World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action

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World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)
Founded14 February 1991 [1]
TypeNetwork of People
Focus Innocenti Declaration
Location
  • Worldwide
Key people
 Derrick and Pat Jelliffe
Website Official Website
Associated Organizations:
World Health Organization, UNICEF

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a network of people working on a global scale to eliminate obstacles to breastfeeding and to act on the Innocenti Declaration. The groups within this alliance tackle the problems from a variety of perspectives or point of views, such as consumer advocates, mothers, and lactation consultants. [2] [3]

Contents

Among the various organizations and individuals involved in the creation of WABA, Derrick and Pat Jelliffe, two experts in tropical paediatrics and infant nutrition, were instrumental in its founding and in the launching of some of its more visible early initiatives. [4] [5] [6] [7]

WABA organises the World Breastfeeding Week , held annually August 1 through the 7th, to put together the efforts of all breastfeeding advocates, governments, and the public in more than 170 countries. [8]

Campaigns

Several campaigns are associated with the WABA:

1991 to present - The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a joint campaign by UNICEF and the World Health Organization, and focuses mainly on hospital practices, implementing the principles of the Innocenti Declaration. [9]

1993 - This campaign tackled the problem of developing mother-friendly workplaces. In general, they wanted mothers to be able to combine breastfeeding with their working atmosphere.[ citation needed ]

1994 - The main focus of the '94 campaign was to implement again the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in all countries to meet the demands of the Innocenti Declaration.[ citation needed ]

International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes

International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (Rules for industries, health workers, and governments to regulate the promotion of baby products through marketing): [10] [11] [12]

  1. No advertising of any of these products to the public.
  2. No free samples to mothers.
  3. No promotion of products in health care facilities, including the distribution of free or low-cost supplies.
  4. No company sales representatives to advise mothers.
  5. No gifts or personal samples to health workers.
  6. No words or pictures idealizing artificial feeding, or pictures of infants on labels of infant milk containers.
  7. Information to health workers should be scientific and factual.
  8. All information on artificial infant feeding, including that on labels, should explain the benefits of breastfeeding, and the costs and hazards associated with artificial feeding.
  9. Unsuitable products, such as sweetened condensed milk, should not be promoted for babies.
  10. Manufacturers and distributors should comply with the Code's provisions even if countries have not adopted laws or other measures.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infant formula</span> Manufactured food designed for feeding infants

Infant formula, also called baby formula, simply formula, baby milk or infant milk, is an ultra-processed food designed and marketed for feeding to babies and infants under 12 months of age, usually prepared for bottle-feeding or cup-feeding from powder or liquid. The U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) defines infant formula as "a food which purports to be or is represented for special dietary use solely as a food for infants by reason of its simulation of human milk or its suitability as a complete or partial substitute for human milk".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breast milk</span> Milk produced by the mammary glands in the breast of a human female

Breast milk or mother's milk is milk produced by mammary glands located in the breast of a human female. Breast milk is the primary source of nutrition for newborns, containing fat, protein, carbohydrates and variable minerals and vitamins. Breast milk also contains substances that help protect an infant against infection and inflammation, whilst also contributing to healthy development of the immune system and gut microbiome.

A boycott was launched in the United States on July 4, 1977, against the Swiss-based multinational food and drink processing corporation Nestlé. The boycott expanded into Europe in the early 1980s and was prompted by concerns about Nestlé's "aggressive marketing" of infant formulas, particularly in underdeveloped countries. The boycott has been cancelled and renewed because of the business practices of Nestlé and other substitute manufacturers monitored by the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN). Organizers of the boycott as well as public health researchers and experts consider breast milk to be the best nutrition source for infants. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends infants to be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their lives, nevertheless, sometimes nutritional gaps need to be filled if breastfeeding is unsuitable, not possible, or inadequate.

The International Baby Food Action Network, IBFAN, consists of public interest groups working around the world to reduce infant and young child morbidity and mortality. IBFAN aims to improve the health and well-being of babies and young children, their mothers and their families through the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding and optimal infant feeding practices. IBFAN works for universal and full implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and Resolutions.

The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes is an international health policy framework for breastfeeding promotion adopted by the World Health Assembly (WHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1981. The Code was developed as a global public health strategy and recommends restrictions on the marketing of breast milk substitutes, such as infant formula, to ensure that mothers are not discouraged from breastfeeding and that substitutes are used safely if needed. The Code also covers ethical considerations and regulations for the marketing of feeding bottles and teats. A number of subsequent WHA resolutions have further clarified or extended certain provisions of the Code.

