Media Release: Breastfeeding: Providing Food Security--And Security through Feeding

For Immediate Release

Contact Information: Mary Lofton, MLofton at llli.org; Mary Hurt , MHurt at llli.org.; RMagalhaes at llli.org (847) 519-7730, Extensions 271,286,260

Schaumburg, IL (October 2005)—In conjunction with World Food Day October 16, La Leche League International (LLLI) has produced a document demonstrating that human milk and breastfeeding is at the heart of the fight to end world hunger and provide global food security

It is unquestionable that breastfeeding provides food security for the infant and the family.

Breastfeeding provides unequaled nutrition for the young child.

Even if a woman’s personal nutritional status is poor, she is still able to produce milk of good quality for her infant.

Human milk is virtually free. World wide, infant formula can use 20% to 90% of household income. Breastfeeding saves families money that can be spent on food for the rest of the family.

Breastfed babies are healthier and require less health care costs for the family.

In recognizing the intent of World Food Day in overcoming the problems of sustainable food sources, the document (available for downloading and distribution at http://www.llli.org/docs/WorldFoodDay.pdf) points out that the impact of breastfeeding on food security is undeniable. While exploring other options to achieve global food security, it is imperative to not overlook the simple, time-tested, readily available, low-cost and largely untapped resource of human milk.

La Leche League International is pleased to join in the celebration of World Food Day, October 16, sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This annual event seeks to end world hunger and recognizes the need for intercultural dialogue to solve this global problem.

Intercultural dialogue takes place at the most basic level when one mother shares her wisdom and experience with another mother. Mother-to-mother sharing is at the very heart of La Leche League and ensures that one generation passes breastfeeding knowledge to the next, thus contributing significantly to world food security.

LLLI is a nonprofit organization that has been helping mothers for almost fifty years. A grassroots movement originating in a suburb of Chicago, LLLI now has a presence in sixty-five countries and on the worldwide web. For more information about breastfeeding or where to find a local group, visit the LLLI web site at www.lalecheleague.org.

Page last edited Thu Dec 04 20:30:06 UTC 2008.