World Breastfeeding Week 2024: WHO-UNICEF Calls For Access To Equal Breastfeeding Support Among Moms 

World Breastfeeding Week 2024: Breastfeeding reduces the risk of childhood illness among babies. Breast milk is the most ideal food for the baby, according to WHO.

World Breastfeeding Week 2024 is observed from 1 to 7 August. This World Breastfeeding Week 2024, the World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has urged a call to promote equal access to breastfeeding among lactating women.

Colostrum is the milk your breasts produce in the third trimester of your pregnancy and gets discharged in huge amounts after giving birth, according to the National Institutes of Health. Breastmilk is considered the healthiest food for infants. Breastmilk leaves a gentle effect on your baby's internal organs and works for its development. Experts recommend that a lactating mother should breastfeed her baby until the age of six and then begin feeding solid foods along with breast milk.

WHO And UNICEF's Joint Call

According to the WHO data, the number of babies under the age of six breastfed has increased by 10 per cent in the last 12 years, thanks to the rigorous efforts by international unions, nonprofits and government welfare schemes. Thousands of babies' lives have been saved and millions of infants saved from childhood illness due to not being fed with breast milk.

This World Breastfeeding Week 2024, under the theme 'Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all,' the World Health Organization and UNICEF, has jointly stressed on health equity and called for more support for breastfeeding women to help them stay emotionally and physically healthy and happy. This lay more focus on 'protecting the rights of mothers and babies' for their growth.

Due to a stark shortage of proper healthcare facilities across the world, lactating mothers lack both essential healthcare services and support that they need the most while they are in their breastfeeding phase, 'including access to trained, empathetic and respectful health advice,' according to WHO.

Together, WHO and UNICEF has urged the families, support groups, nonprofits, government and healthcare systems across the world to make a woman's breastfeeding journey easy and supportive with taking up various welfare schemes, breastfeed monitoring system and creating awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and the baby.

Why Lactating Mothers Need Support While Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding the baby can be challenging for some mothers, as it may seem like a big task right after giving birth to a baby. Although it is a natural process, it may take time to understand and comprehend the process of proper breastfeeding. It is important for the family members to extend unwavering support to the mother and always remain patient and positive with and around her.

Experts are of the view that when a woman has support from family and friends along with access to proper healthcare facilities and advice, they are more likely to breastfeed their babies. When they are backed by a support system, they gain confidence and empowerment.

Good medical counselling and training make them more efficient and skilled at breastfeeding their babies. It is beneficial for both the mother and the baby. However, if the mother decides not to breastfeed, you should respect her decision and support her with that.