WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK: Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding low among Kashmiri mothers: Doctors

Srinagar, August 06: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding is low among Kashmiri mothers, doctors have noted, as the world celebrates World Breastfeeding Week. This annual event, supported by WHO, UNICEF, and governments, is held during the first week of August. The theme for 2024 is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”
Doctors say breastfeeding is one of the most potent methods for securing child health and survival as it is perfect nourishment for them that bolster protection against illnesses.
In Kashmir, doctors say that the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is less among mothers revealing that formula feeding is a major public health problem.
Senior paediatrician department of paediatrics, GMC Srinagar, Dr Suhail Naik, said the fundamental concept in young children rearing is still nurturing the child with nature.
He said the infants who are formula fed are susceptible to malnutrition, infections and have adverse short and long term outcomes in different health parameters.
“Researches consistently depicted that breastfed infants develop less frequent and milder infections and formula fed infants develop more severe and frequent infections. Subsequently formula fed infants have higher frequency of hospitalization, mortality and morbidity,” he said.
He said human milk is only accepted to feed the growing infant, as it is nutritious, balanced and contains so many anti-infective and immunity-boosting molecules.
Naik said their (breast-fed babies) frequency of hospitalization, mortality and morbidity is less than formula-fed infants and the difference is statistically significant.
Notably, a study conducted by the department of pediatrics, GMC Srinagar titled ‘practice of exclusive breastfeeding: its socio-demographic determinants’ also reveals that the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding is less among mothers in Kashmir.
“The prevalence of EBF (36%) in Kashmir is lower than the national figure (64%),” read the research published in the International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics.
The study included 600 mothers, having infants in the age group of 0-6 months. Variables recorded were modes of feeding, demographics, socioeconomic status, literacy level, mode of delivery and place of delivery.
“These findings indicate that the breastfeeding support provided by health services is weak and immediate measures to promote exclusive breastfeeding are of utmost importance to decrease the infant mortality rate to a targeted single digit,” said Naik who was part of the study.
Dr Amir Iqbal Lone, Gynaecologist, J&K Health Services explained some of the tips that women can remember to improve their chances for breastfeeding success.
“The first few days are learning days and time when signals are sent from breast to brain, hormones are released from the brain that help in production of breast milk and developing emotional bond between you and your newborn,” he said.
Dr Amir said there are many benefits to having your baby in the room with you in the hospital and at home; including bonding, learning, prevention of infections etc.
“Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed have reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer,” he said.
The Union Health Ministry, WHO and UNICEF recommend initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding till 2 years of age or beyond along with appropriate complementary feeding after six months of age.
“We are all aware of the benefits of breastfeeding to the family, mothers, babies and the nation as a whole. There is a huge body of evidence that makes it clearer how India would benefit,” say doctors.
A 2019 international study on the cost of not breastfeeding estimates that in India, inadequate breastfeeding results in 100,000 preventable child deaths (mainly due to diarrhoea and pneumonia), 34.7 million cases of diarrhoea, 2.4 million cases of pneumonia, and 40,382 cases of obesity in India.
As per government data, health impact on mothers is more than 7000 cases of breast cancer, 1700 of ovarian cancer and 87000 of type- 2 diabetes and India spends INR 727.18 crores on health care due to illness.
As per doctors, optimal feeding has the potential to simultaneously reduce risk or burden of under-nutrition and overweight, obesity or diet-related NCDs. Despite the unparalleled value, the breastfeeding rates remain low in India.
In 2026, the Government of India launched the Mothers Absolute Affection (MAA) program to improve breastfeeding in the hospitals. The MoHFW’s National Guidance on Lactation Management Centres recommends lactation support staff at the delivery points.