R. K. SHARMA - A PILLAR OF STRENGTH FOR Breastfeeding  PROMOTION MOVEMENT
A teacher and educational administrator by profession, Mr. R. K. Sharma, the energetic live-wire Principal of N. K. Bagrodia Public School, Delhi, is a born motivator. It was therefore quite natural for him to take up the cause of Breastfeeding promotion as soon as he himself was convinced of the usefulness of Breastfeeding. Born on 15th September, 1951, R. K. Sharma completed his Master's in Science ( M.Sc. - Physics) and Masters of Education (M.Ed.) and joined the teaching profession. He soon blossomed not only as a teacher, but also as a social worker working for the upliftment of the poor and needy, control of pollution and conservation of the environment, organisation of sports and cultural events, and creation of scientific temper among the youth.

He was incharge of the scheme of education for the weaker sections, as a councilor to students and parents of economically weaker section. He played an important role in conducting environmental awareness program vocational training for economically weaker female of the society. He also act as a social worker, took active part in organising literacy week, immunisation program, and other welfare programs. He is lot more than all this in his own life as a good individual always with a helping hand. We look forward to Mr. Sharma's continued support to our movement.

He is the successor of Mr. Mathew Panamkat.

  Mr. Mathew Panamkat: Eminent Educator, Principal, Citylight Public School and popular author of children's books, is a gold medallist from the University of Rajasthan and was a British Council Scholar in the University of Leeds, U.K. He worked as a Lecturer in St.Stephen's College, Delhi and in the faculty of Education, University of Aden, and as Principal in prestigious schools of the Capital. He was awarded the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Teacher' Award in 1996 and the `P.T.A.' of India Principal's Award in 1999.

BPNI approached NKBPS  in 1998 with a request to get involved in our movement and Mr. Mathew, then principal, readily agreed, convinced of the logic in the World Breastfeeding Week Theme for 1998 - Breastfeeding: The best investment and a rally arranged for the same. The children and the teachers participated and Ms. Sushma Swaraj, the then Minister of Information and Technology has addressed the rally. In 1999 with the theme "Breastfeeding: Education for Life" again we approached the NKBPS to celebrate and involve more schools in the celebration and take a lead role for the purpose. The seed has to be planted when the soil is at its most fertile state. So, the principal agreed to introduce the subject of Breastfeeding and its usefulness to school students through celebration of WBW - 1999 in his school which included painting competition, declamation contest and slogan writing contest etc.

Function

NKBPS, Rohini, organised and celebrated the WBW. Many activities were conducted in this week such as poster making, quiz contest, and surveys. Various schools of Rohini like Sachdeva Public School, Himalaya Public School, DAV Public School, Bal Bharti Public School,  St. Margrets Public School, Sarvodaya Vidhyalaya participated in these activities. The survey was conducted by NKBPS. The views of parents, teachers, students, were taken in the form of questionnaire. Different questions to Breastfeeding and babies health etc. were asked in it. People gave their opinion and made successful this survey. The topic of this survey was "Practices in relation to Child Health".

The chief guest of the celebration was Dr. Shanti Ghosh. In the speech she highlighted her experience about the advantages of Breastfeeding for growth and development of infants and children. Dr. Arun Gupta, National Coordinator of BPNI addressed to the audience about the scholastic activities of school children who had been breastfed exclusively. He pointed out the theme for this year and how to carry out and propagate the message to make the community fully aware about Breastfeeding and sustain the momentum initiated during the Breastfeeding week.

A poster and slogan writing competition followed the school function. A quiz contest for the students was also organised by the school student and teachers of lead school developed the entire program. Dr. Shanti Ghosh had distributed prizes and certificates to the winners and runners in different competitions in this celebration week followed by the concluding speech.

During the celebration the children presented the survey results in different form, like pie diagram, graph presentation etc. Survey took up by IX and XI class students. The children are:

Kavita, Chandni, Vikas, Punit, Anju, Sunita, Ruchi, Gitesh, Chetan, Priyadarshini Shubra, Neha Sharda, Anju Jain, Madhu, Sujeet, Aastha, Charu, Neha Narula and Neha Aggarwal.
 

The Children's view on this issue!!!!
Most women choose to breastfeed and can do so if they have correct information, adequate skilled support to build confidence and are free from various obstacles. These obstacles need to be removed to bring back Breastfeeding culture.

