Hospitals in the city are organising various awareness programmes and events for young mothers and mothers to be on the importance of breast feeding for their baby’s health. Every year, this week is observed from August 1 to 7. Theme of the observance this year is ‘Breast Feeding: A key to sustainable development’.
Paediatricians have recommended breast milk as the only feed for babies from their time of birth till they turn six months old. From six months to two years (or beyond) babies could be given appropriate and adequate complimentary feeding while breast feeding could also continue.
Sadly, only a third of the children aged less than six months in India are exclusively breast fed, says Neonatologist in Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, Nandhini Kumaran. The hospital is organising an interactive session for mothers and families on Thursday on this subject.
Consultant paediatrician and Neonatologist of Coimbatore Children’s Hospital C. Karthick Annamalai said that unavailability of separate enclosures at public places was one of the key factors hindering breast feeding. “There are many methods to do it in a public place without being stigmatised,” he said. To promote this concept, the hospital has organised a unique event where 20 mothers will breast feed their children in the presence of other patients using some of these methods on the hospital premises, at Siddhapudur, on August 5. The hospital will also have a counsellor to guide and answer queries of young mothers during this week.
Dr. Neminathan of Coimbatore Child Trust Hospital Pvt. Ltd. said that breast milk had a host of benefits for the baby and the mother, physically and mentally. Their hospital is organising various activities such as motivating mothers, counselling for the family and educating family doctors on the same.
Highlighting the importance of breast feeding, PSG College of Nursing is organising a series of poster exhibitions, contests, talks and film shows at various places in and around the city from August 1 to 7.
