Breastfeeding is the first vaccination of the baby, which keeps him mentally and physically healthy. The elements found in a mother’s milk boost the immunity of the child and protect him from diseases that may occur in childhood. World Breastfeeding Week is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across India from 1st to 7th August 2020 and in the s tates of UP and Bihar celebrations will continue till the end of the month.
Celebrations in Kanpur Dehat and Unnao, Uttar Pradesh
‘Protecting Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility’- the theme this year talks about promoting breastfeeding while avoiding commercializing it. In order to encourage this behavior, it is very important that the Anganwadi workers have regular contact with the mother and community, so that pregnant women are supported in regular breastfeeding from the time of birth of the infant to two years of age. Breastfeeding has also been placed prominently in the SAMBHAV campaign being run by the ICDS department in the state. The entire month of August has been dedicated to the promotion of breastfeeding and complementary feeding. During breastfeeding week, through Anganwadi workers, messages are being given to families with newborns, infants who are 6 months old and malnourished/sick children below two years of age through home visits.
In celebration of Breastfeeding week-2021, Anganwadi workers and ASHAs of Unnao and Kanpur Dehat districts in Uttar Pradesh have started a door-to-door campaign to disseminate information on the importance of breastfeeding to beneficiaries. In the Safipur block of Unnao, the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) has organized counselling sessions to provide the necessary support to breastfeeding mothers along with interventions related to infant young child feeding practices (IYCF). Anganwadi workers are utilizing Information Education Communication (IEC) materials during their home visits to spread awareness to ‘protect, promote and support breastfeeding’. In Malasa block of District Kanpur Dehat ANMs and ASHAs are organizing awareness and counselling sessions on breastfeeding during the Village Health Nutrition Day sessions for pregnant and lactating mothers.
In this aspect Dr Ved Prakash, General Manager, Child Health, National Health Mission, UP also shared his views,” As we are passing through a difficult time as far as health is concerned, we are committed towards ensuring healthy mother and child. In this World Breastfeeding Week, a communication with budget has gone to the district and below, and activities are being organized to create awareness at every facility and in the community on breastfeeding. We are emphasizing to ensure early initiation of breastfeeding in both normal and C-section deliveries. In this endeavor, ASHA, ANM and doctors are doing their best at their facilities and in the community.”
Celebrations in Bihar
In Bihar, the Directorate of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Department of Health, Government of Bihar have organised a range of activities at the district, block and village levels with budgetary provisions and reporting requirements being made for the same.
From the very beginning of the month, enthusiastic field level functionaries: Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and ASHAs joined hands to create awareness among mothers, families and communities on the importance of breastfeeding. The AWWs and ASHAs are paying home visits to counsel new mothers and their families on the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months after birth.
Simultaneously, webinars and seminars, oath-takings, rallies, mothers meetings, etc, are being organized at district and block levels by the State Health Society, ICDS Directorate and Medical Associations with the support of development partners.
Further, representatives of medical colleges and hospitals are counseling new mothers and their families to adhere to the regulations of the Indian Milk Substitutes Act and avoid bottle feeding. Representatives are also ensuring early initiation of breastfeeding in both normal and non-complicated C-section deliveries.
On the occasion Mr. Alok Kumar, Director ICDS, Government of Bihar said, “it’s a really overwhelming response from every Anganwadi Centre and every project on the plan for World Breastfeeding Week. I have seen the photos, news clippings and observed that each member of the community, related departments, and development partners have all contributed immensely to make it a success. Now, it is our responsibility to keep the momentum going”.
Mrs. Shweta Sahay, Nodal officer, POSHAN Abhiyaan, ICDS, Government of Bihar also expressed her views, “Everyone is aware of the importance of breastfeeding; this only reiterates the ongoing promotion of breastfeeding. There are some grey areas like bottle feeding, no early initiation of breastfeeding in C-Section deliveries, with the support of concerned and like-minded people, we are working to ensure early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding across Bihar.”
Lastly, Dr. Vijay P. Rai, State Programme Officer, Child Health, State Health Society Bihar stated , “As we are passing through a difficult time as far as health is concerned, we are committed to ensuring a healthy mother and child. In this week of world breastfeeding, budgetary allocations have been made to the district and below, now the activities are organized to generate awareness of breastfeeding at every facility and community. We are emphasizing early initiation of breastfeeding in both normal and C-section delivery. In this endeavor, ASHAs, ANMs and doctors are doing their best”.
