 World Breastfeeding Week 1999 Breastfeeding provides substances that are nutritionally perfect for human babies and protects them from illness. These are the elements needed for the growth and development of the infant's rapidly growing brain and central nervous system. It also provides the loving interaction that is the basis for establishment of the children's personalities and learning readiness. Breastmilk is the foundation of food security for all the babies of the world and is one of the world's most valuable, renewable natural resources. It is produced by women everywhere and indeed is the only food equally available to rich and poor people alike. In the field of education, there is widespread interest in improving educational content and in educational reform, yet the importance of breastfeeding and breastmilk are rarely taught at any level. Educators are usually not even conscious of this omission. 1-7 August 1999, World Breastfeeding Week In this year's World Breastfeeding Week, the aim is to increase awareness in every country and at every level of the significance of breastfeeding and in particular to the development of the child. This very important topic of infant nutrition and care with a focus on integrating knowledge and skills that support breastfeeding into the instructional process deserves attention in all formal and informal educational settings. Goals - Increase public awareness of breastfeeding as the standard for infant development and growth.
- Encourage the incorporation of education on breastfeeding and appropriate infant feeding practices into all levels of formal and informal education.
- Work on relevant curriculum design with all types of educators and trainers from professional institutions, medical and other teaching schools, health organizations, public and private schools and hospitals, and community education centers.
- Involve students from pre-school up to teenagers in WBW 1999 activities and provide tools for popular education appropriate for different age groups.
- Encourage the integration of breastfeeding experiences and practices into children's developmental materials and toys.
Start Organizing Now - Link with national and/or local educational authorities and discuss ways to integrate breastfeeding in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools.
- Involve teachers and other educators in discussions on breastfeeding and education, and how to organize for WBW 1999. Set up educators for breastfeeding groups.
- Select school books and materials that can readily incorporate breastfeeding information and stories.
- List all medical, nursing and related health education schools and send them information on breastfeeding education. Follow-up with those who show an interest.
- Organize art and writing compositions for primary and secondary schools on various breastfeeding themes.
Back to the top Why Breastfeed? - Breastfeeding creates a smarter populace.
- Breastfed children have significantly higher scores on measures of cognitive ability, standardized tests of achievement and receive better grades in school.
- Breastfeeding creates a healthier populace.
- Breastfeeding provides protection for infants/children against common childhood infections. Gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections are decreased in breastfed infants. Breastfed infants are less likely to have lower respiratory tract illnesses and if they have them, are less likely to be hospitalized. The incidence of otitis media is dramatically reduced in breastfed infants.
- Breastfeeding offers protection against certain childhood diseases, including: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, lymphoma and allergic disease and chronic digestive diseases.
- Breastfeeding leads to improved bone remineralization and decreases the incidence of osteoporosis in women who have breastfed.
- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian and premenopausal beast cancer in women who have breastfed.
- Breastfeeding effects a quicker return to prepregnancy weight for the breastfeeding woman.
- Breastfeeding lowers the rate of obesity in later life for women who have breastfed.
- Breastfeeding creates a happier populace.
- Breastfeeding lowers health care and medical costs. The average formula-fed infant requires 21% more Medicaid expenditures and the infant-mother pair requires 14% to 19% more WIC dollars than the average breastfed infant-mother pair. If half the women in the WIC program breastfed for one month, $30 billion would be saved in formula costs.
- Breastfeeding stimulates mother-infant bonding. The relationship of a mother with her suckling infant is considered to be the strongest of human bonds.
- Breastfeeding generates more mature, secure and assertive children than those who were non-breastfed. Studies suggest that breastmilk has a significant impact on the growth and development of the central nervous system.
- Breastfeeding allows more time for family interaction, reduced illnesses permits more time for attention to siblings and other family interests.
- Breastfeeding decreases parental absence from work and lost income. Because breastfed infants are ill less often, parents require less time off from work..
- Breastfeeding decreases family food costs by eliminating infant formula costs. The cost of formula for the first year of life has been estimated to average $1856 (1995).
