Aurangabad 3rd from bottom in state in early initiation of breastfeeding

Aurangabad: At 43.4% rate, Aurangabad district is placed abysmally third from bottom in breastfeeding infants within one hour of birth, the latest report of Maharashtra for Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices by the Centre shows.

Among other districts from Marathwada, Osmanabad has impressive rate of 69.9% in early initiation of breastfeeding and is placed at second place from the top in Maharashtra.

Also, Nanded district from Marathwada is at fourth place with 65.3% rate.

Coinciding with the ongoing world breastfeeding week (August 1-7), health experts stress upon the need of more awareness among mothers and society at large about the importance of breastfeeding.

Government medical officer Dr. Pashant Kondekar said that many mothers still do not have knowledge that breastfeeding needs to be initiated within around one hour after birth of child.

“Almost every mother releases colostrum, a nutrient-rich fluid, immediately after giving birth. This milk is highly important for boosting the immunity of child and further growth. Many newborns are deprived of colostrum due to lack of knowledge or misconception that it has to be drained out from the breasts before actually breastfeeding the child,” he said.