In the past, support in a traditional way was provided by older
women in the family and in the community, especially during the first 40 days
after delivery. However,
as societies evolve, especially with urbanization, more and more nuclear
families emerged to the point that other members of the family may be far away. In addition, the pressure to
return back to work is also steadily increasing. These are some of the
factors that are responsible for the disappearance of this period of maternal care
to infants. The
theme which had been chosen this year for the World Breastfeeding Week is “Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal
for Life”. Due
to the fact that with the decline in breastfeeding rates, the need to continue
to promote breastfeeding as an essential part of child development and maternal
health is being felt more than ever.
This theme gives even more impetus to this call to action. It clearly establishes a
very close relationship between breastfeeding and the Millennium Development
Goals. The
role of breastfeeding is to support the realization of fixed/established goals
is now clear, especially the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals). Regarding MDGs or the
eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, exclusive breastfeeding as the first
step towards reducing child malnutrition allows them good growth from the first
day of life.
Similarly breastfeeding contributes to the reduction of illiteracy
and environmental degradation. Moreover,
breastfeeding is closely linked to the promotion of gender equality and women’s
empowerment. As
such, children receive an equal start through breastfeeding, regardless of
family income and breastfeeding makes women stronger (emancipated) by allowing
them to be in control of their reproductive lives.
The benefits of breast milk cannot
be fully listed, because breast milk is unique. There is no substitute, despite
all the technological advances made by mankind. It is a living fluid that
actively protects against infections. Breast milk contains the
amount of fat, protein, sugar, water and micronutrients necessary for the
growth and development of a baby. By its very nature, breast
milk is intended to aid digestion by babies and it changes to meet the needs of
the baby.
In this regard, breastfeeding is now recognized as a driving force
for public health as it promotes health, while at the same time, opening the
way to a good start in life. The
optimal breastfeeding of infants less than two years has the potential to play
a key role in child survival and prevent more than 800,000 deaths of children
under five in the developing world. For infants, breast milk
prevents ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory infections, asthma, allergies,
obesity, diabetes type 1 and 2, childhood leukemia, and sudden death syndrome
of infant.
For the mother, breastfeeding protects against breast cancer,
ovarian cancer, cervical and endometrial cancers, postpartum depression, and obesity. Breastfeeding is more than a
lifestyle choice and it is a major health choice (especially nowadays), a long way towards protecting the health of
mothers and children.
Breastfeeding
is the concern of all health caretakers and members of society; young and old, students, men and women, parents and grandparents and
employers. Each
assumes a variety of roles; it is important to communicate the benefits of
breastfeeding on the health and overall well-being.
- Extracts from the Special Address to a Conference delivered by the Khalifatullah (atba) in the North of Mauritius, on August 20, 2014: on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week.