Club services and associations in Pisa promote breastfeeding

Pisan service clubs and associations in support of the maternal and child department of the Aoup for the promotion of breastfeeding. Ammi-Donne per la Salute Section of Pisa and Fidapa Bpw Pisa and the service clubs Inner Wheel Italia Club of Pisa, Lions Club Pisa Certosa, Rotary Club Pisa, Rotary Club Pisa Galilei Rotary Club Pisa Pacinotti, Soroptimist Int., Club Pisa finance, with four scholarships, the training course for midwives to become a “professional breastfeeding consultant” (an internal selection process is foreseen for the identification of midwives). The training course ends with the certification of Ibclc-International board certified lactation consultant, a specialist title which is obtained after passing an exam, which can only be accessed if in possession of certain requirements. These obstetric figures will be able to support all new mothers with high skills in the phase immediately following childbirth, often marked by unmotivated fears, a sense of inadequacy and considerable emotional burdens specifically regarding the nutrition of the newborn. “We are grateful for this important funding – declares the general director of Aoup Silvia Briani – because in this way we undertake an even more professional path in the accompaniment of mothers by midwives on breastfeeding which is a serious issue, difficult to underway in this fast-paced world. This initiative is far-sighted and consistent with the entire process we are completing for the Unicef ​​certification of the birth center and with the growth path towards the future with the new hospital”. “Breastfeeding is a process that starts immediately after birth – states Pietro Bottone, director of the Aoup maternal-child department – ​​and must last well beyond the puerperal phase. It is when new mothers return home that they need of greater support because at that stage they risk giving up. This project reinforces all the support they need on several fronts.” In fact, scientific evidence demonstrates that starting breast-feeding immediately after giving birth and exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life have a positive impact on the health of the mother and child by improving the growth parameters of the newborn, guaranteeing better neurodevelopment behavioral and prevent the onset of acute and chronic pathologies. Short and long-term effects which particularly benefit premature newborns.