World Breastfeeding Week celebrated

Chandigarh, 5th August 2021: World Breastfeeding Week was celebrated today with the theme of "Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility" at Anganwadi Composite Building Dadu Majra in the presence of Smt. Nikita Pawar, IAS, Secretary Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Chandigarh Administration and Smt. Navjot Kaur, PCS, Director Social Welfare Women and Child Development, Chandigarh Administration. The event was held to promote the initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of the birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding for first six months, and continued breastfeeding for two years or beyond. With the introduction of adequate and appropriate complementary feeding, the children grow healthy and defy the chances of malnutrition. The event was started with colourful Rangoli made by Anganwadi Workers to spread the message of importance of Breast Feeding. During the event demonstration of Recipe for Lactating Mother, and Annaprashan (initiation of complementary feeding) was also organized. In addition Sanitary Napkins, Take Home Ration was distributed among Adolescent Girls and Lactating Mothers. Department of Women and Child Development UT Chandigarh is celebrating this week with full enthusiasm in UT Chandigarh. The activities are focused on the importance of breastfeeding and intensified counselling of mothers during the antenatal period, at institutional delivery points and during lactation. During the week approx. 1275 activities have been organized in all 450 Anganwadi Centres to convey the message that "the first two years of a child's life are crucial for optimal growth and development”. The activities were organized such as:- Door to Door visits, 03 Rangoli’s on Breastfeeding, 450 Home visits, 20 Lectures, Distribution of sanitary pads in all 450 AWCs, 03 Slogan writing competitions, Nukkad Nataks, Sensitizing mothers for effective implementation of the milk substitute, Demonstration of Healthy Diet for Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers, Honoring mothers for exclusive breast feeding, etc. wherein approximately 3800 beneficiaries participated.