During World Breastfeeding Week 2021, preceptors and students from the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) put on a mini-show with puppets to alert pregnant women, postpartum women and the community in general about the importance of breastfeeding. The play was performed in the early afternoon of this Monday (2/08) in the common area of the Anita Garibaldi Health Education and Research Center (Anita), in Macaíba, while patients were waiting for care.

Preceptor doctors, a social worker and a medical student from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) who is doing an internship at Anita participated in the play It is brought to life the characters Geninha, Fred, Clarice, Vovó Júlia and Rosy. Together, they highlighted the need for newborns to be fed only with breast milk, which is the richest source of vitamins and nutrients until at least six months of age.

“There is no substitute for breast milk. For newborns, nothing other than breast milk is recommended,” emphasizes the ISD’s pediatrics preceptor, Ruy Medeiros, who played the character Fred. Unfortunately, the lack of information about the importance of breastfeeding is a common reality in many families. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that only 381% of children in the world are exclusively breastfed in the first six months of life. The goal is for this number to reach at least 501% by 2025, which is still not enough.

Studies indicate that breastfeeding can reduce the mortality rate of children under two years of age by up to 13%, with the WHO and the Ministry of Health (MS) suggesting that breastfeeding be carried out for two years or more and that breast milk be the exclusive food in the newborn's diet until the sixth month of life. Thaíse Lopes, a preceptor in Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Institute, draws attention to the issue. “Breast milk is the best food, the most complete. Even with COVID, a mother who does not present severe symptoms should breastfeed,” emphasizes the specialist.

Medical student Gabriel de Nadai, who is doing an internship at Anita, emphasizes that the experience of playing a character in a puppet theater is important for bringing professionals closer to patients and the community. “It’s a moment that brings us closer to people, through the popular language of puppet theater. We need to speak in a simpler way, closer to the reality of the community. But we don’t always put this into practice,” he emphasizes.

The importance of donating breast milk was also highlighted during the play. Currently, there has been a drop in the number of donors, by around 30%. The ideal amount to meet the state's demand, including that of private hospitals that also require the services, is to collect 15 liters of milk per day. The internal demand of the Januário Cicco Maternity School (MEJC) in Natal alone is around 6 to 8 liters per day.

“Breast milk is very important for children up to two years of age or older. In the first six months, a breastfed baby does not need any other food, as breast milk is complete and has everything the baby needs, including water,” highlights Renata Rocha, social worker at ISD.

For those who want to be a donor

To be a donor, the woman must be healthy (without any flu-like illness), in addition to not having an infectious disease, such as HIV/Aids, syphilis and hepatitis, nor having taken continuous medication, such as psychotropic drugs. To collect milk, you must first wash your hands with soap and water and wear a cap and mask, then collect the milk in a sterilized bottle.

Any amount of milk can help. Depending on the weight of the newborn, 1 ml is enough to nourish him at each meal. It is worth noting that the pot does not need to be full to donate and make a difference.

How to donate

Just call 84 3342.5800 and register and schedule. Information on donation procedures will be made available. The donor will receive a kit at home with sterilized glass containers and plastic lids.