world breastfeeding week!

actually it was last week, but i had a migraine so hey..
http://www.waba.org.my/
from the WABA website:

Achieving the Gold Standard - mothers can do it with help and support!

Accurate knowledge, a supportive environment, and confidence are major factors which enable mothers to breastfeed successfully.

"This year’s WBW aims to stimulate activity worldwide to get more people to understand the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and to think of ways to enable mothers to do it. The context for this is the new Global Strategy which many people are beginning to implement.

Exclusive breastfeeding for six months means that the infant receives only breastmilk, from his or her mother or a wet nurse, or expressed breastmilk, and no other foods or drinks with the exception of drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, mineral supplements, or medicines During this time.

After six months, breastfeeding should continue for two years or more, with complementary foods.

Exclusive breastfeeding is:

SAFE because it contains protective factors which help to prevent and fight infections, such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, and reduce the risk of allergic conditions, particularly asthma.

SOUND because nutrients in breastmilk are present in the right quantity and they are of special quality. Formula and other foods contain nutrients in different amounts, and of very different quality.

SUSTAINABLE because it helps a household's food security. So long as an infant’s mother, or a wet nurse, is there, breastmilk is available. A woman can make good milk from any mixture of foods, however simple.

Most babies are not exclusively breastfed. On average, globally, only 39% of babies breastfeed exclusively, even in the first 4 months of life. They may be given:

foods or drinks given before breastfeeding has really started;

substitutes within a few weeks of birth, such as formula, animal milk, diluted cereals, tea or juices;

early complementary feeds, that is solid foods started at 2, 3 or 4 months of age.

However, breastmilk can provide all that babies normally need for the first six months of life, including all the water, even in very hot climates. To ensure that her baby gets enough milk, a mother needs to:

Be confident that she can do it, and that her milk is the safest and soundest for her baby;

Start breastfeeding soon after delivery, to stimulate milk production;

Know how to make sure that her baby is properly attached to the breast, so that the baby can suckle effectively.

Let the baby suckle frequently - whenever he or she wants to – both day and night. This is called demand feeding, or baby-led feeding.

Let the baby continue suckling for as long as he or she wants, at each feed.

A baby who has other feeds is less hungry, and takes less breastmilk. Then the breasts produce less milk. The other feeds do not increase a baby’s intake: they replace breastmilk. The baby gets less food, and does not grow well. He or she may get diarrhoea and actually lose weight.

Mothers may not breastfeed exclusively because:

They do not know how important it is, or how to do it;

They lack confidence, and have nowhere to turn when they have difficulties.

People around them, such as fathers and grandmothers, are unsupportive, and they may have to resume employment soon after delivery.

Achieving the Gold Standard - mothers can do it with help and support!

Accurate knowledge, a supportive environment, and confidence are major factors which enable mothers to breastfeed successfully."