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Kolkata, August 2024 — In a significant step toward improving infant health and nutrition, the West Bengal government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has launched an initiative to actively involve fathers in encouraging new mothers to breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life. This joint effort aims to enhance the overall support system for mothers, promoting a healthier start for newborns across the state.
Dr. Shashi Panja, the West Bengal Minister in charge of the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, emphasized the importance of engaging fathers and other family members in discussions about breastfeeding. “Breastfeeding should not be discussed with mothers alone. This awareness-building exercise should start immediately with the conception of a child so that the entire family comes forward in easing the mother into breastfeeding,” said Dr. Panja, who is also a medical practitioner.
As part of this initiative, Anganwadi workers have begun to actively engage fathers and other family members in conversations about the benefits of breastfeeding. The goal is to foster a supportive environment that encourages mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months, as recommended by health experts.
The initiative comes in response to findings that 53 percent of mothers in the state still do not exclusively breastfeed their children during the critical first six months. The state Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Department is taking proactive steps to address this issue, recognizing the vital role that family support plays in promoting breastfeeding.
Dr. Panja also highlighted the critical role of healthcare professionals in this initiative, urging doctors and nurses to educate families about the importance of colostrum feeding within the first hour of a child’s birth. “Even in cases of caesarean deliveries, breastfeeding should be initiated within an hour, with the support of those present in the labour room or operation theatre,” she said. This approach ensures that newborns, regardless of the delivery method, receive the essential nutrients and antibodies found in breast milk.
Dr. Md Monjur Hossain, Chief of UNICEF in West Bengal, shared insights from global practices, underscoring the importance of fatherly involvement in newborn care. He recounted an example from a South-East Asian country where fathers were encouraged to use their chests to bond with their babies, similar to how mothers do, to enhance their participation in the care process. Dr. Hossain also pointed out the environmental benefits of breastfeeding, noting that it reduces carbon emissions by eliminating the need for fuel to boil non-human milk.
Adding to the conversation, Dr. Basab Mukherjee, President of the Bengal Obstetric and Gynaecological Society, described breast milk as the baby’s “first vaccine” due to its rich nutrient and antibody content. He stressed that breastfeeding provides infants with a strong foundation for a healthy life.
This collaborative initiative by the West Bengal government and UNICEF represents a crucial step toward improving child health outcomes by ensuring that breastfeeding is a shared responsibility within families, ultimately benefiting mothers, babies, and the environment.
