Breastfeeding – Its Importance And Challenges, First Time Parents Neha Dhupia And Angad Bedi Share Their Experiences

New Delhi: First time parents, Actor Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, who welcomed their first child – a baby girl – in 2018, spoke about the importance of breastfeeding at the 12-hour #SwsthyaMantra telethon by NDTV and Dettol’s Banega Swasth India campaign on October 2.

Also Read: Opinion: Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Mother And Child And How We Can Promote And Support It

The new parents highlighted the importance of the first 1000 days and breastfeeding for child’s health and well-being and stressed on the fact that both parents should be equally involved in this crucial process. Actor Neha Dhupia said,

Last year, on October 2, when I spoke about breastfeeding, I got a huge amount of encouragement and I decided to take it forward. We created a community of new mums. Every mother is in her own amazing and is trying to do what is best for their children. There is no judgement.

Also Read: Actress Neha Dhupia Calls For Empowering New Mothers To Have The Freedom To Feed

Ms Dhupia also spoke about the need for a change in policy and creating more facilities for breastfeeding mums. She added,

We need more hygienic places and facilities for mums who are breastfeeding. A mother gives her 100 per cent in raising her child, it is the most natural process, what we need is more freedom to feed, we should be able to feed our baby anywhere at any given point of time..That’s how much we need to progress. In rural areas, I think, women are more empowered when it comes to breastfeeding but in cities, facilities are lacking to fed the baby. There have to be better facilities for breastfeeding mums.

Also Read: Childcare During Pandemic: Breastfeeding Or Sourcing Breast Milk From Milk Banks Is Safe With Some Precautions, Say Experts

On the other hand, Actor Angad Bedi talked about the responsibilities of the fathers and how they should support the breastfeeding mothers at all the times. He said fathers should don the role of being the protector and added,

When a mother is nursing, it is the most sensitive thing for the baby and mother and it should be your duty to help them have privacy. The husband should also be sensitive towards the mothers because her job is very demanding. Thus, you as a father should also share her work and support her in all possible ways.

About Banega Swasth India Campaign

For 6 years, NDTV & Dettol India have been talking about and promoting the need for a clean and healthy India through Banega Swachh-Swasth India campaign. In 2019, the campaign moved the conversation from Swachh to Swasth (Health) because only a clean India can become a healthy India. Helmed by NDTV’s Dr Prannoy Roy and campaign ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, the campaign over the years has talked about various issues such as making India open defecation free, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programmes, waste management, recycling, menstrual hygiene, plight of manual scavengers, importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition to name a few.

In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, this year, it has becomes imperative to revisit the core values of the campaign and restart the conversations on hygienic practices, especially hand washing and cleanliness.

In the seventh year, Banega Swasth India campaign will focus on three pillars to make the world safe and healthy – Health, Hygiene & Sanitation, and Environment.

Also Read: In Maharashtra’s Amravati and Nandurbar Districts New Mothers Are Championing The Cause Of Breastfeeding, Courtesy Nutrition India Programme

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.