August 1 - 7 is World Breastfeeding Week!

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a global alliance of networks and organizations that aim to protect, support and promote the right to breastfeed.

Its goals are:

• To recognize the threats and opportunities of globalization for breastfeeding practices

• To maximize the potential of global communications to educate people on the benefits of breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding, and the disadvantages of artificial feeding

• To promote and act on the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding

• To prevent the weakening of the International Code of Marketing of breastmilk substitutes and subsequent relevant WHA resolutions

• To work with potential allies by building alliances with civil society movements fighting for global justice, peace and health for all

• To think globally and act locally with all sectors of the community to protect, promote and support breastfeeding

Benefits of Breastfeeding!

A Summary of some benefits of breast feeding for infants are:

• Fewer ear and respiratory infections.
• Potentially fewer allergies.
• Reduced incidences of cancer.
• Protection against SIDS--sudden infant death syndrome.
• Disease preventing immunities are passed from mother to child.
• Reduced incidence of blood infections and meningitis.
• Lower mortality rate for infants.
• Assures contact with mother.
• Fewer incidents of serious diarrhea.
• Reduced incidences of insulin-dependent diabetes.
• Acts as first brain food as it helps to set down the proper matrix for humans.

Benefits for mothers include:

• Fewer incidents of pre-menopausal ovarian and breast cancer.
• Sense of fulfillment.
• Eating more while potentially losing weight.
• Calming effect of nursing your infant and baby.
• Mothers and babies are more relaxed.
• Saving a family more than $400 over buying formula during the first year of life.
• Increased sense of pride in giving of themselves to their baby.
• Less time missed from work because of improved health of baby.

  Some women are afraid to breastfeed because they have heard false ideas about breastfeeding. Some women are concerned that they may not be able to provide enough milk for their babies. Others are worried that breastfeeding will be painful, hard to learn, or inconvenient. You may have these or other concerns. Discuss any concerns about breastfeeding with a lactation consultant or healthcare provider. These people can tell you the facts and answer any questions you may have about breastfeeding. To learn how to breastfeed your baby, or if you have questions or are experiencing problems there is help in Marquette County, call: Jenni Vadja, WIC Coordinator, #475-7846, EXT. 290 or a lactation specialist with the La Leche League.

For more information please visit:

Cyberparent: A Family Site

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)

and

The Royal College of Midwives:  The RCM is the only professional organization and trade union run by midwives for midwives