Breastfeeding Promotion Week
A very special time in the Polish medical calendar is fast approaching – Breastfeeding Promotion Week, which is traditionally celebrated in May, symbolically connecting Mother's Day and Children's Day. On this occasion, the team at the Villa Med family doctor clinic would like to invite you to reflect together on the vital role that natural feeding plays in all of our lives.
As a primary healthcare provider, we fully stand in solidarity with the position of the Polish Society of Lactation Consultants and Advisers (PTKiDL). We believe that building a cohesive support system for young parents requires close cooperation among doctors, nurses, midwives, and other medical professionals. Our shared goal is to disseminate reliable knowledge and implement good lactation practices at every stage of patient care.
A Biological Norm, Not Just a "Choice"
Modern medicine emphasizes the need to change our paradigm of thinking. Breastfeeding is far more than just one of many feeding methods – it is the biological norm for feeding infants and young children.
Instead of viewing breast milk solely as an "added benefit," it is crucial to look at the other side of the coin and recognize the health risks associated with a lack of breastfeeding:
- For the child: Children who are not breastfed are much more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Later in life, they also more frequently face allergic, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases.
- For the mother: Non-breastfeeding women more frequently experience obesity, metabolic disorders, and an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Breast milk is the simplest, fully natural form of health prevention with proven effectiveness, which supports building a healthy human microbiome and is environmentally friendly.
Professional Support
We understand that the clinical beginnings of this journey can be a challenge. Changing lifestyles, demographic situations, and still-unsatisfactory breastfeeding rates mean that young mothers need professional care. Fortunately, over the last 20 years, knowledge about human lactation has been developing dynamically in Poland.
Mutual support – interdisciplinary actions as the path to success in natural breastfeeding
This motto, which accompanied the 15th anniversary of PTKiDL's activity, perfectly reflects our clinic's philosophy. Resolving complex clinical and lactation problems requires teamwork.
Building a Safe Environment for Mothers and Children
The attitude of medical staff and society as a whole has a real impact on parents' decisions regarding their children's nutrition and how breastfeeding is perceived in public spaces. Together, we can create an environment where natural feeding is treated as the norm and the foundation for a sustainable start in life.
We encourage you to read the full position statement of the Polish Society of Lactation Consultants and Advisers and to celebrate this special week with us.
Breastfeeding is the foundation of a sustainable start in life – let's strengthen what works!