KARACHI, Aug 16: In view of the vital significance of breastfeeding, both for children and mothers, it is incumbent upon paediatricians to strongly endorse breastfeeding as the primary source of infant nutrition.

Research work carried in different countries across the globe have clearly affirmed that breastfeeding is a major source of onset of cancer among children at a later stage, besides preventing serious diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart and coeliac diseases.

This was stated by local paediatricians and gynaecologist while speaking at a seminar on “breastfeeding promotes healthy generations” to celebrate the breastfeeding Week organized jointly by a local non-governmental organization PAPA and the National Institute of Child Health (NICH).

Prominent among those, who presented their opinion, research work and studies on the subject included City Nazim Naimatullah Khan; Director NICH, Prof Zeenat Issani; Senior Professor of Paediatrics NICH, Afroz Ramzan Sher Ali; Dr Shirin Zulfiqar of Obstetrics Department, JPMC; and Dr Zulfiqar Ali of Aga Khan University and Hospital.

Talking about the vital significance of breastfeeding, City Nazim Naimatullah Khan called upon the exigency of running a sustained and effective campaign by the government on electronic and print media. He said that this would go a long way creating awareness among mothers to breast feed their new born babies.

“The drive should be in line to the one pursued by the government persistently on electronic media against tobacco utilization,” he added.

He assured that the city government would extend all out support towards this noble cause, as any dereliction in the upbringing of children would amount to gross negligence.

Mr Khan pointed out that breastfeeding was attributed by health specialists as a major tool to combat lethal disease of cancer among children, which had gained prevalence during the recent years owing to the increased reliance on bottle feeding.

“If we sincerely intends to develop 21st century generations in a proper and effective manner, our aim should be focussed on generating perception among mothers to return to breastfeeding,” he maintained.

He said that the need of breastfeeding by mothers had been clearly underscored in the Holy Quran.

Appreciating the efforts of NICH in supporting the national programme of breastfeeding, he said it was the premier children institution in Sindh, which was catering to the health requirement of a large number of child patients.

Director NICH Dr Zeenat Issani said that exclusive breastfeeding from birth to four or six months should be promoted and during this period no water, fresh animal milk, infant formula or other liquid should be given to an infant.

“In addition no feeding bottles and pacifiers shall be allowed in the health facility and no promotional materials about formula, feeding bottles and pacifiers such as posters, free samples or gift items shall be allowed in the facility nor shall be given to the mother,” she said.

While explaining the hospital breastfeeding policy, Dr Issani said that mothers would be informed that breastfeeding should be started within one hour of delivery, as colostrum protect babies from infection.

She was of the view that frequent breastfeeding increases breast milk production, while contrary to that bottle feeding can cause serious illness that could also result in death of mothers.

Senior paediatrician Dr Afroz Ramzan Sher Ali said that breast milk was uniquely adopted to the physiological needs of the infant’s body, besides it provides protective factors for host defence, immuno-modulating effects against chronic diseases.

She pointed out that lower incidence of chronic diseases and risk of cancer was found among children with prolonged duration of breastfeeding.

According to her, environmental factor that may predispose to childhood cancers includes ionizing radiation, chemical toxins, infections, prenatal and dietary factors and others.

Referring to chronic diseases associated with artificial feeding, she said, they included caliac diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, childhood cancers, atopic disease, multiple sclerosis, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

Dr Shirin Zulfiqar said that mothers should suckle their children for two years especially those, who wish to perfect their sucklings.

Mentioning the maternal benefits of breastfeeding, she said that it helped in placental expulsion, uterine involution, protect them from breast cancer, besides good family planning and reduction in the weight, gained during pregnancy.

She emphasized on creating awareness among pregnant women about the positive effects of breastfeeding on their health.

The gynaecologist pointed out that nutritional needs of a pregnant woman was 2,500 calories, out of which 300 would be required for breastfeeding. She said that 300 calories could be acquired through consumption of bread, cooked pulses, milk or yogurt, and iron and folic acid supplements.

Dr Zulfiqar Ali of Aga Khan University and Hospital spoke about the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding.

He said that there existed high prevalence of low birth weight new born babies in the country. “One out of four babies have low birth weight,” he said while adding that exclusive breastfeeding could help save lives of considerable number of such babies.—PPI