DUSHANBE, August 11, Asia-Plus — A ten-day event dedicated to breast-feeding was held in Tajikistan from August 1 to 10.
According to the Ministry of Health (MoH), the event was held throughout the country under the motto of “Early Breast-Feeding Will Save Millions of Infants From Death” as part of a joint program of the MoH and UNICEF CO in Tajikistan for promoting and supporting breast-feeding.
The source at the MoH said that the main objective of the program is to raise awareness among population of benefit of breast-feeding as well as reduce infant mortality rate in the country. During the ten-day event of breast-feeding, representatives from the ministry and UNICEF CO held meetings with population and distributed booklets and posters on this subject, according to the source.
It is to be noted that Tajikistan was one of the first in Central Asia to adopt the law on protecting breast-feeding and state control over circulation of baby foods.
Breastmilk is the natural first food for babies, it provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life.
Specialists note that breastmilk promotes sensory and cognitive development, and protects the infant against infectious and chronic diseases. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea or pneumonia, and helps for a quicker recovery during illness.
Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of mothers, it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment.
While breastfeeding is a natural act, it is also a learned behaviour. An extensive body of research has demonstrated that mothers and other caregivers require active support for establishing and sustaining appropriate breastfeeding practices.
