The Need to Invest in Babies “The Need to Invest in Babies” is a
research and advocacy paper by the
International Baby Food Action
Network (IBFAN) as part of the World
Breastfeeding Costing Initiative
(WBCi). It presents sobering facts and
figures to showcase the price countries
pay by not supporting optimal
breastfeeding. The report offers
recommendations – for policy, funding,
and implementation – to reduce this
price. Benefits of action include
healthier infants, healthier mothers, and
reduced medical cost across the lifespan
as a result of the lifelong protection
breastfeeding provides against non-
communicable diseases.
About IBFAN International
Baby Food Action Network The International Baby Food Action
Network, IBFAN, consists of public
interest groups working around the world
to reduce infant and young child morbidity
and mortality. IBFAN aims to improve the
health and well-being of babies and young
children, their mothers and their families
through the protection, promotion and
support of breastfeeding and optimal
infant feeding practices. IBFAN envisages
an enabling environment for all women to
establish breastfeeding as a societal norm
in the best interest of both mother and
child.
Ulkerreuil A Klengar (UAK) located in
Koror, Palau is IBFAN’s Oceania Area
coordinating office.
“The Need To INvesT IN BaBIes”The Need To INvesT IN BaBIes”
From the left: Ms. Bernolina Hedson (Pohnpei), Dr. Arun Gupta (IBFAN Asia), Minister Gregorio
Ngirmang (Palau), Ms. Doris Raimon (Yap), Ms. Christina Stinnett (Chuuk), Ms. Lydia Tibon
(Marshalls)
PROTECT, PROMOTE, SUPPORT OPTIMAL YOUNG CHILD FEEDING
The Tools: WBTi and WBCi The World Breastfeeding Trends Assessment is a tool that guides a self-assessment
process that considers ten critical elements of a comprehensive approach to supporting
optimal breastfeeding and young child feeding. The ten assessment areas are: (1) policy,
planning, and coordination; (2) baby friendly hospitals; (3) international code on marketing
breastmilk substitutes; (4) maternity protection; (5) communications and information; (6)
health and nutrition care systems; (7) community support; (8) communications and
information support; (9) breastfeeding in difficult circumstances; (10) monitoring and
evaluation. Out of the assessment, gaps are identified and recommendations formulated for
filling those gaps. These recommendations then provide the framework for intervention
planning. The end-point of the process is universal access of infants and young children to
optimal feeding. Optimal feeding has been defined by the World Health Organization and
UNICEF as:
Initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth
Exclusive breastfeeding (no other fluids or foods) for six months
Continued breastfeeding together with healthy complementary feeding for two years
and beyond.
Everyone says they support breastfeeding but very few governments, including donor
governments, actually invest money in breastfeeding. While breastfeeding is low-cost and
very cost-effective in enhancing health and preventing obesity and non-communicable
diseases, it is not free. The World Breastfeeding Costing Tool is an excel-based
spreadsheet that helps planners quickly and easily translate actions plans into financial
requirements. This innovative, flexible, and free tool can be adapted for use by virtually any
program.
MIcroNesIa LauNch of IBfaN’s WorLd BreasTfeedINg
Costing Initiative, Koror Palau October 9, 2014
The Launch Program AND PARTICIPANTSThe Launch Program AND PARTICIPANTS
Opening RemarksOpening Remarks Gregorio Ngirmang
Minister of Health (Palau)
WelcomeWelcome Belhaim Sakuma
Chairperson, UAK
Introducing WBCIntroducing WBCii Dr. Arun Gupta
IBFAN Asia Coordinator
Participant PerspectivesParticipant Perspectives Dr. Yuriko Becheserrak (Palau)
Ms. Bernolina Hedson (Pohnpei)
Special RemarksSpecial Remarks Delegate Gibson Kanai Chairperson Health Committee
House of Delegates (Palau)
Closing RemarksClosing Remarks Ms. Berry Moon Watson
Director of Public Health
On behalf of the President and the Government of Palau, Minister Ngirmang thanked IBFAN and workshop sponsors, including the World Bank, for choosing Palau as the
site for the Oceania launch of the WBCi and the IBFAN Report. He noted that
breastfeeding is a natural process, integral to Palau’s culture. Noting that both houses of the National Congress were represented in the launch, he expressed confidence
that the Congressional will fully support policies needed to protect, promote and
support breastfeeding.
