Mangaluru: Father Muller College of Nursing observes World Breastfeeding Week

Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, 10 Aug 2015: The department of obstetrics and gynecology of Father Muller Medical College and Father Muller College of Nursing organized the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) – 2015 at Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Kankanady, here from August 1 to August 7.
 
The WBW was inaugurated at the Antenatal – Postnatal Wards on August 1. All the expectantpostnatal mothers along with their caretakers gathered at the venue at 9.00am.

 
The inaugural programme began with a prayer. Sr Aileen Mathias welcomed the gathering.

 

 

The chief guest Dr Wilma D’Souza, Professor at Father Muller Homeopathy Medical College unveiled the logo of the WBW – 2015 and enlightened the audience on the importance of breastfeeding and focused on the tips to improve breastfeeding for working mothers. The talk was followed by a video on ‘Amirtha Bindu.’ The mothers and their caretakers were served refreshments to conclude the programme.  
 
Following the inauguration, a poster display competition on themes as ‘Techniques of breastfeeding, difficulties in lactation and tips to continue breastfeeding for working mothers’ was organized for the students at the OBG outpatient department.
 
On August 3, a health play on importance of breastfeeding was staged by the students of the College of Nursing at the maternity ward for all mothers and their care takers. A periodic health talks on ‘Breastfeeding and working mothers’ was aired on the public address system of the hospital throughout the week for the benefit of the patients and their relatives.
 
On August 4, a quiz on Breastfeeding was conducted for the mothers of the maternity wards. The mothers enthusiastically participated in the quiz competition. Prizes were distributed for the mothers who scored highest points in the quiz.
 
The video on ‘Amritha Bindhu’ was displayed at the OBG outpatient department for all the expectant women and nursing mothers and this display continued for the rest of the week.
 
On August 5, all breastfeeding employees of the Institutions were identified and pamphlets prepared by Alphilin Jose, lecturer of OBG nursing department on ‘Tips to continue Breastfeeding’ were distributed.
 
The nursing staff of the maternity wards educated the mothers in their wards regarding benefits of breastfeeding; expression of breast milk; diet during breastfeeding and effects of poor breastfeeding practices. Refreshments were served to the mothers after the health education.
 
Darryl Aranha, Assistant Professor of OBG nursing dDepartment was interviewed by the leading English daily.

 

On August 6, a health education was organized at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) of Jeppu and Community Health Centre at Bantwal. The students enacted a play and educated the women visiting the health centre on breastfeeding and its benefits, methods of breastfeeding, expression of breast milk and storage, benefits of breastfeeding over bottle feeding, breast complications due to poor breastfeeding practices, features of healthy breastfeed baby, contraindications of breastfeeding and drugs prohibited during breastfeeding. Doctors from Medical College clarified the doubts of the mothers and motivated the mothers to continue breastfeeding until the child is two years old. Pamphlets on breastfeeding, prepared by the department, were distributed following the talk. Sweets were distributed to the women and children after the programme.

On August 7, the Women and Child Development Society of Bantwal taluk organized a programme for the mothers at the Anganwadi of Community Health Centre, Bantwal. The students and staff of OBG nursing department put up a health talk educating the women on importance of breastfeeding. Various areas of the theme were also depicted in the play and it was well appreciated by the organizers and the audience. The programme ended with lunch.
 
An extempore competition on theme of WBW – 2015 was organized for students of the Institutions. The students enthusiastically participated and shared their thoughts and ideas though the competition.

 

 

Following the competition, the finale of the World Breastfeeding Week 2015 was held at the Hospital Conference Hall here. 4th term MBBS student sang the invocation song. Dr Prema D’Cunha, head of department of obstetrics and gynecology, Father Muller Medical College welcomed the gathering. There was a talk on ‘Current Issues of Breastfeeding’ delivered by Sushmita Ramona Karkada, Assistant Professor at Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal. She reviewed the various aspects of breastfeeding and highlighted on the role of a Lactation Consultant and counseling skills.
 
The prize winners of the poster competition and extempore competition were awarded.
   
Professor Savitha Cutinho, head of department of obstetrics and gynecology nursing, Father Muller College of Nursing delivered the vote of thanks.
 
Refreshments were served to conclude the programme.