The birth of a child brings awe and wonder. We marvel how a perfect human being can develop from just a tiny cell. We marvel how the mother's body has the capacity of producing such a miracle, yet we little wonder how the body is also capable of producing nurture for that same child in the months following its birth.

The natural production of milk is perhaps the least appreciated gift which nature has bestowed upon us although almost all great religions recognise breastfeeding as essential for nurturing the young. The ancient Jewish sages write: "Breastmilk is the primary source of nourishment and anything else is secondary." Buddhist writings describe that a woman who gives birth becomes Mata - one who protects her child. She holds the baby to her breast, she keeps the child warm and provides milk - a substance considered the blood of her breast and the milk of human kindness filled with the "honey of goodness". She feeds her child strength and intelligence.

Breastfeeding is consistently followed in Buddhist tradition while in Islam breastfeeding is considered an obligation and a major duty for mothers who are able and is recognised as a way of providing natural immunity and intensifying the mother's affection for her child. Nursing is referred to in the Old Testament as early as the story of the birth of Isaac, who was nursed by his mother Sarah until the age of two. Jewish legal writings strongly recommend that a mother breastfeed for a period of at least two years - even more if the child is sickly.

While Christianity prescribes no specific length of time for breastfeeding, Christian theologians point out that since Jesus was born into the Jewish religion, he must have been nurtured according to its tradition. Modern Christian churches emphasise family togetherness and some theologians site the increased closeness within the family and the bonding that breastfeeding is known to encourage as reasons for promoting its practice.

Breastfeeding benefits all sectors of society economically, ecologically and socially. However, the United Nations Children's' Fund (Unicef) reports that, every day, as many as 4,000 infants and young children die because they are not breastfed. According to James Grant, Unicef's executive director, this is because their mothers are not empowered with enough knowledge about breastfeeding and do not receive enough motivation and support.

In 1974, the 27th World Health Assembly noted the general decline in breastfeeding in many parts of the world. The Assembly found this decline to be related to the promotion of manufactured breastmilk substitutes. Over many years, companies have invented clever slogans, striking images, free samples or supplies and all kinds of appealing gifts to persuade mothers and health workers that, while "breast is best", bottle feeding is almost as good as breastfeeding. The Assembly urged "member countries to review sales promotion activities on baby foods and to introduce appropriate remedial measures, including advertisement codes and legislation where necessary".

Years of discussion and debate resulted in the drafting and adoption, on May 21, 1981, of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The code seeks mainly to "contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants by protecting and promoting breastfeeding and by ensuring that breastmilk substitutes not be marketed and distributed in ways that may interfere with breastfeeding". The code was voted for by 118 votes to one. The long opposing vote, cast by the US, was finally dropped at the World Health Assembly on May 9, 1994.

In 1990, a policymakers' meeting was convened in Florence, Italy, to reinforce a worldwide commitment to breastfeeding as the best possible nutrition for babies. The resulting Innocenti Declaration, signed by 30 governments, set specific targets that would guide countries in their efforts to protect, support and promote breastfeeding. The Unicef/WHO Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was established in response to encourage hospitals to achieve the Innocenti Declaration goals. A hospital is certified as baby-friendly by successfully practising the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. These represent the best available knowledge on what makes breastfeeding succeed and were arrived at after long study and deliberation by a broad consensus of health and nutrition experts from around the world.

In addition, each year, August 1-7 is recognised at the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) and is organised around a theme by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA). Since its start, in 1992, WBW has been a time for government bodies, non-governmental organisations and private citizens to join in support of breastfeeding, drawing attention from the media and helping to promote the goals of BFHI.

Breastfeeding plays an important part in preventing disease, in population control, in economic security and in environmental enhancement. It is also a human right. The mother has the right to give her child the best food, health and care. Breastfeeding will provide all this and the mother does not have to depend on another source to provide food. However, in spite of this empowerement, the mother should be appropriately supported at work and in other environments. By removing the barriers to breastfeeding, mothers are able to offer a healthy start in life for their babies.

Referring to recent scientific data, the code, adopted in 1981, calls for the introduction not only of practices to enable women to breastfeed but also for the reintroduction of a "breastfeeding culture" where breastfeeding is as natural as the birth itself and babies are nurtured with the milk which Mother Nature has prepared particularly for them. Indeed, many studies point out that the functions of the breast and the mother's milk cannot be replicated by substitutes and they have effects reaching far beyond childhood.

Ms Bugeja is parent craft coordinator at Karin Grech Hospital.

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