Breast Milk is the ‘Best and Only Food’ for baby in first 6 months: Dr Jagmeet Madan

Breastfeeding is widely considered the best method of feeding for newborns and infants. The World Breastfeeding Week is an opportunity to provide information and resources to help mothers breastfeed successfully.

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Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Neelam Singh

Breastfeeding plays an essential role in managing the burden of malnutrition. It is a key to sustainable development strategies, as it improves nutrition, ensures food security and reduces inequalities between and within countries. 

According to the WHO, “Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, nearly 2 out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months.” The WHO further states, “Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. It provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs. Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. In fact, Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.”

Every year, World Breastfeeding Week (August 01 – 07) is observed to  promote and support breastfeeding across different levels of society. THIP Media in discussion with Dr Jagmeet Madan, President, Indian Dietetic Association explores the importance and nutritional value of breastfeeding in current scenario:

Q. Are there any food restrictions for lactating mothers? What diet do you suggest for a mother who is lactating?

The nutrition science do not indicate any food restrictions for lactating mother unless there are individual health concerns of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and any other medical problems. Lactation is a normal physiological phase in a women’s life, which needs to be understood scientifically and specifically in terms of nutrient requirements (EAR, RDA, 2020). The additional requirements are needed for energy, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A , vitamin C, B Complex and many other micronutrients which work as anti-oxidants. ‘Quality Nutrition Prevails on Quantity Nutrition’ – Quantity of Food should be ‘Adequate not excess’ and Quality Nutrition relates to ‘Nutrient Density per caloric intake’. Using a Healthy Indian Plate (NIN, 2020) is a good resource to teach the lactating mother about Diet Diversity which by default will take care of the diet quality.

Q. How can one suffice for the nutritional requirements in case the baby can’t be breastfed?

Majority of the mothers if taught about correct techniques of early ‘Latching and Lactation’ are successful in breastfeeding their babies. Even if due to some reasons mother cannot breastfeed, the first choice should be “Breast Milk Banks” which should be accessed to provide breast milk to the baby. We must reiterate that Breast Milk is the ‘Best and Only Food’ needed by the baby in first 6 months. It is only under most difficult and challenging environment the formula milk should be used and that too under the guidance of a pediatrician.

Q. What are the key points that must be known by every lactating mother from the Infant and Young Child Feeding recommendations?

The Key Points from IYCF recommendations can be :

  • Exclusive Breastfeeding for 6 months.
  • Quality and Quantity of complementary foods.
  • Diet Diversity, Food Square Approach while planning the weaning foods.
  • Sanitation and Hygiene to be practiced.
  • Monitoring the growth of baby to identify malnutrition at early stages.
  • Maternal Health and Nutritional status also need to be emphasized.

Q. How are the guidelines for Infant and Young Child Feeding different from the pre-existing strategies around infant and young child feeding practices?

Recently there is a lot of emphasis to eliminate sugar and salt completely from an infant’s diet at least for the first year. At the same time, consumption of seasonal and locally available foods has been advocated widely to bring a child closer to home food pattern during weaning. Earlier this was not the case.

Q. India ranks 78th out of 98 countries surveyed by the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative 2020. What do you think could be the reason for this disparity and how can we improve the ranking?

It is disappointing to see that in spite of all initiatives by the Government and Non-Government organizations to reach out to all lactating mothers, we still do not have 100 per cent Breastfeeding rate in India.

The main reason is ignorance and lack of prioritizing breast feeding due to socioeconomic reasons or other family pressures or undesirable attitudes. We need to convert more hospitals and day care and primary health care centers into baby-friendly Hospitals so that we all talk the same language and facilitate handholding of mothers for successful breastfeeding. Work places also need to have breastfeeding areas and creche support for lactating mothers.

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

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Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Neelam Singh

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Neelam Singh

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Neelam Singh

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Neelam Singh

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Neelam Singh

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

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Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Neelam Singh

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Neelam Singh

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Neelam Singh

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Neelam Singh

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Neelam Singh

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

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Dr. Shikha Shiromani
Dr. Shikha Shiromani
A dental surgeon by education and medical writer by profession, Shikha is passionate to bring her knowledge and experience in busting the myths around medicine and health. At THIP, she is involved in researching, fact-checking and answering all kinds of questions related to health.
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