World Breastfeeding Week, 2016

 

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 170 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of children around the world. PAHO / WHO actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of infant nutrition. “Breastfeeding and working: To make sure the appointment is for all” is the 2015 theme.

The date commemorates the Innocenti Declaration, signed in August 1990 by decision makers from governments of countries, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and other organizations to protect and promote breastfeeding.

In order to make breastfeeding in a normative behavior, it is necessary to overcome the major obstacles to women to decide for themselves whether they wish to breastfeed and for how long. Among these obstacles are the influence of cultural practices, the lack guidance and the limited support they offer hospitals and health services, the marketing of inappropriate practices using the manufacturers and distributors of infant formula and other breastmilk substitutes, as well as lack of protection of motherhood and programs that advocate for breastfeeding in the workplace.

 

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