The questions are divided in different groups and the finding are given below:

Q. Mother's milk is the complete nutrition for the baby from birth upto 6 months. No other milk, food or drink is required.
1. Babies should start to breastfeed within half an hour to one hour of birth. They should get COLOSTRUM - the yellowish milk during first 2-3 days. Nothing should be given before the first breastfeed.
2. Bottle feeding is unnecessary and even harmful for babies. It is the leading cause of diarrhoea in babies.
3. Mother can continue Breastfeeding during sickness without any harm to the baby.
4. Commercial milks are always inferior to mother's milk.
5. Solid foods should be introduced about 6 months.

The goals of World Breastfeeding Week 1999 on the theme of Breastfeeding: Education for Life are to:

Increase public awareness of the importance of protecting, promoting and supporting Breastfeeding as the standard for infant development and growth.

Encourage the incorporation of education on Breastfeeding and appropriate infant feeding practices into all levels of formal and informal education.

Involve school children, from pre-school onwards and teenagers in WBW activities and provide tools for popular education appropriate for different age groups.

Encourage the integration of Breastfeeding experiences and practices into children's developmental materials and toys.

Improve relevant curriculum design with all types of educators and trainers from professional institutions, medical and other teaching schools, health organisations, hospitals and community education centers.

Q. Children are fed normally and given more fluid during diarrhoea.
Q. Children under 3 are forced to read/write.

The outcomes of these questions are:
1. For the first question i.e. "Children are fed normally and given more fluid during diarrhoea" was that out of 166 people, 124 of them were in favour of this, 29 were not in favour of this and 13 of them didn't say anything i.e. their answer was "Don't know".
2. For the second question i.e. "Children under 3 are forced to read/write" was that 24 of them said `YES', 124 of them said `NO' and 18 of them said `DON'T KNOW' out of 166 people.

Medical Analysis
1. Children are normally fed and given more fluid during diarrhoea.

A large number of people were in favour of feeding children while they are suffering from diarrhoea. But few people happen to form an opinion against it. Doctors promote that children when suffering from diarrhoea should be given healthy food and liquid. This helps children to fight the weakness from loss of water. The children also recover quickly when given proper food. Doctors also recommend O.R.S. - Oral Rehydrated Solution in such cases.

2. Children under 3 are forced to read/write

Children under 3 are forced to read/write by fewer parents. But a large number of parents do not believe in forcing their children for studies. The children under 3 should not be forced to read and write unwillingly. This increases the burden on the children and hampers their mental growth. As a result a child may fail to adjust in outer environment like school. Doctors too insist that children under 3 should not be forced to read and write unwillingly.

Q. "Children are fed normally during sickness", out of 166 forms 79 replied yes,  78 replied no, and 9 were don't know.

Q. Children are sent to school under 3 years
Q. Children are encouraged to eat by themselves

The outcome of the survey is as mentioned out of 166 people who were surveyed 52 were in favour of the topic and said Yes, 111 people said No, and 3 people neither said Yes nor said No. Out of 166 people surveyed 81 people were in favour of letting the children eat by themselves, 80 people said No, and 5 were don't know.

Medical Analysis (1)
The above given result shows that a large number of people are not in favour of sending children under 3 years to school. But still many people send their children under 3 years to school whereas a little number is not aware about it at all.

This provides a good sign that many people do not send their children under 3 years to school. As the children at that age are not fully developed so as to bear the burden of studies. It can hamper their mental growth. Many students lack behind at school which can develop a inferiority complex with in them. Many students also fail to adapt themselves to school environment at such an early age. Thus children under 3 years should be sent to school.

(2) For this question there was an equal response in favour and against it. People who encourage their children to eat by themselves are almost equal in other way also. And very few people do not have either of the option.

There are many people who believe in bringing up their children by letting them eat on their own. As it makes them self dependent. But there are people equal in number who believe in feeding their children and supporting them to their fullest. Doctors believe that children should be made self dependent since childhood. This practice helps in habit formation. It also reduces the dependence of children on their parents. They are helped by this practice. Thus children should eat by themselves.

Q. New born babies are/were given tinned milk or not.
Q. Baby walker is used for under one year old or not.

For the first question, out of 165, 54 said Yes, 106 said No, and 5 were as don't know. For the second question 101 replied Yes, 61 said No and 3 were don't know.

Analytical report
(1) According to the survey results, it shows that most of the parent are aware of the fact that new born babies are not to be fed with tinned milk. Tinned milk has been found to be very much harmful in developed as well as developing countries. It increases the incidence of diarrhoea, ear infections and pneumonia in a new born baby. It also increases the risk of allergy and asthma. It is said that mother's milk is complete nutrition in itself. It helps the child to grow and become strong. The conclusion derived from the common practices of the people i.e. reflected in the survey conducted stated that one must say `no' to tinned milk and instead promote Breastfeeding.

(2) Ideally baby walker should not be used for under one year old babies. But surprisingly according to the survey conducted 101 replied positively, 61 replied negatively and 3 as don't know. This is very shocking to know that maximum number of parents are accustomed to this wrong practice.

As we all know children under one year old have weak bones, they are not strong enough. If they are forced to walk with the help of baby walker their legs could be de-shaped. Their bones are not strong enough to carry their body weight. This is the reason why most of the infants crawl before they walk.

Mother's milk provide strength and energy to babies. Her milk builds out babies bones and muscles strong. If baby tries to walk himself, it is a good sign as he tries to use his energy rightly. So parents should not compel their infants to walk with the help of baby walker. Remember, any wrong practice can affect a child, like this practice, can affect the right posture of child's legs.

In conclusion, infants should not use baby walkers and should learn to walk by themselves without any support.

Q. Children are given vaccination including measles.
Analysis: Out of 166, 151 says yes, 10 said no, and 5 said don't know.

Medical Analysis: Mother's milk is just the right nutrition for the growth of your baby. It is easy to digest. It contains protective substances which help prevent infections especially diarrhoea. It contains the most suitable proteins and fats, also more lactose than any other milk. Lack of Vitamin A is causing a blinding malnutrition, while Breastfeeding can help to prevent it. Iron in breastmilk is better absorbed than any other form. Mother's milk also contain fat soluble Vitamin D which protects against rickets.

Doctor says: First preference is always given to mother's milk because it is the only way of providing energy to new born baby by the means of balanced food. All put together breastmilk reduces the risk of sickness, infections and repeated infections making a child healthier with proper overall growth. After birth the baby is given mother's milk within half an hour to one hour and this first milk is called `colostrum' which is so important for the new born. And this you could say is the first vaccination for the child. But doctors do recommend vaccinations for new born babies, but it is only to reduce the effect of various infections which tend to attach the baby's immune system.
Various vaccinations given to new born babies (doses and time period)

1. BCG: is given at the birth in India as the infection spreaded by Tuberculosis is very high.
2. DPT (Diphtheria, Pertuses, Tetanus): as the name itself suggests this vaccine is given to prevent the three infections. DPT is given to child after an interval of 3 months from the time of birth. After which 3 doses are given with one month time gap.
3. Polio: Dosage and time period of this vaccine is just the same as DPT and both the vaccines are given together.
4. Measles: A single dose of this vaccine is given to child after 9 months from the time of birth.

All the above vaccines are given after a minimum duration of 3 months after birth. During this period, mother's milk is the idle food which provides immunity to the baby's body. Mother's milk contains balanced nutrition and all the components which are essential to form anti-bodies within the body of the child to fight against the infections which the baby of prone to.

Babies need appropriate nutrition, affection, stimulation and protection against infection. Breastfeeding meets all these demands and gives the babies best start in life. Breastfeeding is natural. There is substitute for mother's milk.

Vaccination is a Precaution, Mother's Milk is the Cure:

According to the information received from the survey, we conclude that a large percentage of people are aware of the vaccinations to be given to their children. However, taking into consideration, that the survey was conducted among educated people, still there are few people who are not aware the vaccines which should be provided to their children and thus have not got their children vaccinated on time. If the educated people are not aware of such type of treatment, then what about those uneducated ones who get such type of informations by consulting or listening to literate people. Thus each and everyone should be aware of getting their children vaccinated on time.

Babies need appropriate nutrition, affection, stimulation and protection against infection. Breastfeeding meets all these demands and gives the babies best start for life. Its natural like mother's love, there is no substitute for mother's milk. To be successful in Breastfeeding, mother's need support of family, community and health workers. Keeping these facts in mind a World Breastfeeding Week was organised in NK Bagarodia Public School with other various schools participated.

Q. Cerelac/Farex is given to babies under 6 months.
Despite the fact that every one knows that breastmilk is the best food for infants, it is unfortunate that about 50% of babies in first 3 months are not exclusively breastfed. Use of artificial milk and bottle feeding jumps from 11% dairy first month to 55% dairy 4th months.

Most woman choose to Breastfeeding to their child and can do if they have correct information, adequate skilled support to build confidence and are free to fight various obstacles.

It was found out that many mothers are aware of importance of Breastfeeding and infant feeding. But some who were ignorance and unaware had a chance to have a look at their weakness.

Q. Children are weighed regularly to monitor growth.
Out of 166 questions, our statistical analysis showed that 133 people said Yes i.e. they support the point, 22 said No i.e. either they do not support this or they are not aware of the fact and 11 said don't know i.e. they do not think it to be a practice relating to child health.

