World Breastfeeding Week: In the North Argentino, Dar La Teta is also an act of resistance

From August 1 to 7, the World Breastfeeding Week is commemorated, an opportunity to make visible a fundamental right for childhoods and their mothers. However, in many areas of the country, such as the North Argentina, breastfeeding is not a simple choice, but a daily struggle against structural poverty, hunger and lack of access to the health system.

Breastfeeding and poverty: an invisible reality

In communities of Chaco Salteño, where the NGO Pata Pila works, breastfeeding becomes a complex task. Mothers face multiple obstacles: food insecurity, lack of safe water, absence of medical controls and large distances to health centers.

“If the mother does not have to eat, she can’t produce milk. And if there is no water, it cannot be hydrated or prepare safely”, Explained Diego Bustamante, founder and general director of Pata Pila.

Dana, from the Tartagal community, is one of the many mothers who found containment in the Pata Pila team. His son Iker was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after suffering a seizure at seven months. Today it stimulates, and Dana accompanies him every week, in a process that combines care, listening and strength. “Every day he teaches me to be a better mother. I am grateful. Pata Pila helps me free what I feel”, He shared.

For his part, María Alejandra, Pata Pila nutritionist, highlighted the joint work with the community when referring to one of the cases that accompanies the NGO: “Francisco did not tolerate milk. Its weight was unstable. We changed to lactose milk and began to improve. The communities are far away. Provisions scarce. I give tools, but families do the job”

Accompany from the first day: the role of Pata Pila

For 10 years, Pata Pila accompanies mothers and children in their first years of life, especially in contexts where extreme poverty threatens the most basic development.

The organization has interdisciplinary teams made up of nutritionists, pediatricians, social workers and gardeners, who act in articulated territory with hospitals and public bodies.

Among the actions carried out by Pata Pila are:

• Medical and nutritional monitoring of girls, boys and pregnant women.
• Milk delivery and children’s formula to guarantee adequate nutrition.
• Training spaces, containment and empowerment for mothers.
• Strengthening care networks with other institutions to guarantee access to the health of the mother and their children.

How to collaborate?

With a monthly donation, it is possible to accompany more mothers in a situation of vulnerability and guarantee access to milk, medical controls, professional accompaniment and safe water.