The Mafra Health Center held, on October 2nd, the III Breastfeeding Meeting, at the Palace of the Marquises of Ponte de Lima, in Mafra. The initiative, which had approximately 50 participants, including pregnant women, mothers, family members, and health professionals, was part of the World Breastfeeding Week commemorations, under the theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works”.
During the meeting, mothers with breastfeeding experience answered a questionnaire focused on current practices and opportunities for improvement in care quality. The responses highlighted the importance of nurses' support, especially during pregnancy, in follow-up consultations, childbirth and parenting preparation programs, and in the postnatal period.
The results obtained reinforce the need for close, accessible, and continuous intervention by health professionals, with particular emphasis on Specialist Nurses in Maternal and Obstetric Health Nursing, in supporting women, couples, and families before and after childbirth.
Organized by Specialist Nurses Mafalda Frazão and Liliana Nunes, with the collaboration of all Functional Units of the Mafra Health Center, the event aimed to promote breastfeeding, facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences, and encourage reflection on breastfeeding support practices. The community initiative was based on the premise that breastfeeding success is influenced by the woman's choices and the support she receives throughout the process.
The program included a presentation on the Mafra Health Center's work in this area and a conference detailing the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby, mother, and society, also addressing its contribution to environmental sustainability. Practical guidelines were also shared, aligned with the World Health Organization's recommendations and the latest scientific evidence.
A significant moment was the testimony space, where participants shared their experiences, challenges, and doubts. The meeting was complemented by an exhibition of photographs, phrases, and stories on the theme, with awards given for the best photograph, phrase, and story.
The initiative was supported by the Mafra Municipal Council, which provided the venue and logistics, and the store Peanut, which offered the prizes.
