Panaji
We are all here today because of our mothers. They gave birth to us, cared for us, and helped us grow into independent individuals. Through breastfeeding, mothers pass on vital energy and immunity. This message needs to reach every girl, daughter, and woman who may one day become a mother: babies under six months must be exclusively breastfed.
In 2018, the World Health Assembly recognised World Breastfeeding Week as a key health promotion strategy. Each year, it focuses on a new theme to spread awareness and promote conditions that support breastfeeding — whether in the home, workplace, or through government policies. The week also highlights the health benefits and practical strategies linked to breastfeeding.
This year’s theme is ‘Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future’. It reminds us that breastfeeding is not just feeding — it is a long-term investment in a child’s health and emotional connection with their family, especially their mother. Society must support women so that they can breastfeed until the child is naturally weaned.
“Breastfeeding is a personal journey. Some days are tough, but every drop belongs to that little miracle. It may not be the right choice for every parent, but it is the best choice for every baby,” says Dr Priyanka Raikar, a licensed occupational therapist in India and the US. She runs the Miracle Paediatric Neuro Therapy Clinic in Goa.
Sharing her experience, Sunayana Date, a mother of twins, recalls how both her babies were born weak and underweight. They were fed mother’s milk through a tube while in the incubator. But once they were taken out, the doctor simply said, “Hold them to your breast and feed.”
Sunayana says, “When I held them close and began breastfeeding, I felt an instant emotional bond. They also felt calm and safe in my arms. Soon, they started gaining weight. Today, they are over 20, healthy and happy.” Many mothers remember these first moments with deep emotion.
Hospitals, families, and doctors all play a role in educating new mothers about breastfeeding. Every mother deserves access to correct information and the freedom to breastfeed for as long as she wants.
Dr Francisco Colaco, a cardiologist from Margao, explains that breastfeeding helps protect babies from infections and even some cancers. “Breast milk contains key nutrients that strengthen a baby’s immune system. It is also cost-effective and builds a strong emotional bond between mother and child,” he says.
Paediatrician Dr Purnima NS Usgaonker from Usgaonker Children’s Hospital & NICU, Ponda, adds, “The first milk – colostrum – is often called ‘Liquid Gold’. It is thick, golden in colour, and extremely valuable. It provides growth factors, nutrients, and strong immunity. It acts like the baby’s first vaccine, protecting them from several illnesses.”
She explains that even though colostrum is produced in small amounts, it is enough to satisfy the baby and activate the entire digestive system. Continued breastfeeding up to two years supports secure physical and emotional development. Mothers also benefit — they recover faster after delivery, have lower risk of breast cancer and obesity, and develop a deeper bond with their child.
Dr Shripad Khedekar, a homeopathic physician with practices in Mumbai, London, and Belgrade, observes that babies breastfed for over 10 months show stronger immunity, better emotional health, and improved brain development. “The emotional bond created through breastfeeding builds a child’s confidence and sense of security,” he says.
“In Europe, extended breastfeeding is more culturally accepted and leads to visible health benefits in children. In India, although many mothers begin breastfeeding (76% start), early weaning and formula feeding are still common in cities,” adds Dr Khedekar.
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding along with other foods up to two years or more. Studies show that breastfed children have a 30% lower risk of infections, slightly higher IQs, and reduced chances of allergies and obesity. They also tend to be more emotionally secure.
Dr Khedekar concludes, “On World Breastfeeding Day, let us value this natural practice — not just as food, but as a form of medicine, love, and emotional care that shapes a child’s health for life.”
