Breastfeeding best for infant
(CNS): Exclusive breastfeeding and adequate appropriate complementary feeding are key interventions for improving child survival, potentially reducing deaths among children under five by about 20%, the HSA said at the start of World Breastfeeding Week. Early and exclusive breastfeeding improves newborn care and reduces neonatal mortality, which contributes to the majority of infant deaths. Breastfeeding has been shown repeatedly to be the single most effective way to prevent infant death; it plays a major role in children’s health and development, and significantly benefits the health of mothers. This coming week, 1-7 August, marks the 22nd annual World Breastfeeding Week launched originally by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, the HSA said.
This year's World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) theme asserts the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. This comes as part of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals # 4 which speaks to reducing child mortality and # 5 improving maternal health.
The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) will be observing WBW with an information booth located in the Atrium of the Cayman Islands Hospital August on Friday 1 August and Monday through Thursday, 4-7 August, from 9:30am – 10:30am.
Simone Sheehan, HSA Dietician, is heading up this initiative along with the Women’s Health Centre and the Cayman Islands Breastfeeding Support Group.
“We will have HSA midwives and Public Health Nurses available at the booth to hand out information and to answer any questions about breastfeeding,” Sheehan said. “This year’s theme is Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal for Life with the purpose of increasing awareness and the many benefits to breastfeeding.”
“When mothers are able, we encourage breastfeeding as the first option over formula, as there are many health benefits for both the mother and the baby,” Sheehan said. “In addition to the health benefits, it also helps build a strong bond between mother and child.”
The Cayman Islands Breastfeeding Support Group is also a stakeholder in this initiative offering on-going support for breastfeeding mothers in the local community.
Annie Mae Roffey, a volunteer at the Breastfeeding Support Group, said she is looking forward to this year’s activities scheduled throughout the week. “In addition to the informational booth, we will be hosting a Breastfeeding Café social event which is open to the public and specifically mothers who are breastfeeding fathers and their babies,” Roffey said.
The Breastfeeding Café will be held at the Family Resource Centre [located in the Cayman Compass Centre, Shedden Road] on Monday 4 August from 12 noon until 2pm.
“This is a great opportunity for breastfeeding mothers to get together and discuss their personal experiences and exchange ideas,” Roffey said. “The Family Resource Centre also has a breastfeeding room with an electric pump available to mothers who may need a private place to feed or pump, which is convenient for working mothers who need some privacy during the workday.”
For more information about World Breastfeeding Week, visit www.hsa.ky or www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org
Category: Health
Hmm – a close-up breastfeeding photo that’s not an African Nat-Geo image.
Gettin brave there.
Just like in the case of every female mammal, god gave women the breasts for the sole purpose of feeding their infants. No other mammal species makes any other use of the breast except for feeding their offsprings.
Not just infants!
I think that Breasfeeding is a wonderful thing for mother and child as long as things are kept on the human level. It pains me when women stop breasfeeding early and switch to cow's milk. This is the milk of another species designed to make a calf 400lbs in a matter of months. Any wonder why parents see their child become over weight or their girl got her period at a reduculously young age. Those hormones are not meant for humans.
But what about calcium? The body leaches more calcium from the bones to combat the acidiy of the dairy that has been consumed.
Human milk for humans, cows milk for cow.
yeah after breastfeeding my wife looks alot skinnier. must be all the bone leaching she caused on herself
You breastfed your wife?
Maybe a glass of milk would give you the necessary DHA to spell the word, "ridiculous" correctly. Drum roll, cymbals crash.
Perhaps if you laid off the dairy you would understand my comment. Dairy (cow) leaches calcium from bones, not breast feading. Seriously, lag off the dairy!
I have always wondered – Why do men have breasts?…
They don't. You should asked why men have nipples.
They do. It is not unusual for men to develop breast cancer. Men's breasts do not usually develop the same complexity of milk ducts. etc. but they do have breasts.
Speak for yourself. My chest is very masculine.
Of course it is best for infants. Who else would be into it teenagers? Adults?
Well, now you mention it….
It's not uncommon to breastfeed past infancy and into the toddler stage,breastmilk has many benefits even at that stage…