Simple, accurate health tests for the home and the workplace.
Breastfeeding might come naturally to some, but for others, it can be more challenging. World Breastfeeding Week highlights the importance of breastfeeding for infant health and maternal well-being, providing support and advice and highlighting key issues that can cause barriers to breastfeeding for some mothers. Join us as we explore Breastfeeding Awareness Week and how you can support the cause.
From providing valuable tips and support to raising awareness of the key issues that can cause barriers to breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Awareness Week is essential in creating a more equal future for breastfeeding.
Held between the 1st and 7th of August each year, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) organised this event to commemorate the 1990 Innocenti Declaration and take strides in informing, engaging, and changing the breastfeeding community.
The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2024 is Closing the Gap. This year’s focus is on highlighting the key issues in breastfeeding concerning survival, health, and well-being. There is a need to improve breastfeeding support and reduce healthcare system inequalities, especially in emergencies or crises.
By shining a spotlight on the ways families, societies, communities, and healthcare workers support every breastfeeding mother, mothers who breastfeed will hopefully feel less alone, especially if they are struggling to breastfeed in the first place or feel vulnerable. Creating a support system around a mother can make all the difference, leading to their breastfeeding experience becoming more positive.
However, more needs to be done to ensure the inequalities in breastfeeding as a whole are addressed. That’s why WABA also aims to:
Breastfeeding is a skill you learn over time, so you shouldn’t worry if you don’t get the hang of it immediately! You should ask yourself a few questions when breastfeeding to ensure you and the baby are comfortable, such as:
Use pillows and cushions to help you get into a comfortable position. Keep your shoulders and arms relaxed.
If your baby’s head or body is twisted, they may find it hard to swallow.
Support your baby’s neck, shoulders, and back to allow them to tilt their heads back and swallow easily.
Avoid leaning your breast forward into the baby’s mouth as this can lead to poor attachment.
This will encourage them to open their mouth wide and attach to the breast.
This is to ensure they can tip their head back if needed.
Breastfeeding requires trial and error to find the best technique for you and your baby. Why not try some of these tips to make the experience more comfortable for both of you?
Show your support this Breastfeeding Awareness Week by educating yourself on breastfeeding, spreading awareness on social media, going to an event, or pledging your participation by planning activities whether that be online or in-person.
If you choose to raise awareness for breastfeeding via social media, you can use #WBW2024 to find a community full of people supporting the cause!
To find events in your area, visit the Pledge Map, which lists events held by different organisations worldwide that aim to educate people about breastfeeding and connect a community of breastfeeding mothers in your local area.
At Home Health, we know that starting a family can be daunting, which is why we have created a whole category of health information dedicated to Family Planning. From Antenatal Care to Pregnancy Tests, we have all the knowledge you need to know about family planning in one place. We also offer Pregnancy and Ovulation Tests. Take the time to inform yourself about breastfeeding today and join us in supporting World Breastfeeding Week!
There are no concrete rules when it comes to breastfeeding. In the first week, you may notice your baby wants to feed as often as once every hour for the first few days. This is perfectly normal, and you should feed your baby as often as they want, for as long as they want.
After a few days, you may start to see your baby wanting to feed for longer but not as often. As a very rough guide, your baby should be fed at least 8-12 times or more every 24 hours during the first few weeks.
It is impossible to overfeed your baby with breastmilk, so you don’t have to worry if you have a hungry baby!
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), or Breastfeeding Awareness Week, is held between the 1st and 7th of August every year. This week was chosen as it commemorates the 1990 Innocenti Declaration.
The theme of WBW 2024 is Closing the Gap. It focuses on improving breastfeeding support and reducing inequalities in breastfeeding-related healthcare. There is also a particular focus this year on breastfeeding in emergency situations and crises.
The New Model from SD Biosensor (the manufacturers of the No.1 selling SD Codefree Blood Glucose Meter) has all the benefits of the Codefree plus it boasts a greater accuracy due to a wider haematocrit (HCT) range of 0-70% and GDH-FAD enzyme technology.
All of this with prices starting from just £11.99!
Click here to find out more information.