Breast
Feeding Week
In 1991, a global
organization called the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was
formed to encourage breastfeeding for all babies. They also work towards
removing obstacles stopping new Mothers from breastfeeding.
Since 1993, WABA
has organised World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) at the beginning of August each
year. Over 120 countries participate in this event, although some nations change
the date to better suit their needs.
WBW is the
largest single breastfeeding event in the world for raising awareness in the
community. It shows that breastfeeding is natural and has great benefits for
both mothers and babies.
Each WBW has a
theme to focus on a particular issue surrounding breastfeeding; past themes have
included the best investment, mother-friendly workplaces and breastfeeding in
the information age.
There are both
national and local groups and events attached to WBW. Each group or event may
deal with a different aspect of the theme.
In fact, if you
belong to a mothers group, run a community group or own a business, maybe you
can organise a breastfeeding promotional activity?
Not sure how
you can participate in WBW?
Even just telling
people about WBW and the advantages to breastfeeding is a great starting point.
If appropriate, let the world know and see that you breastfeed your child.
Some other
possibilities are:
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How about adding
articles or information about breastfeeding week to your website? Or a banner
with WBW dates on it.
{
Offer a special to all
breastfeeding mothers in your shop.
{
Run a morning tea at
your community group. Have a speaker on breastfeeding or get everyone to make a
donation to the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
{
Add a ‘breastfeeding
welcome here’ sign to your centre or shop.
{
Add a notice about WBW
to your newsletter.
{
Give out gold medals to
all the breastfeeding Mums you know.
{
Don’t advertise or sell
products that don’t support breastfeeding (eg bottles and formula) for the week.
{
Send a copy of this
article to all your friends and colleagues.
{
Give a friendly smile to
any breastfeeding Mums you see in public.
{
Suggest your workplace
becomes Mother-friendly.
Tash Hughes is a
breastfeeding Mum of two in Melbourne. She is also a writer and owner of
www.wordconstructions.com. Tash is available to write articles and profiles
for any business, as well as doing other business documentation projects. This
article may be reproduced as long as this information is attached and the
article is not changed in any way.
