Activities organized to mark Breastfeeding Week

August month is observed internationally as the World Breastfeeding Month. This year's World Breastfeeding Week slogan is “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding”. The motto is to protect, promote and support exclusive breastfeeding. Keeping this in mind, Fortis Hospital Mohali in association with Vatsalchaya  and Govt Home Science College, Chandigarh organized informative sessions on ‘Importance of Breastfeeding’ and ‘How to Breastfeed Newborns’ for young girls, new moms and moms-to-be at Aanganwari, Dhanas & Village Kishangarh on Aug 6 & Aug 8 respectively. Dr. Sunil Agrawal, Senior Consultant-Neonatology and Dr Rabia Kapur, Child Birth Educator, Lactation Consultant & Centre Manager, Mamma Mia- A Mom’s World, & Dr Sakshi, SR (Neonatology) interacted with the audience.  Over 100 women attended  both the sessions.

Enlightening the audience on the importance of  breastfeeding, Dr. Sunil Agrawal said that breast milk is a  perfect food  having all the important ingredients that are not found in any other infant formula, to build the baby’s immune system. Breastfeeding provides many health benefits to both mother and baby. Moreover the babies who are fed breast milk have a lower risk of gastro-intestinal (gut) illness, allergies, asthma, diabetes, obesity, some childhood cancers and are less likely to be hospitalized. Dr Rabia demonstrated feeding positions and discussed importance of nutrition for mothers during lactation. She also dispelled various myths associated with breastfeeding.