Breastfeeding in public has been a taboo for many years in Greece, but now that changes.
In celebration of World Breastfeeding week, more than 50 cities in Greece participated on Sunday in a synchronized breastfeeding initiative aimed to raise awareness to young mothers and Greek society.
In Athens, more than 600 mothers gathered at Zappeion Megaron Hall and breastfed their little ones sharing this sensitive moment with the public.
"Breastfeeding is a life shield," Roula Lava, mother of a 6-month-old boy and an advocate of breastfeeding, told Xinhua highlighting the benefits.
Numerous studies document the benefits of breastfeeding not only for the baby, but for the mother as well. Breastfeeding is tied to better thinking and memory skills for the children.
Recent study has shown that infants who are breastfed for 12 months have a 50 percent lower risk to diabetes, while they have 10 times less possibilities to be hospitalized during the first year of their life. Mothers, who breastfeed, reduce the risk of breast cancer or endometrial cancer, and osteoporosis.
Above all, though, breastfeeding creates a strong bond between mother and child, helping to create a harmonious relationship between them, shaping a healthy child's personality, as specialists affirm.
Breastfeeding levels in Greece remain low, even though the Greek state tries to promote breastfeeding practices. The Ministry of Health announced this week a number of measures for the promotion of breastfeeding, among which is to create special breastfeeding sites in public services and workplaces.
"Breastfeeding is a human right, and its promotion is a very good investment for the Public Health," deputy Minister of Health Katerina Papakosta said.
According to the Health Ministry data, only 41 percent of new mothers in Greece breastfed their babies in the maternity hospital, while after the first six months that percentage dropped and by the end of the first year only a 6.4 percent continued breastfeeding.
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 in August, but in Greece it is celebrated from 1- 7 November.