Breastfeeding Caravan in the Republic of Moldova – open air events for mothers and families to support and promote breastfeeding

25 October 2022

Valentina Vezneak is a 29-year-old, young mother who came from Odesa, Ukraine to the Republic of Moldova at the beginning of July. She has 2 children. As a breastfeeding mother, she attended the event about the benefits of breastfeeding, held in the courtyard of the Călărași District Hospital, in the city where she took refuge. The event was part of the third Breastfeeding Caravan – open air public events for mothers, fathers and families aiming to support and promote breastfeeding, a tradition in the Republic of Moldova to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. This year, refugee mothers received useful recommendations for breastfeeding in addition to dozens of interested women full of energy from Moldova.

WHO

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Although Valentina has already gone through the experience of breastfeeding with her first child, she is still interested in breastfeeding and getting as much information as possible about this healthy method of feeding. “Breastfeeding is the best thing a mother can do for her baby,” Valentina says. “It helps prevent diseases, strengthens immunity, and is beneficial for both the mother and the child. I’m so happy that I can breastfeed in peace.”

WHO

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In addition to Călărași, this year’s ‘Breastfeeding Caravan’ was also present in the cities of Bălți, Florești, Hâncești and Ceadîr-Lunga. Through these events, mothers-to-be, as well as parents with young children, learned about the benefits of breast milk and correct ways for breastfeeding and received useful recommendations regarding the nutrition of babies and mothers.

WHO

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At the event, young mother Alina Turuta was delighted to interact with national specialists and learn about the benefits of natural nutrition. “Breastmilk is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses,” she says. “Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life. That's why I encourage all women to breastfeed.”

WHO

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“The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding of children up to the age of 6 months, and its continuation, with the gradual introduction of complementary food, up to the age of 2 years and more,” stressed Stela Gheorghiță, Public Health Emergency Programme Officer from the WHO Country Office in the Republic of Moldova, during the event in the city of Floresti.

WHO

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During the series of events, 7 experts in breastfeeding, nursing, pediatrics and nutrition provided the participants with information and practical recommendations and explained some of the myths surrounding breastfeeding that still exist in our society today.

WHO

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“Correct positioning during breastfeeding is very important for both mother and baby,” explains Liudmila Caracalceva, breastfeeding consultant at the Mămica alăptează (Mother breastfeeds) nongovernmental organization (NGO). “If the babies are well-attached and in the right position, then they will feed efficiently, get the portions of milk needed to gain weight, and stimulate the production of new milk.”

WHO

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The Breastfeeding Caravan 2022 was organized by the Ministry of Health and the WHO Country Office in the Republic of Moldova, in collaboration with the Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pediatric Society of the Republic of Moldova, Raisa Pacalo Center of Excellence in Medicine and Pharmacy, Nursing Association of the Republic of Moldova and the Mămica alăptează (Mother breastfeeds) NGO. More than 250 mothers and their family members attended the Breastfeeding Caravan 2022.

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