Panama Launches Exhibition to Raise Awareness on Mental Health During Breastfeeding

BTN News: This Thursday, a special exhibition called “Breastfeeding and Mental Health, Human Rights in Conflict” is opening in Panama City. The goal is to make people aware of the mental health issues mothers face during breastfeeding and how we can support them. Natali Rodríguez, an expert in breastfeeding, is leading the exhibition. She explains that it’s important to care for both the right to breastfeed and the mental health of mothers at the same time.

Rodríguez points out that there can be conflicts between these two rights. The exhibition will run until August 11 at the Museum of Liberty and Human Rights in Panama City. It aims to give mothers a voice during a vulnerable time and teach society how to support their mental health during breastfeeding.

The opening of the exhibition coincides with World Breastfeeding Week, which starts on the same day. This year’s theme is “Close the Gap: Support for Breastfeeding for All,” as promoted by the World Health Organization. Elvira López, the director of the museum, believes that visitors will learn a lot from the exhibition. It explores many aspects of breastfeeding that are not often discussed.

López says the exhibition will talk about how breastfeeding is good for babies and the strong bond it creates between mother and child. It also looks at the emotional and psychological challenges mothers face during breastfeeding. The exhibition aims to help when there is a conflict between a mother’s right to breastfeed and her mental health.

Rodríguez adds that not all mothers can always breastfeed on demand because of their situation or the baby’s needs. She notes that many mental health challenges can come up during breastfeeding. These challenges can be harder to deal with if the mother doesn’t have enough support from family and friends. Proper information and support can help mothers manage these challenges from the start.

Rodríguez stresses the importance of having preventive measures to help mothers. She says that mothers need resources and technical support. Sometimes, prioritizing mental health means stopping breastfeeding to keep a healthy relationship between mother and baby.

This exhibition aims to show how important both breastfeeding and mental health are. It encourages a balanced approach to support both. By addressing these issues, the exhibition hopes to create a more supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers. This will benefit both mothers and their babies.