World Breastfeeding Week, WABA (1 – 7 August) is part of a global history focused on the Survival, Protection and Development of the Child.
These themes are always linked to current issues which are important for maternal and infant health and, since 2016, this has been aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – these SDGs are urgent for the maintenance of our life on earth.
Maternal Breastfeeding is a practice which helps to fight hunger and promotes food security and health, amongst others. Observing the importance of breastfeeding, the theme of this year’s WABA was Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding. Now and for the Future!
According to recommendations by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the best food for a baby is the mother’s milk, and it is recommended that this is the only food consumed for the baby’s first six months of life. Nonetheless, breastfeeding is not always an easy process. Aside from the challenges that can crop up during this period, there are a lot of myths and false information circulating about this practice, which is so important for the connection between mother and baby and for the child’s health.
This year, the Brazilian Paediatric Society (SBP) therefore prepared a campaign to encourage men to support breastfeeding, as well as highlighting the importance of the paediatrician in promoting it.
“This year, aside from reinforcing the role of the mother and the importance of maternal milk to the baby, the SBP wants to encourage the paediatrician to call on the father to participate more and more in this process. Men should know the details of the importance of breastfeeding, take on tasks and respect women’s time and feelings, supporting lactation. They are parts of a whole, and various studies have shown that the father’s support is fundamental in breastfeeding”, says the president of SBP, Dr. Luciana Rodrigues Silva.
SBP’s campaign, aside from raising men’s awareness, also wants to encourage paediatricians to reflect on how their role has contributed to the strengthening of this practice in Brazil. “We want them to think about their work in favour of breastfeeding both inside and outside their clinics”, said Dr. Luciana Rodrigues Silva, who explained that throughout August, accounts of the experience will be shared on their website (www.sbp.com.br) with this objective in mind.
Websites for reference:
- https://portal.fiocruz.br/amamentacao
- http://www.aleitamento.com
- https://nacoesunidas.org/pos2015/agenda2030/
- https://www.sbp.com.br
- http://www.saude.gov.br/noticias/agencia-saude/45633-saude-lanca-campanha-amamentacao-e-amplia-rede-de-assistencia
*The image used in this article belongs to Brazil’s Ministry of Health.
