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Breastfeeding is a full-time job, and it overlaps with the many other jobs of new moms, especially in a country without paid family leave, where 1 in 4 new moms go back to work two weeks after giving birth. Nearly 90% of breastfeeding moms are pumping to feed their babies breast milk - and putting in a lot of hours pumping! So this year, for World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, I want to recognize the real work moms do to breastfeed - including and especially moms who pump, because they deserve to be celebrated, proud, and supported, too. Pumping IS breastfeeding, and it's time our breastfeeding conversations make this clear. #breastfeedingawarenessmonth #momsatwork #momsupportingmoms

64.7% .... that's 6 out of 10 babies breastfed within an hour of birth... pretty good right? However an alarming 23.7% that's ONLY 2 out of 10 babies are exclusively breastfed at 6 months in Jamaica according to the Global Breastfeeding Collective (data powered by UNICEF and WHO). As a lactation consultant, these numbers stress me right out. Howww is it that more of our babies aren't being exclusively breastfed? Exclusive breastfeeding is feeding your baby nothing else but breastmilk and any prescribed medication for 6 months (180 complete days) this means no water, no juice, no teas, no porridge, no other food and yes no formula. This year's theme for World Breastfeeding Week/ Month is "Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All". It highlights the significance of a multisectoral approach in making breastfeeding accessible for all. In your capacity as a professional, community or family member, are you playing your role in supporting breastfeeding? There are many myths and practices that undermine breastfeeding including the pervasive marketing of breastmilk substitutes. Just yesterday a client of mine told me that she had to give her baby formula because her mom told her she was giving her baby gas through her breastmilk?? and there was no thought whether or not the formula could cause its own set of issues?.... Let's start the discussion on how you can make a difference starting today.

????2024 Breastfeeding Week Theme: "Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All"???? Here’s a simple explanation of this year’s theme: "Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All"means making sure that every parent, no matter where they live, what their job is, or what their situation might be, gets the help and support they need to breastfeed their baby. 1. Equal Support for Everyone We want to make sure that all parents have the same opportunities and resources to breastfeed. This includes access to information, healthcare, and support groups. 2. Overcoming Barriers There are many barriers that can make breastfeeding difficult, such as lack of support at work, social stigma, or limited access to healthcare. This theme is about breaking down those barriers so that all parents can successfully breastfeed if they choose to. 3. Community and Healthcare Support Communities and healthcare systems play a big role in supporting breastfeeding. This means having lactation consultants available, creating breastfeeding-friendly spaces, and educating everyone about the benefits of breastfeeding. 4. Inclusivity No matter who you are—whether you’re a working parent, stay-at-home parent, or facing unique challenges—everyone deserves the support to breastfeed. Inclusivity ensures that support systems are designed to help all parents. By "closing the gap," we aim to create a world where every parent has the support they need to give their baby the best start in life through breastfeeding.

??? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ????, ???? ?? ?? ??????????!!! ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? It is believed that Breastmilk provides all nutrients and necessary energy during the first six months of life and breastfeeding is the best choice for optimal growth, development, and health of infants. Despite the importance of exclusive breastfeeding among children, every third or fourth child is deprived of breastfeeding i.e. first vaccine immediately after birth. Every fourth child is not able to get Breastmilk for 6 months, but grows up on other milk only, which not only hinders their development but also leads to many diseases. Findings showed that attitudes and cultural practices influence Men’s decision to support or not support exclusive breastfeeding, lack of access to exclusive breastfeeding information impede men’s readiness to support their wives/partners in exclusive breastfeeding. There is men’s perception of exclusive breastfeeding as women’s role (gender role) hinders men from contributing in exclusive breastfeeding. [i] On the other side many studies reveal the relationship between a father’s support for breastfeeding mother with improving rate of exclusive breastfeeding. Although fathers’ support in improving breastfeeding is related to the success and continuity of breastfeeding, inadequate information of men about the importance of breast milk is one of the most important barriers to their support. It seems fathers’ education about the importance of breast milk for the infants’ growth and development will improve their support for breastfeeding mothers.[ii] [i] https://lnkd.in/dWPZ4Ysx [ii] https://lnkd.in/gPXjYq6 ? #WorldBreastfeedingWeek2024 #WorldBreastmilkDay

August is National Breastfeeding Month! National Breastfeeding Month is celebrated every August to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and to support and promote breastfeeding practices worldwide. This month-long observance highlights the vital role breastfeeding plays in the health and well-being of infants, mothers, and society as a whole. The first week in August is known as World Breastfeeding Week (WBW)! This year's theme from the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is: Closing the Gap. Breastfeeding Support for All! The 3 main hallmarks of #WBW2024 are survival, health, and wellbeing. It plans to showcase the need to enhance and improve breastfeeding support to aid in decreasing societal inequalities. This campaign also highlights how breastfeeding can be critical during times of crises and catastrophes. This month allows me, as a Certified Lactation Consultant, to showcase how critical breastfeeding really is! The month-long observance of breastfeeding helps promote the importance of breastfeeding, allows for global support and promotion, and also displays how the challenges of support these women face when choosing to feed their babies. So.. will you join me in pledging your support for breastfeeding moms and babies everywhere so that we can ensure that every mother has the resources and support needed to give her child the best possible start in life? #WBW2024 #nationalbreastfeedingmonth #ClosingTheGap #WABA #BreastfeedingSupportForAll #breastfeeding #breastfeedingawareness #certifiedlactationconsultant #breastfeedingmom #breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingsupport #lactation

