Namchi, August 06 IPR):
Women, Child, Senior Citizen, and Divyangjan Welfare Department observed World Breastfeeding Week, which is celebrated annually from August 1 to August 7, along with the inauguration of a Breastfeeding Pod at Kisan Bazar, Namchi, today.
The event was held under the theme ‘Priorities Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support System’, highlighting the importance of supporting and promoting breastfeeding for the health and well-being of both mothers and children.
The Breastfeeding Pod was officially inaugurated by Zilla Adhakshya Ms Anjeeta Rajalim, who also served as the chief guest for the programme.
In her address, she appreciated the efforts of the department and highlighted the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding for ensuring optimal health in infants.
She congratulated the team on the inauguration of the pod, which provides a safe and hygienic space for mothers to breastfeed.
She further emphasised the need for proper nutrition, protein intake, and hygiene for infant development and stated, “Every child is also a child of the State, and their well-being is our collective responsibility, which is being taken care of through various government schemes and programmes.”
JD Nutrition WCSC&DWD (HQ), Ms Sonam Bhutia, spoke on the origin and significance of World Breastfeeding Week, which began in 1992. She highlighted that breast milk acts as the first immunisation for a newborn and is rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
She noted that Breastfeeding Pods are being established in every district to provide mothers a safe and private space for breastfeeding.
Further she emphasised the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, encouraging mothers to avoid artificial feeding and instead gradually introduce complementary foods thereafter to support healthy growth and development.
She also informed that two Breastfeeding Angels are assigned in every district hospital to assist new mothers. Further, she added that breastfeeding contributes to the social, emotional, and mental health development of babies.
Deputy Director Horticulture Department, Ms Saroja Tamang, briefed on Nutrition garden, where one can grow different herbs, vegetables and fruits for daily household use in the space around their house.
She underlined that these gardens can help meet the family's nutritional needs and enhance physical and social well-being through gardening activities.
Dietitian cum Nutrition Inspector, Ravangla, Ms Diksha Rai, conducted a live demonstration on complementary feeding, where she showcased how to prepare homemade Cerelac using oats, pulses, rice flakes, and other local ingredients suitable for infants post six months of age.
DHEO, Health Department, Ms Roshni Thapa, shared an overview of Breastfeeding Week and stressed the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for newborns.
She informed on a locally sourced balanced diet for new mothers and spoke about the importance of skin-to-skin contactbetween mother and baby immediately after birth to prevent hypothermia and sepsis.
Moreover, she also stated that the first form of immunity and nutrition colostrum acts as the baby’s first vaccine, rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and other vital nutrients. She cautioned that inadequate complementary feeding after six months can lead to growth faltering and malnutrition.
The event also featured a quiz competition, where new mothers and Anganwadi workers actively participated.
Also present during the programme were CMO Dr S N Adhikari, SDM (HQ) Mr Nim Pintso Bhutia, SDM Namchi Mr Saran Kalikotey, CDPO Namch Mr Laxman Tamang, CDPO Jorethang Mr Prabin Shilal, CDPO Ravangla Mr Norbu Lepcha, SWO Mr Shyam Sunder Pradhan, along with officials from SWIs, NGOs, Agnawadi, Namchi District Hospital, Nutrition Cell, WCSC&DWD.