution endorsed WBW as an important breastfeeding promotion strategy.

Healthy feeding, healthy future Proper breastfeeding could save lakhs of infant

World Breastfeeding Week 2020, is celebrated from 1st August to 7th August. It is celebrated to improve the babies’ health around the world and create awareness and emphasis on the importance of breastfeeding.

World Breastfeeding Week 2020

This year that is World Breastfeeding Week 2020 theme is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”. Along with the theme, WHO and UNICEF are focusing on the counselling and calling governments to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counselling which is an important component for supporting breastfeeding.

Importance of breastfeeding for an Infant

According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, “Every infant and child has the right to good nutrition. 

One of the major importance of Breastfeeding is that it provides the necessary nutrients in the proper proportions. It also protects against allergies, sickness, and obesity. As it is a natural process, Mother’s Milk changes constantly to meet babies’ needs, with always at the right temperature, clean and free.

But it is not always easy. Immense Support and a good diet to the mothers are required to get started and to sustain it.

Breastfeeding could save lakhs of infant lives.

According to WHO report Over 820 000 children’s lives could be saved every year among children under 5 years if all children between 0 –23 months were optimally breastfed. Breastfeeding improves IQ, school attendance, and is associated with higher income in adult life.

WHO and UNICEF recommend:

• Early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth;
• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; and
• introduction of nutritionally-adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months together with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.

Experts say the first 1000 days of a child decide their whole future. This is because during these days child’s brain begins to grow and develop and leads foundations for their lifelong health.

So let’s pledge from this year world Breastfeeding day to get ourself aware and to aware all other individuals about the health benefits of breastfeeding in a child’s life.