Just two out of every ten babies in the Dominican Republic receive exclusive breastfeeding during their first six months of life, according to the Enhogar-MICS 2025 survey.
( FUENTE EXTERNA )
The figure marks a slight improvement over previous measurements, but remains insufficient to ensure most children benefit from the practice, according to the survey.
Journalist Mayra Pérez Castillo, writing in Diario Libre, said breastfeeding involves physical, emotional and mental adaptation for both mother and baby, and becomes a more rewarding experience when the mother has access to evidence-based information and a support network.
Pérez Castillo said breastfeeding goes beyond the act of feeding and is a shared responsibility involving the partner, the family, health personnel, employers and the state. She said its success requires public policies that protect it, adequate spaces for expressing and storing breast milk, leave policies that support parenting, and a culture that understands breastfeeding is not a task for women alone.
One of the biggest challenges for a breastfeeding mother is returning to work and finding that workplace demands often ignore her situation, Pérez Castillo said. Because of this, she said many women are forced to stop breastfeeding earlier than recommended, not by choice but because they lack the conditions to continue.
The father's role
Pérez Castillo said the father should be included from before the baby is born, and that his support begins with informing himself about the process and continues day to day through simple but important actions. These include bringing the baby to the mother during nighttime feedings, helping achieve a proper latch when needed, offering the mother water or a snack, changing diapers, helping burp the baby, taking on household tasks and providing emotional support.
Pediatrician Altagracia Páez, speaking during the "Los Pediatras Hablan" workshop for fathers, said breastfeeding succeeds more often when the father supports the mother hand in hand. Páez said every gesture of support strengthens the mother's confidence and makes the experience more manageable. She also recommended that both parents seek guidance from trained professionals and avoid letting myths or unscientific advice interfere with feeding the baby.
According to Pérez Castillo, the benefits of this support extend to the whole family, since breastfeeding strengthens the bond between parents and children, supports the child's physical and emotional development, lowers the risk of multiple illnesses and saves money by reducing the need for infant formula.
Tips for successful breastfeeding
- Do not take on all the responsibility alone; let a partner, relatives or trusted people provide support to reduce physical and emotional strain.
- Listen to recommendations critically and prioritize those backed by scientific evidence. Pérez Castillo noted persistent myths, including that small breasts produce less milk, that a crying baby always means it is not getting enough food, or that breastfeeding causes breasts to sag, none of which have scientific support.
- Trust colostrum. Even though it is produced in small amounts, this first milk contains the nutrients and antibodies a newborn needs during its first days of life.
- Involve the father from pregnancy through the entire breastfeeding process, since his participation can make a significant difference in the mother's experience and in how long breastfeeding continues.
- Those planning a pregnancy should seek information together with their partner before the baby is born, since evidence-based knowledge makes decision-making easier and allows breastfeeding to be approached with more confidence.
