By Andrea Hargraves 
According to the Ministry of Health, in 1986 the proportion of Brazilian babies under 6 months of age who were fed exclusively with breast milk was no more than 3%. In 2008, the percentage had already reached 41%. Currently, the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding is 46%. A percentage close to the 50% set by the World Health Organization as a target that countries must achieve by 2025.
:: The public authority has a duty to ensure the right to breastfeed::
At the end of August Dorado, a month dedicated to highlighting the importance of breastfeeding, Brasil de Fato RS spoke with nutritionists Nelly Aqui and Clarissa Agostini of Divina Hospital, of Divina Providencia. Nellie is the technical director of the hospital’s Nutrition and Dietetic Service, and Clarissa works in assisting pregnant women and in the rooms where mothers and babies are admitted to the hospital.
Brasil de Fato RS – Why is breastfeeding important?
Nellie and Clarissa – Breast milk is the specific food for the child, as it contains antibodies that increase its immunity, protect it from diseases, and contains specific nutrients for the child according to its stage of development, in addition to that it helps to form the bond between the mother and the child and through the mouth. Motor development and taste formation.
For the mother, it provides benefits such as helping to regain weight in the postpartum period and a protective factor against diseases such as breast and uterine cancer.
BdFRS – What are the advantages of breast milk over other types of milk?
Nellie and Clarissa – Contains specific nutrients according to each stage and age of the child. For example, mothers of premature newborns produce milk with a higher amount of proteins, as they need more protein.
The first milk secreted is colostrum, and the least amount is sufficient to achieve many benefits. It is considered the “first vaccine” because it contains several antibodies. At Divina, we have the colostrum therapy protocol as a routine procedure in the NICU – administering 0.1ml of colostrum into each cheek of a premature baby to really give these benefits.
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Breastmilk is low cost, the right temperature, and contains all the nutrients and hydration a baby needs, without the need for added water or tea, up to 6 months. As it does not require any kind of preparation or dilution, it is ready to be consumed, which reduces the risk of contamination.
BdFRS – What are the most common illnesses in children who are not breastfed?
Nellie and Clarissa – Children who are not breastfed are at increased risk of dehydration, diarrhea and infectious diseases.
BdFRS – How to keep breastfeeding after returning to work and what to do?
Nellie and Clarissa – Maintenance after returning to the labor market remains a challenge, but there are alternatives such as drying the breast and storing breast milk in glass containers and keeping it under refrigeration.
There are also laws that advocate for maternity leave until the sixth month when the mother is breastfeeding (the period of exclusive breastfeeding). Some companies offer nursing spaces and flexible hours for nursing.
BdFRS – According to the Ministry of Health, in 1986 the proportion of Brazilian babies under 6 months of age who were fed exclusively with breast milk was no more than 3%. In 2008, the percentage had already reached 41%. Currently, the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding is 46%. A percentage close to the 50% set by the World Health Organization as a goal that countries must achieve by 2025. In your opinion, despite the leap you have made, why is the percentage still low?
Nellie and Clarissa – We know that a lack of workplace support, a weak support network, and a lack of information about breast milk draining and storage contribute to lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding.
BdFRS – This Saturday (26), Divina promoted group breastfeeding to encourage breastfeeding. How important is this type of campaign?
Nellie and Clarissa – Exchange experiences between mothers, promote motherhood, highlight the importance of breastfeeding, and disseminate information and knowledge.
(This Wednesday (30), a multidisciplinary team from the hospital carried out an action on the importance of breastfeeding in Aldea Fag Nin, in Lomba do Pinheiro. The community is one of the communities assisted by the Indigenous Health Unit (USI), run by Reed Health from Providence) .
Aldeia Fag Nhin Conversational Circle / Image: RSDP Disclosure
BdFRS – Tell us about the importance of milk banks.
Nellie and Clarissa – They help with the capture of breast milk and can benefit many babies in the hospital. In this place, the milk goes through the pasteurization process, and any child can use it. Reception and guidance of mothers with a trained and qualified team.
Donating breast milk is essential to increase the chances of survival for premature and/or low birth weight babies who are hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units. It also gives these babies the opportunity to start with the ideal food from the first hours of life.
:: Golden August: a campaign discussing the rights of nursing and working mothers ::
Today, in accordance with the legislation, it is necessary for each collection point to have a reference milk bank for donating excess milk. In the case of Divina, our reference is President Vargas Hospital.
Between January and July this year, more than 200 liters of human milk were collected at the collection point at Divina Hospital. Of this total, approximately 160 liters is allocated to children admitted to the NICU. Since March, the surplus milk has been transferred to the Human Milk Bank at President Vargas Hospital (HPV), where it undergoes pasteurization and processing, to be later served to children in the neonatal HPV intensive care unit.
Edit: Katja Marko