Over 100 nurses participated in a special workshop on breastfeeding

New Delhi: A city hospital took a significant stride in celebrating World Breastfeeding Week by hosting a Lactation CME for more than 100 nurses from North Mumbai. The event aimed to educate the nurses about the numerous advantages of breastfeeding for both babies and mothers. Moreover, the hospital arranged a gathering where around 30 mothers came together to learn about breastfeeding Benefits, Challenges & Techniques. This year’s theme was ‘Let's make breastfeeding and work, Work! In order to facilitate this, valuable guidance was shared to help make breastfeeding a seamless experience while juggling work responsibilities.

Breastfeeding is not only a natural process but also one of the most vital actions a mother can take for her baby's health and well-being. It provides unparalleled nutrition for infants, offering a perfect balance of nutrients and antibodies that can't be replicated by any formula. “Breast milk contains essential vitamins and minerals that support an infant's growth and development, as well as enzymes that aid indigestion. It has numerous health benefits for both the baby and the mother. Research shows that breastfed babies have a reduced risk of developing various illnesses, such as allergies, asthma, obesity, and certain infections. For mothers, breastfeeding can help prevent postpartum haemorrhage and lower the risk of breast cancer later in life. Additionally, breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and child. The act of nursing creates a special intimate connection where both can experience closeness and comfort. It is the need of the hour to breastfeed the baby immediately after he/she is born,” said Dr Nitu Mundhra, Consultant Neonatologist paediatrician and Lactation expert, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road.

Dr Nitu Mundhra added, “World Breastfeeding Week is an opportunity to focus on this vital subject. Nurses are in charge of the baby’s health immediately after he/she is born. In view of it, the hospital conducted a lactation CME for 100 + nurses to discuss basics of lactation, breastfeeding benefits and problems, techniques, positions, low milk supply, counselling, and a hands-on workshop on colostrum expression. Around 30 women who delivered in the hospital participated in the celebrations in activities such as Quiz and posters and certificate distribution. They came together and shared their unique pregnancy journeys. Those breastfeeding women who are working were told about how to strike a balance between professional and personal life and have a pleasant breastfeeding experience.”

A nurse said, “We extend our gratitude to the Hospital for valuing our contribution and making us feel like an integral part of their team. The opportunity to attend this enlightening session and receive comprehensive training in new-born care has been a true blessing. We eagerly anticipate future events organised by the Hospital that are as captivating and ground-breaking as this one. It was a refreshing experience to carve out time from our demanding schedules, forge strong connections, and acquire valuable knowledge. This CME has ignited a renewed determination within us to provide optimal care for infants and do everything possible for their well-being.”

Sneha Shah, a mother who attended the event, added, “We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to engage in this enriching session conducted by the Hospital. Additionally, another valuable perspective gained from this session was the significance of establishing healthy boundaries between work life and personal life. It is all too easy for work-related stressors to spill over into our personal lives and compromise the baby’s health. However, we were informed about how to manage the problems related to breastfeeding. I thank the experts for their valuable time. It was also a great pleasure to meet the other mothers and get to know their journeys and learn from them too. We request the Hospital to take up more such initiatives for the benefit of society and help in transforming lives.”