World Breastfeeding Week: A Community of Empowerment
It’s World Breastfeeding Week, that special time of year when we celebrate the precious gift of a healthy start for babies across the globe. At Leading Lady, we advocate for breastfeeding awareness year-round with programs, products and resources that educate and encourage breastfeeding. But during World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month, we are even more motivated to spread the love. This year we’re supporting families with our biggest nursing bra donation EVER, and we’re so proud to share that with you, our customers, and the breastfeeding community at large.
World Breastfeeding Week 2019
It’s a fact that breast milk can save and improve lives. As the healthiest first food on the planet, everyone wins when babies thrive. Families are happier and healthier. Parents are more present in their home lives and at work. With fewer illnesses, wellness circulates within schools and communities. The healthcare system is less taxed, which puts less stress on government-funded medical programs. Whole communities benefit from the health effects of breastfeeding and therefore whole communities should participate in enabling it.
The 2019 World Breastfeeding Week theme is “Empowering Parents, Enable Breastfeeding.” This holistic perspective acknowledges the village that has the ability to uplift parents to make positive decisions about the health of their families. Breastfeeding is a right and a choice but it’s one that must be supported by everyone involved, from family members and employers, to healthcare professionals and community leaders. With a community-approach, families can feel empowered and enabled to breastfeed.
A Community of Empowerment
As a family, breastfeeding is a true act of love and commitment to wellbeing. While moms and babies are at the forefront, fathers, partners, siblings, and extended family and friends are heavily involved too. Encouraging this mother-child bond early in life may take time and patience, and certainly requires champions among family members. When the family unit is united, breastfeeding is even more precious.
Employers who support breastfeeding often find their employees are more dedicated and productive. Affording moms adequate maternity leave to solidify the breastfeeding relationship and flexible work schedules to feed or pump during work hours helps moms successfully meet breastfeeding goals. Plus, it boosts morale among employees who feel their employers truly care about the health of their families.
Healthcare workers may know better than anyone the benefits of breastfeeding. From prenatal to postpartum, the nurses, doctors, lactation consultants and clinicians who work with young families can educate and advocate for breastfeeding by sharing fact-based research and the trickle-down benefits for everyone involved.
Organizations, businesses, and community groups can have a profound impact on breastfeeding too. Simple breastfeeding-friendly policies or carving out nursing spaces for new moms makes families feel welcome and validates their choice to breastfeed. Plus, community groups aimed at connecting young families can be inspirational avenues for breastfeeding and friendships.
Leaders at every level can champion breastfeeding by enforcing legislation that protects breastfeeding rights and funding pubic health programs that advocate for breastfeeding as the most nutritious way to feed babies.
Empowering parents and enabling breastfeeding is only possible when it’s promoted from every area of the community. We hope that our breastfeeding awareness campaigns and philanthropic programs put a spotlight on the community approach so that every family can make the best choices to nourish and nurture their babies.