The State president of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics Dr. Neeli Ramchander here on Monday said that with breast feeding, babies can overcome digestive and respiratory diseases. It would also improve the mental health of the infants, he said.
Inaugurating the World Breast Feeding Week celebrations at a private hospital, he said that breast feeding must be given at least for the first six months.
He later gave away prizes to the participants in the competitions held in connection with the WBFW.
IAP district president Dr. E. Ravinder Reddy, general secretary Dr. Satyakumar Swamy, paediatricians K. Srisailam, Padmaja, Anand, Sumangali and Anumapa Subedar and others were present.
Hyderabad Special Correspondent writes: ESIC Medical College in Sanathnagar, Hyderabad, is observing ‘Breastfeeding promotion week’ from Aug.1 to 7 involving coordinated activities to promote health among women, newborns and infants. Breast feeding is recommended to all mothers for the first six months, and after that supplemented breast feeding can be given for a longer time.
India ranks a poor 132 amongst 198 countries in a survey of breastfeeding practices in compliance with ‘World Breastfeeding Week’ (WBFW) guidelines.
Noted paediatricians Dr. Sudarshan Reddy, Dr Surendranath and Dr. M. Pradeep Reddy will be participating in the event on Tuesday.
TheESIC Medical College is also holding poster presentations by nurses on benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child, harmful effects of bottle feeding and propagation of healthy feeding practices for young children in hospitals and at home, a press release informed.
Breast feeding is recommended to all mothers for first six months, says Dr. Neeli Ramachander
