Say experts
Ten children die across the country every hour due to acute malnutrition which can be averted mostly through proper breastfeeding and complementary feeding, according to experts.
They said promotion, protection, and support in both breastfeeding and complementary feeding are a must for building a healthy nation.
Media has an important role in persuading parents, as mothers often lack confidence in feeding their children, said the experts.
The specialists spoke at a workshop on “mainstreaming infant and child feeding (IYCF) issues in popular media” held in the city yesterday.
It was organised jointly by Eminence and the National Institute of Public Health and Nutrition (IPHN).
Instant formula feeding causes diseases like diarrhoea and pneumonia due to unhygienic management and preparation of formula food, said Prof MQK Talukder.
He added breastfeeding can halve diarrhoea among the children especially the neonates and cut pneumonia by 25 percent.
IPHN Director Prof Dr Fatima Parveen Chowdhury; Prof Hanif of Dhaka Shishu Hospital; Prof Rukhsana Haider of Alive and Thrive; Dr Shamim Haider Talukder of Eminence; Prof Shahidullah, president of Neonatar Forum and pro-vice chancellor of BSMMU; and Dr Mesbahuddin also addressed the workshop.
