Milk with Superpower

 

  The “World Breastfeeding Week” is celebrated in the 1st week of August every year, since 1992. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration signed in August 1990 by government policy makers, WHO , UNICEF & other organizations.

Why to celebrate breastfeeding week ?

• To highlight the importance of breastfeeding 
• To encourage and promote breastfeeding 
• To improve the health of babies and mothers around the globe

In other words, along with improving the health of babies it supports the rights of women to breastfeed anywhere and anytime.

Why is so much importance given to breastfeeding?

Nowadays women feel awkward to breastfeed. Some women don’t want to breastfeed their babies as they are career oriented. Some do want to breastfeed, but it may not be possible as there is no privacy at their workplace.

Importance of Breastfeeding

• It is “Natural Food”
• It is readymade and no time required for preparation 
• Breast milk is nutritionally superior

Benefits of Breastfeeding to Baby

• Breast milk contains macrophages, T- Lymphocyte; hence provides immunity
• Breast milk contains IgA Antibodies. IgA Antibodies are very important to repel microorganisms to adhere to gastrointestinal mucosa of babies
• Breast milk contains viral & bacterial antibodies. So during covid-19 pandemic, babies may be protected
• Breastfeeding inhibits growth of mumps virus, Japanese Encephalitis Virus, Influenza Virus, Polio Virus, and Rotavirus
• Breastfeeding also decreases chances of infection/ diseases like Pneumonia, Otitis Media, and Meningitis
• Breastfeeding also decreases chances of chronic illness like Obesity, Hypertension, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Heart Attack, and Arthritis.

Benefits of Breastfeeding to Mother

Mother is personally involved in nourishing her baby, so she gets both the feeling of being essential and the sense of accomplishment.

• Breastfeeding creates emotional and physical bond with the baby
• Breastfeeding activates oxytocin secretion which causes contraception and involution of the uterus
• Breastfeeding prevents menstruation, so acts as a relief from menstrual problems
• Breast and cervical cancers are prevented later in life
• Breastfeeding lowers risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease

Facts 

• 7 Lakh lives below 6 months of age are saved due to exclusive breastfeeding. 
• 20,000 maternal deaths due to breast cancer could be avoided by exclusive breastfeeding.

Theme of world breastfeeding week (2021) is 

            Protect breastfeeding: a shared responsibility

When we empower the family, workspaces, government & communities to support; remove barriers to breastfeeding, 

Promote breastfeeding by offering -

• Paid maternity leave for minimum 18 weeks
• Paid paternity leave to encourage shared responsibility of caring for their babies on an equal basis 
• Working women to get access to a safe, private hygienic space for storing breast milk as well as affordable child care.

Let us look at it from different perspective -

Approx. 1 Lakh children die every year. Breastfeeding may prevent this mortality rate. As per UN report inadequate breastfeeding may drain Indian economy of ₹1400 Cr. every year.

Do Breastfeeding,   Motivate Breastfeeding, 

Help In Breastfeeding, 

It will help Mother, Baby, Country and the Mother Planet Earth

Dr. Vaidehi Lomte, MBBS, DGO