Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Tirupati Collector urges further improvement in exclusive breastfeeding
Every year, people around the world celebrate World Breastfeeding Week.
A leader in a district called Tirupati, in India, held a meeting to talk about breastfeeding.
He wants more mothers to feed their babies only breast milk for the first six months.
Breast milk gives babies the food they need to grow strong.
It also helps mothers and babies feel close to each other.
The meeting showed that more babies are now starting to breastfeed early than before.
The number went up from 52 out of 100 to 67 out of 100.
But the leader wants even more babies to get only breast milk for those first six months.
He asked health workers to help mothers learn how to breastfeed comfortably.
This way, babies can have a healthier start in life.
District Collector Dr S Venkateswar stressed the need for greater awareness about breastfeeding at a World Breastfeeding Week review meeting in Tirupati.
This year's theme is 'Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life'.
National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data shows the district's early initiation of breastfeeding improved from 52 per cent to 67 per cent.
Officials were directed to encourage breastfeeding immediately after normal deliveries and, after caesarean sections, as soon as doctors certify it is safe.
Health workers were asked to give practical demonstrations on positioning and latching, with ANMs, ASHA workers and Anganwadi staff offering personalised support to mothers.
- Who
- District Collector Dr S Venkateswar, with officials from the ICDS, Health Department and Tata Trusts in attendance
- What
- A review meeting on improving early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding practices
- When
- Thursday, during World Breastfeeding Week
- Where
- District Collectorate, Tirupati
- Why
- To create greater awareness of breastfeeding's importance and improve breastfeeding rates for child health
- Event
- World Breastfeeding Week review meeting
- Theme
- Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life
- Speaker
- District Collector Dr S Venkateswar
- Location
- District Collectorate, Tirupati
- Early initiation rate (before)
- 52 per cent
- Early initiation rate (now)
- 67 per cent
- Recommended practice
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months; no water or supplementary food
- Complementary feeding
- Should begin only after six months, with breastfeeding continued