Call to focus on neonatal care: Warangal Rural District Welfare Officer K Chinnaiah

Hanamkonda: Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth is baby's first immunisation, Warangal Rural District Welfare Officer (DWO) K Chinnaiah said. Speaking at the one-day orientation programme on "Observing Breastfeeding in Newborn Babies – How & Why" organised as part of the Poshan Abhiyaan for the Block Resource Groups (BRGs) here on Friday, he said that breast milk is the natural first food for the babies that reduce the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR).

He emphasised the need for bringing awareness about the importance of breastfeeding methods among the lactating mothers. "It's crucial to breastfeed the newborn babies in the first hour and exclusively in the first six months. Breast milk protects newborns from infectious illnesses such as gastritis, diarrhoea and pneumonia as it contains natural antibiotics," he said. Further, he explained about the best breastfeeding practices that include holding the babies in right position while feeding. The DWO also explained the need for providing counselling to mothers about effective breastfeeding technique immediately after birth.

He also highlighted the need for focusing on community-based interventions to create awareness on breastfeeding practices.

The DWO told the ICDS Supervisors and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) village-level female

health workers to propagandise the breastfeeding practices by providing training to Anganwadi teachers and ASHA workers.

CDPOs Padma and Swarnalatha, Poshan Abhiyaan District Coordinator G Karthik, Supervisors of the Narsampet, Wardhannapet and Parkal ICDS Projects in the Rural District and ANMs participated in the orientation programme.