Embracing Benefits of Breast Milk: HCMCT Manipal Hospitals Commemorates MILLECON 2023 on World Breastfeeding Week

New Delhi, August 6, 2023: HCMCT Manipal Hospital organised a special session on World Breastfeeding Week to celebrate the beautiful bond between a mother and her child. The event aimed to enlighten and empower new and expecting mothers about the significance of mother's milk for a child's health. Distinguished guests, Dr. Mainak Chatterjee- Health specialist UNICEF and Dr. Sharda Jain, Secretary General of the Delhi Gyanecologist Forum (DGF), graced the occasion.

Breastfeeding is necessary for a child's health and growth, offering both short-term and long-term benefits to the child and mother. MILLECON 2023 highlighted the importance of human milk banking, which serves as a crucial resource of mother's milk for infants in need.

Currently, India has over 90 human milk banks, providing support to nearly 3,000 to 5,000 infants annually. However, their full potential remains untapped. These banks play a critical role in offering nourishing breast milk to newborns left motherless due to childbirth complications, providing essential nutrition and immune-boosting benefits.

Dr. Bijaylaxmi Behera, Consultant Neonatology, emphasized, "Breastmilk is a natural source of energy and nutrition for a child, supporting healthy growth and guarding against infections. Its unique composition promotes brain development and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Even premature babies and low-birth weight babies’ outcomes can be improved by providing breastmilk."

Dr. Sakshi K. Bhardwaj, Lactation Consultant, said, "Human milk is nature's precious gift, with vital nutrients and antibodies that promote a child’s healthy development, and by establishing and supporting human milk banks, we create a bridge of support for those new-borns who need mother’s milk. When mothers generously donate their milk, they are contributing to the health and well-being of a child, especially those born prematurely or facing health challenges."