2001
World Breastfeeding Week: August 1-7
Breastfeeding
in the Information Age
The following information is
excerpted from: http://www.waba.org.br/wbw97/wbw2001.htm
What is this year's theme for the
WBW?
The ability to
communicate is something we learn very early in life. For example, the
gentle kick in a mother's belly is a baby's first contact with the outside
world. During breastfeeding, a baby's eye contact with its mother helps
induce the 'let-down' reflex and its suckling sends all kinds of information
and signals to the right spots within the mother's body to produce more milk
at the right time, right temperature and right amount for baby.
Each year new
research reaffirms the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for about six
months and continued breastfeeding while providing adequate complementary
foods up to two years of life and beyond. Breastmilk provides optimal
nourishment for infants and reduces the risks of certain diseases, including
diahrreoa, and respiratory tract (including pneumonia), ear, and urinary
tract infections. The act of breastfeeding is an essential component of good
child care, contributing to healthy growth and psychosocial development.
Breastfeeding also
reduces women's risk of breast and ovarian cancer, iron deficiency anemia,
and hip fracture. Impact of new technologies Interference with infant
feeding occurs more and more often with the advent of new information and
communication technologies and the exploitation by unethical business
practices.
While we recognize
that such technologies can be exploited to negatively impact on lifestyles
and consumption patterns undermining breastfeeding, we also acknowledge the
great leaps they have made to facilitate speedier and more widespread
distribution of information. Breastfeeding advocates must ensure that
timely, accurate, relevant and culturally appropriate breastfeeding messages
are conveyed.
This year's WBW
theme, Breastfeeding in the Information Age, underscores the
importance of transforming and conveying the facts of breastfeeding via all
the available forms of communication such as the internet, radio, TV, video,
newspapers, cartoons, story telling, puppets, music, drama, role-play, flip
charts and billboards.
What are the WBW 2001
goals?.
- to highlight
the various forms and modes of communication and effective ways of using
them
- to emphasize
core breastfeeding information (eg. exclusive breastfeeding)
- to share ideas
and experiences on communicating challenging issues and threats to
breastfeeding
- to provide and
stimulate more innovative and helpful approaches to support
breastfeeding mothers
NETPOP Project
(Brazil) ORIGEM, a Brazillian breastfeeding and mother support group is
working on a government-supported project which involves teaching computer
skills and internet access to poor people for free. They are training 11,000
people in computer skills and have created four centers for free internet
access in poor communities. Through Netpop, ORIGEM also conducts
breastfeeding advocacy work, and promotes maternal nutrition.
How can I organize the WBW in my
country?
WBW experiences in
various countries have shown that better results are achieved and more
people are involved when activities are well planned, organized and
coordinated. The actions described here can be carried out in your
neighborhood, your city, your state or even your country. Wherever you are,
it is important to plan ahead!
Start acting now!
- Campaign at the
national and international levels, using television, print and radio,
including community radio stations;
- Develop a
global online network for a multi-cultural breastfeeding resource site;
- Organize a
workshop to help breastfeeding advocates and mothers overcome the fear
of using new technologies;
- Facilitate the
creation of a network of kindred organizations and individuals from
around the world to engage in cross-cultural exchange and education;
- Identify new
audiences and ways to reach them;
- Use the WABA
and other breastfeeding websites to share examples of how your group
promotes breastfeeding.
How can I participate in WBW?
Click
here to read our suggestions to build an action plan.
WABA
Homepage | What
is WABA | WABA Activities
| WABA Documents | Special
Pages
