Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers: Tips for Everyone

Breastfeeding is an invaluable practice for the health of babies and mothers. To foster this important tradition, we can all play a vital role in supporting breastfeeding mothers, anytime, anywhere.

What Can Health Professionals Do?

Health professionals play an essential role in supporting breastfeeding from the beginning. Here are some key actions:

• Awareness Raising During Prenatal ConsultationsDuring prenatal consultations, it is crucial to educate women and their companions about the benefits of breastfeeding and the implications of using infant formula.
• Facilitate Skin-to-Skin ContactIn low-risk births, encourage immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and newborn, and promote the initiation of breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes after birth.
• Continuous Support in the Hospital: Allow the newborn and mother to remain together at all times during the hospital stay. Ensure the mother is comfortable with breastfeeding techniques before discharge.
• Justified Use of Infant Formulas: Do not allow the use of infant formula unless medically justified and recorded in the medical record.
• Connection with Support Groups: Connect the mother with a support group or lactation consultant near her home.

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What Can the Father or Partner Do?

Emotional and practical support from your partner is essential in the early days of breastfeeding. Here are some ways to help:

• Provide Emotional SupportOffer emotional support to your partner during these days. Your understanding and affection will make her feel loved, safe, and comfortable while she feeds the baby.
• Getting Involved in Baby CareActively participate in baby care, such as holding, bathing, changing diapers, and dressing the baby. This will strengthen the bond between both parents and the baby.
• Caring for Other ChildrenIf you have other children, caring for them while your partner feeds the baby can be a great help.
• Collaborate in Household Chores: Increase your participation in household chores so that your partner can dedicate more time to breastfeeding and postpartum recovery.
• Do Not Promote Infant FormulasAvoid promoting the use of infant formulas, as they do not provide the same benefits as breast milk and do not provide the same protection against disease.

What Can Family Members Do?

Breastfeeding is an experience that involves the whole family. Support from family members can make all the difference. Here are some suggestions:

• Help with Housework: Helping the mother with household chores will give her more time to breastfeed, rest, exercise, or socialize.
• Going for a Walk with the BabyGoing for a walk with your baby can be relaxing, especially when he or she is fussy. The fresh air and movement are beneficial.
• Participate in Baby Care: Helping to care for your baby after breastfeeding, such as carrying him or helping relieve colic, strengthens family bonds.
• Congratulate and Support Breastfeeding: Recognize the mother's efforts and praise her decision to breastfeed. Breastfeeding can be challenging, and family support is essential.

What Can Employers Do?

Employers can also play a vital role in supporting breastfeeding in the workplace:

• Anti-Discrimination Policies: Develop and implement policies to prevent discrimination against pregnant women and mothers, especially during the breastfeeding period.
• Awareness and Training: Inform, involve and raise awareness among management and employees about the importance of breastfeeding and the needs of breastfeeding mothers.
• Breastfeeding Training: Provide breastfeeding training to women of reproductive age, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and interested personnel.
• Permanent Communication: Conduct ongoing communication campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding for mothers returning to work after maternity leave.
• Lactation Rooms: Manage the implementation of accessible, hygienic, and comfortable lactation rooms that have the necessary supplies for mothers to express and store their milk.

By joining forces in all these areas, we can create a society that protects and supports breastfeeding anytime, anywhere, benefiting both mothers and babies.