5 Ways to Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2018
The first week of August each year is dedicated to World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) and the whole month of August is also National Breastfeeding Awareness Month where we celebrate and build awareness about breastfeeding across the globe and here at home.
As a nursing and maternity wear brand, we at Mitera believe in breastfeeding though that does not mean at all that we do not support non-breastfeeding moms. We understand the benefits of breastfeeding just as well as its challenges and we are here not to judge but to support moms regardless of their breastfeeding goals and personal circumstances and choices. Just as we did last year, we are taking the opportunity this month to come together as moms to celebrate this beautiful act of nurturing your child, discuss some challenging issues related to breastfeeding and learn from and support each other.
To kick it off, here are 5 ways you can celebrate the World Breastfeeding Week.
5. Participate in the Global Big Latch On event series
Whether you are a working and pumping/breastfeeding mom or a stay-at-home mom or nursing moms in maternity leave or exclusively pumping moms or their family and friends, the Global Big Latch On offers meaningful events for everyone to celebrate and support breastfeeding.
Here is the list of the events and dates. Here are some examples:
For working moms
For example, today Wednesday 1st August, the Global Big Latch On is hosting a celebration of working and pumping moms on their Facebook page. You can find out more details here.
Be part of a community
Wanna meet fellow nursing and pumping moms in your community and globally? Participate in the Big Latch On events taking place at registered locations around the globe and in your community where people gather together to breastfeed and offer peer support to each other. You can invite friends, family and community members to join this celebration to promote and support breastfeeding. Find a location near you here.
4. Share your breastfeeding and pumping stories with those who might not know what you are going through.
One thing we hear from almost all first-time moms is that they had no idea how it would feel, how amazing it would be and how challenging it can be to breastfeed. Women have been doing this for centuries and it is as natural as it can be but just like any new skill, it is a learned act for the mom and the baby. Breastfeeding rates in the US are rising, but the numbers show that only 50% of babies are still nursing at 6 months, and less than one-third make it to one year despite the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations based on best scientific research. Why? There are many reasons but one major obstacle is the lack of understanding and support at home, in the community and at work places. So, start by sharing your breastfeeding story and journey with your partner, friends, parents, in-laws and coworkers. Knowledge is power - your story will not only inform, educate and inspire others but will help remove the stigma surrounding breastfeeding.
3. Document your nursing experience by taking beautiful photos
We know you have become a ‘one-handed master at everything’ now that you’ve become a mom and you have perhaps taken some “Brelfies” (breastfeeding selfies) while nursing. Those are nice and even UNICEF endorsed them by saying that it is “a good way to break down any stigma about breastfeeding in public”. But we are talking about maybe your partner taking nice and tasteful photographs of you nursing your baby just as you might document your pregnancy with a professional photo shoot. When you are through with your nursing journey, you might look back fondly at how beautiful the connection was between you and your baby.
2. Reward yourself with a beautiful outfit
The early weeks and months of motherhood are tough. Learning to breastfeed your baby can at times feel like a torture with engorgement, cracked nipples, loss of freedom and sleeplessness. Many moms feel, during these early months, lost in terms of their personal identify. “Who the h… am I?” we mutter under our breath wandering through the house unshowered, in pajamas with an infant semi-permanently attached to our boobs. You know what, mamas? You are awesome. You are doing an amazing job even if you don’t feel like a million bucks. We don’t all have the resources that Khole Kardashian has at her disposal but putting on a nice dress so that you can feel like yourself again while being able to perform motherly duties (like breastfeeding) does wonders to your mood and confidence level and therefore makes you a better mom:-) We recommend this and this to start with and this and this when you are ready to leave the house with your precious new baby :-)
1. Take time to enjoy connecting with your baby
Regardless of whether you are breastfeeding, pumping (or both), or nourishing your baby in other ways, take a moment to appreciate the connection between you and your baby through the act of feeding. We know how hectic your day can get and how time consuming feeding your baby can be. So, take a deep breath, look into your child’s big bright eyes and take it all in. :-)