The Health Department of the Government of the Canary Islands reminds us of the benefits of breastfeeding for babies, mothers, and the planet, and prioritises it in its health plans. The goal is to increase the initiation of breastfeeding at birth by 10%.
The Health Department of the Government of the Canary Islands has once again focused on breastfeeding as one of the key tools to improve public health in the islands. In a statement released this week, the department led by Esther Monzón reminded that breastfeeding not only nourishes the baby but also protects the mother against chronic diseases and contributes to the sustainability of the planet.
The promotion of breastfeeding is part of the priority lines of the Canary Islands Health Plan and the Childhood Obesity Prevention Plan for children under 12 years old (POICAN). In fact, the specific objective of the latter plan is to increase the rates of breastfeeding initiation at birth by ten percent and to maintain it at six months of age by five percent.
According to the data managed by the Department, exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life is the recommendation followed by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and national and international paediatric societies. In the Canary Islands, this practice is promoted through the Child Health Programme, which advises maintaining breastfeeding on demand for as long as mother and baby wish, complemented by appropriate foods from that age onwards.
Benefits for the Baby and the Mother
Breast milk is the most complete and natural food for newborns. It optimally covers their nutritional needs in the early stages of life, promotes healthy physical growth and development, and strengthens the emotional bond between mother and child from the first days. This close contact provides the infant with security and emotional well-being while stimulating their neurological development.
For the mother, breastfeeding also has positive effects. It helps with a quicker recovery after childbirth and reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, as well as certain types of cancer. These benefits add to the protection that breastfeeding offers the baby against infections and the prevention of overweight and childhood obesity.
Beyond the individual, breastfeeding has a direct impact on the community and the environment. It is a sustainable practice that reduces the use of natural resources, avoids the generation of waste associated with packaging and artificial formulas, and promotes a model of care that respects public health and the environment.
Breastfeeding Committees in Healthcare Centres
The Canary Islands Health Service (SCS) has Breastfeeding Committees in primary care and hospital managements. These bodies, made up of multidisciplinary professional groups, work to promote the necessary care for the proper establishment of breastfeeding for both mothers and babies throughout the pregnancy and childbirth process.
Their work includes promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding at all levels of care, with comprehensive support for the needs of families. Additionally, they are responsible for raising awareness among professionals and the community, launching coordinated actions with other healthcare services and promoting innovation in training and research.
In recent years, the General Directorate of Assistance Programs, in coordination with the General Directorate of Public Health, has been working on the implementation of good care practices and the continuous training of professionals. The goal is to ensure healthcare environments that protect and support breastfeeding from birth, always respecting the informed decision of families.
iHAN Accreditation: A Quality Seal
The SCS is also fully involved in the implementation of the Initiative for the Humanization of Birth and Breastfeeding Care (iHAN), promoted by WHO and UNICEF. This initiative aims to promote and support the best start in life, ensuring optimal practices in the care of pregnancy, childbirth, the neonatal period, and especially breastfeeding.
The iHAN promotes respectful and humanised care, favouring early contact between parents and children and creating environments that facilitate breastfeeding. The iHAN accreditation is a recognition for centres that meet these standards, and the Canary Islands is working to increase the number of hospitals and health centres that obtain it.
For Canary Island families, this commitment to breastfeeding translates into greater professional support during pregnancy and postpartum. The breastfeeding committees offer information and practical support, resolving doubts about breastfeeding techniques, milk extraction, or how to balance breastfeeding with work life.
The Health Department reminds us that the decision to breastfeed is personal and must be respected, but insists that information and professional support are essential for mothers who wish to carry out this practice with confidence. Those with doubts can consult their midwife or paediatrician or attend the breastfeeding support groups available on the islands.
With this awareness campaign, the Government of the Canary Islands aims to reinforce the message that breastfeeding is an investment in health in the short and long term, both for the youngest and for society as a whole.
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