The initial three or four years of
child’s life are crucial to its later healthy growth and personality
development. Since the children under three/four years spend their
time in the family atmosphere, such family environment considered as
crucial for their overall development. It has profound impact on a
child’s survival, health, hygiene and development. at the initial
stages of growth breast milk provides all the essential nutrients,
vitamins and minerals to an infant for growth for the first six
months, and no other liquids or food are needed. In addition, breast
milk carries antibodies from the mother that helps to combat and
resist diseases. Breastfeeding also creates a special bond between
mother and the child. The interaction between them during
breastfeeding has positive repercussions for life, in terms of
stimulation, behavior, speech, sense of wellbeing and security and
thus how the child relates to other people. Breastfeeding also
lowers down the risk of chronic conditions later in life, such as
obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and
leukemia etc. All these and other related issues were discussed on
this gathering and guidelines were given in order to improve the
life style and live a healthy and prudent life in a given
circumstance. Awareness was given to the mothers of pre-school
children regarding child-care and development at primary health
center Tadakal. Importance of breast feeding, weaning practice, low
cost nutritious food preparation, and immunization etc., topics were
added in the training. In and around 49 mothers benefitted from the
training. During the house visits animators reminded and educated
some of them about the child care and development. Mothers too were
informed about the compulsory birth-registration and to avail free
Government facilities like 'madilu kittu,' 'Bhagyalaxmi yojane,'
etc.
