Illness

Congenital defects (CDs) are the second leading cause of neonatal mortality and a very important cause of disease and disability.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, there are more than 15 million births every year. According to estimates published in 2018, approximately 15 out of every 1,000 will be at risk of dying before their first birthday and 10 in 1,000 before their first month of life.
One in 5 of the deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life is due to some CD.

The involvement of fathers/partners and families is important to support mothers in providing Kangaroo Care while in the facility and at home after discharge.

Father and family involvement is especially important when the mother is medically unstable or recovering from surgery.

In the neonatal intensive care unit, parents are not visitors. Families are the true protagonists in the care of their babies

Early skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding are two closely linked interventions that should be carried out immediately after birth.
Immediate and prolonged skin-to-skin contact facilitates lactation, enriches the microbiome of newborns, prevents hypothermia and hypoglycemia, and stabilizes respiratory function.
Early suckling at the breast stimulates the activation of milk secretion and transfers colostrum, rich in immunoactive substances, especially important for those born prematurely.

Early skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding are two closely linked interventions that should be carried out immediately after birth.
Immediate and prolonged skin-to-skin contact facilitates lactation, enriches the microbiome of newborns, prevents hypothermia and hypoglycemia, and stabilizes respiratory function.
Early suckling at the breast stimulates lactogenesis II (activation of milk secretion) and transfers colostrum, rich in immunoactive substances, especially important for those born prematurely.

The hospitalization of premature, small and/or sick newborns poses multiple challenges to breastfeeding, including:

In neonatal hospitalization areas, the unrestricted admission of mothers and fathers facilitates close contact with their newborns, the development of bonding and the provision of care for which they will be primarily responsible after discharge.

Depression and anxiety are common mental health problems in the postpartum period.
It is very important to systematically address the mother’s mental health and social well-being. Psychosocial interventions should be part of every postnatal visits, along with referral to a qualified professional to address conditions that require more intensive support, through strategies such as psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy.

The theme of Breastfeeding Week 2023 is “Let's make breastfeeding and work work”.