WBW 2011: Talk to Me! Breastfeeding - a 3D experience

The United States Breastfeeding Committee is proud to join its member organizations in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, organized each August by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA). 

WBW Blog-a-thon post: "Putting Together the Pieces of the Puzzle: The Landscape of Breastfeeding Support"

Theme

We are all traveling along our own continuum of time and place, but what makes our journey so robust is the 3rd dimension of communication. "Talk to Me!", the 3D theme for WBW 2011, speaks to YOU! You as a caregiver (past, present, future), you as an integral member of society, you as a receiver and giver of knowledge and support, and you as the young person thinking of this issue for the first time. Each of us plays a variety of roles and has the most powerful tool needed – a voice to talk to others about why breastfeeding matters, not only for health and well-being, but also for the environment, for women’s rights, and for social advancement. Let’s enhance the perception and knowledge about breastfeeding, and bring the dialogue to life, making this year’s World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) celebration a true 3D experience: an opportunity for outreach, an investment in a healthy future, and ultimately, a unifying lens through which to see the world.

Objectives

1. Encourage the use of new media to reach larger numbers of people with breastfeeding information.
2. Create and increase communication channels between different sectors so breastfeeding information and feedback can be accessed and enhanced.
3. Develop and scale-up communication skills in breastfeeding and health trainings.
4. Encourage mentorship of new breastfeeding advocates.
5. Creatively explore, support, recognize, and implement innovative communication approaches and provide a space for people to develop their ideas.
6. Broaden the scope of breastfeeding advocacy to involve traditionally less interested parties (e.g., unions, human rights and environmental activists, youth).

Activities and Resources

International Lactation Consultant Association: WBW 2011: "Breastfeeding Support: Stay Connected!"

La Leche League in the USA: WBW 2011 Celebrations: "Breastfeeding = Communication"

Milk for Thought: "Latch On America: A Cross Country Tour"

National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition: Text4Baby, a text messaging service for pregnant women and new moms

National WIC Association: Action Ideas for WBW 2011

World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action: WBW 2011 Action Folder