World Breastfeeding Week in SUN Latin American Countries

Held under the slogan “Sustaining Breastfeeding Together”, World Breastfeeding Week highlights that breastfeeding provides the necessary nutrients for the growth, development and survival of children around the world. Various activities were organized throughout the whole of the Latin American continent during World Breastfeeding Week 2017. These included: free entry to breastfeeding clinics to provide information; information fairs and talks to share healthy breastfeeding practice; and information-giving for the users of existing services for expectant and nursing mothers.

August 29, 2017 - Last update: February 10, 2023

In Peru, World Breastfeeding Week was inaugurated in Lince, Lima with a promotional fair organized by the Ministry of Health in which dozens of mothers breastfed their children at the same time. The fair offered nutrition counselling for pregnant women and their children, advice on the use of breast milk expressing rooms at work, guidance on breast milk expressing and on breastfeeding techniques. There were also tasting sessions for iron-rich foods.

In addition, as part of World Breastfeeding Week, an outreach campaign began entitled “We breastfeed because that’s how we protect ourselves from anaemia”, on the importance of breastfeeding for the health of baby and mother, to prevent anaemia and breast cancer. This initiative was simultaneously inaugurated on 20 August in every region of Peru.

#SMLM2017
Mothers who breastfeed must take care of their food. The absorption of iron foods prevents anemia ►https://t.co/SJOjtwtOdf pic.twitter.com/od2Kn8SBxA

— INS (@INS_Peru) 7 de agosto de 2017

#SMLM2017
You know that one of the advantages of breastfeeding is having a reduced risk of breast cancer. #AmamantarEsDarLoMejordeTi pic.twitter.com/VQZktQ7i1L

— INS (@INS_Peru) 4 de agosto de 2017

In Costa Rica, World Breastfeeding Week was held under the theme of “Building partnerships to protect breastfeeding for the common good without conflicts of interest”, thus putting emphasis on joint action to coordinate the protection and promotion of and support for breastfeeding.

The celebration began with a ceremony attended by the deputy minister of health, Virginia Murillo; the ombudsman, Monserrat Solano; and the president of the National Breastfeeding Commission, Fulvia Elizondo.

World Breastfeeding Week provides an opportunity to better design and define our roles, both collective and individual. It is an opportunity for everyone to generate specific actions. That is why it is so important that our collaborations and partnerships are free from conflicts of interest, because otherwise we cannot ensure that mothers get the support they really need”

Virginia Murillo, deputy minister of health

World Breastfeeding Week: “Building alliances to protect breastfeeding, for the common good without conflicts of interest” pic.twitter.com/NmUOI0OKDQ

— Ministerio de Salud (@msaludcr) 1 août 2017

In Guatemala, the different actors involved in nutrition (the Secretariat of Food and Nutritional Security, Ministry of Health, civil society, World Food Programme) joined together to organize and celebrate World Breastfeeding Week:

#WFP Guatemala supports the World Breastfeeding Week #LactanciaMaterna , with the @SecretariaSESAN y @MinSaludGuate #WBW17 #SMLM2017 pic.twitter.com/jQIjvQJntw

— WFP Guatemala (@WFP_Guatemala) 2 de agosto de 2017

Breastfeeding Day Celebration #Lactanciamaterna in Mataquescuintla with the civil society @SecretariaSESAN pic.twitter.com/HEx7H6tiyN

— SESAN_Jalapa (@SESAN_Jalapa) 16 de agosto de 2017

In El Salvador, the celebration of the World Breastfeeding Week was chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr. Violeta Menjivar, who awarded a prize for best breastfeeding practices. The event was accompanied by a walk in support of breastfeeding.

Celebration of World Breastfeeding Week https://t.co/Kqg8GcJYoS vía @YouTube

— Calma El Salvador (@CALMASV) August 23, 2017

Walk in support of breastfeeding https://t.co/uw96nPv4zE vía @YouTube

— Calma El Salvador (@CALMASV) August 23, 2017

Award for the best breastfeeding support practices @minsalud https://t.co/oWvZK3e7uj vía @YouTube

— Calma El Salvador (@CALMASV) August 23, 2017

Background of World Breastfeeding Week

The 25th year of World Breastfeeding Week, in 2017, is working together for the common good. Coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), it is held annually from 1 to 7 August to recognize the importance of protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. The week is based onDeclaración Inocente, the recent report “Entretenir la santé et la prospérité des Nations: Dossier d’investissement pour l’allaitement” and Estrategia Mundial OMS / UNICEF para la Alimentación del Lactante y del Niño Pequeño.

Message from Unicef El Salvador representative, Nadine Perrault

Message from the Health Minister, Dra.Violeta Menjivar