State rolls out MAA to promote breastfeeding, save kids from ailments

The state government on Monday rolled out a scheme Mothers Absolute Affection (MAA) to promote breastfeeding across the state for betterment of babies and mothers.

The scheme is funded by the Centre; as part of it, each district will be provided with Rs4.3 lakh to promote breastfeeding.

The year-long programme will focus on campaigns to enhance optimal breastfeeding practices, including initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding for two years.

Secretary of the health and family planning department, Maharashtra, Sujata Saunik confirmed the development. "The state already has an intensive programme to reduce child malnutrition and stunting, focusing on the first 1,000 days from conception, i.e. the period of nine to 24 months. MAA scheme will help us to create awareness about the most crucial aspect of nutrition for infants."

The state will train nurses in government hospitals, Accredited Social Health Activists, and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives to provide relevant information and counselling support to mothers for breastfeeding. For effective implementation, the Centre has established a MAA secretariat, and a steering committee will be created in all states and at the district level.

Despite breastfeeding being one of the most important, natural and cost-effective interventions for child survival, half of the children in India aren't exclusively breastfed for six months and don't get breastfed within an hour of birth.

As per the latest statistics of National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4), approximately 44% kids (under the age of three) in the state are not exclusively breastfed for first six months of their life and 42% don't get mother's milk within an hour of birth.

The NFHS-4 also highlights that one-third of children in Maharashtra (under the age of five) are underweight. In comparison, Sikkim, where breastfeeding practices are better than Maharashtra, only 14% kids are underweight.

Inadequate maternity leave in the private and unorganised sector, poor awareness on part of mothers about exclusive breastfeeding, fear of inadequacy of breast milk and poor support at family level are cited as major reasons.

"In India, initiation of breastfeeding is generally quite late and colostrum is discarded. Colostrum contains high level of antibodies that protect the infant from diseases. Around 20% newborn deaths and 13% under-five deaths can be prevented by early initiation of breastfeeding," said a health official.

Dr Nandita Palshetkar, president of Mumbai Obstetric and Gynaecological Society, said, "If given within an hour of birth, mother's milk, rich in antibodies, offers protection against diarrhoea and pneumonia. Exclusively breastfeeding for six months, and later along with the food, helps prevent several infectious diseases, juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus and obesity. It also helps establish a bond between the mother and the child, which has a positive impact on life in terms of behaviour, speech, a sense of well being, security and how the child relates to other people."

"Mothers also benefit as breastfeeding helps to control post-natal bleeding and reduces risk of breast cancer," she added.

In 2003, the WHO had recommended that infants be fed breast milk exclusively until six months of age.

Palshetkar suggested that mother's milk can be stored and given to the child in case the mother has to return to work early. Those who have a problem lactating can seek the help of a milk bank.