At a time when hardly one-fourth of Indian mothers initiate breastfeeding in the country, the week-long campaign in Prakasam district by the Women and Child Welfare Department has produced excellent results.
The department, through the vast network of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) projects, has stressed the importance of breastfeeding for enhancing immunity in infants.
“We have practically ensured that 70 per cent of the mothers gave milk to their infants soon after birth,” said Women and Child Welfare Department Deputy Director Ravuri Suz at a workshop organised to mark the World Breastfeeding Week. In the case of mothers with sutures, the milk was taken and given to the new-born baby, she added. The week-long campaign covered all government and private hospitals, schools and colleges.
Personal hygiene
Taking part in the workshop, district Collector Kantilal Dande stressed the need for consumption of nutritious food by women in the interest of both mother and newly-born baby.
Zilla Parishad Chairperson K. Arunamma emphasised the need for personal hygiene and also upkeep of the surroundings for building a healthy society.
During the campaign, it was stressed that breastfeeding gave babies the best start in life. The department recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, which should be continued to the baby along with solid foods for many months thereafter.
