World Breastfeeding Week: give your baby the best start

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually worldwide from 1 to 7 August.  This global campaign aims to raise awareness about breastfeeding and its benefits.

The event takes place during the first week of August each year, with support from World Health Organization, UNICEF, various Ministries of Health, and civil society partners. The theme for 2024 is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”

This campaign celebrates the diversity of breastfeeding mums and their unique journeys, highlighting how families, communities, and health workers can support every breastfeeding mum.

Paulette Jasi, neonatal infant feeding lead at Milton Keynes University Hospital will be hosting an information stand in the hospital’s main reception area on 5 and 6 August to offer support, advice and guidance during World Breastfeeding Week.

Paulette said:

“Breastfeeding is important for babies as it supplies nutrients the baby needs to grow healthy and protects against infections, allergies and various disease, they are also health benefits to mothers too.  By having this stall at the reception area, expectant mothers will see us as they walk into the hospital and new mums as they walk out, and they can approach us for help, support and advice.

“There is a wealth of support with valuable resources and information for individuals who want to learn more about breastfeeding on the NHS website and Start for Life . These offer guidance on how to get started with breastfeeding, techniques to ensure a good latch, and advice for overcoming challenges that may arise.”

The websites also address common concerns such as low milk supply, breastfeeding in public, and returning to work while breastfeeding.