World Breastfeeding Week 2023: Let's make breastfeeding and work, work!

As the world observes World Breastfeeding Week 2023 from August 1 to 7, let's look at its theme for this year and know the importance and benefits of breastfeeding by new mothers.

The theme for this year is "Let's make breastfeeding and work, work!" This theme focuses on promoting and educating people and organizations to support breastfeeding mothers at workplaces and ensure breastfeeding works for women at workplaces.

According to WHO data, over 2.5 million deaths among children that occur annually are related to undernutrition. Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in the healthy development of newborns.

Below are some of the general breastfeeding guidelines for new mothers as shared by WHO and UNICEF:
1. Newborns must be breastfed within an hour of their birth
2. They must be breastfed sufficiently for the first six months after their birth

Breastfeeding gives natural nourishment to newborns for their growth and enhances their immunity. Breastfeeding keeps newborns away from infections and diseases as breastmilk has nurients, antibodies and enzymes that build and strengthen the newborns immune system.

Breastfeeding also has health benefits for mothers. It helps them reduce their weight, lessen the susceptiblity to breast and ovarian cancer.