Experts stress on breastfeeding benefits for newborns

Ranchi: Jharkhand has seen an increase in breastfeeding rate, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) report. The survey revealed that the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Jharkhand has risen by 11.3% points from 64.8% in 2015-16 to 76.1% in 2019-21. This positive development was discussed during a meet on breastfeeding organised by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) as part of the World Breastfeeding Week the in city on Thursday.Dr Raghvendra Sharma, the deputy director-cum-nodal officer, Child Health, emphasised the importance of hospitals and healthcare facilities focusing on breastfeeding policies. He also highlighted the need for awareness among nurses and the involvement of health workers, advertising companies, community members, and media in promoting breastfeeding practices. Dr Sharma stressed on the importance of not promoting infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles, or infant milk products.The theme of World Breastfeeding Week this year is ‘Making a Difference for Working Parents and Exclusive Breastfeeding within the First Hour of Birth.’ The focus is on understanding the perspectives of working parents in relation to breastfeeding and parenting. It also underscores the importance of establishing appropriate paid leave and workplace support to enable breastfeeding.Dr Asha Kiran from Rims said, “The new-borns who are breastfed within the first hour of life have a significantly higher chance of survival. The early breastfeeding process, including skin-to-skin contact and suckling, stimulates the mother’s milk production, including colostrum, which is often referred to as the baby’s first vaccine due to its high nutritional and antibody content.”The discussion also focused on best practices and initiatives for improving breastfeeding practices and implementing regulations on infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles, and infant foods. Dr Sharma said, “Continuous training of medical staff is vital. Awareness programmes are key to spreading the message about benefits of early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive and continued breastfeeding for at least two years.”Pritish Nayak, nutrition specialist at UNICEF emphasised on benefits of breastfeeding for children, mothers, and society as a whole. He said, “Breastfeeding offers protection against life-threatening infections and supports healthy brain development in children. It also helps prevent acute and chronic illnesses in both children and mothers. "
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