NRHM, Kamrup Organises Awareness Meet on Breastfeeding

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(Free-Press-Release.com) August 6, 2009 -- Rangia, Aug. 3: With a view to aware the masses on a child’s right to nutrition, National Rural Health Mission, Kamrup organised a meet on breastfeeding at Manabendra Sarma Girls’ College here on August 3 as a part of the World Breastfeeding Week, observed the world over from August 1 to August 7, 2009.

The meet is a part of the action plan that National Rural Health Mission, Assam has devised along with UNICEF, Assam and Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India, Assam Unit for promoting breastfeeding.

The meeting was preceded by a rally which had ASHAs, ANMs and Anganwadi workers as participants. Employees of NRHM and Rangia PHC distributed leaflets on breastfeeding to passers-by.

Chaired by Mr. Bharat Bhushan Deva Choudhury, SDO (Civil), Rangia, the meeting had Dr. Chandra Deka, SDM & HO (Sub-divisional Headquarter), Rangia, Dr. Sajida Ahmed, faculty, GMCH, Dr. Harendra Lahkar, SDM & HO, Rangia PHC, members of NGOs like Rural Women Development Society and Shanti Sadhana Ashram speaking on the importance of promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding.

“Breast milk is undoubtedly the best food for babies. It has the right amount of nutrients in the right proportions for a balanced meal for the baby. It is superior to any other product available in the market for feeding the baby,” said Dr. Deka. “Breast milk is also easier to digest than formula foods and has social and economic benefits over and above the benefits to the child and the mother,” he added.

Dr. Deka underscored the need of skin-to-skin contact between the baby and the mother. “There should be good positioning and attachment of the baby at the breast,” he said.

The speakers stressed on the need of starting breastfeeding within half an hour after birth. “Breastfeeding should be started early and it should be exclusive for first 6 months of age. Honey, sugar water, even boiled water need not be administered on the baby. The baby should be continued to be breastfed till 2 years or beyond,” said Dr. Ahmed.

Discouraging the use of infant formula foods, the disease-fighting properties of breast milk were highlighted. It may be mentioned that breast milk is linked to a lower risk of health problems like ear infections, Sudden Infant Death Sndrome (SIDS), child leukaemia, diarrhoea, respiratory infections etc..

In tune with the theme of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, Dr. Ahmed informed the audience present that breast milk during an emergency can save lives.She alsocalled on the ASHAs present to explain the benefits and the need of breastfeeding to villagers.

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