?? ???????????????? ???? ?????????????????????????? ?????????????? The importance of a supportive network for breastfeeding mothers goes a long way in ensuring a successful and fulfilling experience. During this World Breastfeeding Week led by World Health Organization, our lactation support group Precious Lactation is closing the gap by educating our audiences on Breastfeeding support. These 5 points tell you how much breastfeeding support is important for mothers. 1. ?????????????????? ????????????????????. When a mother receives Breastfeeding support from peers, family, and healthcare providers, it helps make her feel more confident in her ability to breastfeed and leads to a more positive and empowering experience. 2. ???????????????? ?????????? ?????? ??????????????????. Support from lactation consultants or experienced breastfeeding mothers can help with proper latching and technique, reducing the risk of discomfort, pain, and feeding difficulties. 3. ???????????????????? ????????????????????. The right breastfeeding support can help mothers overcome common challenges like engorgement, nipple soreness, and low milk supply, making it more likely for them to continue breastfeeding. 4. ?????????????????? ????????-??????????. Breastfeeding is overwhelming and demanding. As such, emotional support from support groups and online communities can provide emotional support, reducing feelings of isolation, anxiety, and stress that may come with breastfeeding. Encouragements from such groups can help moms meet intended breastfeeding milestones. 5. ?????????????????? ????????????????. Reports show that mothers who receive breastfeeding support are more likely to continue breastfeeding for a longer duration, achieving the recommended six months exclusive breastfeeding and beyond. If you have a breastfeeding mother in your life or circle, do something today to support her journey. #breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingsupportforall #motherhood #lactation #lactationsupport #WBW2024

?? Happy World Breastfeeding Week! ?? Every year, the first week of August marks World Breastfeeding Week which celebrates breast- or chestfeeding people all over the world. I only found out about this very recently and love that there is an entire week dedicated to it. When you’re pregnant or recently became a parent, you will hear everybody say how important it is to breastfeed. It is one of the most effective ways to ensure that your child is healthy and well-fed: ?? Breastfeeding should be initiated within one hour of birth ?? Babies should be breastfed exclusively until they’re six months old ?? After introducing foods, babies should continue to be breastfed for up to two years or beyond. There are many reasons why breastfeeding is so important: ?? Breast milk contains stem cells, white blood cells as well as beneficial bacteria, antibodies, enzymes and hormones which all help fight infections and prevent diseases. ?? Babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months are less likely to be victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). ?? Breastfed babies get back to sleep sooner because of the oxytocin that is released during breastfeeding. Pretty cool, right? Absolutely! But there’s a BUT. A pretty big one. How come that, while everyone’s raving about how important breastfeeding is, it can still be very hard to breastfeed, especially in public? ? Judgmental looks from other people ? Often no safe and/or clean places to breastfeed (the toilet is not an option!) ? Sometimes you just don’t want to go somewhere else to breastfeed, because you’d miss all the fun (at a family gathering, for example) And my biggest pet peeve: ? For some reason, breastfeeding becomes the biggest no-go once your kid turns one. What was encouraged by so many people is now seen as some sort of bad habit, something you should stop doing immediately. TL;DR: Support the people in your life who breast- or chestfeed - they literally feed their child with their body. And stop judging something that’s so beneficial. Did you know about World Breastfeeding Week? What other challenges do you see in connection with breast- or chestfeeding?

??Celebrating Breastfeeding Week: Nurturing Health and Well-being As we celebrate Breastfeeding Week, it’s important to acknowledge the incredible benefits breastfeeding brings to both mother and child. Breastfeeding is more than a nutritional choice; it is a powerful way to ensure the health and well-being of future generations. Here are some key reasons why breastfeeding is vital: ??Optimal Nutrition for Babies: Breast milk is the perfect blend of nutrients and antibodies that support an infant's development and strengthen their immune system. It adapts to the changing needs of a growing baby, providing essential nutrients at every stage. ??Bonding and Emotional Benefits**: The act of breastfeeding fosters a unique emotional connection between mother and child. This bond enhances the child's sense of security and emotional development, promoting a healthy attachment that can have lasting impacts. ??Health Benefits for Mothers: Breastfeeding helps mothers recover more quickly after childbirth, reducing the risk of postpartum depression. It also lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and promotes natural weight loss by burning extra calories. ??Economic and Environmental Impact: Breastfeeding is cost-effective, reducing the need for formula and associated feeding supplies. It also minimizes waste, making it an environmentally sustainable choice that benefits society as a whole. ??Cultural and Community Support: In Ghana, we have a rich tradition of community and family support for breastfeeding mothers. Embracing and extending this support can help create a more breastfeeding-friendly environment, encouraging more mothers to initiate and continue breastfeeding. As we honor Breastfeeding Week, let's advocate for policies and practices that support breastfeeding mothers, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to provide this invaluable start to their children's lives. Together, we can nurture a healthier future for all.

I just published an article on 5 Benefits of Breastfeeding: Why It's Best for Mother and Baby. A lot of new and current mothers struggle with breastfeeding, mostly because of the many opinions people give about breastfeeding. As a new/current mother, I explained the amazing benefits of breastfeeding for both you and your baby ????Don't worry if you've heard myths – I debunked them all ?? Read through this article and I will be looking foward to reading your thoughts ?? https://lnkd.in/e_nyN5H2 #BreastIsBest #MomAndBabyBonding