Breastfeeding: Nature’s Gift for Growth of Children
The concept of Breastfeeding is well-entrenched in Indian culture, no
questions were ever raised about its propriety. However, of late, with
figure-conscious young mothers of the day, more concerned about
their personal aesthetics, the negligence of feeding the child with
breast milk is on the wane – a trend which augurs bad for both the
baby and the mother. Recognising the vital role of breast milk for the
health and growth of the new-born, world bodies too are emphatically
pleading for breastfeeding. It is universally acknowledged that
mother’s milk contains several nutrients which are not only essential
for growth of child, but also provides effective prevention of many
diseases to which a child is prone.
In the backdrop of essentiality of breastfeeding, TNAI Policy Statement,
under Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, emphasises “promotion
of breastfeeding as a key strategy for child survival, as well as
reproductive health” and lays 10-step programme for successful
breastfeeding that includes: educating and helping pregnant women
about the benefits of breastfeeding and ways to initiate it, “giving the
new-born infants no food or drink other than breast milk” and “fostering
the establishment of breastfeeding support groups”. In pursuance
of same, TNAI has been conducting meets and seminars on
breastfeeding, and collaborating with Breastfeeding Promotion Network
of India (BPNI) and similar bodies campaigning for breastfeeding.
Every year, in first week of August (1-7) BPNI celebrates Breastfeeding
Week to propagate breastfeeding consciousness. We nurses rededicate
ourselves to promote breastfeeding in the ways we can.
We wish our readers a Happy Independence Day!
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