JIPMER observes World Breastfeeding Week with emphasis on sustainable support systems

puducherry: the jawaharlal institute of postgraduate medical education and research (jipmer) has commenced week-long celebrations of world breastfeeding week (august 1-7), under the theme “prioritize breastfeeding: create sustainable support systems”.the campaign was launched with an awareness rally involving faculty, nursing students, and staff from the departments of neonatology, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and the college of nursing. the rally, flagged off by jipmer director dr. vir singh negi, traversed the hospital campus and concluded at the college of nursing, drawing attention from the public and hospital visitors.the week will feature culturally engaging awareness programmes, including villu paattu, role plays, and poster exhibitions, aimed at educating mothers on the importance of breastfeeding and newborn care.highlighting its significance, jipmer noted that breastfeeding is crucial for reducing infant mortality, preventing malnutrition, and improving cognitive development. breast milk, considered the biological norm, provides essential nutrients and immunity.despite its benefits, the nfhs-5 data indicates that only 41% of indian infants are breastfed within an hour of birth and just 64% are exclusively breastfed for six months.jipmer advocates exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding up to two years. it also calls for workplace support for nursing mothers, including maternity leave, lactation rooms, breastfeeding breaks, and creches.breastfeeding, the institute stressed, is not only beneficial for infants but also reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers in mothers.