Beauty and benefits of breastfeeding

Karratha mothers and their children gathered last week to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, which ran from August 1-7.

It is the sixth year Karratha has participated in the global WBW campaign, which aims to increase community awareness, celebrate breastfeeding parents, and improve breastfeeding support.

As part of the campaign, a photo shoot took place showing breastfeeding mothers and their children at a popular Pilbara location.

WBW Karratha co-ordinator Alissa Ansell said it was important to promote breastfeeding in the community as rates were falling short.

“Often there is a lack of support to breastfeed, whether in the health system, workplace or community,” she said.

“Campaigns like World Breastfeeding Week help to promote the many benefits of breastfeeding, inform people about the barriers, and galvanise action to address these.

“World Breastfeeding Week provides an important opportunity to acknowledge the challenges and sacrifices that come with the decision to breastfeed, and to value and celebrate each individual’s personal journey.”

Ms Ansell said it was important to offer support to parents in a regional town who may be raising their children away from extended family support.

“The World Breastfeeding Week campaign provides an opportunity to bring people together for a worthy cause, help foster community connection, and provide valuable access to support,” she said.

Each year there is a theme for the campaign, with this year’s being “support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”, which Ms Ansell said highlighted the sustainability of breastfeeding.

“Breast milk is a natural, renewable food that is produced and delivered to the consumer with almost no pollution, packaging or waste,” she said.