‘Breastfeeding has better impact on health of mothers and infants'
The hospital has been celebrating World Breastfeeding Week since August 1 with various programmes to create awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding among young mothers.
The first and foremost benefit of breastfeeding is the bond it could create between the mother and the infant. On the economical side, mother's milk is the cheapest food for infants. 'While it comes free of cost, infant milk powder costs anywhere between ₹2,500 to ₹3,000 per month,' Dr. Shanmugamurthi said.
Besides, mother's milk has high nutritional value. IgA, also known as immunoglobulin, is an antibody that protects infants from complications such as diarrhoea. Besides, the chances of infants that are fed mother's milk have lower chances of becoming obese or having diabetes.
He also explained that feeding the baby would also benefit the mothers by preventing weight gain and also act as a natural birth control mechanism. 'As long as the mother feeds the baby, she would not get pregnant,' he added.
Besides, it would also prevent such mothers from getting certain types of cancer. Virudhunagar Government Medical College has a mother's milk bank that gets around 25-30 litres of milk every month.
'Infants delivered in Government hospitals in far-off places such as Rajapalayam, Sivakasi and Aruppukottai with certain infections are brought to the neonatal intensive care unit in Virudhunagar. With health conditions of mothers not permitting them to travel to Virudhunagar during the initial days, such infants require mother's milk. Thus, the mother's milk bank has been helpful for such babies,' Dr. Shanmugamurthi said.
The milk is mostly sourced from mothers who are admitted to the medical college hospital for delivery. Partially, it is also sourced through an NGO. Even after several campaigns for years, women are apprehensive to feed their babies, she added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
11 hours ago
- NDTV
Tamil Nadu Woman Donates 300 Litres Of Breast Milk, Helps Over 1000 Babies
Tamil Nadu: A 33-year-old homemaker from Kattur in Tiruchirappalli district here has donated over 300 litres of breast milk, helping save the lives of thousands of premature and critically ill infants, officials said. Selva Brindha, a mother of two, donated a total of 300.17 litres over 22 months—from April 2023 to February 2025—to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) Milk Bank. Her contribution accounted for nearly half of the total breast milk collected by the milk bank during the 2023-24 period, a hospital official said. Encouraged by a non-governmental organisation, Brindha's consistent service earned her a place in both the 'Asia Book of Records' and the 'India Book of Records'. In recognition of her remarkable contribution, officials at the milk bank will felicitate her during the valedictory of 'World Breastfeeding Week' on August 7.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
State yet to get human milk bank
Patna: It goes without saying that breast milk is "amrit" (nectar) for newborns, even as there are several who don't get it because of neonatal hospitalisation or their mothers are unable to produce milk. This situation can be avoided with the help of human milk banks, which sadly the state has none. Paediatricians say breast milk cannot be substituted with formula or animal milk as it has proven to be a lifeline for premature and sick newborns. Despite a few attempts over the last 15 years, the state is yet to get a human milk bank, the health department officials confirmed on Wednesday, attributing this to dearth of proper equipment and facilities, public awareness and doubts regarding donating milk or accepting others' milk. The theme of this year's World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated from Aug 1 to 7, also echoes the sentiment: "Prioritise breastfeeding: Create sustainable support systems". Chairman of Red Cross Society, Dr Binay Bahadur Sinha, who had unsuccessfully taken an initiative to open human milk banks in 2009, said it is vital to make people aware of its wonders, urging the govt to take an initiative in this direction. Bihar, with an infant mortality rate of 27:1,000 can benefit from such a project, felt experts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 20 Breathtaking Blue Flag Beaches You Must Visit Click Here Undo Former head of paediatrics department in Patna Medical College and Hospital, Dr Anil Kumar Jaiswal, said there are two primary reasons for opening a human milk bank, also known as comprehensive lactation management centres. "Firstly, there are several mothers who are unable to produce milk, or are under medication. Secondly, several newborns are sick or admitted to NICU, as a result their mother's milk goes to waste. In such cases a human milk bank would be highly beneficial," he said. For it to function, Jaiswal said, three things are required — a consenting mother ready to donate, proper pasteurisation and storage facility, and babies ready to accept the milk. Breast milk helps in boosting the babies' immunity, increases intelligence and reduces the risk of diabetes and blood pressure-related problems, he added. India has around 90 human milk banks, with the first one established in 1989 at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital in Mumbai.
