World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 170 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration made by WHO and UNICEF policy-makers in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was formed in 1991 to act on the Innocenti Declaration (1990) to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. As part of its action plan to facilitate and strengthen social mobilisation for breastfeeding, WABA envisioned a global unifying breastfeeding promotion strategy. A day dedicated to breastfeeding was suggested to be marked in the calender of international events. The idea of a day’s celebration was turned into a week.

The World Health Organization recommends that infants start breastfeeding within one hour of life, are exclusively breastfed for six months, with timely introduction of adequate, safe and properly fed complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for up to two years of age or beyond. This has become to be known as World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) celebrated every 1-7 August commemorate the Innocenti Declaration. WBW was first celebrated in 1992. Now it involves over 170 countries and is endorsed by UNICEF, WHO, FAO and IPA.

Please read the WBW 2012 Calendar Announcement at www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org for more information.

Source:

www.who.int/features/factfiles/breastfeeding/facts/en/index.html

http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/the_importance_of_supporting_mothers_who_breastfeed.htm