Mother's Milk Best Protection For Baby: World Breastfeeding Week 2021

Every year, the first week of August, 1st-7th August is observed as World Breastfeeding Week. This year, the theme of the day is 'Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility.' Also, the objectives this year, as stated by the World Alliance for Breast Action (WABA) are:

• Inform people about the importance of protecting breastfeeding.
• Anchor breastfeeding support as a vital public health responsibility.
• Engage with individuals and organizations for greater impact.
• Galvanize action on protecting breastfeeding to improve public health.

Everyone around the world is aware of the fact that breast milk is an exclusive and the best diet for a newborn baby, for at least up to 6 months of age. It contains all the essential nutrients and helps the baby fight certain infections and allergies. Dr Vijayanand Jamalpuri, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hyderabad says, “It not only provides these benefits but also creates a bond between the mother and the baby. The best gift provided to the baby at the time of birth is mother’s breast milk, which is baby specific”.

Properties And Benefits Of Breast Milk

Our Ayurvedic expert, Dr Srikanthbabu Perugu, BAMS MD Ayurveda explains the Properties of ideal breast milk. These properties assure proper nourishment and growth of the baby:

• It should possess a normal colour
• Natural odour
• Normal consistency
• Little sweet and palatable to the baby
• When poured into a cup of water, it should dissolve easily and completely

Ayurveda recognizes the Benefits of breast milk as follows:

1. Life-giving (Pranadam), which means it gives life to the baby
2. It serves as an immune booster and protects the baby from many diseases
3. It allows the baby to grow in a proper way, like a normal adult
4. Increases the body tissues
5. It is sweet in taste, slimy and coolant
6. It is a vitaliser

Enhancing The Qualities Of Breast Milk

If the milk is heavy, foul-smelling, or contains sticky material, it is not fit for feeding the baby. Dr. Srikanth hereby mentions some herbs in Ayurveda that are very useful in improving the quality and production of milk in lactating mothers. “All these herbs are helpful in removing various doshas (bad factors) from the Breast Milk”:

1. Shatavari
2. Patha
3. Ginger
4. Deodar
5. Musta
6. Murva
7. Guduchi/giloy
8. Kiratatikta
9. Katuja
10. Katuka rohini
11. Sariva
12. Jeevanti

How does breastfeeding benefits the mother?

Dr Rajashree Katke, renowned Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Ex Superintendent CAMA and ALBLESS Hospitals, Mumbai explains the following benefits of breastfeeding for mothers:

1. The emotional bond between the baby and the mother becomes strong and deep. Even when the mother is depressed, she can continue to feed the baby, it helps develop a healthy bond.
2. Oxytocin hormone released during breastfeeding can help you lose weight and the mother can regain her figure.
3. The mother who breast-feeds is protected against cancer of ovaries and cancer breast.
4. The mother will have contraceptive effects during exclusive breastfeeding.
5. With breastfeeding, the breast becomes toned so no sagging will occur with the correct method of feeding. It also helps maintain the figure of women due to hormone balancing.
6. Earlier you initiate breastfeeding after the delivery of the baby, more it helps in the release of Oxytocin and also eases the release of the placenta and reduces the bleeding as the uterus gets contracted and retracted.