Civil Hospital gets breastfeeding corner

Manav Mander

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 21

A separate breastfeeding corner has been set up at the Civil Hospital to help mothers nurse their babies while they are at the hospital.

This separate corner has been well-received by the mothers as it gives them the privacy to breastfeed their children away from the chaotic environment of the hospital.

Manjeet Kaur of Mansuran village, who was at the hospital today for the vaccination of her child, found this corner really useful. “I really appreciate the idea of setting up of a separate corner for breastfeeding the children. This place gives both mother and child a quiet and calm atmosphere, and babies takes their feed peacefully,” said she.

A gynaecologist from the hospital said this was the need of the hour. “With so much rush at the hospital every day, a quite place for a mother and child was required”. Speaking about the importance of breastfeeding, she said mother’s milk contained antibodies that help the baby to fight off viruses and bacteria. It lowered baby’’s risk of having asthma or allergies. Babies who were breastfed exclusively for the first six months, without any formula, had fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses and bouts of diarrhea, she added.

Kanika, another patient at the hospital, said the idea of separate corner was excellent and such corners should be made mandatory at public places. “Public places such as malls, hotels and restaurants should also have such corners so that mothers can feed their kids without any hesitation,” she adds.

Why it is important to breastfeed

Mother’s milk is best for the baby, and the benefits of breastfeeding extend well beyond basic nutrition. In addition to containing all the vitamins and nutrients your baby needs in the first six months of life, mother’s milk is packed with disease-fighting substances that protects a baby from illness.

What is exclusive breastfeeding

Infants should be exclusively breastfed i.e. receive only breast milk for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. “Exclusive breastfeeding” is defined as giving no other food or drink, not even water except breast milk.