National Breastfeeding Week to commence on August 1

Nadira Gunatilleke

The National Breastfeeding Week would be held from August 1 to 7 countrywide. The Health Ministry and Family Health Bureau would mark the week by organizing various programmes throughout the country, Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, this year’s theme for the National Breastfeeding Week was `Let us talk more about breastfeeding’. The programmes would attract all connected persons such as pregnant and, lactating mothers, family members, community leaders, young leaders and professionals and educate them on the values of breastfeeding.

The main objective of the programme was the promoting of breastfeeding in Sri Lanka. Mother’s milk is the best food/drink that could be given to an infant during its early childhood. According to the National policy, infants should be fed only with breast milk within the first six months of year.

According to the national policy, breast milk protects children from diseases and strengthen their immunity. While being the most nutritious food an infant can have, it does not cost a cent. The originality of breast milk could not be replaced by other various types of toddlers’ milk powder advertised on television.

The national ceremony to mark the commencement of the week had been held at Castle Maternity Hospital, Colombo 8, under the patronage of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena recently.