World breastfeeding week 2023, WHO recommends babies be breastfed until age 2

Cameroon joins the international community this week to observe the 31st World Breastfeeding Week which runs from August 1st to August 7th under the theme “Enabling breastfeeding: making a difference for working parents”.

The World Health Organization says Breastfeeding is fundamental to good nutrition, food security, the reduction of inequalities​ and is one of the most efficient ways of ensuring child health and survival.

Medics say babies who are fed nothing but breast milk from birth to 6 months of age get the best start in life.

“Breastfeeding is the best way recommended to feed a child. It has advantages to both the mother and child. It contains all nutrients in their quantities enough for the child,” says Dr. Belanquale Claude, Head of the Bangang Medical Center in the Bamboutos division, West region of Cameroon.

“To mothers, breastfeeding helps reshape the body after birth and helps prevent you from cancer,” he adds.

In Cameroon, commemorative activities to mark this year’s celebrations were launched by the Minister of Public Health, Dr Malachie Manaouda on July 26 2023 in Yaounde. During the launch ceremony, women were sensitized on the importance of breastfeeding newborns for at least 6 months.

World breastfeeding week is a global campaign that aims to raise awareness about breastfeeding and its benefits. Research proves that there is a surge in the infant mortality rate due to a drop in the number of mothers willing to breastfeed thus making the campaign even more essential.

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