Each year on April 7, the world celebrates World Health Day. I am excited that the 2003 theme is “Shape the Future of Life: Healthy Environments for Children”. Often, children’s homes (and the homes of their friends and relatives), their schools, and their communities are sources of love and nurture. But these same places can also be the sources of the biggest threats to children’s health – and these threats can be invisible. The risks take many forms. In one way or another, unsafe water, unsafe food, and unsafe toileting hygiene have put some children at risk for untold generations. During the last few generations, new threats have emerged from the unsafe use of dangerous chemicals. These might be found in food, water, or air. They also might be found in common household or yard products, or even in children’s toys. I’m glad that World Health Day 2003 underlines that healthy environments are central to having healthy children. Amidst the clamor of urgent news, it’s easy for important information of long-term consequences to go unnoticed. It is my hope that the World Health Day will remind us all to pay attention to stories about Healthy Environments for Children, not just on April 7, but throughout the year ahead.
Breastfeeding is one of the best gifts you can give your baby. Here are five tips for making it as easy as possible:
Be Good to Yourself -- The frequency of feeds varies as your baby grows. Early on feeding may be very frequent. Later, your baby may not need to feed as often, but no matter the frequency, it can take a lot of moms’ time and energy. While breastfeeding, be especially good to yourself and realize that during this window in time the most important thing you are doing is caring for your baby. Everything else can wait.
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