Havana, July 22 (Prensa Latina) A broad plan of activities will be held in Cuba in connection with World Breastfeeding Week, from August 1 to 7, including an extension of the program to 2026 to promote this act of love.
At a press conference in this capital, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) provided details of the event, and the “Gotas de amor” movement, a year promoting breastfeeding, was presented.
Sunny Guidotti, UNICEF’s deputy representative in Cuba, emphasized that they are working hand in hand with the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) to promote this practice, which provides protection and development for both babies and mothers, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and, most importantly, fosters a connection between the two.
It’s proven that growing up on breast milk, not just in the first hour of life, but exclusively for the first six months, ensures that children can have their lives saved and also develop optimally, the UNICEF representative stated.
She also mentioned the importance of family support for breastfeeding women, emphasizing that this exercise supports the newborn’s cognitive development and immune system, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases, among many other benefits for the mother as well.
Dr. Mercedes Esquivel, of the National Pediatric Group and the Commission on Breastfeeding and Human Milk Banks, emphasized that Cuba promotes a sustainable support system to enhance this successful breastfeeding practice, from conception through the baby’s first two years of life.
He specified that this effort is supported by scientific and epidemiological data and seeks to involve the entire society.
Dr. Esquivel offered statistics that support the relevance and importance of breastfeeding, stating that a non-breastfed baby is six times more likely to die compared to a breastfed baby.
Together, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) and UNICEF promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and complementary breastfeeding for children up to two years of age.
The plan of activities in honor of this beautiful example of mother-child love and mutual protection includes a virtual scientific event, activities to encourage breast milk donors and mothers who have achieved exclusive breastfeeding, awareness-raising workshops, and regional courses on community interventions.
A concert by singer-songwriter Enid Rosales is scheduled for August 7 at 4:00 p.m. local time at the National Museum of Fine Arts, where a video clip about breastfeeding, created by May Reguera, will be presented.
On August 9, Havana’s Quinta de los Molinos will host a celebration under the 2025 theme “Let’s Prioritize Breastfeeding: Building Sustainable Support Systems.”
The press conference welcomed the fact that today is World Brain Day, and on the occasion, breastfeeding was praised as the first act of protecting a newborn’s brain, one that will have repercussions throughout their lives.
The media was also encouraged to do more work promoting and highlighting this practice, which is so full of health, beauty, protection, and love.
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