Ideas on Maximizing the Educational Potential of Synchronized Breastfeeding Worldwide 
 

• To promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life and continued breastfeeding beyond two years.

• To inform the public of the benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child.

If you have gathered a large crowd, ask mothers who are breastfeeding children beyond two years old to breastfeed onstage or in front of other breastfeeding mothers. Introduce them before the countdown indicating the age of their children.

Encourage them to talk on the joys of breastfeeding children beyond two years old as a part of the program.

The ideal breastfeeding goal of exclusively breastfeeding is emphasized by NOT allowing formula, manufactured babyfood (home-prepared foods are allowed), bottles, teats and pacifiers in the venues. 

The organizers can also explain the advantages of cup-feeding during the program.

Award a prize to exclusively breastfed babies and the oldest breastfeeding child.

• To promote the consumption of indigenous foods for complementary feeding.

Serve mothers with indigenous foods like boiled corn, root crops, vegetables, local fruits in season and nuts, instead of processed food. To contribute to the alleviation of world hunger, let us teach mothers to appreciate and sustain themselves and their children with the cheapest and most nutritious foods, including breastmilk. Explain to mothers that these are the ideal foods that they can give to their babies when they start eating solids. Processed foods, junk foods or soft drinks can only lead to malnutrition and obesity. Please don’t allow them inside the site.

• To revive indigenous nurturing practices that sustained breastfeeding in the past.

Ask mothers to wear baby slings and hold a parade during the program. Ask a volunteer to demonstrate how to do traditional massage to help relax breastfeeding mothers. Serve traditional soups for breastfeeding mothers.

• To inform the public of the hazards of formula-feeding and the use of formula, bottles, rubber teats and pacifiers to maternal and child health.

• To emphasize the need to observe the international standard of ethics that discourages the sponsorship of milk companies and companies that produce other babyfood, bottles, teats and pacifiers in any breastfeeding promotional activity.

The bag inspection is a reminder of the hazards of formula-feeding and the use of formula-feeding equipment. Inform mothers about this rule when you invite them to join, announce it before the program starts and remind them of this rule when you invite them to join next year’s event after the program.

During the program, explain the reason (the hazards of using them) why the bags have to be inspected and why formula, bottles, teats and pacifiers are disallowed in the site.

Create flash cards or placards with the benefits of breastfeeding on one side and the hazards of formula feeding on the other side. Mothers can raise the cards simultaneously as a part of the program.

• To recognize the commitment of breastfeeding mothers and honor them.

Clap hands, sing songs or ask somebody to recite a poem for mothers. You can also tap the talent of breastfeeding mothers or breastfed children in singing and dancing.

Give a prize for the oldest breastfeeding mother and mothers who have breastfed the most number of children.

• To emphasize male support and involvement as a major factor in the success of breastfeeding.

You can look for a male co-host of the program, encourage Boys Scouts to participate in the program, invite a husband of a breastfeeding mother to share his experience on how he supports his wife.

• To mobilize children to support breastfeeding mothers.

We suggest that you allow the presence of older children and youth in the site and ask them to help in serving refreshments or provide entertainment numbers in the program. This will instill in them the consciousness to serve pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and give the children a visual image that breastfeeding is the gold standard in infant and young child feeding.

The national organizers can partner with youth groups like Girls and Boys Scouts to inspect bags, provide refreshments, distribute flyers, etc.

• To mobilize resources for the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding.

Since this is a big media event, some companies have approached us and offered sponsorships. Generally, all milk companies, manufacturers of baby food, bottles, teats and pacifiers should NOT be tapped as sponsors of the event. To further protect mother and children’s health, processed and fast foods companies should also be NOT allowed as sponsors.


Write us your ideas soon...