Anganwadi workers attend a programme on breastfeeding at Sitaramdera community centre on Thursday. (Bhola Prasad)

Awareness programmes on importance of providing mother’s milk to newborns, baby showers and fun contests marked the first day of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 to 7) in Jamshedpur.

The East Singhbhum district administration held the events in all blocks on Thursday. Notably, this year’s theme of World Breastfeeding Week is Breastfeeding support: Close to Mothers. The campaign will cover all 38,000 anganwadi centres. The main aim is to make every household aware of the importance of breastfeeding and how it is beneficial for both mother’s and child’s health.

In Jamshedpur, expectant mothers, adolescent girls and anganwadi workers attended a programme at Sitaramdera community centre. Ten would-be mothers were given gifts at a mass baby shower and explained the importance of the ritual.

“We organised the baby shower to send out a message that mothers should take care of their babies and eat well. The child, be it a girl or a boy, is a special gift,” said Satya Thakur, child development project officer, East Singhbhum.

A healthy baby competition was also organised among participants from nearby slums. Rice ceremonies were held for three winners, all six months’ old.

“Chances of breast cancer increase if a mother does not feed her baby. Besides, it is economical, safe, protects the child from disease and brings back the uterus in normal size. So it must be encouraged,” said oncologist Rajlakshmi.

The home science department of Jamshedpur Women’s College is also observing World Breastfeeding Week on its campus in association with Inner Wheel Club.

Throughout the week, various events like speech and poster competitions will be organised by the college. Prizes will be given away on the closing day.