Breastfeeding reduces infant mortality: Doc

Our Correspondent

Khanna, August 14

To mark the World Breastfeeding Week, an educative talk was delivered by Senior Medical Officer Rajinder Gulati, Khanna Civil Hospital, at the Kular College of Nursing, Bija.

Around 150 nursing students attended the lecture. Gulati said breast milk was the natural first food for babies and provided the infant with all nutrients needed during the first months of life. He said the physical closeness, touch and eye contact helped the baby to bond with the mother. Gulati said breastfeeding reduced infant mortality due to childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea or pneumonia. He said breastfeeding contributed to the health and well-being of mothers and reduced the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Dr. Gulati who said babies who were breastfed had higher IQs than formula-fed babies.

Poster-making competition was organised by the nursing students. Manpreet Kaur, Ravneet Kaur, Pardeep Kaur and Manpreet Kaur were the winners.