Medela India Commemorates World Health Day with the First Edition of LactoClave 2016 in association with Fortis Hospitals

New Delhi : Medela India, the world’s leading global producer of breast pumps and nursing accessories today organized the first edition of LactoClave 2016 on the occasion of World Health Day. LactoClave 2016 is a first of its kind initiative to bring together experts and discuss the need and importance of breastfeeding. For its first edition LactoClave was organized in association with Fortis La Femme Hospital and the topic was ‘Breastfeeding being the best immunizer for children’.

This conclave brought together Gynaecologists, Neonatologists and Lactation consultants from Fortis Hospitals in an innovative webinar format. The panel discussion was a Webinar which gave mothers from all over the country an opportunity to participate in an event which acted as a great myth buster and eye-opener.

Present on the occasion were Dr Tripat Chaudhary, Director, Obs & Gynae, Fortis La Femme who educated the audience on the culture of breastfeeding in India. She said “Vedic literature and ayurveda highlights the importance of breastfeeding and signifies breastmilk as the elixir of life. There have been two major myths associated with the culture first that of pre-lactial feeds (mixture of honey and ghee to new-born for energy and easier acceptance of feeds) which actually leads to infection and delays in initiation of breastfeeding and the second that of destroying, which actually is most nutritious and beneficial for the baby.”

Adding further, Dr Raghuram Mallaiah, Director, Neonatology, Fortis La Femme elaborated the impact of early initiation of breastfeeding. He said, “As per the WHO and UNICEF guidelines early initiation of breastmilk is most beneficial. The education on this should be actively provided to new mothers and the families. All hospitals should make this a rule to explain all aspects and myths surrounding early initiation to mothers before delivering. The new born should be immediately moved to the mother except in very complicated deliveries. Babies should get the opportunity to latch on in the first hour and this has been proved by many studies that the sooner the baby latches on the early the initiation is.”

Talking about the rate of breastfeeding, Dr Anita Sharma, Lactation Consultant, Fortis La Femme said; “Australia has the highest breastfeeding rate of 96 per cent, which drops to 31% in two weeks of the discharge of mothers from the hospital. Hence it is important to involve the father and family to ensure that they support the mother top breastfeed the baby. Breastmilk is the baby’s first medical insurance and exclusive breastfeeding helps baby to develop the immunity to fight diseases such as gastro-intestinal infections, urinary tract infection, childhood cancers, allergies, asthma, diarrhoea, life-long prevention from obesity and helps develop higher IQ.”

Adding further, Dr. Anjila Aneja, Director, Obs & Gynae, Fortis La Femme said, “A good family support system and proper education for mothers and the family is a must. Breastfeeding is the time when the baby bonds with the mother and has multiple benefits for the mother such as prevention of ovarian cancer, post-menopausal osteoporosis; denser bones and helps in losing post pregnancy weight.”

All the experts unanimously did voice that the requirement is for good healthcare experts who can educate not only the expecting mothers but their families too and this education should start as early as the 2nd trimester.