World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1 to 7 in more than 170 countries to encourage breastfeeding and to improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration made by WHO and UNICEF policy-makers in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

The theme chosen this year is Understanding the Past, Planning for the Future, and the International Lactation Consultant Association has announced that the slogan is The Road to Lifelong Health Begins with Breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need. However, Chinese moms often encounter embarrassment providing breastfeeding when taking their babies to shops, hospitals, railway stations and other public places as there are no breastfeeding facilities in most of these places. They have to 'undress' in public and it is somewhat embarrassing.

Women need special care in their menstrual, pregnancy and lactation periods. Chinese people do give universal attention to women in pregnancy, but not enough in the lactation period. We should give humane care to these women and their babies and setting up breastfeeding facilities is one way to embody this spirit and protect women's legitimate rights and interests.