Chandigarh 6 Aug : Just 53 percent of children younger than three years are breastfed within an hour of birth in Punjab which should be higher than 90 percent.Additionally it is the case that only 55.5 percent of these babies are breastfed exclusively up to six months.
The truth was brought to light in an interactive panel discussion hosted by the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) chapter of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics and the Human Milk Bank Association (HMB) in the context of World Breastfeeding Week that is observed from the 1st of August through August 7, to increase awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and to inspire people to support and encourage the practice.
In a discussion on the ideal diet for breastfeeding mothers who work, Balraj Yadav, pediatrician and joint secretary of organising with the IYCF said that every mother can continue breastfeeding only as a working mom during the initial six months with the best strategies for them based on the conditions.
If it is feasible, the baby is able to be brought along to work, particularly in the event that a creche facility is located close to the workplace.
But, if the workplace is located near the living where the child lives, they could be able to return home and feed the baby during breaks, or ask the caregiver to bring the child to work to feed it, he said.
In the event that the workplace is too far away and the baby can’t be transported, the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding can be offered to the baby by giving milk shortly after the baby’s birth.
Mothers who work can express milk prior to getting to work and then leave it for their child.
Yadav said that the caregiver must be taught to provide breast milk correctly and with care to the baby while the mom goes away at work.
The breast milk that is pumped out remains in good condition for at most eight hours, even in summer when stored in a dark and cool location, and for all day in the fridge.
A different expert H.B.Mallikarjuna, demonstrated that the majority of infants born with a lip cleft (and without a cleft palate) can eat well without special equipment.The only modification needed could be to place the nipple where it can be slid into the mouth.
He stated that in the case of a Cleft palate that nursing in the traditional way is usually not advised, however there are alternatives to giving breast milk to the infant with the right equipment.
According to Lalan Bhatti, the additional benefits of breast milk for babies who are born with low weight is that they’re less susceptible to sepsis, and have a more head growth and weight gain with an improvement in neurodevelopment outcomes.
Additionally, mortality rates are lower in the infants compared to babies fed formula.
Kanya Mukhopadhyay of the Department of Paediatrics in the PGI in Chandigarh said that the WHO as well as UNICEF recommend the beginning of breastfeeding in the first hour of birth breastfeeding infants exclusively breastfeeding milk during the first six months, and continued breastfeeding for two years or more, with the introduction of healthy and safe solid food items at six months.
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