WORLD Breastfeeding Week Observed at SPS Apollo Hospitals

Ludhiana, August 7, 2013: The departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Neonatology and Paediatrics at SPS Apollo jointly organized a series of initiatives for observing the world breastfeeding week. As a part of this public awareness initiative the hospital organized a series of informative lectures and interactive sessions for the public, patients as well as the hospital staff. August 1st to 7th was also observed as the breastfeeding week in the hospital premises.

Over 100 people participated in a special educative program in the hospital today. The program was an interactive session on complete maternal and child nutrition and was attended by over 100 lactating and pregnant mothers. Speaking on the occasion, Dr.ZeenieSardaGirn, Senior Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology enlightened the audience about preparing themselves for breast feeding. Dr. Venus Bansal, Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology highlighted the importance of nutrition for lactating mothers. Dr.Pradeep Kumar Sharma, Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology focused on the benefits of breast feeding and Dr.VikasBansal, Senior Consultant, Department of Pediatricsdiscussed about complementary feeding. The session served as an open platform to the receptive audience and solved their queries related to breast feeding.

Jugdiep Singh, Managing Director, SPS Apollo Hospitals, emphasized on promoting maternal and child nutrition as the first step to healthy childhood. Celebrating “World breastfeeding week” is just a small gesture but very essential part of celebrating healthy motherhood and childhood, he added.

Dr.Pradeep Kumar Sharmaemphasized the need for exclusive breast feeding in children less than 6 months. Besides the short term effects in reducing pneumonia, diarrhoea, ear infections in children breast feeding decreases the risk of long term problems like asthma, eczema, wheat allergy, obesity and diabetes in addition to improving the IQ of the children.

According to Dr. Zeenie Sarda Girn, breast feeding is not only beneficial to the babies but also to the mothers. Mothers who breast feed have a decreased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and breast and ovarian cancers.

Dr. Venue Bansal informed that the Breast Feeding Support Group of SPS Apollo Hospitals plays an important role in initiating and sustaining breast feeding. The hospital has an innovative concept of Lactation Nurses, who work exclusively to spread awareness regarding of breast feeding and demonstrating proper breast feeding techniques. In addition this also serves as an important platform to address common concerns of lactating mothers and also deal with any related problems that may face, added Dr. Vikas Bansal.