Breast Feeding Week Celebration - 2016
Manipal College of Nursing (MCON) Manipal observed World Breastfeeding Week from 1st to 7th August 2016 on the theme “Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development!”
August 29, 2016
Number of activities were organized for the college students, nurses, ASHA workers and the postnatal mothers. The theme focused on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that governments around the world have agreed to achieve by 2030 through the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding.
The objectives of World Breastfeeding Week 2016 were to:
• inform people about the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how improving breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices contributes in achieving these goals.
• engage and collaborate with a wider range of actors for promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding.
• explore ways to mobilize a variety of actions at all levels to enhance breastfeeding and IYCF.
The activities were planned based on the theme and action ideas given by BPNI to achieve sustainable development goals through protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding are:
Activity V: Situational Analysis:
Situation analysis on early initiation of breast feeding by postnatal mothers was discussed. The hindering factors brought during the discussion were: baby is not sucking, low birth weight baby, baby was in NICU, mother was in pain and in post-operative ward, there was insufficient milk, relatives did not bring baby to post-op and did not allow to take baby to post-op.
The challenges faced by the mothers while breastfeeding the baby were:- baby was not sucking, milk was not sufficient, baby needed to be stimulated as it was sleeping in between, did not know how to hold the baby during feeds, no strength, mother had pain, was not able to sit and was too tired.
The mothers perception about milk produced during first three days of delivery was that milk was sufficient and good for baby. They had obtained knowledge from health care providers and relatives. Some mothers felt that milk was not sufficient, as baby was crying always and not sleeping. Thus it is concluded that awareness and education to all the mothers will help in improving the knowledge for early initiation of breastfeeding. Concerns were addressed and mothers and staff nurses were educated on breastfeeding.
Activity VI: Lactation counselling
Lactation counselling on breast feeding for 50 postnatal mothers and relatives admitted in Kasturba Hospital-Manipal was given by students and the faculty of MCON who were trained as Infant and Young Child Feeding Counselling specialist. Mothers were educated on physiology of lactation, initiation of breast feeding, how breast milk works, latching Vs bonding, positions for feeding, care of breast before and after feed, contents of breast milk, difficulties encountered and its treatment, nutrition for mother and advantages of breast feeding to the mother and baby. Some of the working mothers enquired about maintenance of lactation.
Activity VII: Community awareness through social media:
To bring awareness among the public, a newspaper article on “Breast feeding for working mothers” was published in ‘Udayavani’ Kannada daily newspaper in two parts on 31st July 2016 & on 7th August 2016. This article was written by Mrs. Anusuya, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal.
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