Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Saturday stressed that breast milk has no substitute for ensuring children’s healthy growth and development.
He made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of World Breastfeeding Week 2026 at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the capital.
Urging to increase awareness about breastfeeding, the Health Minister said that Allah Almighty has made breast milk the best protein in the world. Breast milk is the main source of growth of a child in the first 4-5 months. It is very important to give colostrum to the child immediately after delivery, which is the highest source of protein.
“All religions, including the Quran, have mentioned feeding breast milk for a certain period. However, due to the increase in the number of caesarean sections and lack of awareness, many children are being deprived of colostrum and breast milk.”
He said that in the past, people's lifestyle was very simple, but the love and care for children was genuine. Nowadays, in an educated and wealthy society, care for children is largely absent.
Citing measles patients undergoing treatment in hospitals, the minister said that children's bodies are becoming weak due to malnutrition. Many mothers stop breastfeeding their children on the pretext of their own malnutrition, which is completely inappropriate. Malnutrition is increasing due to early marriage, lack of awareness and not breastfeeding their children.
Criticizing the inaction of public health and nutrition institutions in the past few days, Sakhawat Hossain said that no effective meetings and seminars have been held in the past one year to make the general public aware of the situation.
“From now on, a program should be prepared for one year and civil surgeons, district administrators and upazila-level officials should be brought to an auditorium to explain the need for breastfeeding and make it mandatory. This will make the people of the country aware and help in the safe development of the future generation. At the same time, the child mortality rate will decrease.”
Regarding the use of baby food and alternative milk, he said that there is a law in the country to regulate alternative foods to breast milk. Home-made balanced food is much more suitable for children than powdered milk mixed with preservatives and medicines available in the market. From six months onwards, a khichdi-like diet made of rice porridge, pulses, potatoes and vegetables is the best food for children.
Making an emotional request to mothers, the Health Minister said that mothers should not deprive their children of the blessings of mother's milk given by Allah Almighty. When a mother takes a child to her chest, the child stops crying immediately in its absolute safety. Therefore, children should be given this natural gift of nature instead of going for artificial alternatives. Let the main oath of today be to create a beautiful, healthy and strong group of children, who will take charge of the country in the future.
FP/R
