Nourish, Sustain, Thrive
World Breastfeeding Week(WBW) is a global campaign that has been celebrated since 1992 to spark more awareness, conversation, and action around breastfeeding as we begin National Breastfeeding Month (August). The theme for last year’s National Breastfeeding Month was This is Our Why, While the theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2023 was “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making A Difference for Working Parents.” Last year, we were focused on breastfeeding in the workplace and how it impacted employment for women around the world. The theme for this year’s National Breastfeeding Month is Nourish, Sustain, Thrive, while the theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2024 will be “Closing The Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”
Closing The Gap: Breastfeeding Support For All
This year, Let us celebrate and appreciate the diverse families, cultures, communities, and journeys of breastfeeding moms. Let us also talk about how families, communities, health workers, and organizations can provide breastfeeding mothers with more support. Both UNICEF and the World Health Organization have already called for equal access to breastfeeding support. Do you know that more than half of the global population does not receive adequate breastfeeding support? Also, according to WHO, only about 48% of infants from 0-6 months old are exclusively breastfed even though exclusive breastfeeding has been proven to have numerous benefits for both infants and mothers. Although the number has gradually increased over the past 12 years, mothers and families still need more support from communities to ensure that more infants are optimally breastfed during these delicate periods of life.
IBCLC Appreciation
On August 1st we acknowledged IBCLC appreciation day to show support for the crucial role that Lactation Consultants play in ensuring that more infants receive optimal care and nourishment. We all work hard to make life happier and healthier for new families here at Breastfeeding Perspectives. When it comes to delivering the best care to patients like you, we’re grateful for our team of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs).
The specialized clinical experience, education, and commitment these healthcare professionals bring set the gold standard for breastfeeding care, helping new families navigate everything from supply to latching issues. On #IBCLCAppreciationDay, we acknowledged and celebrated the 37,000 hardworking IBCLCs around the world and right here at Breastfeeding Perspectives.
Final Thoughts
World Breastfeeding Week plays a vital role in encouraging healthier breastfeeding practices worldwide. It emphasizes the importance of breastfeeding for both maternal and child health, promoting a supportive environment for mothers to breastfeed while addressing their unique challenges. Through global collaboration and community involvement, we can create a world where every infant can thrive with healthy access to optimal breastfeeding and nourishment.
We hope you found this article informative, please don’t forget to share. Feel free to visit the official websites to learn more about IBCLC Appreciation day, or World Breastfeeding Week.
SOURCES
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
