30 July 2012

On 1 August, the world will again celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, this year with a theme of “understanding the past, planning the future.” MCHIP is supporting activities around the world to mark the occasion, including activities in Kenya to encourage optimal breastfeeding as part of a larger scope of work to improve infant and young child nutrition in the country.

This time last year, the Kenya Division of Nutrition, with technical assistance from MCHIP, developed a Facebook page to provide educational and event information surrounding WBW. The page had visitors from around the world and continued to provide information throughout the year. In preparation for this year’s WBW events, the MCHIP team in Kenya has updated this page, which will be launched on 1 August at a national media breakfast promoting WBW.

Each day this week, the page will illuminate different themes:

• Day 1: Importance of breastfeeding
• Day 2: What is happening with breastfeeding in Kenya
• Day 3: Optimal breastfeeding practices
• Day 4: Positioning and attachment
• Day 5: Myths and misconceptions
• Day 6: How working mothers can breastfeed
• Day 7: Supporting a breastfeeding mother

Questions will be asked each morning on the site, informational hints provided throughout the day, and the answer given during the late afternoon. Viewers will be invited to share photos and stories, encouraged to dialogue, and events, videos and links will be posted.

To show your support—and to learn more about the critical role breastfeeding plays in infant health—become a ‘friend’ of the Kenya World Breastfeeding Week Facebook page and ‘like’ the site: http://www.facebook.com/breastfeedinginkenya. And don’t forget to share the link with colleagues and friends!