Bangalore: The Nest @ Fortis launches ’A Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding’

By Sumit Jain
Bellevision Media Network

~Book gives valuable tips to new mothers on breastfeeding, care for newborns and infant and young child nutrition~

Bangalore, Aug 07, 2014 : As a part of an endeavor to promote the importance of breastfeeding and keeping with the mission of the World Alliance For Breast Feeding Action (WABA) to protect, promote and support breastfeeding mothers, The Nest @ Fortis Hospitals, launched ‘A Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding’, a complete step-by-step guide to starting a newborn on mother’s milk Launch of the book coincides with the World Breastfeeding Week observed from August 1-7. The book was released by noted swimming champion and Arjuna award winner Nisha Millet.

 

The book gives valuable information on importance of exclusive breastfeeding for first six months, and has detailed information relating to qualities of breast milk, how to initiate breastfeeding, how breastfeeding helps both mother and child, complementary feeding after six months, nutritional needs of infant and young child and so on.    

 

 

 

 

 

“Around 20 years ago, the WHO and UNICEF jointly launched the breastfeeding promotion programme, WABA and the Government of India has taken this forward by having its own programmes under the BPNI (Breast Feeding Promotion Network Of India). The aim is to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and to bring down the Infant Mortality Rate, which is still quite high in India. Under this campaign, mothers are counseled to practice optimal infant and young child feeding as per guidelines of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. At The Nest, we are part of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and ensure full support to breastfeeding mothers,” said Dr. Prakash Vemgal, Consultant Neonatologist & Pediatrician.

 

Speaking on the release of the book Nisha Millet said, “A guide on breastfeeding would be of great use to any new mom or a mom-to-be. I would have loved to read it earlier since nursing newborn twins is especially difficult and I had a tough time. So I’m happy that such a book is now available to women in Bangalore and India, especially coming from a lactation consultant with so many years of experience.”   

 

To be successful in breastfeeding, women need practical help and support especially from health care providers. This means, women need timely counseling and accurate information on feeding practices. Health workers need to build mother’s confidence to increase breast milk flow and milk transfer from breast to baby’s mouth. The book will supplement the efforts of the paediatric team and lactation consultants who jointly work to promote breastfeeding.

 

“Through this book we want to reiterate that mother’s milk is the most important food for the newborn and is superior to any other nutrient that might be given to the baby. The book helps expectant mothers prepare for breastfeeding and introduces them to the importance of initiating it within an hour. Breastfeeding not only protects the baby from harmful infections, it also promotes physical and emotional bonding between the infant and the mother, shaping the overall development of the child in future.  The mother also benefits from breastfeeding as it helps her lose weight and protects her against certain ailments,” explains Ms. Joyce Jayasaeelan, Lactation Counsellor at The Nest.

 

About Fortis Healthcare Limited:

 

Fortis Healthcare Limited is a leading integrated healthcare delivery service provider in India. The healthcare verticals of the company primarily comprise hospitals, diagnostics and day care specialty facilities. Currently, the company operates its healthcare delivery services in India, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka with 66 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), over 10,000 potential beds and approx. 280 diagnostic centres. In a global  study of the 30 most technologically advanced hospitals in the world, its flagship, the Fortis Memorial Research Institute’ (FMRI), was ranked No.2, by ‘topmastersinhealthcare.com, and placed ahead of many other outstanding medical institutions in the world.