Credit: Morgue File

It’s Breast Feeding Week! This World Breastfeeding Week is to actively support women who chooses to combine breastfeeding and work. Whether a woman is working in the formal, non-formal or home setting, it is necessary that she is empowered in claiming her and her baby’s right to breastfeed.

For approximately 22 years, much has been achieved globally in supporting women who breastfeed in all settings and it impacts more of the actions the country takes on improving national laws and practices.

At the workplace level, there have been numerous actions taken that is beneficial for breastfeeding employees, in addition, these actions raise awareness on working women’s rights to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding your baby can prevent infections, such as stomach bugs and ear, urinary tract and respiratory infections. For premature infants, breastfeeding can help prevent illnesses which carry a 15 to 25 percent mortality rate, according to Maya Powers, a pediatrician and certified lactation consultant at Parkside Pediatrics and the Breastfeeding Center of Greenville.

“Breast milk is lifesaving,” said Powers

Babies who are breastfed have lower rates of some childhood cancers, Celiac disease, Asthma, Eczema and Atopic dermatitis, according to

“There is a much lower rate of obesity and overweight issues in breastfed babies,” said Powers.

Studies reveal a higher rate of sudden infant death syndrome, or known as SIDS, in formula-fed babies almost twice as high.

Mothers gain their own benefits from breastfeeding, especially protection against breast cancer. Mothers had less of chance of getting uterine and ovarian cancers, a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and a less chance of postpartum anemia.

“It is one of the most natural processes in the world, but that doesn’t mean it comes naturally,” said Powers.