RAJSHAHI: Speakers at a post-rally discussion here on Thursday mentioned sufficient breastfeeding is of paramount importance for physical and mental development of babies, reports BSS.

The speakers said breastfeeding is the best way to provide infants with the nutrients they need.

They also viewed that malnutrition is responsible, directly or indirectly, for about one thirds of deaths among children under five years old. Above two thirds of these deaths occur because of inappropriate feeding practices to children during the first year of their birth. So, there should be adequate measures to encourage every lactating mother to breastfeed their babies instead of depending on any other supplementary feed till their age of six months, they added.

The observation came at a view-sharing meeting in conference hall of Civil Surgeon Office.The meeting discussed ways and means to select beneficiaries for Working Lactating Mothers Supportive Fund in Rajshahi.

Department of Women Affairs has been implementing a project in this regard. Divisional director of Health Dr Anisur Rahman addressed the meeting as chief guest with Civil Surgeon Dr Sanjit Kumar Saha in the chair.Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdur Razzaque Khan, Assistant Director of Health Dr Ismat Ara, Medical Officer Dr Prodish Kumar Bishwas and District Representative of Brac AKM Jahidul Islam also spoke.

Dr Anisur Rahman said the proportion of breastfeeding among children aged below six months has increased to 64 percent in 2017, a sharp 23 percent rise from 2008 when the ratio was 43.

He also said the newborn babies exclusively need first breast milk within an hour of their birth as it contains nutritious colostrums and antibodies that make them stronger, enhancing immune system and disease resistance capacities.