Concerns over breast feeding in Rajasthan - NDTV.com - News on Concerns over breast feeding in Rajasthan

This week is being celebrated all over the world as breast feeding week

But while there is a strong tradition of breast feeding in India, the practice is still surrounded by myth and superstition.

In rural Rajasthan, valuable colostrums, which is secreted in the first few hours after birth, is rarely given to infants.

"In the first two days, no milk comes. We give a child water and jaggery. The first milk that comes is dirty. You can't give a child that yellow fluid," says Santosh Bai.

While Santosh Bai denied her children colostrum, in other rural communities a newborn is breast fed only at an auspicious time.

Noble intitiative

But a UNICEF initiative launched with the state government is now fighting these old wives tales.

Draupadi, Santosh Bai's daughter-in-law fed her new born baby half an hour after delivery with the support of her local health worker

"I tell people to feed their baby in the first half hour after birth and give them colostrum. It helps build immunity. That's very important," says Krishna, community health worker.


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