Shimla
Like every year, this year too breastfeeding week will be celebrated in Shimla district from 1-7 August. In this context, Deputy Commissioner of Shimla, Mr. Anupam Kashyap said that World Breastfeeding Week will be celebrated in the entire district in the first week of August. In this regard, all the Child Development Project Officers of Shimla district have been given guidelines through the District Program Officer. This year the theme of World Breastfeeding Week is – Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future.
On this subject, the Deputy Commissioner said that breastfeeding helps in protecting children from many diseases, strengthening the immune system and increasing the resistance against diseases. Children who are breastfed develop their brains faster. He said that mother’s milk is a proper balanced nutrition and diet for the child along with ensuring physical growth and development.
The Deputy Commissioner said that on August 1, during community based activities in all Anganwadi centres of Shimla district, focus will be on ensuring early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth in both normal and cesarean deliveries. During this, apart from the beneficiaries, other members of their families will also be informed about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for children from birth to six months.
Also, District Program Officer Mrs. Mamta Paul said that this week, as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, various activities will be organized at the district level, block level, circle level and Anganwadi level in Shimla district as per the activity calendar, in which the help of ASHA workers will also be taken. She also said that this week, the common problems faced by pregnant and lactating mothers during pregnancy will also be discussed and they will also be told the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
