Working for Change

---

HealthWiki > Where Women Have No Doctor > Chapter 7: Breastfeeding > Working for Change

---

In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

If you are a health worker, it is not enough to just talk about breastfeeding. Families need many kinds of information and support. While teaching families to give nothing but breast milk for the first 6 months, also help them find their own ways to care for and be close with the baby. Explain how other kinds of feedings can lead to serious illness.

Support breastfeeding before problems start. Help people feel confident they have enough milk. A breastfeeding group, led by experienced breastfeeders, can provide the best support in solving common problems.

While encouraging breastfeeding, do not shame those who cannot breastfeed or who stop before 6 months. Explain that any breastfeeding is helpful, and help them do the best they can with what is possible

Make your health center friendly to breastfeeding. Support breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. Allow babies to sleep with or near their parents. When a parent is sick, keep the baby close by. Try to meet the needs of people who are poor, transgender people, and people who have many children. If you have a baby yourself, breastfeed to show it is possible to work and breastfeed too.

Remove posters or other materials that promote artificial milks. Do not routinely pass on samples or gifts from infant formula companies and do not let representatives from these companies come to the clinic.

Educate employers about the importance of breastfeeding. Encourage them to provide places and time for people to breastfeed their babies or to pump milk, or even paid time off.

This page was updated:22 Jan 2024