World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)

This has become to be known as World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) celebrated every 1-7 August to commemorate the Innocenti Declaration. World Breastfeeding Week was first celebrated in 1992. Now it involves over 170 countries and is endorsed by UNICEF, WHO and FAO.

Overall coordination of World Breastfeeding Week is done at the WABA Secretariat in Penang, Malaysia, which includes the selection of the theme and slogan, identifying resource persons for a specific theme and the preparation and dissemination of World Breastfeeding Week materials such as the calendar announcement, posters, action folders and banners. These advocacy materials serve to stimulate action among local groups, governments, UN and other agencies and other issue organisations for their own World Breastfeeding Week activities in their area/country. 

Advocacy materials are also prepared and disseminated by the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA).  www.ILCA.org

Each year, the San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition celebrates WBW with media events, Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Awards and WBW Display Contest Awards.Information about past winners and entry forms are found at the links above.

Yearly WABA WBW Themes:

2012  "Understanding the Past - Planning the Future"

2011                     “Talk To Me!  Breastfeeding - a 3-D Experience”

                                    http://www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org

                                    http://www.ilca.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3306

Previous WBW Themes:            http://www.worldbreastfeedingweek.net/index.htm

2011: Talk to Me! Breastfeeding  - a 3-D Experience

2010: Breastfeeding:  Just 10 Steps.  the Baby-Friendly Way:

2009: Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response 
2008: Mother Support: Going for the Gold Everyone Wins! 
2007: Breastfeeding: The 1st Hour - Save ONE million babies! 
2006: Code Watch: 25 Years of Protecting Breastfeeding 
2005: Breastfeeding and Family Foods: LOVING & HEALTHY 
2004: Exclusive Breastfeeding: The Gold Standard Safe, Sound, Sustainable 
2003: Breastfeeding in a Globalised World for Peace and Justice 
2002: Breastfeeding: Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies 
2001: Breastfeeding in the Information Age 
2000: Breastfeeding - It's Your Right! 
1999: Breastfeeding - Education for Life 
1998: Breastfeeding - The Best Investment 
1997: Breastfeeding - Nature's Way