World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a network of people working on a global scale to eliminate obstacles to breastfeeding and to act on the Innocenti Declaration. The groups within this alliance tackle the problems from a variety of perspectives or point of views, such as consumer advocates, mothers, and lactation consultants.^[2][3]

World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)

Founded	14 February 1991^[1]
Type	Network of People
Focus	Innocenti Declaration
Location	Worldwide
Key people	Derrick and Pat Jelliffe
Website	Official Website
Associated Organizations: World Health Organization, UNICEF

Among the various organizations and individuals involved in the creation of WABA, Derrick and Pat Jelliffe, two experts in tropical paediatrics and infant nutrition, were instrumental in its founding and in the launching of some of its more visible early initiatives.^[4][5][6][7]

WABA organises the World Breastfeeding Week, held annually August 1 through the 7th, to put together the efforts of all breastfeeding advocates, governments, and the public in more than 170 countries.^[8]

Campaigns

Several campaigns are associated with the WABA:

1991 to present - The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a joint campaign by UNICEF and the World Health Organization, and focuses mainly on hospital practices, implementing the principles of the Innocenti Declaration.^[9]

1993 - This campaign tackled the problem of developing mother-friendly workplaces. In general, they wanted mothers to be able to combine breastfeeding with their working atmosphere.^{[citation needed]}

1994 - The main focus of the '94 campaign was to implement again the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in all countries to meet the demands of the Innocenti Declaration.^{[citation needed]}

International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes

International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (Rules for industries, health workers, and governments to regulate the promotion of baby products through marketing):^[10][11][12]

1. No advertising of any of these products to the public.
2. No free samples to mothers.
3. No promotion of products in health care facilities, including the distribution of free or low-cost supplies.
4. No company sales representatives to advise mothers.
5. No gifts or personal samples to health workers.
6. No words or pictures idealizing artificial feeding, or pictures of infants on labels of infant milk containers.
7. Information to health workers should be scientific and factual.
8. All information on artificial infant feeding, including that on labels, should explain the benefits of breastfeeding, and the costs and hazards associated with artificial feeding.
9. Unsuitable products, such as sweetened condensed milk, should not be promoted for babies.
10. Manufacturers and distributors should comply with the Code's provisions even if countries have not adopted laws or other measures.

References

1. ^{[citation needed]}
2. "WHO | World Breastfeeding Week". World Health Organization. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
3. Moen, Christian. "Health facilities are vital in promoting good breastfeeding practices, says UNICEF". UNICEF Media. UNICEF. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
4. "Derrick and Eleanore "Patrice" JELLIFFE - Obituaries (2)". Family History & Genealogy Message Board. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
5. G.J.E (4 August 1992). "IN MEMORIAM: Derrick B. Jelliffe" (PDF). Journal of Tropical Pediatrics. 38 (Oxford University Press): 145. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
6. C. Latham, Michael. "A special tribute to Pat Jelliffe". World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
7. Calisphere. "Obituary". University of California. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
8. "LLLI | World Breastfeeding Week Celebration | World Breastfeeding Week Celebrations". La Leche League International. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
9. "The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)" (PDF). WABA Research Task Force (RTF). August 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
10. (PDF). World Health Organization. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 24, 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
11. World Health Organization (1981). International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes (PDF). World Health Organization. pp. 1–36. ISBN 92-4-154160-1.
12. "The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes". World Health Organization. ITCILO. Retrieved 11 November 2010.

External links

• World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action Website
• World Breastfeeding Week Website