MILK GLASSES TO TRANSFORM REALITIES
On June 1st, World Milk Day is celebrated to highlight the importance of incorporating milk into daily nutrition due to its significant nutritional benefits.
Milk distribution at Suncho Corral
Argentina, a country where child malnutrition is the reality of thousands of children, cannot overlook this date.
The term “child malnutrition” refers to the condition in which children do not receive the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development.
“Milk is the only food a child consumes from birth to six months of age; therefore, it is essential for proper growth and development,” says Melina Dabrowski, one of our Nutritionists at Añatuya in Santiago del Estero.
Haciendo Camino has developed the Family Child Development Program (DIF), which focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating malnutrition in children from 0 to 5 years old, addressing the social issues that contribute to malnutrition through a comprehensive approach. Working with interdisciplinary teams composed of pediatricians, nutritionists, early childhood stimulation specialists, social workers, trade skills instructors, health educators, and preschool teachers, the program provides treatment, care, and support to mothers and their children.
“For our work, milk is a fundamental food because it helps malnourished and at-risk children recovery. We use different dairy formulas that are adapted not only to age but also to the varying nutritional and health conditions each child experiences,” explains the nutritionist.
Milk distribution at Los Juries
On our DIF Program, milk is distributed to mothers attending sesiones with their children to help them incorporate it into their daily diet and support their nutritional recovery.
“Milk distributions take place daily and continuously. In the nutrition consultation, we provide information on the importance of proper preparation and dilution, as well as its role in a child’s nutritional status,” says Melina. She adds, “We also strongly encourage breastfeeding, as it is the most complete food. It is crucial for the proper development of the child’s nervous system.”
Milk distribution also occurs weekly within the Pregnancy Program, based on each woman’s nutritional diagnosis. “During pregnancy, it is recommended to consume three servings of dairy per day—200cc of milk or its equivalent in yogurt, cheese, desserts, and other dairy products,” states Gisela Sala, Technical Coordinator of the Pregnancy Program.
“This is important because dairy provides calcium, which is essential for mothers, helping to prevent preeclampsia, osteoporosis, and tooth loss, common during this stage. It is also crucial for the baby, preventing poor bone mineralization, intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight, and other complications,” explains the coordinator.
“Milk is a highly nutritious food that provides fats, high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other essential micronutrients,” says Melina. This is why Haciendo Camino is committed to raising awareness about the benefits of milk and the importance of including it in daily nutrition.
Child malnutrition is an urgent challenge in our region, and it is essential to join efforts to overcome this issue and provide children a healthy future.
