Agartala, Aug 06, 2022, TRIPURATIMES Desk
Agartala Aug 06: With the aim to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world, World Breastfeeding Week is annually celebrated from August 1-7.
Highlighting the theme for this year, “Step up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support”, district health and family welfare society, west Tripura organized a press briefing on Saturday at the Chamber of CMO (West).
District Health Officer Debashish Roy and Dr J L Baidya, eminent Gynaecologist of the state briefed the media at the press conference.
Addressing the reporters, Dr J L Baidya said, “As World Breastfeeding Week is being commemorated, it is vital to spread awareness about the importance of education and support for breastfeeding”.
“It is not a social stigma but a requirement that shapes a child’s physical and mental well being”, said Dr Baidya.
“Breastfeeding for the first six months is crucial, it protects infants from childhood illnesses, gives them all the nutrients as breast milk contains antibodies that help protect the child from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia etc”, he added.
Dr J L Baidya further added that breastfeeding benefits mothers as well; it reduces the risks of breast and ovarian cancer, type ll diabetes and postpartum depression of mothers. He however added that during the lactation period the food habits and nutritious value of food taken must be checked properly.
The doctors present at the day’s press conference urged upon the Asha and Anganwadi workers and health staffs in the state government hospitals, PHC’s and CHC’s to educate the would-be mothers about process of breast feeding, problems associated with it starting from the pregnancy period, so that, the new mothers do not have to face difficulties during the first days of lactating period.
The doctors further urged upon the family members of the new born babies to abort few superstitious practices like keeping the new born baby and the mother in a separate room for one month just after the delivery.
