'Breastfeeding important for growth of babies'

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JAN. 12. In a step aimed at helping nursing mothers, the State Government has made a provision for extending four-and- a-half month maternity leave to its women employees, Ms. Nafees Fazal, Minister of State for Medical Education, said here on Friday.

Inaugurating a workshop on ``Business between the Breast and the Baby'', she stressed the significance of breast feeding. ``When the baby suckles, a psychological bond builds between it and the mother. The natural immunising agents found in mothers' milk give the baby the necessary strength to fight diseases,'' she said.

The one-day workshop, jointly organised by the Directorate of Field Publicity, the Food and Nutrition Board and the Breastfeeding Network of India (BPNI), focussed on the importance of ``Breastfeeding in the information age''. Nearly 300 women, comprising mothers, health workers, rural communicators, medical practitioners and druggists, participated.

Many modern women were not in favour of nursing babies, the minister said. Efforts should be made to educate the NGOs and the health workers on the merits of breastfeeding and demerits of infant foods. The Government had taken steps such as the introduction of baby-friendly hopsitals, which motivated mothers to breastfeed their children.

The Joint Director, Directorate of Field Publicity, Ms. Archana Datta, said the practise of breastfeeding was gradually declining in urban areas mainly due to the stress and strain of the urban life. In rural areas, the practice was hindered because of misconceptions and unfounded beliefs that the first milk secreted by the mother was not suitable to the baby.

The women working in the organised sectors were given benefits to facilitiate breastfeeding in the early stages of childbirth, but those in the unorganised sector were marginalised, depriving their babies of the right, she said.

Ms. Prema Cariappa, Mayor, who spoke on the occasion, sought the support of the people in keeping the City clean and beautiful.

Dr. Asha Benkappa, City Coordinator, BPNI, said the aim of the organisation was to popularise ``exclusive'' breastfeeding of babies for six months and to communicate the facts of breastfeeding. Ms. Rema Radhakrishnan, Assistant Technical Advisor, Food and Nutrition Board, welcomed the gathering.

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