This year ‘World Breastfeeding Week (WBW)’ is being observed all over the country under the theme, ‘Breastfeeding support: close to mothers’, highlighting on breastfeeding peer counselling.
Even when mothers are able to get off to a good start, all too often in the weeks or months after delivery there is a sharp decline in breastfeeding rates, and practices, particularly exclusive breastfeeding.
The period when mothers do not visit a healthcare facility is the time when a community support system for mothers is essential. Continued support to sustain breastfeeding can be provided in a variety of ways.
Traditionally, support is provided by the family. As societies change, however, in particular with urbanization, support for mothers from a wider circle is needed, whether it is provided by trained health workers, lactation consultants, community leaders, or from friends who are also mothers, and/or from fathers/partners.
The main objectives of this year’s breastfeeding week is
1. To draw attention to the importance of Peer Support in helping mothers to establish and sustain breastfeeding.
2. To inform people of the highly effective benefits of peer counselling, and unite efforts to expand peer counselling programmes.
3. To encourage breastfeeding supporters, regardless of their educational background, to step forward and be trained to support mothers and babies.
4. To identify local community support contacts for breastfeeding mothers, that Women can go to for help and support after giving birth.
5. To call on governments and maternity facilities globally to actively implement the Ten Steps, in particular Step 10, (i.e. foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic), to improve duration and rates of exclusive breastfeeding.
A mother should start breastfeeding within one hour of delivery as the initial breast milk or colostrum is nutritious, rich in anti-bodies and protects the child against common infection. Breastfeed your child exclusively for six months as for a newborn it is the complete food.
Young mothers should keep in mind this three important position while breastfeeding:
• The baby should be held close to the mother’s body. The baby’s face should face the mother’s breast, with nose opposite the nipple. His/her mouth should be wide open, well attached and covering most of the areola, with lower lip turned outward.
• The mother should hold the baby in such a way that the baby’s bottom as well as the head and shoulders are well supported.
• The mother’s body should be relaxed and comfortable, and she should maintain eye contact with the baby.
DR.Khanlo Magh, mission director, NRHM, Nagaland.