Srinagar, Aug 05 (KNO): Marking World Breastfeeding Week, pediatric experts in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday stressed that breastfeeding remains the most effective and irreplaceable source of nutrition for infants, saying that no formula or artificial substitute can replicate the health, developmental and emotional benefits of a mother's milk.
Doctors said breastfeeding is not only essential for ensuring healthy physical growth during infancy but also plays a critical role in strengthening immunity, promoting brain development and protecting children from several life-threatening illnesses later in life. They urged families, healthcare institutions and policymakers to create an environment where mothers are encouraged and supported to exclusively breastfeed their babies during the first six months of life.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), renowned pediatrician Dr Showkat Bhat said breast milk is a complete and naturally balanced food that contains antibodies, enzymes and essential nutrients required for an infant's healthy growth and development.
"There is no alternative in the world that can truly replace a mother's milk. Artificial milk should only be used in exceptional medical circumstances. Breastfeeding provides babies with natural immunity that protects them against respiratory tract infections, diarrhoeal diseases, ear infections and several other common childhood illnesses," he said.
Dr Bhat said exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life significantly reduces infant morbidity and mortality while ensuring proper cognitive, emotional and physical development.
"Besides nourishing the child, breastfeeding strengthens the emotional bond between mother and baby. Scientific evidence has shown that exclusively breastfed infants have a lower risk of asthma, allergies, obesity, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and several chronic diseases later in life," he said.
Another senior pediatrician, Dr Bashir Ahmad from DHSK posted in South Kashmir described breast milk as "nature's perfect food" for newborns, saying that its nutritional composition cannot be matched by any commercially available formula.
"Formula milk cannot provide even a fraction of the biological protection and nutritional value that mother's milk naturally offers. Breast milk alone supplies all the energy, proteins, vitamins and minerals an infant requires during the first six months," he said.
He said once a child completes six months of age, parents should gradually introduce safe and age-appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding up to two years of age or even beyond.
"Breastfeeding should never be discontinued during illness. In fact, babies who fall sick require more fluids and nutrition, and mothers should breastfeed more frequently during such periods to aid recovery and prevent dehydration," Dr. Najar said.
He said breastfeeding is equally important for mothers as it accelerates recovery after childbirth.
"Breastfeeding stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone that helps the uterus contract to its normal size and reduces postpartum bleeding. In the long term, women who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis," he said.
He said breastfeeding mothers require additional calories and calcium because the body diverts nutrients to support the growing infant.
"A breastfeeding mother may temporarily lose around five percent of her bone mass as calcium is transferred to the baby. However, this loss is naturally restored after weaning and should not discourage mothers from breastfeeding," he added.
The experts said breastfeeding offers lifelong health advantages for children by reducing the risk of obesity, Type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and several metabolic disorders.
Despite these well-established benefits, they expressed concern that many mothers are unable to exclusively breastfeed due to inadequate awareness, lack of family support, workplace challenges and insufficient access to professional lactation counselling.
Citing findings from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) and (NHFS-6)the doctors said nearly 60 percent of children in Jammu and Kashmir are exclusively breastfed in accordance with World Health Organization recommendations. However, only around 13 percent of infants receive all recommended infant and young child feeding practices, indicating considerable scope for improvement.
"This gap highlights the need for sustained awareness campaigns and stronger institutional support. Every mother should receive proper counselling before and after delivery regarding breastfeeding techniques, nutrition and infant feeding practices," they said.
The experts called upon the Health Department, hospitals, community health workers and civil society organisations to intensify awareness programmes during World Breastfeeding Week and throughout the year.
They also advocated for establishing dedicated lactation counselling services in hospitals, strengthening community-based support systems, extending maternity protection measures and creating breastfeeding-friendly workplaces to enable mothers to continue nursing after returning to work.
"Breastfeeding is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions. It saves lives, improves childhood nutrition, reduces healthcare costs and contributes to healthier generations. Supporting every mother to breastfeed successfully is an investment in the future health of society," the experts added—(KNO)