Nature’ s precious Gift to the Newborn : Nectar for body & soul
Dr. Parthasarathi Chakraborty
Breastmilk is known to be the best food for newborn babies because it has antibodies that help to prevent many pediatric ailments. It helps to fight germs and bacteria. World Breastfeeding Week theme for 2022 is "Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support".
What is National Breastfeeding Week?
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year across the world from August 1 — August 7. This global campaign aims to raise awareness about breastfeeding and its advantages.
World Breastfeeding Week aims to highlight the huge benefits that breastfeeding can bring to the health and welfare of babies and benefits to maternal health, focusing on good nutrition, poverty reduction, and food security.
The world Breastfeeding Week 2022 campaign will be promoted with a #WBW2022. The main aim of the theme is to focus on strengthening the capacity of actors that have to protect, promote and support breastfeeding across different levels of society since they make up the warm chain of support for breastfeeding.
History : In order to support and encourage breastfeeding, the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) created a memorandum in 1990. Following this, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was established in 1991. The inaugural World Breastfeeding Week was observed in 1992 to promote the campaign. Initially, around 70 countries used to commemorate the week, while now, it is celebrated by 170 countries.
Significance : It is important for people to be aware of the numerous advantages of breastfeeding. As per the WHO reports, 2 out of 3 children are not breastfed. Therefore, it makes it all the more crucial to mark this day. Mothers are recommended to breastfeed their children for 6 months post birth.
Antibodies found in breast milk aid the infant’s defence against germs and viruses. The chances of developing ear infections, respiratory conditions, or diarrhoea in infants who have been breastfed for six months are very less or nil. Babies who are breastfed have a lower risk of developing asthma or allergies.
Breastfed babies have:
Breast milk provides abundant and easily absorbed nutritional components, antioxidants, enzymes, immune properties, and live antibodies from mother. Mother’s more mature immune system makes antibodies to the germs to which she and her baby have been exposed. These antibodies enter her milk to help protect her baby from illness. Immunoglobulin A coats the lining of the baby’s immature intestines helping germs and allergens from leaking through. Breast milk also contains substances that naturally soothe infants.Breastfed babies may become healthier children with: Fewer instances of allergies, eczema, and asthma .Fewer childhood cancers, including leukemia and lymphomas .Lower risk of type I and II diabetes .Fewer instances of Crohn’s disease and colitis .Lower rates of respiratory illness .Fewer speech and orthodontic problems .Fewer cavities .Less likelihood of becoming obese later in childhood Improved brain maturation .Greater immunity to infectionTeens and adults will find benefits for life: 1.Less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis and lupus .Less likely to develop heart disease in adulthood . Lower risk of multiple sclerosis , a neurodisorder Lower rates of pre- and postmenopausal breast cancers Breastfeeding is healthier for mom physically: Promotes faster weight loss after birth, burning about 500 extra calories a day to build and maintain a milk supply. Stimulates the uterus to contract and return to normal size. Less postpartum bleeding . Fewer urinary tract infections . Less chance of anemia ,.Less risk of postpartum depression and more positive mood.
For mom emotionally: Breastfeeding produces the naturally soothing hormones oxytocin and prolactin that promote stress reduction and positive feelings in the nursing mother. In the mother there is increased confidence and self-esteem & .increased calmness. Breastfed babies cry less overall, and have fewer instances of childhood illness. Breastfeeding can support the wellness of body, mind, and spirit for the whole family makes travel easier. Breast milk is always clean and the right temperature. Physical/emotional bonding between mother and child is increased. Breastfeeding promotes more skin-to-skin contact, more holding and stroking. Many feel that affectionate bonding during the first years of life help reduce social and behavioral problems in both children and adults.Breastfeeding mothers learn to read their infant’s cues and babies learn to trust caregivers. This helps shape the infant’s early behavior.
Benefits for life, breastfeeding may result in: Lower risk of breast cancer ,Lower risk of ovarian cancer, Lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus , Less osteoporosis with age , Less diabetes Less hypertension decreases blood pressure , Less cardiovascular disease .
IndianAcademy of India (IAP)– Tripura state branch , under the guidanceof Central I.A.P has been observing the Week since long back , to promote practice of mandatory exclusive breastfeeding in the community, the poorer section of which is religiously following it whereas the effluent so called modern society moms are prefering to make a disastrous choice of Formula feed in bottle .
We are bent our agenda to motivate them for the better future of a newborn who are the future citizen of India .
IAP –Tripura weeklong activities include Seminars both at Medical College level as well as at community level throughout the state , Rallies for public awarenes Print and electronic media , to our greatest satisfaction , are most vigorus supporters to help in our efforts.
Breast milk is the birthright of every child . On the occasion of 75 years of our Independence let us make concerted efforts to do the needful to ensure every child growing to the fullest potential by optimum nutrition of breastmilk.
Healthy child , Healthy Nation . it is a simple slogan ;but tremendous job to be translated into action. Jai Hind.