Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility
The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), says that even though World Breastfeeding Week recently came to an end, women should continue to breastfeed throughout the year.
?The benefits of breastfeeding and nurturing mother-infant interaction to prevent infection and promote health and development are especially important when health and other community services are themselves disrupted or limited.
?Mothers and infants should be supported to remain together, and practice skin-to-skin contact and/or kangaroo care whether or not they or their infants have suspected, probable, or confirmed COVID-19 virus infection.
?Breastfeeding counseling, basic psychosocial support, and practical feeding support should be provided to all pregnant women and mothers with infants and young children,? PAHO/WHO said.
CPS Section Youth Health Care fully understands that mother?s need support to get started and to sustain breastfeeding. The nurses give guidance during consultation in person or via telephone. With this approach, confidence is built.
Youth Health Care nurses help build confidence by providing counseling and guidance surrounding breastfeeding. This can be during consultation as the Baby Wellness Clinic or via telephone. The nurses are here to ensure that the mother?s feel comfortable and assured them, everyone can breastfeed their infant.
The benefit of breastfeeding is that it delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers, and it also helps to foster a sustainable food system.
Breastfeeding is a natural process. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), being a parent is the most important job in the world, and it is important to give parents all the support they need to give their child the best start in life. #Breastfeeding is one of them.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and WHO recommends that standard infant feeding guidelines be adhered to during the COVID-19 pandemic
The standard infant feeding guidelines are Initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth; Exclusive breastfeeding until babies are six months old; and continued breastfeeding
along with nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods, until age two years old or beyond.
Interested persons can call or email: 721-520-4163; youthhealthcare@sintmaartengov.org
