ICM Lead Midwife Advisor Ann Yates attended the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) partners meeting
The purpose of the meeting was to continue to foster a strong coordinated breastfeeding movement globally, collaborating with partners and reaching out to new ones, and creating enabling environments for breastfeeding mothers.
Presentations covered maternal and parental protection and the important role fathers play. Other themes which were included were supporting the healthcare/community sector and World Breastfeeding Week.
ICM is a critical partner in the global movement to promote and support breastfeeding. It remains a core competency for midwives with an emphasis on breastfeeding as essential care in the 1st hour of life. Supporting Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and skin to skin for all newborns particularly pre-term and low birthweight infants.
ICM and WABA continue to work together to harmonise key messages and facts, and create awareness of the WHO code on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes.