Importance of breastfeeding highlighted at seminar

ABBOTTABAD: Experts at a one-day seminar said that breast milk provided abundant and easily absorbed nutritional components, antioxidants, enzymes and immune properties.

“Mother’s more mature immune system makes antibodies to the germs to which she and her baby have been exposed. These antibodies enter her milk to help protect her baby from illness,” said an expert.

The seminar on “Breast cancer Awareness and Importance of Mother Feeding” was organised by Stellar & Ray, a civil society organisation, at SOS village in Dhodial. More than 30 female participants attended the awareness programme.

Dr Rabia Noor Azhar, CEO Stellar & Ray, said that breast milk provided ideal nutrition for babies as it contains everything a baby needs for the first six months of life, in all the right proportions.

“Its composition even changes according to the baby’s changing needs, especially during the first month of life.

She said that Breast milk is loaded with antibodies that help babies fight off viruses and bacteria, which is critical in those tender, early months,” she said, adding It also reduced the baby’s risk for many illnesses and diseases including middle ear infections, throat, and sinus infections.

Dr Rabia informed that breastfeeding promotes healthy weight gain and helps prevent childhood obesity.

“One study source showed that breastfeeding for longer than 4 months had a significant reduction in the chances of a baby developing overweight and obesity,” she added.

Dr Rabia, while commenting about breast cancer, said that this disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. She added that breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast.

“A breast is made up of three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. Breast cancer can spread outside the breast through blood vessels and lymph vessels,” she added.She advised women to conduct mammogram tests.Dr Rabia also replied to the queries of the participants and distributed certificates amongst the participants.