AN ECOSYSTEM TO FOSTER BREASTFEEDING

Globally, the World Health Assembly WHA) has set a target to increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate to 50% by 2025. Today, 55% of children under six months are exclusively breastfed in India

- Shalini Batra Sahni,

While this is a good milestone, progress must continue so that all children are able to thrive and develop in a healthy manner. Breastfeeding helps save expenses on baby food and the cost of healthcare due to illness. Studies show that every 1USD invested in breastfeeding yields 35USD in economic returns.

We are living in a very dynamic environment wherein families have transitioned and accustomed themselves to a nuclear setup. In earlier days, there was a strong joint family setup and a lot of support from people, society and emotional perspective to support pregnancy and the journey of motherhood. With our modern lifestyle, focus of jobs and opportunities in fewer cities drives migration, family orientation has got a new meaning and dimension to itself. Motherhood, which is a critical phase of bringing new life to Earth has transformed accordingly with the ecosystem of hospitals and _ lactation consultants, nannies, daycares mushrooming in cities to meet the needs of parents and children. Women need information, counselling and support at home, in hospitals and at the workplace to confidently breastfeed.

While it is a tremendous moment when a newborn enters this world from a mother’s womb, there is a great deal of responsibility on the parents and for a matter of fact the entire societal setup to provide the right environment for the baby to grow, develop and prosper.