Back to the top How to Invest - Observe the 1997 AAP guidelines and encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, continued breastfeeding with the introduction of iron-enriched solid foods in the second half of the first year and breastfeeding thereafter for as long as mutually desired.
- Promote breastfeeding as the optimal form of infant nutrition. Breastmilk contains antibodies and other factors which cannot be duplicated in artificial baby milk.
- Support breastfeeding women. Work with your agency to become Baby Friendly. Collaborate with other agencies to provide extended support of breastfeeding clients/participants. Educate staff to promote and support breastfeeding.
- Advocate in your church, school and community to realize breastfeeding as the social norm.
What you can do  WIC Clinics - Congratulate breastfeeding women for making the right choice!
- List the benefits in general health, growth and development when "investing" in breastfeeding.
- Compare investing in breastfeeding to investing in other healthy behaviors, i.e. 5 A Day, calcium/milk intake.
- Show ways that investing n breastfeeding "pays off" in other areas of a participant’s life, i.e. less time fixing formula, more time cuddling the baby.
- Point out the investment potential of breastmilk in preventing future childhood illnesses/diseases, e.g. insulin dependent diabetes, Crohn’s disease, etc.
- Community
- Have a poster contest showing the ways in which breastfeeding "invests" in the future.
- Encourage stores, restaurants and public facilities to be Baby Friendly. Point out the increased benefit to society when infants are breastfed.
- Raise the issue of appropriate facilities for breastfeeding women at community functions: e.g. fairs, carnivals, city celebrations, etc.
- Work with women’s or civic groups to become beneficiaries of charitable contributions, e.g. receiving baby quilts from quilting groups.
- Present educational sessions to community groups, schools, churches, etc., about the long range benefits of breastfeeding or both individuals and the community.
- Hospitals/HMOs
- Distribute the results of studies showing health care cost savings of breastfed infants.
- Share information with other health care professionals about the decreased incidence and severity of illnesses in breastfed infants.
- Display a WIC poster at eh local hospital maternity ward depicting the small cost of the breastfeeding investment as compared with the substantial return.
- Plan a networking lunch with local lactation consultants to initiate community interaction among health care professionals interested in promoting breastfeeding.
- Worksites
- Distribute the results of studies showing health care cost savings of breastfed infants.
- Present information about the small "investment" needed to provide an on-site lactation program as compared with the "return" which will be generated by this investment.
- Incorporate/introduce breastfeeding into the Worksite Wellness programs of nearby businesses, emphasize the cost savings through reduced absenteeism and health costs.
- Media
- Write an article comparing the cost of "investing" in breastfeeding as opposed to the cost of formula feeding. Both the cost in dollars and future benefits. Point out how breastfeeding benefits the community.
- Write an article emphasizing the long term benefit generated by the "investment" of breastfeeding.
- Publicize breastfeeding promotions and events through your local newspaper.
Back to the top Resources - World Alliance for Breastfeeding (WABA) www.waba.org.my--1999 Action Folder for North America is available through La Leche League International or call (847) 519-7730 9AM-4PM CST and ask for order department. Cost is $1.00 for 1-10 copies, $.60 for 10-99 copies and $.50 for 100 copies.
- International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) www.ilca.org is offering a 1999 Action Kit. Cost is $10.00. Call (919) 787-5181 or mail request with check or money order payable to ILCA at ILCA Office, 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 201, Raleigh, N.C. 27607.
Back to the top Red Cross WIC Activities The Red Cross WIC offices will be offering the following activities during World Breastfeeding Week: - La Leche League speakers
- Kids face painting
- Kids arts and crafts day
- WIC food demo and samples
- Cupcakes and raffle for breastfeeding moms
- Take a picture of your breastfeeding baby
- Gift bags
- Storytelling in the lobby for kids
- Breast pump demo
- Coloring contest
- Breastfeeding info booth
- Free gifts
- Breastfeeding videos in lobby
- All offices decorated in festive manner and BF bulletin boards
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