Breastfeeding, a gift of life from mother to her baby

- Subham Mohapatra, Documentation Coordinator, SNEHA

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure a newborn’s health, growth, and survival. It majorly contributes to the complex burden of malnutrition in children. The World Health Organisation data reflects that nearly 2 out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months and this rate hasn’t improved in the last two decades.  

Incepted in 1992, World Breastfeeding Week is commemorated worldwide from August 1 to August 7 to promote and ensure the benefits of breastfeeding and its importance. The campaign also aims to engage, anchor, educate, and galvanise action on breastfeeding and related issues.

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-2021 indicates that 64% of children in India were breastfed in the first six months, an increase from 55% (NFHS 4). However, there is still a huge information gap regarding breastfeeding concepts and benefits in alignment with neonatal care and postnatal care among women in rural and urban areas.

India celebrates #WBW2022:

Promoting the practices of breastfeeding and creating awareness around it, World Breastfeeding Week 2022 has conceptualised the theme of “Step up for breastfeeding: Educate & Support” to revamp and strengthen the capacity of participants through education and transformation in the existing system to achieve Global Nutrition Target 2025 of improving maternal, infant and young child nutrition and are committed to monitoring progress.

SNEHA celebrates #WBW2022:

At SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education & Health Action), under the umbrella of the Public Systems Partnership programme, World Breastfeeding Week was celebrated in an effective partnership with the government healthcare systems. The collaboration took place across seven intervening Municipal Corporations (Thane Municipal Corporation, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation, Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation). 

SNEHA reached out to women with antenatal care, postnatal care, and married women of reproductive age across 12 Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs), 2 Maternity homes, two peripheral hospitals, and nearby nine urban slum communities.

Also read: Lessons In Breastfeeding