The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) has announced the 10 winners of its annual breastfeeding photo contest. This year the contest centered around the 2009 theme of “Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response. Are You Ready?”
The photos are fascinating but heart-wrenching in some cases, like the image of the woman who was a victim of domestic violence. Here I am grateful to be nursing my baby through a simple case of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, and there are women breastfeeding in relief camps, in war zones, in areas severely damaged by an earthquake. You can view all of …read more

This year’s World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) theme of “Mother Support: Going for the Gold” gives a nod to the 2008 Olympics. In keeping with that theme, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) has announced two ways to win gold, silver, and bronze WBW medals:
1. WBW 2008 Marathon Celebrations (celebrations that last seven, five, or three days and consist of at least five, three, or two events, respectively).
2. WBW 2008 Global Breastfeeding Wave Event (mass breastfeeding events of 200, 100, or 50 mother-baby pairs breastfeeding for at least one minute).
For more information, visit the WABA WBW site.

INFACT Canada (the Infant Feeding Action Coalition) now offers a World Breastfeeding Week 2008 Kit for sale. For CDN $65.00, one kit contains: seven fact sheets, two mini-posters (2 of each poster), five “Breastfeeding Rights” pocket cards, WABA Action Folder 2008, sample press release, Baby-Friendly Checklist Pad, two “Cost of Formula” wheels, “Risks of Formula Feeding” brochure, Nestlé boycott information, and three “Mother-Baby Friendly Communities” stickers. The items are also for sale individually. Visit INFACT Canada for pictures, additional information, and order forms.
Free resources for World Breastfeeding Week include those offered by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action and La …read more

This month the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) launches a “Virtual Torch Run” around the world, running from June to December 2008. The Virtual Torch Run will be marked by a torch on the world map for each World Breastfeeding Week event registered during that time. To mark your event, submit the simple pledge form to WABA. To view the map, click here. La Leche League (LLL) groups in the United States should also remember to register their events with LLL. Non-LLL groups can also register by filling out a form for other registrants.

Mother and son in Niger; Photo credit IFRC/John Haskew
La Leche League (LLL) and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) joined together today in celebration of World Health Day 2008. The theme chosen by the World Health Organization for World Health Day 2008 is Protecting Health from Climate Change, and LLL and WABA put together a statement showing how breastfeeding protects both health and the environment. In particular, the statement notes how:
~ Unlike formula-feeding, breastfeeding requires no manufacturing plants
~ No packaging for breast milk is needed
~ Both corn- and soy-based formulas require heavy use of farmland for feeding, grazing and …read more

World Action for Breastfeeding Alliance (WABA) is running another global breastfeeding photo contest in conjunction with this year’s World Breastfeeding Week. Winners will each receive $100! Entry forms and details are available here. Entries are due February 29, 2008 (leap year gives you an extra day to enter!!)
Thanks to TulipGirl for the heads up!

Every year the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) encourages people from around the world to participate in World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) from August 1st to August 7th. The goal is to raise awareness of breastfeeding-related issues and if possible raise money at the same time. In the past I’ve participated in local walks that have garnered positive publicity in the local newspaper, raised funds and been a whole lot of fun to boot (generally we have a potluck lunch at a park and hold a silent auction and/or get sponsorships for the walk).
Planning is already underway for World …read more