The University Successfully Concludes the Second " workshop " Event as Part of European Breastfeeding Week

The University of Navarra’s Commission for the Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding has concluded the Second “ workshop ” (Breastfeeding Week) as part of European Breastfeeding Week, an initiative held from October 1 to 15 with the goal to promote training, teaching, research , and the dissemination of knowledge to the general public.

The program, organized at agreement through the IHAN initiative (Initiative for the Humanization of the attendance , Birth, and Breastfeeding) and with the support of the Institute of Nutrition and Health at the University of Navarra, featured the partnership from the Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CUN), the UNAV Museum, Amagintza, and the classroom Saludable platform.

roundtable : Analyzing Regulatory and International “ framework ”
The “ meeting ” began on October 1 with an opening session and the “ roundtable ,” which focused on the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, analyzed from health, community, and experiential perspectives. The session “ presentation ” (The International Code on the Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes: From Theory to Practice) was led position by Maider Belintxon, a university professor and member of the organizing committee, who emphasized the importance of reflecting on how this regulatory code translates into the actual information families receive.

“Healthcare professionals should be the advocates and guardians of breastfeeding as a public health strategy,” warned Paula Lalaguna, a pediatrician at Barbastro Hospital (Huesca) and national coordinator of IHAN, who spoke on the topic of healthcare. Lalaguna recalled the initiative’s origins in response to the WHO’s concern over declining breastfeeding fees , and warned about conflicts of interest associated with the infant food industry: “Healthcare professionals should be the advocates and guardians of breastfeeding as a public health strategy,” she asserted, emphasizing the code’s explicit prohibitions on free samples and sponsorships.

From a community perspective, Usua Purroy, a social worker and representative of the Amagintza Association for the Support of People with Disabilities ( association ), addressed the coordinating role of support groups between the healthcare system, institutions, and the community. Purroy advocated for the need to “ train ” caregivers in order to empower families without dictating their decisions: “We need to have the training and information to support mothers and families,” she noted, highlighting concrete actions such as avoiding recommendations for specific brands to foster a genuine culture of support.

The closing ceremony of the “ roundtable ” featured a testimonial from Adriana Ciganda, the mother of premature, low-birth-weight twins. Ciganda described the initial difficulties and the support she received from Amagintza during the process of delivering her children and feeding them via a feeding tube: “It was tough; people asked me why I kept at it, but it was worth it—it was the only thing I could do for my children,” she shared.

Fifteen days of academic, research, and outreach activities
Following the opening ceremony, the diary of the Second workshop continued to carry out its core activities throughout the first two weeks of October:
October 5 (research): A session focused on the research was held on the implementation of the accreditation IHAN, with the reference letter taking the Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CUN) as its research focus.

· October 9 (training internship): A hands-on workshop was held by Esther Peña, a midwife at the CUN, focusing on a direct approach and support for breastfeeding.

· October 13 (teaching interdisciplinary): A clinical case study was presented specifically for students in the Nutrition and Nursing Degrees s, aimed at resolving internship healthcare scenarios.

· Photographic sample : Throughout the 15 days of the event, the Hexagon Building building hosted a exhibition photography provided by the Amagintza association , offering a visual journey through motherhood and community support.

With the conclusion of these conference, the University of Navarra Commission for Breastfeeding has established an annual meeting forum aimed at strengthening networks among the academic community, the healthcare sector, and civil society.