As someone who has spent the last decade trying to help protect parents from the aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes, this timely initiative is a welcome reminder of the miracle of childbirth, and the natural process of nurturing that follows. As part of an integrated strategy to protect, promote and support breastfeeding, the Breast Crawl will clearly contribute to a substantial reduction in the 1.3 million annual child deaths that could be avoided through exclusive breastfeeding. And apart from that - the video is such a joy to watch!
David Clark
Legal Officer, Nutrition Section
UNICEF, New York
The magnificent power of the baby crawl is beautifully and systematically illustrated and explained in this presentation. It shows the power of nature fostering breastfeeding and adding to the medicinal, nutritional and bonding between mother and child in what can only be described as magical!
Anwar Fazal
Chairperson Emeritus
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)
This is a most timely and useful publication - combining an evidence-based review and a practical video of a topic of newly recognized importance - how a baby takes its first breastfeed. This was the subject of "World Breastfeeding Week" in the year 2007.
The material is a much needed tool for trainers in Infant and Young Child Feeding programmes. None of the existing infant feeding courses cover the topic with sufficient accuracy and detail. It is also a valuable advocacy tool and can be used to educate people from policy makers to communities about "breast crawl" so that mothers can be prepared for this wonderful experience ahead of time.
Felicity Savage
Honorary Senior Lecturer, Institute of Child Health, London
Director "Breastfeeding Practice and Policy" Course, ICH, London
My passion in life has been to promote healthy and a happy living. This superb video will help initiate this process right from the time the baby is born.
R. K. Anand
Head, Dept. of Paediatrics and Neonatology
Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai
BPNI Maharashtra has strived hard to prepare a cadre of devoted workers who have taken upon themselves the onerous task of inculcating the art and promoting the virtues of breastfeeding. I recommend that all health care workers in charge of looking after pregnant mothers should watch this video on "Breast Crawl" to comprehend and appreciate nature's method of encouraging maternal and infant bonding - so vital to the survival of the species.
S. N. Daftary
Prof. Emeritus, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Former Dean - Nowrosji Wadia Maternity Hospital
Past President, Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI)
Breast crawl is the natural instinctive behaviour of the human newborn. The mother and the newborn dyad are mutually responsive in the most sensitive period of half to one hour following delivery. This period is crucial for laying the foundation for successful breastfeeding. The benefits accrued from the practice of breastfeeding are innumerable, the most important being a significant reduction in mortality, morbidity and malnutrition among the children. This video and the dossier brought out on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2007 have efficiently demonstrated the Breast Crawl and important issues related to it.
N. B. Kumta
Former Prof. and Head, Dept. of Paediatrics, Seth G. S. Medical College and K. E. M. Hospital, Mumbai
Chief Coordinator, BPNI (1991-2004)
Founder Advisor, BPNI Maharashtra
Past President, Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP)
This is a marvellous tool to assist in establishing when and how a new born is first nourished. New life saving habits can be formed by this simple initial intervention. Nature has provided both the mother and baby with the sense of smell, vision, taste, sound and instinct to prepare them for this first breastfeed. Our challenge lies in putting this information in the hands of the health care providers and mothers.
Too many of our children die before having a fair chance at life, and many more live, but are left to lead a life forever handicapped by a childhood of hunger, illness, and both physical and mental underdevelopment. This new habit will go a long way towards valuing and saving these lives.
Nand Wadhwani
Founding Trustee, The Mother and Child Health and Education Trust
Media Coverage
Bonding after birth - Dr. R. K. Anand
DNA - Mumbai, India - Sunday 6 July, 2008
Breastfeeding within an hour of birth is crucial for the child and reduces risk of postpartum bleeding in mother
This Nandurbar just-born has a message for urban malnutrition
10 September, 2007 - Indian Express
NAFIA - Nordiska Arbetsgruppen för Internationella Amningsfrågor
NAFIA verkar för att skydda, stödja och främja amning. Det sker genom opinionsbildning och spridande av information om amning i ett globalt perspektiv, framför allt till andra organisationer. NAFIA samordnar bojkotten mot Nestlé i Sverige. NAFIA ingår i det internationella barnmatsnätverket IBFAN – International Baby Food Action Network och i WABA – World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action NAFIA tar inte emot pengar från barnmatsindustrin.
