World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) was started in 1992 to generate public awareness and support for breastfeeding. Coordinated by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), among more than 20 international organizations that are part of this collective, it’s officially celebrated on 1-7 August every year as a campaign that aims to inform, anchor, engage, and galvanize action on breastfeeding and related issues.
This year the theme for WBW is breastfeeding for a healthier planet! In line with this theme, organizations are calling on governments to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counseling, a critical component of breastfeeding support. Breastfeeding provides every child with the best possible start in life. It delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers. And it forms part of a sustainable food system. But while breastfeeding is a natural process, it is not always easy. Mothers need support—both to get started and to sustain breastfeeding.
I had the privilege to work with lactation consultant, Freda Eisenberg, who taught me how to breastfeed and has supported my now 5 month breastfeeding journey. Breastfeeding has been the most fulfilling challenge I’ve faced as a new mom. A rollercoaster ride of emotional ups and downs, physical pain, utter bliss, guilt, over production and lack there of, sacrifice, and endurance. Did I say sacrifice?
While we want to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week and all the beauty that comes from the ability to feed our babies this way, I also want to honor every mama that carries a different story. Whatever the story is, we all stepped into motherhood prepared to do whatever it took to feed, nurture, and support our babies to the best of our abilities. Dear Mama, I salute you!
