This week is World Breastfeeding Week, an international event that encourages mothers throughout the country to breastfeed their kids. Though 75 percent of babies nationwide start out being breastfed, only 13 percent are exclusively breastfed six months later.
The theme of this year’s Breastfeeding Week is “Talk to Me! Breastfeeding: A 3D Experience.” And, no, it’s not quite as provocative as it sounds. Apparently, the theme refers to the idea that most of people view breastfeeding support in two dimensions — time (pregnancy to weaning) and place (home, community, health care setting). But there is, according to breastfeeding advocates, a third dimension — communication.
This third dimension includes cross-generation, cross-sector, cross-gender, and cross-culture communication and encourages the sharing of knowledge and experience, thus enabling wider outreach.
In keeping with that theme, the Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition and the Department of Public Health are encouraging the states Women, Infants and Children program providers to partner with local libraries to place breastfeeding promotional materials in visible areas for people to access. The state and the coalition have also donated two books on breastfeeding to 24 area libraries (including two in Bridgeport).
World Breastfeeding week is celebrated every year from Aug. 1 to 7 in 120 countries. For more information, visit http://worldbreastfeedweek.org. August is also National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
I’m working on a short story about this effort, and would like your thoughts. Should local libraries offer literature on breastfeeding? Why or why not?
Let us know!
Why on earth wouldn’t they?
Of course! When you want information where do you go first? Your local library.