𝐈𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 & 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧?

We celebrate World Breastfeeding Week every year from 1^st to 7^th August.  Breast milk for a baby is like golden drops that is mother’s gift to her newborn for a healthier future. We are here to promote, protect and support breastfeeding practices. Breastfeeding benefits both mother & newborn. Let us talk about benefits they receive from each other.

Looking at benefits to newborn:

1. It is supposed to be an ideal nutrition for them which is more than just food with adequate quantity of proteins (whey and casein), fats, lactose & vitamins
2. Easily digestible
3. Protects against bacterial & viral infections due to antibodies it has
4. Also reduces the risk of ear infections, respiratory infections & diarrhea
5. Reduces risk of allergy & asthma
6. Skin to skin contact i.e. Kangaroo care also promotes bonding with each other
7. Such breastfed infants have been also found to have a higher IQ score
8. They have less chances of developing obesity, diabetes & breast & ovarian cancers (BREASTFEEDING & BREAST CANCER) in the years to come
9. Less chances of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

Benefits to mother are no less. They are as follows:

1. Helps to lose weight after childbirth; burns calories
2. Helps in involution of uterus, so that it returns to pre pregnancy size
3. Reduces risk of ovarian & breast cancer
4. Reduces risk of osteoporosis
5. Saves money and time
6. Contraception effects

Our advice to expecting parents is that

1. Initiate breastfeeding within an hour of birth
2. Continue till 6 months exclusively
3. That breast milk is an elixir tailored to infant growth & developmental needs
4. Only person who can ensure this is the mother other than the support of family, community, ASHA & ANGANWADI workers
5. Government has also undertaken initiatives: First is that of Health & Family Welfare Department’s Mother’s Absolute Affection (MAA) Program & second is Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna implemented by Women & Child Development Ministry. This is a cash transfer scheme for mothers of 19 or more years to have a safe delivery for their first childbirth. BPNI (Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India & WABA (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action) are working to overcome barriers to optimal breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Trends in India on exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months has overall increased from 46.4% to 54.9% and considerably in Haryana & Bihar.

The NFHS survey showed that breastfeeding within an hour of birth increased from 22.3% in 2005-06 to 42.4% in 2015-16. The recommendation by healthcare professionals is 10 to 12 feeds per day or 2000 feeds in a rolling period of 6 months. If we work together, we can reduce 20,000 breast cancer deaths and 800000 childhood deaths annually.

We as Gynecologists are working hard to empower not only the mother but father and family too. Our antenatal classes include a session on making them aware about advantages of #breastfeeding.

I will conclude by saying that infant nutrition needs to be a Jan Andolan with specific plans; then only we can ensure our future generations healthy.