By Sabwili Mpoyana Ogollah
Every year from August 1st to 7th, the world comes together to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), a global event that honors the crucial role breastfeeding plays in the health and well-being of mothers and babies.
WBW was First observed in 1992, and was initiated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA). It is now supported by UNICEF, WHO, and a number of international partners.
Breastfeeding is often considered one of the best practices for improving infant health. It’s not just a feeding method, but also an enriching experience for both the mother and the baby. Breast milk offers the best nutrition for infants, supporting their healthy development.
Breastmilk contains nature’s essential nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water, antibodies, and hormones that boost immunity while creating a strong bond between mother and child. In addition to the immediate benefits, breastfeeding has long-term health advantages such as protecting against infections, higher intelligence scores, and lowering the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It reduces the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, and obesity.
Breastfeeding assists mothers in postpartum healing by aiding the uterus to shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size and reducing the chances of developing certain cancers. It’s a special chance to create a strong emotional bond with the baby, turning every breastfeeding experience into a blend of closeness and development.
Despite the clear benefits of breastfeeding, many women encounter significant challenges. Globally, only 44percent of infants aged 0-6 months are exclusively breastfed.
In some regions, the rates are even lower due to obstacles such as cultural norms, insufficient support from healthcare providers, lack of access to skilled lactation consultants, societal stigma, misinformation and inadequate workplace policies. Additionally, inconsistent support from partners, families, and communities can leave some mothers feeling isolated and overwhelmed. It is crucial to address these issues to ensure that every mother has the opportunity to provide her child with the best start in life.
In line with this year’s theme, “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” Kenya is making significant strides to enhance breastfeeding support and address existing challenges. The Kenyan government and various organizations are working to:
Expand Support Programs: Kenya is investing in community-based programs to provide education and support to breastfeeding mothers. These initiatives aim to increase access to lactation consultants and breastfeeding counselors, especially in rural and undeserved areas.
Enhance Policies: The MOH has been advocating for and implementing family-friendly workplace policies that support breastfeeding mothers. This includes creating breastfeeding-friendly environments in public spaces and workplaces.
Promote Awareness: Throughout World Breastfeeding Week, the MOH and some Non-governmental organizations have been conducting awareness campaigns to educate the public on the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of support systems. These campaigns involve community outreach, workshops, and media engagements to spread the message far and wide.
As World Breastfeeding Week comes to a close, it’s important to understand that breastfeeding isn’t just a personal experience, but a societal one as well. From the first latch to the soothing rhythm of nursing, breastfeeding is a cornerstone of nurturing and health.
But to truly bridge the gap and support all mothers in their breastfeeding journey, we need to come together as a community and provide women with the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed decisions about breastfeeding. We should support and advocate for policies that protect and promote breastfeeding at local, national, and globally while also raising awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and offering accurate information to new and expecting mothers.
By coming together to tackle challenges and build nurturing environments to ensure that every mother and baby can enjoy the advantages of breastfeeding. Kenya’s efforts during this week highlight the importance of bridging gaps in support and fostering a culture that values breastfeeding. Let’s honor the legacy of the Innocenti Declaration and continue to support breastfeeding as a cornerstone of maternal and infant health.
Happy World Breastfeeding Week!
The writer is a nutrition specialist, researcher and project coordinator at Taji Zuri
