LThe first week of August was celebrated World Breastfeeding Weekthe world week dedicated to breastfeeding. A National Breastfeeding Week is scheduled for October 1-7 each year.
Breastfeeding, why talk about it
What is the meaning of these initiatives? Do we still need it in 2023? I say yes, even in a country like ours, which is not only part of that 20 percent of nations in the world where permits and concessions are guaranteed by law for breastfeeding workersbut which for decades has included «protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding» in national prevention and health policies.
This is because breastfeeding is one of the best investments for mom and baby: it’s free, it helps recovery after childbirth, if prolonged and at a young age it reduces the risk of breast cancer. For the man-cub it is the perfect nutrient mix. Let me be clear, no one should feel obligated to breastfeedbut if she wants to, these are good reasons for doing so, and she must be able to do so.
This happens? Mostly yes, the percentage of breastfed babies has increased compared to 20 or 30 years agobut not uniformly. In the North more than in the South. Among educated and well-income women more than among housewives or the unemployed. This means that there is still a lot to do to support new mothers and their choices.
Prof. Paolo Veronesi President of the Umberto Veronesi Foundation and Director of the Surgical Breast Division of the IEO
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