An important cause of neonatal mortality is lack of enough breast-feeding and a study by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) at Command hospital showed some startling figures during the national newborn week that was celebrated from November 15-21. It showed that while more than 90 per cent mothers had given breast milk to their babies it was only 25 mothers from among 200 surveyed that had done so continuously for six months. The study also found that the more educated mothers were those who had started complimentary feeds early. Col Madhuri Kanitkar, Professor and Head of Department of Paediatrics, Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) told The Indian Express that it was a good time to introspect as to where we stand in newborn health during the national newborn week. While the average neonatal mortality in the country stands at around 40/1000 live births, the national goals are to bring this down to less than 30/1000 live births by 2010. Out of the 27 million babies that were born in India in 2007, a staggering 1 million died within the first 4 weeks of birth. Most of these deaths occurred in the first week after birth. The main reasons why babies die in our country are potentially preventable- birth asphyxia , sepsis and low birth weight. Low birth weight means any baby who is born less than 2500 grams at birth and is an indicator of maternal and newborn health. Feeding breast milk to a newborn baby not only ensures the best nutrition but also protects the baby against a host of diseases particularly of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. In addition babies who fed exclusive breast milk have been found to have a decreased incidence of later lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. According to Kanitkar, a random survey of the some 200 mothers who visited the paediatric OPD for immunization were assessed for their knowledge and attitude towards breast feeding. Most of the women were in the age group of 20-25 and the more educated they were the less inclined they were to breast-feed. The reasons cited were varied - from going back to work or no time, says researchers attached with the survey. WHO recommends that all babies be given their first breast feed within the first hour of life and should continue to give only breast feeds for next six months. Infants less than 6 months do not require anything else during this period, including water. Unfortunately, the National Family Health Survey 2005-2006 has shown that less than 50 per cent of mothers in India exclusively breast feed their babies for the first 6 months of life. On the occasion of Newborn Week the Department of Pediatrics Armed Forces Medical College conducted a workshop on breast-feeding and lactation management for nurses and post graduate student doctors to disseminate knowledge on correct breast-feeding practices.
