World Breastfeeding Week is being celebrated from August 1 - 9. Their focus this year is to highlight the protective role that breastfeeding can play in any type of emergency. Their press release states:
"Emergencies can happen anywhere in the world. Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to malnutrition, illness, and death in these situations. Whatever the emergency - from earthquake to conflict, from floods to the flu pandemic - the story is the same: breastfeeding is a lifeline and a shield that protects infants in emergencies."
Sometimes we forget the truly lifesaving role that breastfeeding can play in developing countries. Even in the U.S., a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina can interrupt the easy access to formula or even clean drinking water that we take for granted. Join in the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week by doing something to support a breastfeeding mom.