"Encouraging Healthy Babies" concentrates on the healthy behavior of breastfeeding that is taught and modeled at the clinic.
By: Ramón Orlando Mendez
Snapshot of HOPE
Snapshot of HOPE
Dominican Republic, January 15, 2017
By: Ramón Orlando Mendez
Ramón Orlando Mendez, a nurse by education, now coordinates the Order of Malta and Project HOPE Clinic Program in the Dominican Republic. His Snapshot of HOPE photo essay, Encouraging Healthy Babies, concentrates on the healthy behavior of breastfeeding that is taught and modeled at the clinic.
Mothers learn about the importance of breastfeeding, including how it helps prevent respiratory infections.
Families learn that breastfed babies get sick less often and grow healthier.
To encourage breastfeeding and the benefits for the mother and baby, the 5-Star strategy was designed to encourage mothers to attend all prenatal and pediatric checkups, and to exclusively breastfeed their babies. Mothers who earn 5-Star recognition are awarded gift baskets that provide items for newborn care, but more importantly gain recognition from their peers.