World Breastfeeding Week approaches

World breastfeeding week is set to begin on August 1st, with the event to be promoted by leading health organisations.

Taking place between August 1st and 7th, the week is celebrated in more than 120 countries around the world.

A focus on the health benefits of breastfeeding is being concentrated on, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicating that the activity is "the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need".

This year's theme is 'Breastfeeding - a vital emergency response. Are you ready?'. The week will concentrate on the role of breastfeeding in emergencies to boost infant survival rates.

Ann M Veneman, executive director of Unicef, commented: "This year's World Breastfeeding Week provides the opportunity to sensitise policy-makers, donors, implementing partners and the general public to the benefits of breastfeeding."

The dates for World Breastfeeding Week are chosen to commemorate the Innocenti Declaration, which was made by WHO and Unicef in 1990 to support, promote and protect breastfeeding.

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