World breastfeeding week was celebrated at the beginning of August, a time dedicated to education and support of breastfeeding.

This year, target audiences including government departments, health systems, workplaces and communities were educated and empowered to strengthen their capacity to provide and sustain breastfeeding-friendly environments for families in the post-pandemic world.

Breastfeeding promotion forms part of the WHO’s global nutrition targets for 2025.

The aim is that by 2025, 50% of infants worldwide would be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life.

Currently, the rate is less than 40% and increasing very slowly, or even stagnating in some countries, despite all the evidence confirming how incredibly important it is.

It is possible that a lack of support rather than a lack of education is the cause.

Improving maternal support to pre-pandemic levels is essential if targets are to be met.

If you’re a mom or know one who is on the fence or finding it tough, here are some fascinating facts about breastmilk and breastfeeding to provide some encouragement.

We know that breastfeeding has the perfect nutrient content for babies, helps bonding, reduces allergies and maternal breast cancer.

It is readily available, sterile and an economical feeding option.

But did you know breast milk is a living substance! Just like human blood, breast milk is a living fluid containing a range of germ-killing substances, healthy bacteria, antibodies, white blood cells and proteins that protect your baby.

Kissing your baby will change your breast milk. When you kiss your baby, you are sampling the pathogens on his or her skin. You will produce antibodies to any bugs.

These antibodies will then pass through your breast milk to your baby and boost the infant’s immune system.

Breastmilk changes as your baby grows.

The composition of breastmilk not only changes during a single feed but nutrient concentrations change according to the age and development of your baby, providing the perfect food for your baby as he or she grows from birth and throughout infancy.

From the above it is clear that breast is most definitely best!

One-to-one support is proven to improve breastfeeding success. It can be a challenge, but if you’re battling, don’t feel alone.

Join a breastfeeding support group or contact your local lactation consultant or baby clinic nurse today.

Claire McHugh is a registered dietitian with a special interest in paediatric nutrition as well as a lactation consultant.

She has been in private practice on the North Coast for 14 years.

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