Optimal breastfeeding is vital to the lifelong good health and wellbeing of women and children. Exclusive breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding for two years and beyond provide high-quality nutrients and adequate energy and can help to prevent hunger and malnutrition among children. It is a vital measure to ensure food security among infants. According to the report of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) a global network of individuals and organizations dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide, the simple gesture of mother’s continued breastfeeding to their child can help to prevent 823,000 infant deaths annually which is caused due to improper and inadequate breastfeeding.

In August from 1st to 7th, the Sabal programme observed the World Breastfeeding Week along with the Korku community in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The programme was organized in 27 clusters covering 141 villages which was participated by 846 pregnant and 1642 lactating mothers and mothers of under 5 years of children. Sabal team organized the programme in the Anganwadi centres in collaboration with Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) department. The theme of this year was ‘Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility’ to encourage mothers on exclusive breastfeeding practices, food diversification during pregnancy and effects of malnutrition on children.

Several games were organized for the mothers and healthy baby competitions were conducted to record children profiles. The health of the pregnant mothers was also recorded, and the dropout mothers were re-enrolled to the Anganwadi services during the event. Sabal female nutrition health workers also demonstrated the process of the right way of breastfeeding and post-feeding care that could be practised by the mothers for the healthy growth of the children.

Under the Sabal Covid-19 relief programme, 1600 children identified with malnutrition and 1000 high-risk mothers were provided with nutrition food baskets for ensuring adequate nutritional diet in their platter. These food baskets included local protein mix, eggs, peanut bars, millets and mixed pulses that can support the beneficiary to a holistic dietary intake.

Visibility materials like posters on the importance of breastfeeding, food diversifications and nutrition garden setup were pasted at community gathering spots and corners to conscientize the community.