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IT'S 6 MONTHS!
LA LECHE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL AT THE 54TH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY,GENEVA, 14-22 MAY 2001
Gisele Laviolle LLLI
representative to WHO and Anne Gaskell, Executive Director attended the 54th
World Health Assembly.
The question of the optimal
duration of exclusive breastfeeding took many turns during the hours before
the official debate. The European Union met separately to determine their
position. Most countries spoke favourably about the resolution that the
optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding is the first 6 months of life as a
global public health recommendation.
The following statement was
delivered on behalf of our organization;
54th WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY - PROVISIONAL
AGENDA ITEM 13.1
Statement by Anne Gaskell,
Executive Director, La Leche League International, a
nongovernmental organization in official relations with WHO
Thank you, Mr Chairman for this
opportunity to speak on behalf of La Leche League International, which is a
grass-roots volunteer organization giving mother-to-mother information and
support to pregnant and breastfeeding women. LLLI is present in 61 countries.
Since it was founded in 1956, 36 000 LLL-trained leaders and peer counsellors
have worked with mothers to improve breastfeeding practices, including
exclusive breastfeeding until the middle of the first year of the child.
Because in LLLI, we are mothers
who work directly with mothers, helping them to sustain breastfeeding in many
countries and cultures, we are uniquely positioned to bring the voice of
mothers to the decision-making tables of the world. It is through the direct
involvement with breastfeeding mothers that LLLI speaks with authority on
breastfeeding and mother-to-mother support.
We were delighted to read the
results of the WHO expert consultation, which reviewed current scientific
literature on the optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding.
We have long believed that the
optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding is the middle of the first year
and are pleased that this has been confirmed by the expert consultation. We
know that parents can be made aware of the need and the capacity of the baby
that leads to the introduction of adequate complementary food taken from the
family diet.
Aware that less than 35% of
infants worldwide are exclusively breastfed for four months, LLLI would like
this Assembly to consider the following:
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:32:28 UTC 2007.
