54% of Italian parents breastfeed their children while using their mobile phones. This is what emerged from a research on technological dependencies, conducted in 2022 by the National Association of Technological Dependencies and Cyberbullying. The research involved 198 pediatricians nationwide and 13,049 people, including parents, adolescents, preteens and children. Among the different results, it emerges that in the age group 4-9 years, 88% of the sample declares to entertain their children during the day with smartphones and similar devices, to use them in their presence (95.7%), to allow their use before sleeping (37%), when they are tired or agitated (30%), and to entertain them during meals (41.5%). In addition, 42% of parents admit that the use of the devices has reduced the time spent playing outdoors, that their children are bored when they do not use the smartphones at home (55%) and even outside the home (30%), and that they have exaggerated reactions when asked to disconnect (56%). The use of mobile phones while breastfeeding is criticized by Giuseppe Lavenia, psychologist and president of the National Association of Technological Dependencies. "The relationship that is established between the mother and the child – he says - has a fundamental value in the psycho-emotional and relational development of the child; it is a bond of love, which goes beyond physical nourishment. It feeds on skin-to-skin contact, with looks, cuddles, hugs, the calm voice with which the newborn is spoken. Therefore, dedicating oneself fully to breastfeeding, without being disturbed by the use of technology, certainly contributes to creating an atmosphere of warmth and protection, which is essential to build a serene relationship with children from an early age".
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