A new study reinforces what was previously considered quite proven: the breastfeeding protects from sudden death.
According to the authors, who publish this study in the Pediatrics Magazine This month, for 20 years prevention campaigns to reduce the risk of sudden death syndrome have rightly included the recommendation to breastfeed, although this recommendation is not made in all countries or with sufficient clarity.
The objective of the study is to objectively analyze the sudden death rates in relation to the type of feeding of the baby and are quite clear, breastfeeding reduces the risk in a patent way. A total of 333 babies died of sudden death and 998 live babies were served as the control group. Final evidence indicated that breastfeeding reduces the risk of sudden death by half at any age at least up to six months, which is the maximum age analyzed. From my point of view, campaigns, at least in Spain, are very ineffective, and do not convey the importance of breastfeeding to prevent this and other serious child health problems. Nor are they accompanied by real support for mothers or adequate training in professionals, and as an obvious demonstration, the health protection system fails when the figures for exclusive breastfeeding up to six months in Spain are minimal and do not correspond with the natural ability of mothers to feed their children.
The breastfeeding protects from sudden death and it makes our babies have half the chance of suffering it. It is a very important fact to consider and that authorities and professionals have the obligation to explain to the population.
AdvertisingLack of preparation or commercial pressures cannot be above the need to support mothers so they can breastfeed and transmit truthful information, without hiding data or minimizing risks associated with breast milk substitutes.
That the health authorities really commit themselves to children's health would mean that they are committed to real information and support for mothers. Only in this way can you get all mothers who wish to breastfeed to do so and, surely, many more wish to do so. Reduce the risk of sudden death in half It is a good reason to do so.
