Breastfeeding Mums and Parents, it's world breastfeeding week 2024|| Theme: Closing the gap, breastfeeding support for all.

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INTRODUCTION

Beloved parents and kids, it's another year to join the rest of the parents around the globe to canvas for breastfeeding support for all.
The campaign would be celebrated for one week beginning 1st August to 7th August 2024.

The campaign is used to inform and educate our breastfeeding mummies and parents residing in every part of the world on their breastfeeding experiences. It would also outline the various means that healthcare professionals, families, and the civil societies and Communities could play their roles for the expectant and breastfeeding mummies. The supporters of the world breastfeeding campaign includes the: World Health Organization (WHO), United Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Government ministries of health, and civil societies.

Breastfeeding enlightenment is very important especially for the upcoming and expectant mothers. So Understanding the intricacies of breastfeeding would be helpful as it would arm them with the knowledge that they need, while undergoing their breastfeeding journey. Now, what is

BREASTFEEDING?

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“Breastfeeding” is a term used to describe how babies are fed from the mother's breasts. Breastfeeding is that action taken to feed babies or infants with the milk from the mother's breasts directly or through the breastfeeding bottle. The breast milk is introduced as soon as the baby is born until how the mother and the baby feel it is safe to withdraw breastfeeding. But how long is ideal to withdraw breastfeeding? Well, expert opinion holds that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months and then mothers may choose to continue for up to two years or even beyond it be ok with the mother and the child.

Types Of Breastfeeding:

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There are two main types of breastfeeding namely:

• Exclusive breastfeeding
• Partial breastfeeding

Exclusive Breastfeeding:
This is the act of feeding the baby with breast milk only at least for the first six months. Here, the baby is fed exclusively with the breast milk.

Partial Breastfeeding:
Here, while the mother keeps feeding the baby with breast milk, as the baby grow and develops, she now introduce the baby formula or solid foods along the line. The breastfeeding should not be entirely withdrawn because it could affect the growth and development of the baby.

Benefits Of Baby Breastfeeding

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The benefits of breastfeeding the baby spans from the mother to the baby or infant. When a baby is breastfed, the real nutrition and support is would be supplied for the overall growth and development of the baby. Breastfeeding also fights against diseases or illnesses that may arise. Hence, below are some of the benefits of breastfeeding:

Health of the mother:
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of high blood pressure, the type 2- diabetes, as well as the ovarian and breast cancer.

Health Of The Baby:
Breastfeeding also have some benefits the health of the baby and includes:

• Providing Antibodies
• Providing the nutritional needs of the baby
• Protection of the baby from various kinds of illnesses or diseases

CONCLUSION

The need or importance of breastfeeding can not be over emphasized. It enhances the overall well being of the mother and the baby. It creates bonding between the mother and the baby. Infact, One is right to say that breastfeeding is the joy of motherhood and one of the ways of becoming a mother and enjoying motherhood.

As we campaign in this year's Breastfeeding week, Let's us all, support the breastfeeding mums and parents by providing the conducive environment, mother-child healthcare infrastructure, and give them their needed attention.