Report on Infant & Child Nutrition Awareness Program

“Children are the future of society, and mothers are the guardian of that future.” Globally, nearly half of all deaths in children under five are attributable to undernutrition; undernutrition puts children at greater risk of dying from common infections, increases the frequency and severity of such conditions, and delays recovery. First and foremost, health, safety, and nutrition for the young child are written on behalf of young children everywhere. Ultimately, the children benefit from having parents who understand and know how to protect and promote their safety and well-being by learning about nutrition. As part of Bharath ka Amruth Mahotsav activity, the Health Education Committee of the Student Nurses Association (SNA)-2021 of Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal, organized an awareness program on infant and child nutrition between 10.30 am to 12 noon on 18th February 2022 for the mothers and family members of antenatal and postnatal clients admitted in Women and Child health block of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. The sessions were delivered by Health education committee representatives, Mrs Smitha Saldanha, Ms Levia Marina Lobo, Ms Jeena, Ms Arpitha, and Ms Aleena, through power point presentation discussion and demonstration. They talked about the importance of breastfeeding, technique, and how to promote and identify the adequacy of breastfeeding and discussed weaning and its significance. Students also emphasized exclusive breastfeeding, starting weaning at the right time, the proper methods of preparation, and early identification of malnutrition in children. This program was coordinated by health education committee chairperson Ms Levia Marina Lobo, IV year BSc Nursing and Mrs Smitha Saldanha II year MSC Nursing, Child Health Nursing speciality, guided and supported by advisor Dr Yashoda Sathish co-advisor, Ms Prathibha Kamath, Assistant Professors, MCON, MAHE Manipal. A total of 18 participants benefitted from the program, and all the sessions were informative. The participants well appreciated the program.