Breastfeeding is not a subject I feel
comfortable to write about.

Why is that?

Am I embarrassed at someone thinking
I'm a pervert?

Probably, but it is inborn in me from
my early youth – yes I am in my mid seventies, when breastfeeding
was a subject people didn't speak about.

In fact is wasn't that long ago, and
there are still reports of it, mother's who breastfed their babies in
public were told to leave the premises where they were doing this
natural “thing”, and some even led away by the police.

The reason I am writing on this subject
is to highlight an article we have published today in iNews Cayman
from the Cayman Health Services Authority titled “Empowering
parents for World Breastfeeding Week”.

The article begins that the HSA“in
partnership with the Cayman Islands Breastfeeding Support Group is
encouraging parents in Cayman to become empowered with the
information and resources they need to realise their breastfeeding
goals.

Celebrated every year from 1 to 7
August, World Breastfeeding Week encourages breastfeeding and
improves the health of babies. “This year’s World Breastfeeding
Week slogan is “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding”.
Empowerment is a process that requires evidence-based information and
support from a mother’s family, friends, employers and community to
create the enabling environment where mothers can breastfeed
optimally. “People feel empowered when they are informed,” said
HSA Maternity Unit Manager Chairman Fennell. “

Another article on the same subject we
have also published is UNICEF titled “ Why family-friendly policies
are critical to increasing breastfeeding rates worldwide”.

This one commences with the shocking
statement: “From supporting healthy brain development in babies and
young children, protecting infants against infection, decreasing the
risk of obesity and disease, reducing healthcare costs, and
protecting nursing mothers against ovarian cancer and breast cancer,
the benefits of breastfeeding for children and mothers are wide
spread. Yet, policies that support breastfeeding – such as paid
parental leave and breastfeeding breaks – are not yet available to
most mothers worldwide.”

It further goes on: “The health,
social and economic benefits of breastfeeding – for mother and
child – are well-established and accepted throughout the world.
Yet, nearly 60 per cent of the world’s infants are missing out on
the recommended six months of exclusive breastfeeding,” said UNICEF
Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “In spite of the benefits of
breastfeeding, workplaces worldwide are denying mothers much needed
support. We need to far greater investment in paid parental leave and
breastfeeding support across all workplaces to increase breastfeeding
rates globally.”

It finishes with: “World
Breastfeeding Week is marked annually from 1 to 7 August to highlight
the critical importance of breastfeeding for children across the
globe. Breastfeeding gives children the healthiest start in life and
is one of the simplest, smartest and most cost-effective ways we have
of ensuring that all children survive and thrive. This fact sheet –
marking World Breastfeeding Week – features new data from the 2019
Global Breastfeeding Scorecard, and the latest available evidence on
coverage, access to family-friendly policies, and the health and
economic benefits of breastfeeding.”

I urge all our readers to read both
articles, yes, you men as well. Give encouragement to all young
mothers and don't feel “uncomfortable” about talking about
“breastfeeding”.