The Cayman Islands will join the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Week from Thursday August 1- Wednesday, 7 August 2013.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of the annual campaign to focus global action on protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

Since its launch in 1992, WBW has put the spotlight on various breastfeeding issues.  The 2013 theme is: Breastfeeding support: Close to Mothers, which focuses on peer counselling.

Peer counselling was first introduced at a WABA Global Breastfeeding Partners Meeting in 2010 but the concept has been around for much longer.

Explaining its origin, WBW Global Coordinator Anne Batterjee states that: “Fifty-six years ago, seven breastfeeding mothers realised that their abilities to breastfeed their own infants, came from being provided with information, education and emotional support from each other. They believed that so many other mothers who longed to breastfeed could be enabled to do so, if only those around them, their peers, had the knowledge and skills to be supportive.”

Peer counsellors partner with mothers to help them gain confidence in their ability to breastfeed.

Here in the Cayman Islands, a similar focus will be on encouraging employers to create breastfeeding friendly environments for mothers in the workplace.

The Health Services Authority’s (HSA’s) Nutritionist Simone Sheehan notes that staff at the Cayman Islands Hospital supports the message of early and exclusive breastfeeding with the introduction of appropriate complimentary feeding at around six months of age. “We are consistently stepping up our efforts in relaying this message to mothers of new born infants”.

She emphasises that while breastfeeding is a learned behaviour, the journey to practising it successfully begins with the support of families, healthcare providers, employers, and, by and large, the community.

Such an assertion is in keeping with this year’s theme, which refers to what is known as the five Circles of Support for Mothers And Children. These “circles” reflect potential factors that influence whether breastfeeding mothers have a positive breastfeeding experience. They are formally categorised as: Family and Social Network, Healthcare, Workplace and Employment, Government/ Legislation and Response to Crisis or Emergency

The Cayman Islands has many resources to support breastfeeding families. Each new mother is given an information packet which includes helpful tips and resources. They also receive a contact list of group members whom they are encouraged to call with questions or concerns. These volunteers are experienced mothers or health care professionals. Anyone needing support can contact 244-2648.

Expectant mothers are also sensitized about breast feeding and its importance to both mother and baby, as well as other issues relating to pregnancy and lactation, through Parent craft classes held at the Cayman Islands Hospital, every Monday at 5:30 pm.

During WBW celebrations, a breast feeding cafe is being organised for mothers and their babies to facilitate mutual support and peer counselling. This will be held at the Women’s Health Courtyard, Cayman Island Hospital on 2 August from 10am-11am. The Cayman Islands breast feeding support group and the Women’s Health Centre invite pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to join in the celebration of this event.

For more information on Breastfeeding Week, Parent Craft classes and other activities planned for new mothers during the month of August, call Simone Sheehan on 244-2655.

Issued on behalf of the Public Health Department