During their morning rounds, the Department of Neonatology at AIIMS Bhopal came across an inspiring story of a mother who has been practicing prolonged breastfeeding, a traditional approach passed down through generations in her family. This mother, who recently gave birth to her second child in AIIMS Bhopal’s labor room, shared with the medical team that she had breastfed her first child until the age of five. Her first child, now nine years old, is in excellent health, underscoring the benefits of this practice. The mother credited her own mother for teaching her the importance of extended breastfeeding, a traditional practice deeply rooted in Indian culture. The team of doctors, impressed by her commitment, encouraged her to continue this practice with her newborn. Speaking on the importance of this tradition, Prof (Dr) Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, remarked: “Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure a child’s optimal growth and development.

 

At AIIMS Bhopal, we are committed to encouraging and supporting mothers to adopt and sustain such practices. This aligns with our mission to promote maternal and child health for a healthier future.” The World Health Organisation (WHO) also recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life, followed by complementary feeding along with continued breastfeeding for at least two years or beyond. Despite this, Indian doctors have raised concerns over the increasing trend of prematurely discontinuing breastfeeding due to societal myths and other factors. AIIMS Bhopal doctors emphasised the need to counter these misconceptions and promote awareness about the long-term health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child.