Speaker at a discussion emphasized the need for timely initiation of breastfeeding after one hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding to babies for six months, reports BSS.

“Breast milk is the best food for the newborn babies and there is no alternative to breastfeeding for the normal growth of children as it contains essential nutrients for the infants and helps enhancing resistance power,” they said.

The speakers said this while addressing a discussion marking the World Breastfeeding Week-2017, starting today, at the district Civil Surgeon (CS) conference room organised by the district Health Department.

The department is observing the week in the district to encourage every lactating mother to breastfeed their babies for building a healthy nation.

This year’s theme of the week is ‘Sustaining Breastfeeding Together’.

CS Dr. Amir Ali presided over the meeting. Superintendent of Gaibandha Sadar Hospital Dr. Mosnet Ara Begum addressed as the chief guest and deputy director of department of family planning Dewan Morshed Kamal was present as the special guest.

Medical officer Dr. Naznin Akhter, district nutrition support officer of unicef Mohammad Kamruzzaman, project manager of CARE Bangladesh Khairuzzaman Manik, representative of SKS-SHOWHARDO program Samina Khatun, and junior health education officer Abdul Hannan spoke at the meeting, among others.

Dr. Mosnet Ara Begum urged the lactating mothers to continue breastfeeding for two years along with adequate complementary foods to make their babies stronger, enhancing immune system and disease resistance capacities.

The district health department also brought out a rally in front of civil surgeon (CS) office this morning and ended at the same venue after parading the main roads of the town.