The Doctor José Molina Orosa University Hospital in Lanzarote is participating in World Breastfeeding Week, themed “Breastfeeding: a sustainable start in any circumstance. Let’s strengthen actions that work.” The hospital is highlighting the essential role of midwives in the Gynaecology ward, who support women post-delivery and facilitate a safe breastfeeding initiation.
The initial hours after birth are critical for both establishing breastfeeding and the mother’s recovery. The hospital staff, including midwives, provide continuous care day and night, especially during the early hours when mothers require more support for breastfeeding.
In 2025, the hospital recorded 1,016 births, resulting in 1,027 babies. In the first half of this year, there were 459 births, with 467 newborns, indicating busy maternity services.
Midwives offer much more than just initial breastfeeding advice. They provide personalised support to address postpartum queries, help establish effective breastfeeding, and identify any early difficulties that may arise.
They assist both breastfeeding mothers and those opting for formula, offering guidance on reducing breastfeeding when necessary and on formula preparation, respecting each family’s choices.
To enhance support, the unit is equipped with resources like breastfeeding cushions, milk pumps, and oral syringes. These tools help manage more complex situations and sustain breastfeeding when challenges occur.
Midwives also follow up with mothers whose babies are in Paediatrics or Neonatology due to prematurity or other complications, providing tailored advice and fostering mother-child bonding.
The midwives underscore, “Most breastfeeding difficulties emerge within the first 48 hours after delivery. Being there for mothers at that moment allows us to address many concerns before discharge and instils confidence as they go home.”
Support doesn’t end at discharge; midwives coordinate ongoing care with Primary Care colleagues and the specialised Breastfeeding Support Service, referring cases needing closer monitoring through home visits.
They also collaborate with paediatric specialists to assist newborns requiring extra breastfeeding advice in the early weeks and serve as point-of-contact for obstetric emergencies related to the postpartum period and breastfeeding during weekends and public holidays.
Data shows that from June 2025 to June 2026, exclusive breastfeeding rates at Molina Orosa stand at 47%, with 17% using formula and 36% combining both. This reflects that nearly half of mothers in Lanzarote choose breastfeeding as their feeding method.
Mothers have expressed high satisfaction, with a hospital survey showing that 95.8% were satisfied with the breastfeeding information received, 87.5% rated the quality positively, and 91.7% appreciated the care from health professionals.
The hospital has long been committed to promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding as part of its accreditation as a Centre Committed to Excellence in Care under the BPSO initiative, using evidence-based practices and continual professional training.
Additionally, the hospital is in the initial phase of the Initiative for the Humanisation of Birth and Breastfeeding (IHAN) promoted by WHO and UNICEF, encouraging Spanish maternity wards, health centres, and neonatal units to adopt practices that protect and promote humanised childbirth and exclusive breastfeeding from birth.
Breastfeeding provides significant benefits for both mother and newborn. It strengthens emotional connections, aids recovery after birth, and lowers the risk of diseases like breast and ovarian cancer. For infants, it supplies antibodies, supports cognitive development, and helps prevent short- and long-term health issues.
