Lactancia interrumpida por servicios sociales: a propósito de un caso

Abstract

Introduction: In situations where guardianship of nursing children is withdrawn, the abrupt cessation of breastfeeding creates the risk of early weaning and causes maternal and child suffering. There often is disagreement between social and health services regarding the best interests of nursing children in situations of social risk.

Objective: To present a clinical case where breastfeeding was abruptly discontinued due to withdrawal of care by social services, illustrating the support provided and the patient’s progress to relactation.

Description: A mother is forcibly separated from her 17-month-old infant (and her two other children) as an emergency measure by child protection services. Through breastfeeding support groups she asks for help of professionals involved with the protection of breastfeeding and of lactation rights. The multiple reports provided by the lawyer and mental health and breastfeeding professionals are ignored, allowing only one-hour weekly visits for two months, during which no support or value is placed on breastfeeding. This situation leads to the baby refusing the breast.

Breastfeeding support and psychotherapeutic intervention are provided. After 85 days, the children return to the family home after a review of the emergency measure. The infant shyly latches at the breast although the mother feels she has no milk, and relactation is achieved over the course of several days.

Conclusions: It is necessary to transform specific social risk assessment protocols for breastfeeding infants, taking into account their bonding and breastfeeding needs and the care of their family system. Training third-sector professionals in breastfeeding and implementation of care models that prioritize the mental health of the mother-infant dyad is sorely needed. Social workers have the responsibility to protect the human rights of patients and, therefore, the responsibility to support breastfeeding.