CHENANGO COUNTY — World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1 to 7 all over the globe to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

The theme for World Breastfeeding Week this year is “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents.” This year’s theme will focus on the impact of paid leave, workplace support, and emerging parenting norms on breastfeeding. Target audiences include governments, health care systems, workplaces, local community groups, and individuals.

Workplace challenges remain the most common reason for women to stop breastfeeding earlier than recommended. Women need adequate time and support from their employers to achieve their personal breastfeeding goals.

Exclusively breastfeeding infants for the first six months after birth with continued breastfeeding for at least twelve months ensures that both mothers and infants receive the maximum health benefits. Breast milk is physiologically tailored to meet the needs of infants’ maturing digestive systems, ensuring proper growth and development. Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria, prevent a variety of acute and chronic diseases, and promote optimal growth and development.