PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) — The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is reiterating its call for regional countries to take a whole of society approach to support breastfeeding mothers.
“By protecting and supporting breastfeeding, we are also protecting human rights and taking important steps towards achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), leaving no one behind in the post pandemic world,” CARPHA said in a statement in observance of World Breastfeeding Week, which ended on Wednesday.
It said breastfeeding has long been recognized as an important contributor to child nutrition, health and survival and as such needs to be protected, promoted and supported throughout the region and worldwide.
CARPHA said breastfeeding reduces the risk of malnutrition — under and over nutrition — and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) for both the mother and the child.
It said that infants that are breastfed longer, have a 13 per cent lower risk of overweight and obesity and 35 per cent lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Women who breastfeed have reduced risks of post-partum overweight and obesity, 32 per cent lower risk of type 2 diabetes, 37 per cent lower risk of ovarian cancer and 26 per cent lower risk of breast cancer.
CARPHA said non-breastfed infants are at increased risk of malnutrition, and acute respiratory tract infections, and even death.
World Breastfeeding Week was observed under the theme “Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding Support for All,” and CARPHA’s interim executive director Dr Lisa Indar said a challenge to breastfeeding remains the level of support that mothers receive, whether it be at home, within their communities and/or at work.
“This year, World Breastfeeding Week focused on the need to improve breastfeeding support at all levels, thereby reducing any inequalities that exist in our societies, with a special focus on breastfeeding in times of emergencies and crises.”
CARPHA said that breastfeeding is more important than ever during emergencies whether they are natural, man-made, or public health. Breast milk supplies infants with a balanced and protective food to guard against infections which are even more common during emergencies and crises.
“Breastfeeding during emergencies can be especially challenging for mothers, having to cope with displacement from their homes, food insecurity, and limited access to clean water and/or disruption to basic health and child-care services.
“To support mothers during these times, we need to make the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding a standard response in emergency and non-emergency situations. This response will ensure that the rights, health and well-being of mothers and their children are not infringed upon,” said Dr Heather Armstrong, head of chronic disease and injury at CARPHA.
