Over 120 countries around the world are celebrating the week-long World Breastfeeding Week, which commenced from today.

In India, the Women and Child Development Ministry has planned to organise online activities to sensitise citizens about the importance of breastfeeding.

The theme of World Breast-feeding Week this year is to support breastfeeding for a healthier planet and taking precautionary measures in light of the global pandemic.

Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani has said that exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of child’s birth and continuing thereafter for at least 2 years is crucial to combat malnutrition.

She affirmed that India will actively participate in joining the Global community to sensitise people about the importance of this practice. Ms. Irani said Mother’s Milk also known as ‘liquid gold’ is the protective shield a child receives in his early days. She added that mother’s milk acts as first immunization providing holistic nutrition and immunity against infections.