Communication is an essential part of protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. The Ministry has traditionally used channels of communication such as radio, television, print materials, community media and face-to-face dialogue to facilitate the sharing of information and experiences, as the strategy to reach most Jamaicans.

This year, in an effort to reach the target audience, and being mindful of the theme we will strengthen existing partnerships with the media with the aim of introducing information and promoting desired behaviors that will lead to cultural and social change. The Ministry of Health in partnership with UNICEF will also officially launch Jamaica’s first breastfeeding education video. The video, funded by UNICEF, explores breastfeeding and its benefits and demonstrates how to properly breastfeed and hand express breast milk.

In addition to young people, the Ministry recognizes that grandmothers also have a critical function in advancing the 3D experience. Their communicative role in advising mothers and other family members on how to care for themselves during pregnancy and feeding infants after delivery cannot be overstated. Therefore to ensure that grandmothers have the best health and feeding information a training programme for grandmothers in Infant and Young Child Feeding was implemented in the parishes of St. Thomas and Kingston & St. Andrew. These grandmothers are now empowered and better able to impart accurate information to younger mothers and fathers on breastfeeding, young child feeding and care practices to ensure optimal health of our children. This activity will be introduced across all parishes in the new programme year.

Breastfeeding is an invaluable gift that every newborn has a right to. The sharing of our knowledge and experience across cultures, gender, and generation will enable a wider outreach and more importantly breastfeeding success.

Hon. Rudyard Spencer, OD, MP
Minister of Health