KATHMANDU, Sept 20: Nepal Pediatric Society (NEPAS) has stressed that mother's milk is the best and safe food for infants for nutrition and health security during natural disasters and emergencies. It has urged everyone to seek an alternative to mother's milk in consultation with health professionals in case of absolute need due to some specific and sensitive circumstances.
It has stressed the need for cooperation from the family and communities to breastfeeding mothers even during disasters so that she could continue the breastfeeding babies. Formula milk and bottles' milk is an alternative to the mother's milk only in case of absolute need.
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When the mother is no more; has remained missing; has been separated from the child for a long time; the mother's health condition is extremely serious and she is unable to breastfeed; the mother has a serious mental injury or trauma; and is unable to breastfeed, the Society has recommended the use of substitution for mother's milk.
When using a substitute for the mother's milk, the substitute must be available continuously and in sufficient quantity, safe water and proper sanitation practices must be ensured; a system for regular monitoring of the child's growth, development and health ensured; and this facility be targeted and made available to the needy infants, the society underscored.
Society vice chair child specialist Dr Ramhari Chapagain urged one and all not to undertake and promote activities that are harmful for children, taking undue benefits of the situation, seeking a ban on the haphazard distribution of substitution for mother's milks and feeding bottle in the post-disaster situation. The culture of breastfeeding should not be weakened or discouraged, he reminded.
It has urged one and all to fully abide by the Mother's Milk Substitutes (Control of Sale and Distribution) and national policies on emergency infant and child nutrition.
