Lucknow: World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated from 1st to 7th August. Like previous years, this year also, members of Lucknow Academy of Pediatrics are organizing free workshops for mothers across Lucknow city, in which information is being given on the benefits of breastfeeding, correct techniques and solutions to common problems. In the workshops, experienced health experts answered the questions of the mothers and encouraged them. Apart from this, efforts were made to create a favourable environment for breastfeeding at workplaces and public places.
Dr. Nirmala Joshi said that according to a study conducted by UNICEF, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among children under six months of age has increased from 65 percent in 2016 to 76 percent in 2021. During this period, wasting among children under five years of age has decreased by about 22 percent and stunting by about 12 percent. Dr. Shalini Bhasin said that the rate of initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth has increased from 9.5% to 41.8%. In the survey, EBF practices in Tripura (58.5%) were higher than the overall EBF practice rate of 31.3% for India, while Uttar Pradesh had less than half of it (23.4%).
On the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, Dr Ashish Sharma explained how breastfeeding plays an important role in the life of a child. It not only provides the necessary nutrition for the physical and mental development of the child, but also protects the baby from diseases.
Breastfeeding creates a deep emotional bond between the baby and the mother. Breastfeeding lays the foundation for the healthy future of the child. Awareness campaigns are also being conducted through Door darshan, All India Radio, social media, and digital platforms by members of the Lucknow Academy of Pediatrics, debunking myths related to breastfeeding and highlighting its health benefits. Also, partnerships have been made with local health workers to promote and support breastfeeding in the community.
In Lucknow, KGMU, RML, Balrampur Hospital, Fatima Hospital and other government and private hospitals and medical colleges are celebrating Breastfeeding Week. Breastfeeding week is being organized by Dr. Mala Kumar, Head of the Department at KGMU and during this exercise all pregnant and lactating women are being educated about breastfeeding.
