Over the past 15 years, I have worked hard to champion breastfeeding in my professional capacity – both supporting mothers and families as well as training colleagues and raising awareness of breastfeeding in civil society.  I was thoroughly sold on the health benefits for both mothers and babies, as well as the convenience and cost advantages.  Since having a baby myself almost a year ago, I have had my eyes opened to the less quantifiable benefits of breastfeeding.  My favourite part of the day is definitely bringing my little one into bed with me at 7am and snuggling up together while he has his dozy morning feed!

This week, 1-7 August 2014, is World Breastfeeding Week – a week not only to celebrate, but also to “protect, promote and support” breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is the first, and single most important, public health intervention for all newborns, infants and young children with a lifelong impact on health and survival.    (WHO 2014)

Support for exclusive breastfeeding is widely recognised as being a key intervention in maternal-newborn health care globally (Lancet 2014), but there is still a long way to go to ensure that all women get the information and support they need to successfully breastfeed.

These graphics produced by UNICEF for World Breastfeeding Week this year, show simple steps that can be taken to get breastfeeding off to a good start.

 This week, let’s show our support for mums and babies getting off to a great start with breastfeeding together!

BREASTFEEDING: A WINNING GOAL FOR LIFE!

#WorldBreastfeedingWeek #WBW2014

www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org

Featured image photo credit: UNICEF Ethiopia