MAGENTA’s Post

Alongside our partners at MAGENTA and UNICEF Iraq, Firsthand is supporting a project to understand the social and behavioural drivers that encourage or create barriers to breastfeeding and immunisation practices in two communities. Before we can identify opportunities that enable sustainable behavior change, we must first understand barriers to action. In yesterday’s poll, many of you shared that cultural stigmas & beliefs are a key driver that affects breastfeeding practices — and you're right! Often, it is not a matter of mothers choosing or not choosing to breastfeed, but rather a long list of decisions that are made throughout many stages: before birth, immediately after birth, continuing until recommended age, and seeking assistance when things go wrong. The next step is participatory research, centering mothers' lived experiences to map existing behaviors, barriers, and opportunities. We're looking forward to learning more with & from our partners and community members. #WorldBreastfeedingWeek #culturalstigmas #Firsthand

🌍🤱 Happy World Breastfeeding Week! 🤱🌍 At Global Poverty Reduction Initiative, Inc. (GPRI), we believe that every mother and child deserves the best start in life. This year’s theme, “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all,” reminds us of the critical need for accessible and inclusive breastfeeding support services worldwide. Breastfeeding is not just a personal choice; it’s a fundamental right that contributes to the health and well-being of families and communities. Yet, millions of mothers face barriers that prevent them from breastfeeding successfully. Let’s work together to break down these barriers! 💪✨ Join us in advocating for policies and programs that provide comprehensive support for breastfeeding mothers everywhere. Together, we can ensure that every mother has the #resources, #encouragement, and the #community she needs to nourish her child and thrive. Share your stories, support local initiatives, and let’s close the gap for breastfeeding support! 💖 #WorldBreastfeedingWeek #BreastfeedingSupport #GlobalPovertyReduction #CloseTheGap #SupportMothers

Actions To achieve the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding, investment in its protection, promotion, and support is needed. The Breastfeeding Advocacy Initiative led by WHO and UNICEF, in collaboration with other partners, calls upon governments, donors, and development partners to: 1. Increase funding to reach the 2025 World Health Assembly Target to raise the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months to at least 50 percent. 2. Fully implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions. 3. Enact family leave and workplace breastfeeding policies. 4. Implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in maternity facilities. 5. Improve access to skilled lactation counseling. 6. Strengthen links between health facilities and communities. 7. Create monitoring systems that track the progress of policies, programs, and funds toward achieving both national and global breastfeeding targets. #BreastfeedingWeek #CloseTheGap #SupportBreastfeeding #BreastfeedingForAll #GlobalBreastfeeding #BreastfeedingAwareness #BreastfeedingSupport #BreastfeedingEquality #BreastfeedingEducation

I recently spoke with Essence about the state of maternal and infant health. For the second year in a row the United States received a D+ and continues to be one of the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth especially for women of color. This is simply unacceptable, but the good news is that these factors are preventable and the work that March of Dimes is doing through research, advocacy and programs is helping to improve outcomes for all. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eGS_W4Yz #blackmaternalhealth #maternalhealth #infanthealth

As we approach 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 in August 2024, let us reflect on the vital importance of breastfeeding and the pressing need for comprehensive support systems. In 2024, World Breastfeeding Week adopts the theme "𝑪𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒂𝒑: 𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑨𝒍𝒍" , this theme challenges us to take action, encouraging individuals and organizations alike to contribute to a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers everywhere. By fostering inclusive and accessible support, we can make significant strides toward healthier futures for mothers and their children worldwide. Let’s work together to close the breastfeeding gap and celebrate the strength and resilience of mothers everywhere. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Government of Pakistan

Working within diverse cultures and harvesting perspectives on issues is part of capacity strengthening for effective advocacy. Such issues as “why a woman would not want to exclusively breastfeed her baby” or even breastfeed at all… is a huge concern. This message is to adolescent girls and young mothers … Breast sag is not a consequence of suckling. The ‘breast must sag whether one breastfeeds or not.’ 😰 Please breast feed exclusively for the first six months of your baby’s life if you are still making babies 😊🎯🥰The Breastmilk contains all nutrients needed by an infant in the right proportions for optimal growth and development. Older Women support younger mothers Men support breastfeeding Government support breastfeeding Private sector support breastfeeding #Breastfeedingmum #Allwomen #supportbreastfeeding #

This #WorldBreastfeedingWeek, UNICEF emphasizes the need for robust breastfeeding support to tackle health disparities and safeguard the rights of mothers and babies. Supporting breastfeeding could save over 820,000 children's lives annually and decrease childhood illnesses and certain cancers in mothers. Key actions include increased investment in breastfeeding programs, implementing family-friendly workplace policies, and enhancing monitoring of breastfeeding rates and policies. Let's close the gap and ensure all mothers receive the support they need. #BreastfeedingSupport #HealthEquity #UNICEF #WHO UNICEF Zimbabwe

Did you know that 4 in 5 pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? Just because Black Maternal Health Week is over, doesn't mean that standing up for the health and wellbeing of Black mothers and babies is. Check out this blog post by Action for Children Home Visiting Program Manager, Areesha Hunter, on the critical need to defend Black maternal health. 👶🏿 Black Ohioans face a staggering 164% higher infant mortality rate compared to white Ohioans, reflecting a national disparity that demands our attention. 🤱🏾 Empowering Black mothers isn't just about supporting them during pregnancy—it's about advocating for their rights, amplifying their voices, and dismantling systemic barriers to quality healthcare and support. Take Action to create a brighter, more equitable future for all mothers, caregivers, and children. Read & share the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eP35tKwx #BlackMaternalHealth #SupportBlackMothers #MaternalHealthEquity #ITakeActionFor #ActionFor ------- Action for Children’s Help Me Grow home visiting services are funded by the Ohio Department of Health. Action for Children is an affiliate of Healthy Families America.

Breastfeeding is crucial for every child’s health and development, and it’s even more vital for infants with disabilities. Despite WHO recommendations, less than half of infants under 6 months are exclusively breastfed. Breastmilk provides the perfect balance of nutrients and antibodies, supporting immune health and development. For babies with disabilities, breastmilk can be particularly beneficial, aiding in weight gain and strength, essential for potential surgeries and overall growth. Breastfeeding also supports mothers’ health, reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Let’s support and promote breastfeeding for all, ensuring every child gets the best start in life. Health Services Academy Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination World Health Organization UNICEF Pakistan Dr. Eesha Yaqoob #BreastfeedingWeek #DisabilityAwareness #ChildHealth #BreastfeedingBenefits #WHO #SupportMothers

As health professionals we put so much pressure on parents to breastfeed. But (there's always a but) only if it is done in the way our cultures determine is appropriate. And that is a recipe to make breastfeeding parents feel like failures. So if we as public health professionals want to empower more parents to breastfeed until their baby is two years old, then WE need to step up and advocate for them to have the support they need to do that. Otherwise we are just perpetuating a cycle that frames insufficient societal support as the failure of women and queer people to do the 'right thing' for their babies. #breastfeedingweek #UHC #universalhealthyenvironments #healthforall #ParisOlympics #informed #supported #empowered