Breastfeeding is established at 85% in the maternity ward but unfortunately it declines very quickly even though the WHO recommends it exclusively up to 6 months and up to at least 2 years thereafter.
In fact, it provides essential and irreplaceable nutrition for the growth and development of the child. It is the first form of immunization that a child receives and is protected against respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases and other potentially fatal conditions. Exclusive breastfeeding has a protective effect against obesity, a scourge in Polynesia.
According to the WHO, sub-optimal breastfeeding practices, including non-exclusive breastfeeding, cause 11.6% of deaths among children under 5 years old worldwide. (WHO/NMH/NHD/14.7 – guidance note on breastfeeding).
In Polynesia, premature cessation of breastfeeding is linked to 3 main causes according to a survey carried out at the Taaone maternity ward in 2023: pain during feeding, difficulty of the baby latching on to the breast, a sensation lack of milk.
These 3 causes could be reduced by more adequate support, whether professional or from those around them.
The aim of this line will be to be accessible to as many people as possible to reduce inequalities in breastfeeding. This line has been in the works for 2 years with a lot of work to find financial support, several grant requests having unfortunately not been successful.
Vodafone came to the aid of the association so that this project could finally be launched. She also received support from Gaz de Tahiti and Allianz. A partnership with Quebec has also been established where a crisis line has existed for over 40 years. On this subject, 4 breastfeeding professionals came in 2022 to give conferences during World Breastfeeding Week to explain their organization in Quebec and in 2023, 2 of them came to train the volunteers of the Allo Titi mama line.
The telephone line will be manned by professionals with breastfeeding training and will be open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is intended for families concerned about breastfeeding who have questions about it or are experiencing difficulties and is in no way a medical emergency line.
The association will be present on Saturday October 19 at Paofai Park to meet families on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week.
