Nature’s elixir ruins no beauty: Doctors
Breast feeding week
IAP hosts week-long programmes starting from August 1 to increase awareness
What does it take to remain slim, besides maintaining the glint of the skin for women post-partum? Breast-feeding the baby helps lose calories in large quantities, according to paediatricians.
When the misconception of putting on weight due to breast-feeding is high — especially among young mothers — the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) has thought it’s time to concentrate on such mothers, IAP Mysore chairman Dr K B Mahendrappa told media here on Friday.
Most of the young mothers are working and would be obviously under tremendous pressure, one of the reasons they find it difficult to feed their offsprings.
Past chairman of the academy and HoD, paediatrics, JSS Medical College, Dr D Narayanappa said mortality rate among children under five years can be reduced by 30 per cent if mothers feed the baby up to two years.
Quoting a survey of 2009, the doctor said only 26 per cent of women feed their infants within half-an-hour of giving birth, while only 46 per cent follow exclusive breast feeding for six months, and only 55 per cent of women feed their babies with milk and other home-made food up to two years.
The doctor said it also helps prevention of breast and uterus cancer. In case of caesarian, the baby should be breast-fed within one hour. In an attempt to encourage breast-feeding, the doctor said it’s the first vaccine in life.
He dispelled the often heard complaint that some women cannot feed at all. He suggested ways that could help overcome problems if any, in producing milk.
To create awareness, the IAP has organised a week-long programme as part of the world wide programme from August 1. The programme organised in association with Inner Wheel Club Mysore Central has a unique theme this year — Talk to me! Breastfeeding — a 3D experience.
The theme lays emphasis on communicating women the related facts.
The programme will be inaugurated on Aug 1 at 2.30 pm at Rajendra Bhavan.
Journalist Rajashekar Koti will be the chief guest, while JSS Medical College principal Dr H Basavanagowdappa, JSS Hospital medical superintendent Dr K Veerabhadrappa will be guests of honour.
Dr D Narayanappa will be the guest speaker.
Talks by various experts on various topics have been organised till August 7 at different venues across the city.
Cheluvamba Hospital medical superintendent Dr B Krishnamurthy, Sharmila and Anitha of Inner Wheel Club were present at the press meet.
