Greetings to the enthusiastic K-WAY readers! We usher into August with the ‘World Breastfeeding Week’ from August 1st to 7th. Every year the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) launches a global initiative to promote and support breastfeeding by celebrating World Breast Feeding Week. This year their slogan is “Empower parents, enable breastfeeding”. What better way there is to empower people than provide the right information and support!
Every health organisation in the world including the WHO advocates breastfeeding practises as under:
Breast milk being the natural food for babies meets not just the nutritional demands but also offers a wide array of benefits for both the mother and the baby.
For the little one | For the loving mom |
---|---|
Fresh, clean and easily digested. Perfect blend of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and fat. | Promotes bonding. |
The first milk or the colostrums helps your baby’s digestive tract to mature. | Reduces risk of depression after childbirth. |
Contains protective antibodies that safeguard your little one from infections (fewer ear infections, loose stools, respiratory infections). | Long-term protection against metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis (brittle bones). |
Helps your baby gain the right amount of weight. Reduces obesity risk. | Temporarily halts ovulation and menstruation. |
It is very important for the partner to provide support all along the breastfeeding journey. Though breastfeeding is a natural act there is no denying that it needs learning. In addition to the active support of the doctors/caregivers, family support is very valuable. Working mothers have to manage their parental leave and working arrangements to make exclusive breastfeeding possible in the first 6 months. We need to build a warm chain of support at the community level too (baby-friendly hospitals, breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, feeding rooms, crèches, and flexible working hours). The picture is much bigger than what you think it is!
Let us work together to create a supportive environment that empowers parents, NOW and in the TIMES TO COME!
Dr Lakshmi Prashanth MD (AIIMS)
Consultant Pediatrician
Kauvery Hospital
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