Infant breastfeeding room established for mothers in AIIMS Rishikesh

• New facility will be available at 3 different places in the hospital
• Maternity and child welfare will be promoted

Rishikesh: Giving priority to maternal and child welfare health, AIIMS Rishikesh has taken a new step in the field of hospital facilities by establishing an infant breastfeeding room. With this new initiative, women will not only get convenience in feeding their child, but this effort of the hospital will also prove to be important in the welfare of newborns.

Ensuring proper care and nutrition of newborn babies is a big challenge in itself. According to scientific evidence, mother’s milk is like nectar for newborn babies, which contains sufficient amount of essential nutrients and antibodies. But it is often seen that mothers have to face many types of inconveniences in breastfeeding their child in crowded public places. Realizing these inconveniences, AIIMS Rishikesh has established breast feeding pods at 3 different locations in the hospital. With the introduction of this facility, pregnant women, various female staff serving in the institute and other women visiting the hospital will also find it easier to breastfeed their babies. It is worth mentioning that on the occasion of ‘World Breastfeeding Week’, many programs are being organized in AIIMS Rishikesh these days regarding maternity benefits and child welfare. As part of the series, yesterday the infant breastfeeding rooms were inaugurated by the Executive Director of the Institute, Prof. Meenu Singh. Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Prof. Sanjeev Kumar Mittal, told about this that all the infant breastfeeding rooms established are fully equipped. Along with proper standards of hygiene, special attention has been paid to comfortable chairs and other facilities in these rooms. This will make it easier for mothers to nourish their babies and they will also feel comfortable. This room can be used as a privacy room for mothers who give birth to premature babies and women who are unable to breastfeed their babies themselves. Prof. Mittal said that these infant breastfeeding rooms have been set up near the OPD counter on the ground floor, near the pathology lab on the second floor and near the maternity room and gynecology ward on the third floor. He hoped that needy mothers will benefit from these facilities. During this, Dean Academic Prof. Jaya Chaturvedi, Head of Neonatology Department Prof. Sriparna Basu, Principal of College of Nursing Prof. Smriti Arora, Assistant Prof. Dr. Suman Chaurasia  along with many others were present.

“With the establishment of the breastfeeding room, mothers will now be able to breastfeed their babies without any hesitation even in the hospital. This will not only increase their confidence but will also provide them a dignified environment for breastfeeding. Along with facilities, public awareness and social support are very important to promote maternal and child welfare.

—– Prof. Meenu Singh, Executive Director, AIIMS Rishikesh.