“World breastfeeding week 1-7th August, 2023”, celebrations in PGIMER, Chandigarh
Breastmilk is always the best and most appropriate feeding for any baby. It saves the baby from infection, gives complete nutrition till 6 months of age, improves intelligence and reduces risk of obesity and diabetes later on in life. Breastfeeding also helps mother to reduce weight, preventing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. In India breastfeeding rate is low and in world ranking, 2018 India scores only 45 out of 100 in infant child feeding policy and programme . As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) , in India , first hour initiation of breastfeeding is only 41.8% inspite of more than 90% deliveries taking place in the health care facilities. Inadequate breastfeeding causes nearly 100000 child deaths annually , nearly 3.4 crores of diarrhoea and 24 lakhs of pneumonia and India spends almost 900 crores annually regarding these health issues. Any breastfeeding reduces death by 50% in children of 6-23 months.
Breastfeeding should be initiated within first hour of birth when the baby is most active and alert and this is to be done in both normal vaginal delivery as well caesarean section cases. Well babies should never be separated from their mothers. Pregnancy is most important phase in any woman’s life and she should be supported by husband and other family members throughout pregnancy as well as after delivery. Most mothers are able to breastfed successfully however some mothers may need extra help to initiate and maintain breastfeeding. Health care workers / lactation counsellors can help the mother to breastfeed successfully. Mother needs adequate nutrition, hydration and rest to maintain a good lactation. Family members should stay from all myths and taboos regarding breastfeeding which deprives a baby and mother from effective breastfeeding. A good antenatal and postnatal counselling to mothers and family members improve success of breastfeeding.
It is also very important to stay away from formula feeding and bottle feeding which hampers the breastfeeding and makes the baby prone for diarrhoea, sepsis, pneumonia and can lead to significant ill health in the baby. Formula milk lacks all the anti – infective and growth factors which is present in breastmilk. The carbon foot print of formula is very high causing environmental damage apart from costing high to the family and extra expenditure due to illnesses.
For working mothers, they should be aware of maternity benefit act ( amended in 2017) which entitles them for paid 6 months of maternity leave which includes both govt as well as informal sectors. After she returns to work, workplace should be breastfeeding friendly so that mother can continue to breastfeed comfortably. After 6 months of life, baby must be started on complementary feeding with semisolids which are fresh and homemade and mother to continue breastfeeding at least till 2 years alongwith semisolids.
Babies who are born preterm also should be fed with expressed breastmilk through an orogastric tube and later on with spoon -katori and once the baby matures enough, direct breastfeeding can be given.
So during this breastfeeding week we wish all mothers a successful and exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months followed by complementary feeding after 6 months alongwith breastfeeding.
