It’s World Breastfeeding Week. Everybody celebrate! The theme this year is Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response, so, uh, get ready for blizzard season by breastfeeding.

Seriously, this is a huge issue:

RATIONALE

  • Children are the most vulnerable in emergencies – child mortality can soar from 2 to 70 times higher than average due to diarrhoea, respiratory illness and malnutrition.
  • Breastfeeding is a life saving intervention and protection is greatest for the youngest infants. Even in non-emergency settings, non-breastfed babies under 2 months of age are six times more likely to die.
  • Emergencies can happen anywhere in the world. Emergencies destroy what is ‘normal,’ leaving caregivers struggling to cope and infants vulnerable to disease and death.
  • During emergencies, mothers need active support to continue or re-establish breastfeeding.
  • Emergency preparedness is vital. Supporting breastfeeding in non-emergency settings will strengthen mothers’ capacity to cope in an emergency.

I would totally come out of retirement as a La Leche League leader to help breastfeeding mothers during an emergency. I wouldn’t tell La Leche League cuz they can suck it (no pun intended), but I’d totally take to the streets and help. PS Don’t donate formula when there’s an emergency. Donate wet nurses:

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