Dear Friends,

In 2013 the global breastfeeding movement set records, achieved accolades and galvanized millions with a single goal to protect, promote and support breastfeeding worldwide. Our movement is now poised to tackle the post-Millennium Development Goals Agenda beyond 2015. The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) congratulates our global partners on these signature achievements:

World Breastfeeding Week
mobilized almost 1.3 million people worldwide under the theme of Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers. La Leche League International helped WABA ensure a grassroots-led turnout which recorded 316 pledges for simultaneous week-long events in more than 170 countries. The International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) produced an Action Kit that helped celebrants put their passion for breastfeeding support into action. World Breastfeeding Week 2013 registered a 1000% increase in participation over every year in the last two decades!


The
International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN)'s
new report, "The Need to Invest in Babies – A Global Drive for Financial Investment in Children's Health and Development through Universalizing Interventions for Optimal Breastfeeding," provides governments across 214 countries with an innovative financial planning tool to cost interventions accurately, and help them plan and prioritise actions according to local needs and cultural nuances. The report estimates that a recurring global investment of USD15.5 billion is needed annually (in addition to USD2.05 billion in one-time costs), a significant increase from the 2010 world Bank estimate of USD2.9 billion a year. IBFAN's report is comprehensive, including the costs of preventive measures such as investments in proper breastfeeding techniques, noting that improper breastfeeding results in the deaths of 800,000 infants and children under the age of five each year while compromising the health of millions of adults worldwide. Read more here.


The
International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)
2013 Annual Conference in Melbourne, Australia -- the premier lactation education and professional development event of the year -- provided a rich learning environment for almost 500 lactation professionals, midwives, healthcare professionals and other breastfeeding continuum of care advocates. This year marked the fifth year of the Chris Mulford WABA ILCA Fellowship which brings one lactation professional to the World Secretariat every year to lead a six to eight week assignment. An educational poster, 21 Dangers of Infant Formula, created and produced by 2012 Fellow Nancy Forrest for mothers and health professionals alike was enthusiastically received by conference participants. Also this year, an exclusive Chris Mulford Fellow pin was launched to honour past and present Chris Mulford WABA ILCA Fellows.

The
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM),
the medical arm of our worldwide alliance contributes scientific and professional expertise while helping advance global evidence-based consensus on topics related to breastfeeding and public health. In 2013, we welcomed Dr. Wendy Brodribb, the incoming ABM President, a breast physician who is currently a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland while also running her own private practice. Dr. Felicity Savage, WABA Steering Committee Chair, met with Dr. Brodribb in Melbourne, Australia, to outline areas for closer collaboration in the years ahead. Dr. Brodribb will serve as ABM President through 2015.


In May 2013, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia played host to the
Women Deliver Conference,
an international event of 4500 women's rights activists and feminists – both men and women – from 149 countries across the globe gathering to discuss issues pertaining to the health and well-being of women and girls. WABA used the occasion to secure support from delegates representing Ministries of Health, international and national NGOs, donor agencies and UN affiliates and to push for breastfeeding to become a prominent feature of future Women Deliver Conferences by reminding everyone that "After Women Deliver, they breastfeed!"

Also in 2013,
Wellstart International
released the latest edition of the Lactation Management Self-Start Modules to advance the knowledge, skills and abilities of healthcare providers. To make these modules accessible on a wider global scale, the Self-Study Modules are downloadable for free via Wellstart International's website.

The fifth
Breastfeeding: Advocacy and Practice (BAP) course
took place in Penang, Malaysia in November. The BAP course is an educational opportunity for healthcare professionals offered jointly by WABA and the Infant Feeding Consortium. Seventeen professionals from throughout Southeast Asia received the two-week training, which combined clinical practice with a strong advocacy component, ideal for professionals from hospitals seeking Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) certification. The course was opened by Victor Karunan, UNICEF Deputy Director. For a glimpse of course highlights, view the BAP course promotional video here.


Dr. Anwar Fazal, WABA Chair Emeritus and Executive Director, was honoured at the 68th anniversary of the United Nations for his work to reduce infant child mortality (Millennium Development Goal #4) while Dr. Miriam Labbok, WABA Steering Committee Co-Chair, received the Carl E. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Public Health Association (APHA)'s International Health Section. The award honours public health visionaries and leaders who have shaped the direction of international health and/or the development of APHA.

In October 2013, UNICEF released a report,
Breastfeeding on the Worldwide Agenda
,which made our movement pause for thought. It warned that the world no longer prioritised breastfeeding with formula companies expected to increase their market share especially in the developing world. It challenged us to be relevant in the 21st Century.


The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action wishes you a very Happy New Year 2014!

"Because we are right, we will win in the end. Because we are not alone and we are getting stronger, we can win even sooner."
Anwar Fazal
Chair Emeritus & Executive Director
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a global network of individuals & organisations concerned with the protection, promotion & support of breastfeeding worldwide. WABA action is based on the Innocenti Declaration, the Ten Links for Nurturing the Future and the Global Strategy for Infant & Young Child Feeding. WABA is in consultative status with UNICEF & an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).

website: waba.org.my