1 August

1- 7. August – World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) was celebrated for the first time in 1992, and now the week long celebration is being held in more than 120 countries. The organizers are World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), UNICEF and WHO with the help of individuals, organizations and governments.

The WHO and UNICEF made a declaration in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is the best way to provide the necessary nutrients to infants. The WHO recommends initiation of breastfeeding in the first hours after birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and breastfeeding combined with solid foods for the second year of life or longer.

The positive effects of breastfeeding on the child:

-breast milk is optimal by quantity and quality
-the child’s immune system matures better and the function of the digestive organs too
-reduces child mortality in the first year of life
-children who are breastfeed have lower incidence of intestinal infections, respiratory tract infections, otitis media, meningitis and allergic diseases
-breastfeeding has a positive effect on the child’s psychological development and emotional connection with her mother

The positive effects of breastfeeding on the mother:

-enhances the emotional connection between mother and child
-breastfeeding affects the rapid involution of the uterus and less bleeding after childbirth, which indirectly reduces the risk of developing anemia
-women who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer before menopause, rarely have urinary tract infections
-helps lose weight after birth
-breastfeeding delays ovulation postpartum and thus ensures spacing between pregnancies
-breastfeeding offers the possibility of feeding the child in any place without any special preparation of food

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