The first week of August 1st to the 7th, is celebrated as World Breastfeeding Week to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It started in 1991. This years slogan is ‘Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding’.
‘Breastfeeding is a universal solution that levels the playing field, giving everyone a fair start in life. lt improves the health, wellbeing and survival of women and children around the world’.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for the babies
1. Breast milk is loaded with antibodies, especially immunoglobulin A, which builds the immune system.
2. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of infections and disease.
3. Breastfed babies have lower obesity rates and more beneficial gut bacteria.
4. Breastfeeding helps your babies brain development and reduces the risk of learning disabilities.
5. Above all, breast milk contains ideal nutrition for babies, containing all the macronutrients and micronutrients the baby needs, apart from Vitamin D.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for the mother
1. Breastfeeding helps them to lose weight, increases oxytocin which reduces blood loss after delivery.
2. Breast fed mothers have a lower rate of depression, and also protects the mother against several diseases.
3. Above all, it is most convenient.
A small quiz for Breastfeeding week below
1. Breastfeeding children are less likely to have:
(A) Diarrhoea (B) Ear infections
(C) Pneumonia (D) All of the above
Answer : D
2. What is another advantage of Breastfeeding:
(A) Breastmilk is easier to digest than formula
(B) Breastmilk does not need to be prepared
(C) Breastmilk is free and readily available
(D) All of the above
Answer : D
3. How does breastfeeding help the mother:
(A) Breastfeeding helps you get back to your normal weight
(B) Breastfeeding reduces your risk for ovarian cancer
(C) Breastfeeding increases bone strength
(D) Aand B
Answer: (D) A and B
4. Which is the most important hormone your body uses to make breastmilk?
(A) Estrogen (B) Prolactin
(C) Progesterone (D) Insulin
Answer : B
5. The milk made by the body in the first days after birth has a certain name. What is it?
(A) Lactose (B) Acidophilus
(C) Colostrum (D) None of the above
Answer : C
6. How often does a breastfed baby eat?
(A) Three times a day
(B) Six times a day
(C) 8 to 12 times a day
(D) 20 times a day
Answer : C
7. How can you tell if your baby is getting enough milk when Breastfeeding?
(A) Your baby has atleast 6 wet diapers a day
(B) Your baby has several bowel movements a day
(C) Your baby steadily gains weight
(D) All of the above
Answer : D
8. How many extra calories should you eat when Breastfeeding?
(A) 100 (B) 200
(C) 500 (D) 1000
Answer : C