Everybody thinks, every nursing mother does breast feeding in India, but it is very sad that only one third do the same. It is duty of all of us to promote breast feeding in nursing mothers to have healthy children. Gynae department of Pushpanjali Crosslay Hospital has taken it a mission mode that 95% of mothers should breast feed their children exclusively for the first 6 months to have best impact to avoid malnutrition in children in India. It is also seen that allergic conditions including asthmas are more common in babies who are not breast fed.

1. A mother’s breast milk is the perfect food for babies
2. Breastfeeding protects your baby from sickness.
3. Breast fed babies have fewer allergies.

1. Start breast care right from 3rd trimester in your pregnancy.
2. Breast changes during pregnancy provide natural lubricant and antibacterial action to occur during lactation.
3. Avoid pulling, rubbing or pinching nipples to prevent any breast tissue damage.

1. Early Start – Initiate breastfeeding early. Put your to breast a soon as possible after birth. Baby is most alert for the first two hours of life, making it easier for baby to latch-on.
2. Colostrum is your baby’s first food.
3. Frequency – Nurse your baby 8 to 12 times in 24 hours; ideally 15 to 20 minutes per breast.

1. “I want to eat”: Hands to mouth, sucking motion, tight fists over chest or tummy, crying.
2. “I am full”: Arching of back, pushing away, falling asleep, open or relaxed arms.

1. The more your baby nurses the more breast milk is produced.
2. Mom’s breasts naturally soften as the baby gets older. This does not mean a decreased milk supply.
3. Ovulation and menses can resume while breastfeeding. Do not stop breastfeeding.
4. The number of days you breastfeed your infant is a personal decision, but longer you breastfeed, healthier will be the baby.
5. You can continue to breastfeed even after you return to work.

Exclusive Breast feeding for 6 months, associated with no periods has good contraceptive effect. It has pregnancy rate of only 5%. But if period start prior to 6 months, it has no contraceptive effect. It also shows that you are not exclusively breast feeding.

Pushpanjali Crosslay Hospital is organizing Breast Feeding Update for gynaecologists on 15/3/09 to motivate gynaecologists working in East Delhi, Gaziabad and Noida to take this issue seriously.

Let us all work together to promote breast feeding by new mothers to have healthy race.