6 Aug : Mother’s milk is like nectar for infants. It has the quality to save the child from diseases. Therefore, mother’s milk is considered the first vaccination. Through all publicity mediums the Woman and Child Development Department is trying to spread this public interest message among the common man. In this connection phone-in programme has been organised through radio on August 7 and 8. On Saturday (August 7) the Vividh Bharti Kendra of Akashwani, this phone-in programme will be aired from 11AM to 12 noon. On August 8 (Sunday) the programme will be from 1PM to 2 PM. People’s doubts will be cleared on phone during these periods. Doubts of the people will be cleared by famous child specialist Dr. Sheela Bhambal.
If mother’s milk is given to the infant immediately after birth, it is estimated, 22 per cent of death of infants within a month of birth could be averted. If only mother’s is given from birth till the child becomes 6 months old and after that along with mother’s milk additional solid food is given, then there is every possibility that 19 per cent death of children up to the age of 5 years could be averted.
For bringing awareness among the public, special publicity programmes are being organised by the Woman and Child Development Department during the ‘World Breastfeed Week’, from August 1 to 7.