World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated every year from August 1 to 7, is a global campaign coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) to raise awareness and stimulate actions on related issues.

This year, WABA stresses the importance of the effective chain of support for the mother and her baby, which begins with gestation and extends through the first two years of a child’s life. The day is a call to coordinate efforts for human milk feeding, among various actors at all levels.

In a statement, the United Nations, on Cuba, underscored that despite the benefits of breastfeeding, challenges persist so that by 2030, Cuba can reach the Sustainable Development Goals target of achieving 70% exclusive chest feeding during the first six months of life.

the letter stressed that social, cultural, and economic conditions influence the decision to abandon the practice of exclusive nursing during a baby’s first six months and then supplemented with other foods, up to the age of two.

Breastfeeding is fundamental for children’s health and development, Alejandra Trossero, UNICEF Representative in Cuba assured. We work with national authorities, healthcare personnel, communities, and Cuban families in the promotion and protection of breastfeeding, as well as in the prevention and care of child malnutrition.

Only through a joint effort will we be able to overcome current challenges and ensure that every child in Cuba has the best possible start in life, Trossero pointed out.

Providing information on the benefits of breastfeeding, both for babies and mothers, is an essential step, which requires the participation of healthcare personnel from primary care, the media, and other social actors, close to families.

jrr/omr/mem/alb