Despite all the awareness, Karnataka still stands low among other states in terms of breastfeeding. The state-wise statistical profiles of children presented in the 2011 UNICEF report- 'The Situation of Children in India', revealed that the prevalence of early initiation of breast feeding is just 46.5% in Karnataka, which is comparatively lower than Gujarat (48%), Maharashtra (52.5%), Orissa (63.2%), Kerala (64.6%) and Tamil Nadu (76.1%).
At the same time as per the report, the percentage seemed to be abysmally low in states like Uttar Pradesh at 15.1%, in Bihar at 16% and in Haryana at 16.5%. Since breast milk supplies all the healthy nutrients in just the right amounts to the infant, World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months and thereafter continued breastfeeding along with appropriate types and amounts of complementary foods until two years of age or beyond.
Experts believe that 41% of the newborns that die in the first month of life could be saved if breastfed in the first one hour of birth.
Dr Prabha Ramakrishna, senior consultant and head, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Sakra World Hospital points: "Feeding in the first hour of life is highly significant as colostrum acts as the first immunization for the newborn because of the anti-infective components in it.
Moreover,early contact between the baby and the mother allows the harmless bacteria from her body to colonize the baby's gut and skin. This also helps to ward off certain harmful bacterial infections. Sooner the baby comes in contact with the mother and is breastfed, better are its prospects of survival and healthy development."
Ignorance about the benefits of breastfeeding are more common among rural women. While on the other hand, many urban, working women have difficulties in initiating breast feeding due to their stressful lifestyles.
As a result, the trend of using formula feeds as an easy alternative is a bigger problem among urban women than rural women and needs to be discouraged. "Mothers need to be counselled that breast milk is the best, cheapest and most easily accessible nourishment for their baby in the first six months" she further added.
As the 'World breastfeeding week' is being commemorated every year between August 1-7, it is necessary that expecting mothers need to be educated about the benefits of breast feeding during their pregnancy itself.
Speaking to dna, Joyce Jayaseelan, lactation consultant, Fortis Hospital said: "Early initiation of breastfeeding (within half an hour to one hour after birth) as the initial milk, known as colostrum which is sticky and yellowish has protective agents. This helps in strengthening the baby's immune system. In addition, it helps in contracting the uterus thereby lessening the bleeding among delivering mothers. Over the years if breastfeeding is done properly it reduces the chances for breast and ovarian cancer too."
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