Breastfeeding best start to child's life

Bhopal, July 27: Dr Hamid El Bashir, State Representative UNICEF Office for Madhya Pradesh while participating at the training workshop for young volunteers in Bhopal said that early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding till six months gives a child a best start in the life. It helps increase immunity within the child and benefits the development of the brain of the child, and child will grow better in the later years. He was speaking at the workshop organized for orienting and training young post graduate and graduate students of nutrition from Sarojini Naidu Girls College. He congratulated the young volunteers for their commitment to voluntarism. More than sixty volunteers were participating in this one day workshop which was organized by Women and Child Development department, Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India and UNICEF. These volunteers would help support raising awareness on the issue at various institutions.

Dr Sheela Bhambal, State Coordinator, Breastfeeding Promotion network of India, Madhya Pradesh chapter made a presentation on the key messages for optimal breastfeeding, early initiation of the breastfeeding and spoke on the answers to the common problems encountered during breastfeeding by women. She spoke on the importance of colostrums, the mothers' first breastfeed and early initiation. Dr. Manjula Vishwas, Head of the department of Home Sciences from Sarojini Naidu College spoke to the participants about dangers of feeding prelacteals to the new born.

Suresh Tomar, District Programme Officer Women and Child Development department, Bhopal welcomed the participants and explained about the purpose of the workshop. Dr. Vandana Agarwal, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Bhopal motivated the participants to contribute during the world breast feeding week by creating awareness at the delivery institutions and later on they can be ambassadors for taking this vital information within communities. Dr Ohri Chief Medical and Health Officer Bhopal complemented the effort and assured the support from the health departments and hospitals. Honey Jhalani, National trainer for Infant and Young Child Feeding practices, explained about the significance of the colostrum feeding, its benefits, correct positioning and attachment between mother and the child while breastfeeding. Nisha Jain, Women and Child Development department spoke on the factors which influence early initiation of breastfeeding and how communication and its effective use can help overcome many myths associated with it.