Derrick B. Jelliffe and his wife Eleanore. F. Patrice Jelliffe – known as Dick and Pat Jelliffe – were experts in tropical paediatrics and infant nutrition. They are most known for their seminal book, Human Milk in the Modern World, published by Oxford University Press in 1978, and for editing the multi-volume Advances in International Maternal and Child Health. The Jelliffes also wrote over 500 scholarly papers, often together, and 22 books. They lived and worked in England, Africa, India, the Caribbean and settled in Los Angeles, where he held the Chair in Public Health and Paediatrics at the University of California from 1972 to 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marian Tompson</span>

Marian Leonard Tompson is one of the seven founders of La Leche League International. She was President of La Leche League for 24 years, from 1956 to 1980, and a member of the Founders Advisory Council. Wife of the late Clement Tompson, she is the mother of seven children, a grandmother and great-grandmother. An early advocate of home birth, four of her children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were born at home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History and culture of breastfeeding</span>

The history and culture of breastfeeding traces changing social, medical and legal attitudes to breastfeeding, the act of feeding a child breast milk directly from breast to mouth. Breastfeeding may be performed by the infant's mother or by a surrogate, typically called a wet nurse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breastfeeding difficulties</span> Medical condition

Breastfeeding difficulties refers to problems that arise from breastfeeding, the feeding of an infant or young child with milk from a woman's breasts. Although babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk, and human breast milk is usually the best source of nourishment for human infants, there are circumstances under which breastfeeding can be problematic, or even in rare instances, contraindicated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breastfeeding</span> Feeding of babies or young children with milk from a womans breast

Breastfeeding, or nursing, is the process by which human breast milk is fed to a child. Breast milk may be from the breast, or may be pumped and fed to the infant. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that breastfeeding begin within the first hour of a baby's life and continue as often and as much as the baby wants. Health organizations, including the WHO, recommend breastfeeding exclusively for six months. This means that no other foods or drinks, other than vitamin D, are typically given. The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years and beyond. Of the 135 million babies born every year, only 42% are breastfed within the first hour of life, only 38% of mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, and 58% of mothers continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years and beyond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breastfeeding promotion</span> Activities and policies to promote health through breastfeeding

Breastfeeding promotion refers to coordinated activities and policies to promote health among women, newborns and infants through breastfeeding.

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), also known as Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI), is a worldwide programme of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), launched in 1992 in India following the adoption of the Innocenti Declaration on breastfeeding promotion in 1990. The initiative is a global effort for improving the role of maternity services to enable mothers to breastfeed babies for the best start in life. It aims at improving the care of pregnant women, mothers and newborns at health facilities that provide maternity services for protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding, in accordance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extended breastfeeding</span> Defined as after age 12–24 months

In Western countries extended breastfeeding usually means breastfeeding after the age of 12 to 24 months, depending on the culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Breastfeeding Week</span> Annual observance, 1–7 August

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is an annual celebration which is held every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 120 countries. According to the 26 August data of WBW website, 540 events have been held worldwide by more than 79 countries with 488 organizations and 406,620 participants for the World Breastfeeding Week 2010.

Chris Mulford was a prominent advocate of breastfeeding in the United States and globally.

Infant feeding is the practice of feeding infants. Breast milk provides the best nutrition when compared to infant formula. Infants are usually introduced to solid foods at around four to six months of age.

Malnutrition continues to be a problem in the Republic of South Africa, although it is not as common as in other countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nipple confusion is the tendency of an infant to unsuccessfully adapt between breast-feeding and bottle-feeding. It can happen when the infant is put back onto breast-feeding. Nipple confusion can turn into nipple refusal in which the infant refuses both the bottle and breastfeeding.

In breastfeeding women, low milk supply, also known as lactation insufficiency, insufficient milk syndrome, agalactia, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia or hypogalactorrhea, is the production of breast milk in daily volumes that do not fully meet the nutritional needs of her infant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabrielle Palmer</span> British non-fiction author, nutritionist, lecturer and campaigner

Gabrielle Palmer has been involved for over 40 years in international efforts to stop the unethical promotion of breastmilk substitutes globally and also to support appropriate infant feeding. She is the author of the seminal text, The Politics of Breastfeeding, now in its revised third edition and which has never been out of print.

References

  1. ↑ [ citation needed ]
  2. ↑ "WHO | World Breastfeeding Week". World Health Organization. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  3. ↑ Moen, Christian. "Health facilities are vital in promoting good breastfeeding practices, says UNICEF". UNICEF Media. UNICEF . Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  4. ↑ "Derrick and Eleanore "Patrice" JELLIFFE - Obituaries (2)". Family History & Genealogy Message Board. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  5. ↑ G.J.E (4 August 1992). "IN MEMORIAM: Derrick B. Jelliffe" (PDF). Journal of Tropical Pediatrics. 38 (Oxford University Press): 145. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  6. ↑ C. Latham, Michael. "A special tribute to Pat Jelliffe". World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  7. ↑ Calisphere. "Obituary". University of California . Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  8. ↑ "LLLI | World Breastfeeding Week Celebration | World Breastfeeding Week Celebrations". La Leche League International . Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  9. ↑ "The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)" (PDF). WABA Research Task Force (RTF). August 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  10. ↑ "International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes" (PDF). World Health Organization . Archived from the original (PDF) on March 24, 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  11. ↑ World Health Organization (1981). International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes (PDF). World Health Organization. pp. 1–36. ISBN   92-4-154160-1.
  12. ↑ "The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes". World Health Organization . ITCILO. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
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