World Breastfeeding Week 2022: 1-7 August

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year across the world from August 1 to August 7. The global campaign is organized to raise awareness about breastfeeding and its benefits. Breastfeeding is extremely crucial for the healthy growth and development of an infant. Breastmilk is the best food for newborn babies. It contains antibodies that aid in preventing several prevalent paediatric ailments.

Theme

This year’s World Breastfeeding Week, under its theme ‘Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support.’ is a time to revisit the commitments made at the start of this year by prioritizing breastfeeding-friendly environments for mothers and babies. By urging organisations and nations to create safeguards for breastfeeding, this topic hopes to increase breastfeeding awareness.

History

The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) created a memorandum in 1990. Following this, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was established in 1991. The inaugural World Breastfeeding Week was observed in 1992 to promote the campaign. Initially, around 70 countries used to commemorate the week, while now, it is celebrated by 170 countries.