Officials warn against breast milk substitutes, urge exclusive breastfeeding
The warning was issued during an awareness program organized by the Provincial Public Health Office, Syangja, in Waling.
KATHMANDU: Concerned stakeholders have warned that the use of substitutes for breast milk poses serious health risks to both mothers and infants, urging families not to seek alternatives to breastfeeding.
The warning was issued during an awareness program organized by the Provincial Public Health Office, Syangja, in Waling.
Participants expressed growing concern over the increasing trend of replacing breast milk with other food products, particularly commercially available formula milk, which they said could have adverse effects on maternal and child health.
Chief of the Provincial Public Health Office, Ram Bahadur Nepali, emphasized the need to promote breastfeeding and protect infant health by raising public awareness.
“Breast milk is considered nectar for infants as it provides immense health benefits to both the mother and the child,” he said. “All concerned stakeholders must actively work to educate the public about the importance of breastfeeding and existing legal provisions.”
Nepali noted a decline in the number of breastfeeding mothers in recent years, alongside a rise in the use of formula milk. He added that a mother’s educational background and family environment also influence breastfeeding practices.
“Breastfeeding plays a vital role not only in a child’s physical growth but also in mental development,” he said. “Infants must be breastfed within one hour of birth and exclusively for the first six months. Breastfeeding should then continue for up to two years along with complementary foods.”
Public Health Officer Srishti Lamsal said that health workers, pharmacy operators, clinics, local representatives and other stakeholders were informed about laws regulating the sale and distribution of breast milk substitutes. She stressed the need for collective responsibility to ensure compliance.
The program also highlighted concerns over misleading advertisements and the growing commercial promotion of infant formula, calling for strict enforcement of existing laws.
According to Kamal Prasad Pandey, Public Health Officer of Waling Municipality, the Breast Milk Substitutes (Control of Sale and Distribution) Act, BS 2049 BS mandates legal punishment for those involved in the unauthorized sale and promotion of breast milk substitutes.
He said monitoring activities would be intensified to ensure effective implementation of the law.