Q. Children are encouraged to handwash before eating.
For this question, again our statistical analysis showed that 155 people said Yes, i.e. they fully agree with the practice, 9 said No, i.e. they do not agree with the point and 2 said don't know.

Medical Analysis
1. Why are children weighed regularly? What is the reason behind this? Why does parents take their child to doctor for a check up? The reason behind all these questions is to check whether their child is growing mentally and physically or not. They need appropriate nutrition, affection, stimulation and protection against infection. If the children do not get proper nutrition in their diet, then their body cells and tissues do not increase and so their growth does not takes place. This factor also depends on the fact that how much love and affection does children get from their parents. Because, if they will get proper love and affection, which will make them happy enhances very much in their growth. They had to be fully protected from infection because if children will get infection from bacteria or virus, which are found in the stomach, restricts the growth of cells and tissues.

2. Why do children are taught to handwash before eating or after coming from toilets? Most of the children get infected from bacteria which enters into the body through hands and mouth when children play in mud, the bacteria present there enters into their hands and when children without washing their hands starts eating, these bacteria enters in their body through mouth and causes infection. Secondly, most of the children are exposed to their pets and they breathe the animal dauder which could sensitize their airways and cause respiratory problem or had in other words, as asthma which had increased about 40% in the last decade in the world. Thirdly, some children do not wash their hands properly after coming from the toilets. They just wash their hands with the water and does not use soaps and starts eating with those dirty hands which in turn welcomes the germs into the body. Moreover parents should also keep a full check on their children regarding this practice.

Hence, in the end, we can come to the conclusion that both the practices are satisfactory and as the data shows, most of the people are aware of both these practices, is a good show by the people. But those people are not aware about these practices should be informed about the importance of this in the growth of the child mentally and physically.

Q. Under one year babies are bottle-fed?

Out of 166, 80 said Yes, 83 said No and 3 said don't know.

Medical Analysis
Mother's milk is just the right nutrition for the growth of babies. It is easy to digest. It contains protective substances which help prevent infections. It contains proteins and fats for proper growth of the baby. More loctose than any other milk and this is essential for a human baby. Iron in breastmilk is better absorbed than the iron in cow's milk, it is important for baby's brain development. It contains water soluble vitamin D and more vitamin A and E as compare to other's milk.

Doctors say - bottle milk is harmful for babies because of following reasons.
1. Bottles may not be sterilized, this may cause infection.
2. Suckling through bottle is easier than Breastfeeding. This make nipple confusion.
3. As bottle milk is not easy to digest, the baby may not demand milk frequently. This may reduce appetite of the baby.
4. It increases the incident of diarrhoea, ear infection, pneumonia, risk of allergy, asthma etc.
5. Bottle milk does not contain various nutrients in adequate quantity which form the ideal balanced diet for the baby to develop its immunity system.
 

Q. Honey is/way given to new born babies:
Out of 166, 120 says Yes, 40 - No and 6 don't know.

As this is the tradition in most of the places in Indian families, the survey shows that majority of families still practice this.

Medical Analysis:
1. Honey being thick cannot be easily digested by baby because before birth the child used to get food through the mother's blood but now he has to digest on his own and his organs at that time are too sensitive to digest these heavy liquids.

2. Till 4-6 months of age nothing should be given except mother's milk. Mother's milk is sufficient for the development of the baby and solid food or other liquids can cause harm to the baby.

3. Honey is given to the babies with the finger which can cause infection of the uncleaned fingers.

Breastfeeding provides substances that are nutritionally perfect for human babies and protects them from illness. These are needed for growth and development of the infant's rapidly growing brain and central nervous system. It also provides the loving interaction that forms the basis for establishing the child's personality. Breastmilk is the foundation of food security for all the babies of the world.

The teachers in the act and their thoughts!!!
They were Ms. Sadhna Sahu, Ms.Uma S Raman and Ms. Nirmal Subhash
 
 

Ms. Sadhna Sahu

Ms. Uma S Raman

Ms. Nirmal Subhash

Mother's milk is the gift of nature. Not only it is nutritionally wholesome, provides immunity, is safe and convenient but also strikes a lifelong bond between the mother and the child, so necessary for conserving family values. Probably this realisation is fading away from the minds of present generation mothers who get carried away by the milk food advertisements.

Feeding at the mother's breast is nature's birthright given to all babies, the most natural act on earth. However, the growing trend towards bottle-feeding is a cause for concern. It is thus imperative that the future generation be made aware of the advantages of mother's milk over artificial feed, and also be warned against, myths created by companies promoting infant food.