On the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, doctors at Swami Dayanand Hospital urged expectant mothers and their families to adopt exclusive breastfeeding and avoid traditional feeding practices that can put a newborn's health at risk.

Speaking at an awareness programme organised for pregnant women and their attendants, Dr. Surender Singh Bisht, Head of the Department of Pediatrics, advised families not to give newborns sweet water (gud ka pani), ghutti, or honey after birth. Instead, he stressed that babies should be fed only their mother's milk during the first six months of life.

"Mother's milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs for healthy growth and development. It is nature's complete food for newborns and also helps protect them from infections by strengthening their immunity," Dr. Bisht said. He also called on family members to support new mothers so they can continue exclusive breastfeeding without pressure to follow harmful traditional practices.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sunita Kujjur, Medical Superintendent of Swami Dayanand Hospital, highlighted the unmatched importance of breast milk in a child's early life.

"Mother's milk is the best gift a mother can give to her newborn. It provides complete nutrition, boosts immunity, and lays the foundation for a healthy future. Every mother should be encouraged and supported to exclusively breastfeed her baby for the first six months," she said.

The awareness programme aimed to educate expectant mothers and their families about the health benefits of breastfeeding while dispelling myths surrounding newborn feeding. 

Doctors emphasised that creating awareness among family members is equally important, as their support plays a key role in ensuring the health and well-being of both mother and child.