The greatest benefit of breastfeeding is for the child, but it also helps the mother avoid hemorrhages, brain problems and modifies blood pressure levels as the child sucks, so both benefit each other
Camagüey, Cuba, Aug 3th.- Several actions are taking place in Camagüey as part of World Breastfeeding Week, which takes place from August 1 to 7 to promote this act of love between the mother and her baby, for the multiple benefits it brings to both.
This year’s campaign has the theme Closing the gap: breastfeeding support for all with the aim of recognizing breastfeeding mothers and highlighting the need for family support during this period.
Dr. Carlos Rafael Rodríguez, head of the provincial section of the Maternal and Child Program, highlights the importance of the work carried out by health personnel in the province to promote the issue in society, which must get rid of misunderstandings around the act of breastfeeding.
“The whole world is advocating for maintaining total, complete and exclusive breastfeeding, as it increases the bond of love between mother and baby. To the extent that the mother breastfeeds, she talks with her child, and that stimulates the correct growth and development of that child -says the specialist-, in addition to establishing those bonds of love and unity, it provides him with all the necessary nutrients, including water, until the sixth month of life.
It also explains that breastfeeding protects babies from diseases such as diarrhea, flu and viral processes, since the risk of complications that a breastfeeding child with a respiratory infection may have is not the same as that of one who receives formula milk.
When talking about the breastfeeding process, Dr. Carlos Rafael Rodríguez comments on incorrect interpretations in society, which prevent people from understanding its importance, since it in no way affects the organic life of women. Below we refer to some of those mentioned by the specialist and his response, from a professional opinion.
The child has to drink water because it is very hot
The child does not need water, because breastfeeding offers it. Everything that is required to live until the sixth month is contained in that food, even from the first moments after giving birth, when the mother produces colostrum, which is formed very quickly, has a high fat content and provides what is essential in the first hours and days.
- I don’t have milk to breastfeed the baby. As the child sucks and presses the nipple, the mammary gland begins a greater secretion, which ends in the formation of complete milk. Therefore, all mothers produce milk, only the baby’s sucking is required to achieve this.
- The child is not full, you have to introduce another food. Any food that is introduced before six months of age can cause major complications, such as diarrhea, respiratory infections and dehydration, which worsen the child’s condition.
- Breastfeeding deforms the mammary gland. While breastfeeding is going on, the breasts enlarge because they produce milk, but when the mother finishes breastfeeding, they return to normal, since the mammary gland has the ability to grow and shrink according to the needs of the human organism.
- I don’t breastfeed because I don’t have a nipple. The specialist explains that correct stimulation with massages and suction helps the formation and growth of the nipple. In this case, it clarifies that it should always be done after childbirth, since stimulation during pregnancy increases reflexes at the brain level and promotes uterine contractions.
There are multiple initiatives being developed in the province to, from the primary health level, promote exclusive breastfeeding. The greatest benefit of breastfeeding is for the child, but it also helps the mother avoid hemorrhages, brain problems and modifies blood pressure levels as the child sucks, so both benefit each other.
Dr. Carlos Rafael Rodríguez calls these days for mothers to continue breastfeeding, to close gaps and thus better take care of their health and that of their babies.
(Radio Cadena Agramonte)