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As in USA, breastfeeding rates in Italy are far from
international recommendations. A 2016 peer-reviewed article reports that 92% Italian
mothers initiate breastfeeding at hospital discharge, but only 5% are
exclusively breastfeeding at the recommended 6 months. The article concludes: “Actions
should aim at empowering women, reducing social inequalities, and improving
practices in hospitals and maternal care services which encourage
breastfeeding.”
Participants in our HUG class believe that misunderstanding
NORMAL baby behavior is one important reason mothers abandon breastfeeding.
Italian colleagues were excited that “The Roadmap” information and handout
might improve this data. One colleague is interested in translating the Roadmap
E-Newsletters and conduct research on the impact of this resource on
breastfeeding duration. Yippee!
Watching HUG Your Baby in action is always a highlight of a
HUG training. We had the opportunity to meet two families and hear how The HUG
can make a difference. Our first family
had the opportunity to attend Benedetta’s HUG Your Baby class for pregnant
couples. She was quick to share that being a new mom was even harder than she anticipated.
But, HUG Your Baby gave her ideas on how to understand her baby’s body
language. Baby’s father has become an expert at that all-important face-to-face
interaction with his son.
Our second family whose baby was born 6 weeks early had
important questions about their growing and developing baby. Why is their baby
crying more now and when will he sleep a bit more at night? The little boy had
been stooling 5 times a day, but now only has a 1-2 stools a day. This baby
gave us the chance to see how “The Roadmap” information is critical to boosting
the confidence of new parents. Workshop participants remember that healthy
babies can cry a bit more at about 2-6 weeks after their due date and, that the
change in mother’s breastmilk composition will normally decrease baby’s daily
stools at about this age.
What a great joy to watch a father discover his baby’s
ability to engage with the world around him. Seeing this baby look at a moving
toy or turn to hear a shaking rattle was especially important to this family. I
couldn’t help but notice a few HUG participants tear up at observing the power
of seeing the HUG Strategy, “See, then Share” in action!
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