-->
Benedetta Costa worked hard to set up a HUG Your Baby presentation
in Genoa, Italy, at Istituto
Giannina Gaslini. We were delighted to be greeted by more than 50
nurses, doctors, social workers, OTs and PTs in this hospital’s lovely educational
facility. The group was sobered, as are we, by a review of current breastfeeding
rates in Italy. We had planned a lecture presentation for this formal setting. However,
with some encouragement, participants soon offered opinions about what parents want
and need, and what barriers today’s young families face.
They also laughed
along with us when we offered our “catch the ball” review of HUG concepts! Participants
appreciated the family-friendly HUG language and seemed in sync with our
discussion about calming a baby and supporting breastfeeding. The hospital
leadership is considering how to incorporate the Italian HUG online training
for professionals, the HUG DVD for parents, and “The Roadmap to Breastfeeding
Success” handout into the care they provide.
Benedetta, Jim and I celebrated our three days of teaching
with a grand view of Genoa and a Bellini cocktail! But our work in Italy has
only begun. We are now creating the Italian Certified HUG Teacher program. ()Several
participants from our first two-day training have contributed valuable
reflections, offered help with translating HUG resources, and are connecting us
to Italian organizations and institutions that serve young families. As a HUG
Your Baby trainer, Benedetta has already set up the next two-day HUG workshop
in Genoa.: October 7-8, 2017.
It is with
a grateful heart (and a stomach full of Italian cooking) that Jim and I leave
Genoa hop on the train to the airport. But, we have been invited back next year
to share the HUG with Benedetta in Genoa, Florence and maybe Rome. Ciao for
now!
-->