The International Confederation of Midwives believes women and families have a right to receive accurate information about the benefits of breast feeding and its management so that they can make an informed decision on how their child will be nourished. Further, the Confederation supports the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular Article 24 in its aspirations for the health of children.
Recalling it first adopted a policy supporting breast feeding in 1984, the International Confederation of Midwives will:
· actively work with other international organisations in the promotion of breast feeding
· ensure that the scientific programme for each International Congress contains a component assigned to presentations on breast feeding, including developments relating to HIV/AIDS .
· utilise its communication channels with midwifery associations to keep them informed on developments in breast feeding and lactation.
· ensure that, within any document relating to the provision of care to women and their new born, there will be an element relating to the role of midwives in protecting, supporting and promoting breast feeding.
Member associations are urged to:
· work with other organisations within their nations to promote and support breast feeding.
· provide their midwife members with up to date evidence on breast feeding and on the developments relating to HIV/AIDS, lactation and breastfeeding.
· encourage their midwife members to educate other health professionals in the importance of breast feeding.
· ensure midwifery education programmes contain adequate provisions for students to gain competency in supporting breast feeding women.
· encourage their midwife members to accept their unique and vital role in the promotion of breast feeding at all levels of the communities within which they live.
· proactively seek government legislation that promotes breast feeding.
References
- Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Protecting, Promoting and Supporting Breast Feeding WHO/UNICEF 1989
- Innocenti Declaration on the Promotion and Support of Breast Feeding, UNICEF 1990
- Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, UNICEF & WHO 1990.
Supersedes ICM Statement:
Breast Feeding 93/2
Adopted by the International Confederation of Midwives Council, Manila, May 1999.
Date for review: 2005