Pure beginnings for the little children – World Breastfeeding Week Observance – 2023
Breastfeeding is nature’s beautiful, tender way of nurturing the newborn and providing acomplete diet for the infant. It also promotes a strong sense of love & attachmentbetween the mother and the infant.WorldBreastfeeding Week [WBW], held in the first week of August every year, is dedicated to theprotection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding worldwide.
With the guidance of SEESHA's esteemed Founder, Dr. Paul Dhinakaran, and the support of Dr. Shilpa Samuel Dhinakaran, SEESHA, in association with its strategic partners, namely, the Integrated Child Development Scheme - Women & Child Development Wing, and Fantastic Jeyachandran Textiles, commemorated World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) duringthe first week of August [AUG 1–7] in Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Cuddalore, Mumbai, Ranchi and Vyara target project locations across India.
Throughout the first week of August, the SEESHA team organizedseveral sensitization programs, mass rallies, stage plays, nutritious food exhibitions, quizzes to assess the participants’ knowledge of the importance of breastfeeding, videos on effective breastfeeding practices, and Q&A sessions to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week to protect& promote breastfeeding.
More than 1593 pregnant women and lactating mothers across Indiawere apprised of the huge benefits that breastfeeding can bring to the wellbeing of babies and to maternal health, focusing on early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and good nutrition.
Here are the highlights of the campaign across different locations:
1. Bengaluru:
Nearly 50 community members, including children, pregnant & lactating mothers, and their relatives benefited from the awareness campaign held at D.J. Halli PHC. The BBMP medical team, along with SEESHA, conducted the session.
2. Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Mumbai and Vyara:
More than 239 pregnant women and lactating mothers from project communities in Ranchi, Mumbai, Vyara, and Bhubaneswar were sensitized by medical experts, health workers, and AWWs during the awareness campaigns. Nearly 34 AWWs participated in the programs.These events were well received by community members, as they improved their knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding and promoted a supportive environment for the target groups.
3. Chennai:
In Chennai, WBW sensitization camps were organized in association with Jeyachandran Textiles at Tambaram West, T. Nagar, Pallikaranai, and Vanagaram, during which 206 pregnant women and 580 lactating mothers were sensitized.Awareness from Medical experts, Q&A sessions, and videos were presented during the camps. At the end of the programs, the participants took the pledge to practice and spread awareness about efficient breastfeeding. All the participants were presented with gifts worth Rs.1899/-, sponsored by Jeyachandran Textiles.
4. Cuddalore:
Through the programs organized by the SEESHA Cuddalore Team, more than 205 pregnant women and 349 lactating mothers were sensitised on how breastfeeding is the best way to nurture the child and provide essential nutrients to babies during their earliest stages of life.
26 AWWs participated in the awareness campaigns, including 135 workers whoparticipated in the sensitization roadshow at Nellikkuppam. Several officials from theICDS, health, and police departments and local dignitaries participated in the programsheld at Babukulam, Melpattampakkam, Nellikkuppam, Kozhippakkam,Vadakkupalayam, Kilkavarapattu, Melkavarapattu, Kongarayanoor, andMelkumaramangalam target locations.
