Breastfeeding helps in developing gut, brain & immunity: Experts

The Rotary Club, Amritsar West, in association with Amritsar Obstetrics and Gynecology society (AOGS), organised a programme to mark the World Breastfeeding Week. The programme was successfully conducted by Dr Jaspreet Grover and AOGS Secretary Dr Sangeeta Pahwa.

A number of leading obstetricians and gynaecologists of the city, along with MD students from Government Medical College and the local Civil Hospital, attended the event.

The first topic of the programme was ‘Gut, Brain, and Immune System Development in Early Life and the Role of Breast Milk’, presented by Dr Naresh Grover, senior paediatrician and allergist. He particularly highlighted that exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life plays a vital role in building a healthy gut-brain axis and a strong immune system in infants.

The second topic, ‘Role of Obstetricians in Promoting Breastfeeding’, was presented by Dr Amritpal Kaur, president of AOGS. She emphasised the importance of initiating skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding within the first few minutes after birth, whether in the labour room or operation theatre following a caesarean section.

Experts also underlined that new mothers require the active support of the entire family to establish and maintain successful breastfeeding. With timely guidance from a qualified lactation consultant, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is possible in most cases.

They further stressed that all lactating mothers should consume adequate fluids, a high-protein balanced diet, and essential additional nutrients. Such a nutrition plan, developed in consultation with a lactation consultant, ensures the mother’s good health and provides sufficient, nutritious milk for the baby.

The scientific sessions were chaired by renowned doctors, including Dr Rupinder Kaur, president of IMA, and Dr Balwinder Kaur Nagpal.