Feeding and breastfeeding children in Haiti It has received special attention from UNICEF, WHO and the World Food Program, which have issued a joint statement on the seriousness of the situation.
Since it has been found that, in the past, actions are not always the most appropriate in vital emergencies, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the World Food Program have disclosed clear and concise guidelines that address the The current health and nutritional needs of Haitian children and their mothers, and how the world community can provide an effective response.
And one of the main points of his appeal is that avoid donating breast milk substitutes.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Program (WFP) call for supporting the proper feeding of infants and young children in the current emergency, and prevent against unnecessary donations and potentially harmful use of breast milk substitutes
Faced with a catastrophe as terrible as the one happened, imagine that survival of young children It becomes one of the greatest challenges to be achieved and one of the greatest difficulties faced by authorities and aid organizations.
The vital importance of breastfeeding
The most important health advocacy organizations worldwide have been, in this case, categorical: babies must continue to be breastfed, support mothers to continue breastfeeding and help relactation, as breastfeeding can suppose for many of these children the possibility of saving their lives in a context of malnutrition, infections and contamination of water resources.
They alert, to avoid the widespread and harmful myths, that a woman can breastfeed while undernourished or even if she lacks food. If production can decrease if the mother suffers stress, but providing adequate conditions, support and the constant presence of the baby, the problem is usually remedied.
The dangers of artificial feeding
Regarding children who do not receive breast milk and are younger than six months, relactation is recommended as a first option, no doubt.
But if providing breast milk were unfeasible, the substitutes should occur in a controlled manner, with the necessary training and ensuring that a correct pattern can be maintained from now on, since artificial milk can cause diseases, malnutrition and death in these catastrophic contexts, such as fact has happened in other similar emergencies.
They also warn that milk that is already ready to drink should be used as a priority, to avoid infections and problems of contamination of water or containers, and give it in a spoon or glass, not in a bottle or with teats, since the risk of infection is much higher.
Finally, in this regard, they warn that it is necessary to watch that the milk is received exclusively by infants, and it is that in other emergencies it has been found that it did not happen that way.
Artificial feeding in an emergency carries many risks of suffering from malnutrition, diseases and death; It is the last resort after fully exploring other safer options.
The signatory organizations add that you should not donate milk, and that all substitutes must be purchased and managed with great care, preventing them from being distributed without UNICEF control.
HIV
Regarding cases in which mothers are infected with HIV, the advice is that they should try to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months and, after introducing adequate food, maintain breastfeeding for at least 12 months by providing adequate retroviral medications.
If the baby was already receiving artificial feeding, great care must be taken that he can dispose of it safely and in a controlled manner, this being a top priority.
They explain that they are working on a specific document on the care of babies of mothers with HIV in this country that will serve as a safe guide for assistance organizations, although they refer to the numerous documentation that UNICEF has already published in this regard.
Donations of breast milk
They also point out that in Haiti there are no conditions that ensure the correct pasteurization of breast milk or its cold preservation, so, in principle, they do not consider that breast milk should be donated without having consulted directly with UNICEF previously.
Conclusion
In conclusion, they urge governments to devote resources to the proper promotion of breastfeeding, to, among other issues, have a population prepared to adopt the best measures to prevent malnutrition and death of young children in cases of emergency related to lack of breastfeeding.
UNICEF, WHO and WFP strongly urge all entities involved in the financing, planning and implementation of the emergency response in Haiti to avoid unnecessary diseases and deaths through the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding and feeding appropriate complementary, as well as avoiding the uncontrolled distribution and use of breast milk substitutes.
UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the World Food Program consider that Breastfeeding is vital for the survival of children in Haiti.
