World Breastfeeding Week, “The Big Latch On,” was considered a story of success as the annual event tallied nearly 35,000 participants worldwide. Aimed at shedding the social stigmas attached with breastfeeding, this year the even occurred over 30 countries.
Founded in New Zealand as a small campaign in 2005, and propelled onto the world arena in 2010, “The Big Latch On” is now becoming bigger with each year passing. South America, Asia and Africa are some of the participating countries.
Some of the health benefits attributed to breastfeeding are nutrition for growth and brain development, protection against respiratory infections and other life-threatening ailments, and probable protection against obesity. According to the World Health Organization, these benefits are the reason why the stigma attached to breastfeeding in public places needs to be fought. With only 38 percent of infants breastfed exclusively, WHO aims for 50 percent within the next ten years.
In April, China considered banning the advertising of baby formula promoted as a healthier alternative in hopes of increasing their national percentage from 30 percent in rural areas and 16 percent in urban area. According the The Telegraph, China’s fears aren’t completely unsubstantiated with baby formula marketing health benefits often falsely founded.
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