NDTV
16 hours ago
- NDTV
World ORS Day: Kenvue's 'Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi' Initiative Highlights The Importance Of Oral Rehydration Solutions
New Delhi: On occasion of World ORS Day, Kenvue (makers of ORSL® ) under its 'Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi' public health initiative hosted a series of impactful and engaging on-ground activities to spread awareness about the importance of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), a formula recommended by WHO (World Health Organization) in treatment of diarrhoea. Over the last month, Kenvue along with its NGO partner, Population Services International India (PSI India) have spearheaded on-ground awareness initiatives including a Prachaar Vaahan (A mobile van) and ERickshaws which travelled across many underserved districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to distribute Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials on prevention and management of diarrhoea, along with street plays, and launch of ORS-Zinc Corners at the Government and private hospitals and clinics. Earlier this year, Kenvue, makers of ORSL® launched its transformative 'Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi' public health initiative in partnership with PSI India which aims to reach 5 million children below five years in the next two years across 10 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. These districts include Badaun, Mathura, Unnao, Moradabad, Gonda, Shrawasti and Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, and Supaul, Darbhanga, and Purnia in Bihar. The campaign supports the National Health Mission (NHM) efforts under the Government's "Stop Diarrhoea' Campaign and aligns with Kenvue's Healthy Lives Mission, which aims to advance the wellbeing of people and the planet. On World ORS Day, PSI India also hosted a roundtable discussion with representatives from National Health Mission, Directorate- Health and Family Welfare Services, and various health partners on plans to further scale the initiative and reinforced the importance of collaborative approach to meet the Government's objectives on the prevention of diarrhoea. The event also recognised high performing frontline workers and service providers for their outstanding contributions. Commenting on the initiative, Prashant Shinde, Kenvue's Business Unit Head-Self-Care, India said, "Diarrhoea is both preventable and curable with timely treatment and solutions like ORS. To support the Government's larger efforts to combat diarrheal mortality especially amongst children under 5 years, we are committed to play our part through our public health initiative, 'Diarrhoea Se Darr Nahi'. On World ORS Day, Kenvue (makers of ORSL® ) reinforce the importance of WHO Approved ORS, a lifesaving solution in treatment of diarrhoea through a host of on-ground initiatives to drive awareness and empower communities.' Mukesh Kumar Sharma, Executive Director, PSI India said, The mid media campaign aligns strongly with NHM's strategic priorities in preventing childhood illnesses, and complements the 'STOP Diarrhoea' campaign. We partnered closely with government stakeholders, drew insightful contributions from Dr. Pinki Jowel, MD, NHM, U.P. and launched the 'Prachar Vaahan' under her leadership, at the Community Health Centre in Lucknow, U.P. We are getting regular guidance and support from Child Health Section for community outreach through multi departmental convergence and innovations. He added, 'Community outreach is a core strength of PSI India. Working closely with government , PSI India's community-driven initiative empowers families to prevent childhood diarrhoea using ORS and Zinc. Reaching over 50,000 parents and caregivers so far, this milestone reflects the strength of our partnership, the dedication of our frontline teams, and our shared vision to improve child health in high-burden regions.' About ORSL ® ORSL® (औऔऔऔ), India's No.1 Ready-to-Drink electrolyte drink brand, with its scientifically formulated portfolio pioneered the ready-to-drink electrolyte category in the country. Over the last 20+ years, ORSL® has been advancing the science of fluids, electrolytes and energy (FE&E) to support holistic recovery. With its diversified portfolio, ORSL® offers specialised hydration solutions designed as adjuvants to help cater to consumer's varied hydration needs during illness and day-to-day depletion occasions. Kenvue's ReadyTo-Drink portfolio includes ORSL® Immunity+, ORSL® Plus Active+ and ORSL® Rehydrate+ and WHOORS from the makers of ORSL. ORSL is a brand of JNTL Consumer Health (India) Private Limited, a subsidiary of Kenvue Inc. About Kenvue Kenvue is the world's largest pure-play consumer health company by revenue. Built on more than a century of heritage, our iconic brands, including Aveeno®, Johnson's®, ORSL® Listerine®, Neutrogena®, and Tylenol®, are science-backed and recommended by healthcare professionals around the world. At Kenvue, we realise the extraordinary power of everyday care. Our teams work every day to put that power in consumers' hands and earn a place in their hearts and homes. Learn more at
