1st to 7th August 2024
World Breastfeeding Week is a global initiative by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. This campaign was first established in 1992 and has a different focus every year.
This year the focus is on ‘Closing the Gap’. The aim is to highlight the issues with breastfeeding, support inequalities and focus on breastfeeding in times of emergencies and crisis.
There are 4 objectives to World Breastfeeding Week 2024, and these are listed as:
- To inform people about the inequalities that exist in breastfeeding support and prevalence.
- To anchor breastfeeding as an equaliser to close gaps within society
- To engage with individuals and organisations to enhance collaboration and support for breastfeeding.
- To galvanise action on reducing inequalities in breastfeeding support by focusing on vulnerable groups.
Benefits to breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is known to have many benefits to the baby. The longer you are able to breastfeed, the longer the baby will be protected and feel the benefits. Despite knowing the benefits of breastfeeding, the World Health Organisation say that less than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed.
The NHS list some of the benefits to the baby as being:
- Reduced risk of infections
- Reduced risk of vomiting and diarrhoea
- Reduces the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
- Less chance of obesity
- Less chance of cardiovascular disease as an adult
It’s recommended to exclusively breastfeed for the first 26 weeks, or 6 months, of the child’s life. Breastmilk provides more than just ‘food’ to the baby, it is full of antibodies and bioactive factors that help to strengthen immune systems and help with digesting nutrients.
There are also benefits to the mother. For example, it helps to protect from breast and ovarian cancers, heart disease, creates a strong bond with the baby and helps improve mental health through the release of oxytocin. Also known as the love hormone.
Aside from the physical benefi ts it also saves a huge amount of money which in today’s world is very important. It helps families cut back on bottles and formula. UNICEF says that ‘moderate increases in breastfeeding would translate into cost savings for the NHS of many millions of pounds, and tens of thousands of fewer hospital admissions and GP consultations.’
Overcoming Common Challenges
There are many common challenges that can be experienced when breastfeeding, even if you’ve done it before, every time is different.
Some common problems that can be faced are:
Sore or cracked nipples
Nipples can become sore or cracked. This is generally because the baby isn’t in the right position or hasn’t latched onto the breast properly. If you do start to experience this then contact your midwife or health visitor as soon as possible. The NHS says to try and carry on with breastfeeding or to express by hand and ask for help early on.
Engorgement
Engorgement is when the breasts become too full of milk. When this happens, they can become hard, painful and tight. Usually, engorgement will happen quite early on when it takes a few days for the milk supply to fully come in or in the later stages once they stop feeding as much. Aside from feeding the baby, things like expressing, using warm flannels for pain and wearing unrestrictive, well-fitting breastfeeding bras can help.
Mastitis
This is inflammation in the breast which happens when a duct is blocked. Women can experience pain, inflammation and flu-like symptoms with this problem. Some symptoms can include:
- Breasts feeling tender and hot
- Red skin that’s painful to touch
- Feeling unwell
- High temperature
Mastitis should be dealt with as soon as possible because there is a risk of it turning into an infection requiring antibiotics.
Breastfeeding and the workplace
Depending on your role and the nature of your job there are different options you could explore. When returning to work you should provide your employer with a written document notifying them that you’re still breastfeeding, and they should then conduct a specific risk assessment.
Currently there are no laws to say that companies must pay mothers for breastfeeding breaks or give them specific arrangements to do this. However, in the health and safety guidance it does say breastfeeding mothers are entitled to more regular breaks which need to be agreed with line managers. The below are some of the laws that Working Families (link below) list that breastfeeding mothers potentially fall into:
- The right not to suffer direct or indirect discrimination, or harassment, because of sex (Equality Act 2010)
- The right to be offered temporary suitable alternative work or paid suspension (Employments Right Act 1996)
- If you work in the public sector you can rely on the Pregnant Worker’s Directive which states that your work must not affect “the breastfeeding of a worker”.
- There is health and safety guidance which employers and employees should’ve aware of in relation to any staff who may be pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you’re struggling with breastfeeding or unsure if it’s the best option for you then don’t hesitate to contact your health visitor, GP or midwife for advice.
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