BSS-03 Breastfeeding vital for growth of babies: Speakers

1461

ZCZC

BSS-03

MEETING-LACTATING-MOTHERS

Breastfeeding vital for growth of babies: Speakers

RAJSHAHI, Feb 2, 2018 (BSS) – Speakers at a discussion here mentioned
sufficient breastfeeding is of paramount for physical and mental development
of the babies and it is the best way to provide infants with the nutrients
they need.

They viewed malnutrition is responsible, directly or indirectly, for about
one thirds of deaths among children under five years old. Above two thirds of
these deaths occur because of inappropriate feeding practices to children
during the first year of their birth.

So, there should be adequate measures to encourage every lactating mother
to breastfeed their babies instead of depending on any other supplementary
feed till their age of six months.

The observation came at a view-sharing meeting at conference hall of
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) here yesterday afternoon.

The meeting discussed ways and means to select 500 beneficiaries for Working
Lactating Mothers Supportive Fund in Rajshahi city areas. Department of Women
Affairs has been implementing a project in this regard.

City Mayor Musaddique Hossain Bulbul addressed the meeting as the chief
guest with Chief Executive Officer Shah Mumin in the chair.

RCC Secretary Panel Mayors Anwarul Amin Azab, Nuruzzaman Tito and Nurun
Nahar Begum, Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Chief Health Officer Dr AFM Anjuman
Ara Begum and Ward Councilors Shahjahan Ali, Rabiul Alam Milu and Shahnaj
Begum Sheikha also spoke.

Dr Anjuman said the proportion of breastfeeding among children aged below
six months has increased to 64 percent in 2011, a sharp 23 percent rise from
2007 when the ratio was 43.

She also said the newborn babies exclusively need first breast milk within
an hour of their birth as it contains nutritious colostrums and antibodies
that make them stronger, enhancing immune system and disease resistance
capacities.

Mayor Bulbul called for creating social awareness about breastfeeding as
many mothers still do not know importance of giving first breast milk to
their children, depriving the newborn babies of having first breast milk
which decreases the baby’s diseases resistance ability.

BSS/AH/GMR/1158 hrs