LOWER DIR: A sociologist and public health specialist has highlighted the importance of breastfeeding for children’s development and protecting them from diseases like asthma, obesity, diabetes, ear infections and gastrointestinal infections.

Syed Mohammad Usman, the principal of Regional Training Institute (RTI), Malakand, was speaking at seminar organised by it in connection with the breastfeeding week here on Saturday.

Mr Usman, who was the resource person at the seminar, said the holy Quran also emphasised mothers to breastfeed their newborns up to two and a half years.

He said mother’s milk was rich in proteins, adding skin-to-skin contact promoted bonding between mother and her child. He said healthcare workers, religious scholars, doctors and teachers should play role to end misconceptions among mothers about breastfeeding.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2022