Mandy, you caught me in the middle of preparing for a BFHI workshop for
next week.  I strongly agree with you that role-modeling is important
and the example you gave re the bread is so true.  The bottle, dummy and
tin of milk are seen as progressive and modern.  Western medical
training and influences (and companies!) have eroded some sound
traditional practices that the BFHI is now trying to restore.  The
"protect breastfeeding" aspect of the BFHI is a focus needed in the
scenario you refer to.

In this country, resources are allocated to such things as immunization
campaigns.  Important, yes, but if more children were optimally
breastfed it would have an enormous health impact!

WHO estimates that immunization prevents 2.6 million deaths annually of
children under 5 years.  ORT prevents 2.5 million deaths annually of
children under 5 years.  Breastfeeding prevents *over 6 million deaths
annually* of children *under one year*!

Jean Ridler  RN  RM  IBCLC
Cape Town, South Africa  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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