Established in 1992, World Breastfeeding Week is held annually from August 1^st through 7^th and helps to promote the importance of breastfeeding around the world. For 2021, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) has chosen the theme “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility” as its core message. Typically, FV Hospital continues to support World Breastfeeding Week. Our goal is to help the surrounding community realize that breastfeeding is not only good for the health of a baby as it develops but is a human right for babies and mothers and should be protected and promoted for the benefit of both.

Because of these special factors, the main theme for 2021 “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”  wants to highlight how we should work together to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding in the community. Considering the health benefits of breastfeeding for the next generation and ongoing, widespread socioeconomic difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting breastfeeding rights is not only the responsibility of mothers, but also families, healthcare organisations, governments, and society in general.

Breastfeeding is  a foundation for life, making a short-term or long-term contribution to the health, nutrition, and safety of all infants and young children. Abundant scientific evidence has confirmed the health benefits of breastfeeding for babies, which in turn lays a solid foundation for creating a healthy new generation and wider community. Ultimately bringing prosperity to that area.

Breastfeeding is also a legitimate human right. It should be respected and protected, with mothers allowed to feed their babies whenever they are hungry. However, at present, there are still many major barriers, such as an unfriendly social environment and a lack of laws protecting this right in many countries. We often judge the importance of this issue as individuals, but it is something that affects entire communities.

Now that we are living through the COVID-19 pandemic, many mothers are hesitating to breastfeed due to fear of affecting their babies.  According to the The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is currently unlikely that the coronavirus is passed from breast milk to a baby. Mothers should ensure hand hygiene while breastfeeding, comply with epidemic prevention regulations and always follow the instructions of obstetricians and gynaecologists in order to safely breastfeed during the pandemic.

Currently, due to the complicated situation of COVID-19 in HCMC, FV cannot organise World Breastfeeding Week with its usual exciting activities, as planned. However, everyone at the hospital hopes that FV continued commitment to the event for many years has contributed to raising the community’s awareness of this sacred and meaningful action. In addition, during the week of the event, FV’s midwives will also convey the message and knowledge of the event to mothers-to-be and new mothers being cared for at FV. Together, we will share the responsibility of ensuring our babies receive the best possible care and start in life.