By Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain

A child's life begins beautifully and sustainably when he receives the greatest gift of nature, namely
mother's breast milk. Breast milk is not just a simple food, it is a spiritual blessing that not only builds
the physical structure of the child but also builds a deep bond of love for the mother in his heart. In the
rapidly changing context of the current world, it is the utmost responsibility of all of us to ensure the
right of the newborn to this first basic nutrition in his life.

For the healthy survival of the newborn, it is very important to drink breast milk within the first hour of
birth, which acts as the first natural vaccine in his life. This precious liquid provides a strong foundation
for the child's immunity that no artificial food or formula milk from outside can ever provide. In its
absence, the child's primary defense system becomes weak and he is easily susceptible to various
diseases.

If a child is exclusively breastfed for the first six months or 180 days of life, without even a drop of water,
it meets 100% of its nutritional needs. Studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six
months of age can reduce the global risk of infant mortality by about 13 percent. Children deprived of
this golden opportunity become extreme victims of malnutrition, which stunts their normal growth.
The high-quality protein, vitamins, calcium and minerals in breast milk play the most effective role in the
formation of soft bones and teeth in a child. When a child gets used to formula milk instead of breast
milk, his digestive system cannot easily absorb these artificial ingredients. As a result, the risk of those
children suffering from diarrhea increases by about 10 times compared to normal children.
It has not been possible for modern science to find an alternative to breast milk to prevent lung and
respiratory tract infections. If breast milk is not consumed, the risk of serious pneumonia and chest
infections in children can increase by up to 15 times. This severe health risk can sometimes permanently
weaken the child's lungs and make his life critical.

Intellectual and intellectual development are the greatest assets of a child's future life, the foundation
of which is laid through breast milk. The essential fatty acids in breast milk directly help in the formation
of brain cells in the child and increase IQ. In contrast, children raised on artificial milk often face long-
term mental problems such as intellectual retardation and attention deficit.

Breast milk protects the child from the onset of serious non-communicable diseases such as allergies,
eczema and asthma in childhood and later life. Children who do not receive adequate nutrition from
breast milk are affected by various allergens early in life. As a result, their skin and airways become
sensitive and suffer until adulthood.

The excess sugar and artificial ingredients in canned milk disrupt the hormonal balance in the baby's
body, causing childhood obesity or overweight. This obesity pushes them towards serious cardiovascular

risks like high blood pressure, heart disease and premature stroke in later life. The natural balance of
breast milk keeps the baby completely free from such artificial fat gain.

The practice of breastfeeding has proven to be a very effective natural shield in preventing the spread of
silent killer diseases like diabetes around the world. If the mother's milk is not properly consumed, the
functioning of the pancreas of the baby can be disrupted, which increases their risk of developing type-2
diabetes later in life. The lack of a sustainable start in life thus robs the health of the adult age.
The lack of breast milk not only harms the baby physically, but it also creates a huge void in their
psychological development. The mother's warm touch and heartbeat during breastfeeding give the baby
an absolute sense of security and deep mental peace. Children deprived of this loving experience often
suffer from behavioral problems, excessive restlessness, or intense loneliness.

Above all, breast milk builds an invisible barrier in the child's body against even the most terrible and
cruel diseases like childhood cancer. Various medical studies have shown that the lack of breast milk
increases the chances of children being affected by deadly diseases like blood cancer or leukemia.
Therefore, the absence of breast milk can push a child's entire life into darkness.
The state and government must come forward to ensure the right of a child to breastfeed and strictly
implement the maternity leave policy. Ensuring six months of paid maternity leave for working mothers
would increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding by about 52 percent.

Safe, healthy and suitable 'lactation rooms' or breastfeeding corners should be made mandatory for
breastfeeding mothers in all workplaces and private industrial establishments. An environment should
be created where mothers can breastfeed their children or store milk without any hesitation during
working hours.

The country's health care system and hospitals should be completely brought under the 'Baby-Friendly
Hospital Initiative' to improve the quality of post-natal care. Strict vigil should be maintained to ensure
that mothers are not tempted by commercial formulas or bottled milk immediately after the birth of
their children in hospitals. At the same time, it is important to provide special training to midwives,
nurses and doctors to teach mothers the correct techniques of breastfeeding.

International marketing policies should be strictly enforced in the country through laws to stop
aggressive and misleading advertisements of bottled and artificial baby foods. Companies that are
misleading mothers by claiming their products as the best alternative to breast milk should be
prosecuted.

It is very important for new mothers to be supported by the family environment, especially by mothers
and older family members. During breastfeeding, a mother needs additional nutritious food, adequate
rest and a worry-free family environment. It is the collective responsibility of the entire family to keep
the mother mentally and physically healthy by sharing the responsibility of other household chores.
Widespread awareness should be created at the grassroots level about the benefits of breastfeeding
through local social organizations, NGOs and religious places of worship. Peer-support groups or like-

minded support groups can be formed with kindergarten organizers, counseling of pregnant mothers
and experienced mothers. So that rural and disadvantaged mothers do not deprive their children of
breast milk due to prejudice or misconceptions.

It is the need of the hour to establish round-the-clock advice and breastfeeding support centers for
mothers through digital technology and mobile applications. A national helpline should be launched so
that new mothers can get proper guidance and urgent advice from certified lactation consultants or
breastfeeding experts at any time from home.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated with great importance every year from 1 to 7 August around
the world. In continuation of this global campaign, a very timely international theme has been set for
2026, whose Bengali meaning is— "Breastfeed at the beginning of life: Accelerate sustainable
initiatives". The underlying purpose of this theme is not limited to raising awareness; rather, it is to
strengthen and expand the policies, programs and scientific initiatives that have proven to be most
effective in successfully breastfeeding mothers in the past years.

There can be no substitute or alternative to the contribution of breast milk in building a healthy, strong
and talented nation. This right to breastfeed is not just a single mother's struggle, it is closely related to
the development of our overall state and social structure.

Let us all pledge from our respective positions on this World Breastfeeding Week and give our children a
strong start to a bright and sustainable life by making the breastfeeding path of every mother smooth
and glorious.

Author: Essayist, Literary Writer| Email Address: eddanwar@gmail.com