By Sachin Jose
KOTTAYAM: One in three children in Kerala has developed asthma and allergy as the intake of breast milk has come down, said a study of Indian Academy of Pediatricians (IAP).
According to the study, the use of powder milk and cow's milk is highest in Kerala compared to other states.
"Each mammal should feed its own baby," said Kottayam Institute of Child Health Neonatologist Dr C Jayakumar. "Humans are the only mammals who suffer from asthma and allergy, which is due to lack of breastfeeding."
The Infant Milk Substitute Act 2004 prohibits baby-food companies from marketing their products as a single feed of animal or powder milk or even water can result in diarrhoea or pneumonia.
Nevertheless, Jessy Kunjumon, a working mother, disclosed that she was advised by a nurse to give powder milk to the child as I spend the whole day at office.
However, another Paediatrician, Dr George F Moolayil, warned, "Working mothers shall store expressed breast milk in bottles for as long as six hours to be fed later. However, There could be chances of being misled by nurses or even gynaecologists as their expertise is different."
"After IAP began the Baby Friendly Initiative in 1992, the use of baby-food products came down to 17 per cent," he added. "However, there is a reversal of trend in the recent years, which is due to lack of awareness."
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