Imphal, Aug 2 : World Breast Feeding Week celebration under the theme, 'Breast feeding, just ten steps ! The baby friendly way' organised by Breast Feeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) Manipur State branch has kick started at RIMS Jubilee Hall today.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr N Nabakishore said that chance of child mortality is six times higher in the case of artificial breast feeding within one to two months of its birth.
Giving detailed statistics on the trend of breast feeding, only 24.5 percent of the infants get breast feeding in the first hour of their birth.
He added that 50 percent of the infants get breast feeding within 24 hours, 64 percent after one month and 67 percent after the end of three months.
Dr Nabakishore said that breast feeding is a natural process and it is a must for the health of the baby.
Maintaining that breast feeding must be promoted by imparting awareness and counselling to the mothers, he added that a mother must breast feed her baby eight times a day.
Speaking on the ten steps of breast feeding, Dr Nabakishore said that giving counselling, providing information and implementation of BFHI are must to successfully implement exclusive breast feeding.
He also stressed on the need to cooperate the mothers by family members in giving exclusive breast to babies.
Speaking as chief guest of the function, RIMS Director Prof W Gyaneshwar Singh expressed concern that the rate of breast feeding has reduced with the number of educated and working mothers increase.
But the time has come to understand the significance of exclusive breast feeding, Prof W Gyaneshwar added.