Nawanshahr - Under the able guidance of Civil Surgeon Dr. Jaspreet Kaur, the District Health Department, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar will celebrate World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to August 7 to spread awareness among the general public about the importance of mother's milk. This year the theme of World Breastfeeding Week is “Bridging the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All Babies”.
 In this regard, Civil Surgeon Dr. Jaspreet Kaur, in a special meeting organized with the District Program Officers and District Nodal Officer, while issuing instructions regarding the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, said that World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated from August 1 to August 7 every year. He said that a health day wise action plan should be prepared for the successful implementation of the World Breastfeeding Week across the district. ANMs and Asha workers should go door-to-door to sensitize pregnant women and lactating mothers about the importance of breast milk for the baby. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of diseases, while breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and diabetes in mothers. With this, where the affection between mother and child increases, the mother herself also stays healthy. Dr. Jaspreet Kaur further said that only 41 percent of babies in India are given breast milk in the first half hour.
 Estimated infant deaths due to non-breastfeeding are preventable. Mother's milk is very important for the physical and mental development of the child, as it contains the necessary elements for the complete development of the child. Mother's milk is like nectar for the baby and it is also his basic right. On this occasion, District Immunization Officer Dr. Mandeep Kamal said that the child should be given breast milk within the first half hour after birth. Because by feeding the baby the first thick milk (bohla) of the mother, the strength to fight diseases is created in the baby.
He said that by starting breastfeeding in the first hour of birth, the deaths of new-born children can be reduced by 20 percent. He said that among children who are not given breast milk, there is a 15 percent risk of death from pneumonia and 11 percent from diarrheal disease, which is the leading cause of total deaths among children up to five years of age. After six months, the baby should be given breast milk as well as soft solids.