While, we all support breastfeeding, Palau’s rates of exclusive and extended breastfeeding will not increase
until we address the issue of maternity leave. In the
public sector, we have two standards—permanent civil servants who get one month maternity leave and non-
permanent who get no leave. Many in the private sector
also get no maternity leave. Like it or not, our world has changed. We need to address maternity leave but in
addition , we also need to address the broader issue of
mother and baby friendly workplaces.
In 2002, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the Global Strategy on
Infant and Young Child Feeding. This strategy recognizes that optimal child feeding
requires “whole of society” support and identifies 10 key areas for action. The World Breastfeeding Trends Assessment (WBTi) tool is organized around the global
strategy. Assessment identifies gaps which leads to recommendations and finally to
action planning. The World Breastfeeding Costing (WBCi) tool allows planners to translate action steps into financial requirements. WBCi was developed because very
few governments and donor agencies invest financial resources in breastfeeding.
While breastmilk may be free, PROTECTING, PROMOTING, SUPPORTING PROTECTING, PROMOTING, SUPPORTING
breastfeeding and optimal young child feeding practices is not free. Like any health
strategy, it requires human and financial resources.
Chairman Sakuma welcomed everyone to the launch especially the Minister, the leadership, and guests from the FSM and the RMI. He noted that breastfeeding is not
just a women’s issue, but a family issue for it concerns the health of our future
generations. He urged everyone—men and women—to provide their full support to ensuring that every child is afforded optimal nutrition from birth through to
adulthood.
Speaking on behalf of the participants in the three-day WBTi/WBCi workshop, Dr. Becheserrak and Midwife Hedson thanked the organizers, sponsors, and trainers.
Both felt that the training had been valuable. The FSM group is committed to
carrying the WBTi/WBCi process back to the four FSM states and the national government. Participants will present at the upcoming FSM Women’s Conference
and organize there for conducting state level assessments. Dr. Becheserrak expressed
confidence that the Palau participants are committed to moving forward and have scheduled a meeting in two weeks to begin the formal assessment process.
Delegate Kanai expressed his support for breastfeeding and IYCF initiatives. Breast-
feeding is a part of the Palauan culture. The working group represented in this forum
needs to communicate with the Congress to provide further information about the
policies that need to be enacted to protect and support breastfeeding.
Discussion Discussion Speakers repeatedly emphasized that breastfeeding is not about women but about
protecting our children’s health and is therefore the rightful concern of the entire community.
Participants underscored the importance of Director Watson’s remarks agreeing that it is time Palau
and the Region adopt maternity leave legislation and create workplace policies and practices supportive of breastfeeding and optimal young child nutrition.
Participants Participants From the Region: TIBON, Lydia (Marshalls); HEDSON, Bernolina (Pohnpei);
TARA, Mona (Pohnpei); STINNETT, Christina (Chuuk); SETIK, Eleanor (Chuuk);
PALEMAR, Benitha (Yap); RAIMON, Doris (Yap); FATHAL, Marietta (Yap); From Palau
Ministry of Health: NGIRMANG, Gregorio; WATSON, Berry Moon; BECHESSERAK, Dr.
Yuriko; DECHERONG, Dr. Kate; DECHERONG, Darnell; FRANZ, Portia; IKERDEU,
Edolm; KOSHIBA, Candice; MADRAISAU, Sherri; MECHOL, Rosmina; NGIRASWEI,
Carolyn; OLSUDONG, Jane; PHILIP, Lorretta; REKLAI, Rumi; UHERBELAU, Gafaar;
from the Palau National Congress: KANAI, Delegate Gibson; SENGEBAU, Senator Uduuch;
From Palau Health Start: IYAR, Fabian; KURODA, Rudimch; From Ulkerreuil A Klengar:
SAKUMA, Belhaim; ASANUMA, Santy; KESOLEI, Kambes; OTTO, Judy; RIVERA,
Lorraine; TEMENGIL, Philomena; TORIBIONG, Debra; Community Representatives:
BASILIUS, Leonard; GIBBONS, Jennifer; KITALONG, Dr. Christopher; MARUMOTO,
Pearl; SAKUMA, Sharon; TELLEI, Sylverius; WHIPPS, Valerie; From IBFAN Asia: GUPTA,
Dr. Arun; SHOBA, Dr. Suri; BHARDWAJ, Prerna; CHANDOLA, Vibharika
Island Times, October 10, 2014