Encouraging cautious and caring lactation nursing practices
In a significant move towards promoting the health and well-being of its citizens, Cuba has extended social benefits for maternity leave until a baby is 15 months old with Decree-Law No. 84. This decision is part of the Cuban resolution that addresses the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding and Human Milk Banks.
Breastfeeding is a crucial practice for the nutritional development and well-being of children. It reduces the risks of chronic diseases and strengthens the immune system of newborns. However, the decision to abandon exclusive breastfeeding is influenced by several social and cultural factors.
Mothers working in formal and informal sectors often lack adequate spaces and conditions to maintain exclusive breastfeeding, which acts as a significant barrier. Maternal confidence in milk production is also affected by familial or partner opinions, leading to reduced breastfeeding confidence and contributing to abandonment. Maternal fatigue is another factor undermining breastfeeding success.
Culturally, societal pressures and guilt around breastfeeding may further complicate exclusive breastfeeding decisions. Postpartum cultural projections about breastfeeding and motherhood can create conflicting emotions that may influence feeding choices.
Cuba's support for successful breastfeeding aligns with its health system's general emphasis on maternal and child health. Countries with health systems like Cuba's support breastfeeding through prenatal education, community health workers, and policies that encourage breastfeeding-friendly environments. However, explicit details on Cuba's programs were not included in the current search results.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) emphasizes the importance of family support for breastfeeding women. The Cuban government is celebrating breastfeeding from today until August 7, highlighting its commitment to this vital practice.
Breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months is a vital practice that provides benefits for the mother as well. It supports the cognitive development of the newborn and ensures a baby who is not breastfed has six times more chances of dying compared to those who received breast milk.
Dr. Mercedes Esquivel Lauzurique, a member of the National Pediatrics Group and the Commission on Breastfeeding and Human Milk Banks, is instrumental in fostering a sustainable support system to promote successful breastfeeding from conception to the baby's first two years of life. The Cuban resolution also establishes the legal bases for breastfeeding in Cuba and the application of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
It is important to note that "giving the breast" does not feed the newborn, according to the World Health Organization. The resolution in Cuba aims to provide a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers and babies, addressing the lack of guidance and pressures in the environment that often lead to abandoning exclusive breastfeeding.
In conclusion, Cuba's decision to extend maternity leave and support breastfeeding is a step towards providing a healthier environment for its citizens. By addressing the social and cultural factors that influence the decision to abandon exclusive breastfeeding, Cuba is fostering a sustainable support system that benefits both mothers and babies.
- The extension of maternity leave in Cuba, as stated in Decree-Law No. 84, is part of a broader resolution aimed at protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding and Human Milk Banks, contributing to the health and well-being of its citizens.
- Breastfeeding, a crucial practice for the nutritional development and well-being of children, has been shown to reduce the risks of chronic diseases and strengthen the immune system of newborns.
- Mothers working in formal and informal sectors may face challenges in maintaining exclusive breastfeeding due to the lack of adequate spaces and conditions, affecting breastfeeding confidence and leading to abandonment.
- Maternal confidence in milk production can be influenced by familial or partner opinions, further complicating exclusive breastfeeding decisions.
- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization emphasize the importance of family support, policy-and-legislation, and creating breastfeeding-friendly environments for successful breastfeeding, similar to the initiatives demonstrated by Cuba in its health system.
