Initiating breastfeeding 24 hours after birth increases risk of death by 2.4 times
Bhopal, July 30 (IANS)| Breastfeeding is the best way to provide essential nutrition to infants, but every year in Madhya Pradesh, about six lakh newborns do not get breast milk for six months. World Breastfeeding Week is observed every year from 1 to 7 August to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. In this sequence, breastfeeding will be encouraged by organizing various programs in Madhya Pradesh as well.
Nidhi Nivedita, Director, Women and Child Development Department said that out of 14 lakh children born every year in Madhya Pradesh, only 4.8 lakh children get life saving colostrum immediately after birth. About nine lakh children remain deprived of it.
He said that only eight lakh children are given mother’s milk for six months, 5.8 lakh children are deprived of it. Breastfeeding after 24 hours from birth increases the risk of infant death by 2.4 times. Breastfeeding and feeding can reduce infant mortality by 19 percent. Society also has to fulfill its responsibility. It is essential for the family members to understand that breastfeeding is particularly capable of protecting against various infectious diseases, as it strengthens the immune system of the baby by directly transferring the immunity from the mother.
Director Nidhi Nivedita told that on World Breastfeeding Week, weekly webinars in all districts, promotion of slogan posters and videos in local language, sensitization of media, compilation of successful stories for lactating women and broadcast in radio, digital picture story competition Programs like nutrition training etc. will be organized.