World Breastfeeding Week 2023

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year across the world from August 1 — August 7. This global campaign aims to raise awareness about breastfeeding and its advantages. 

This year’s theme is, Enabling breastfeeding - making a difference for working parents, During this week we will showcase the impact of paid leave, workplace support and emerging parenting norms on breastfeeding. We aim to engage governments, policymakers, workplaces, communities and parents to play their critical roles in empowering families and sustaining breastfeeding-friendly environments in the post-pandemic work life.

The health impacts of stopping breastfeeding early are what drive many women to continue providing breastmilk for their babies when they return to work. 

• Babies who aren’t breastfed have an increased risk of gastrointestinal, respiratory and ear infections.  
• They are more likely to need to go to hospital for these infections. 
• Breastmilk contains many anti-infective factors that help protect against infections and build your baby’s immune system.

Continuing to breastfeed may protect babies against illness if they need to be in childcare with other children. This means fewer visits to the doctor and less time off work for parents.

I decided to attempt breastfeeding despite needing to return to work, with the idea that I would provide the best possible nutrition for my children. I continued to breastfeed and express whilst working despite occasional obstacles over the years, with the help that ABA provided and because of the health advantages it provided the children. I was motivated in doing this by feelings of intimacy and bonding that nursing my children created despite my separation from them. It was a nurturing and comfort only I could give. 

Working mum, Adelaide SA