WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK: AUGUST 1–7
TN women hesitant to use breastfeeding rooms
Aditi.R@timesgroup.com
Chennai:01.08.2019
Women in Tamil Nadu continue to shy away from breastfeeding children in public places such as bus stops, despite exclusive breastfeeding rooms.
A study by TN-Forces, which works on women and children, said many did not use the facilities because they either had privacy issues or were unaware of them. Some said the rooms were locked or were near toilets.
“There is an inherent fear among women about using these rooms. They fear getting noticed and are scared of CCTV cameras. However, several are also happy. And it is important to have one in each of these places,” said Rekha Sudarsan, lactation consultant and childbirth educator from Rainbow Children’s Hospital.
In 2015, the government initiated setting up breastfeeding rooms at bus stands to help travelling mothers. But the study pointed out that most women were unaware of this facility as there was no signage. Many respondents said the rooms were illmaintained and unhygienic.
“Many passenger restrooms have been turned into breastfeeding rooms and maintenance is very poor,” said K Shanmugavelayutham, convenor of TN-Forces.
The organisation studied 21 breastfeeding rooms in Ariyalur, Chennai, Jayankondam, Chidambaram, Vadalur, KattumannarKoil and Tirupur. It was found that these facilities were hardly used at bus stands in Perambur, Madhavaram, Vyasarpadi, Iyyappanthangal, Anna Nagar and Villivakkam in Chennai, while the one at CMBT was used by 19 women daily. Most rooms did not have drinking water facilities or separate cubicles. At the Kattumannar Koil bus stand, the breastfeeding rooms are used as waiting rooms.
Also, the facilities are open only for 12 hours. “Since most central bus stands operate throughout the day, the rooms must also be open likewise,” said Shanmugavelayutham.
Dr Karpagambal Sairam, consultant obstetrician, gynaecologist and fertility specialist at Kauvery Hospital, said if a woman was unable to breastfeed on time it could cause complications. “A woman has to breastfeed 8-10 times a day and if she isn’t able to, it can lead to engorgement and cause severe pain,” she said. “Breastfeeding is important since a child receives the required nutrients to fight diseases,” she said.
Many women did not use the facility because of privacy issues, some said that they were unaware while others cited poor maintenance
TN women hesitant to use breastfeeding rooms
Aditi.R@timesgroup.com
Chennai:01.08.2019
Women in Tamil Nadu continue to shy away from breastfeeding children in public places such as bus stops, despite exclusive breastfeeding rooms.
A study by TN-Forces, which works on women and children, said many did not use the facilities because they either had privacy issues or were unaware of them. Some said the rooms were locked or were near toilets.
“There is an inherent fear among women about using these rooms. They fear getting noticed and are scared of CCTV cameras. However, several are also happy. And it is important to have one in each of these places,” said Rekha Sudarsan, lactation consultant and childbirth educator from Rainbow Children’s Hospital.
In 2015, the government initiated setting up breastfeeding rooms at bus stands to help travelling mothers. But the study pointed out that most women were unaware of this facility as there was no signage. Many respondents said the rooms were illmaintained and unhygienic.
“Many passenger restrooms have been turned into breastfeeding rooms and maintenance is very poor,” said K Shanmugavelayutham, convenor of TN-Forces.
The organisation studied 21 breastfeeding rooms in Ariyalur, Chennai, Jayankondam, Chidambaram, Vadalur, KattumannarKoil and Tirupur. It was found that these facilities were hardly used at bus stands in Perambur, Madhavaram, Vyasarpadi, Iyyappanthangal, Anna Nagar and Villivakkam in Chennai, while the one at CMBT was used by 19 women daily. Most rooms did not have drinking water facilities or separate cubicles. At the Kattumannar Koil bus stand, the breastfeeding rooms are used as waiting rooms.
Also, the facilities are open only for 12 hours. “Since most central bus stands operate throughout the day, the rooms must also be open likewise,” said Shanmugavelayutham.
Dr Karpagambal Sairam, consultant obstetrician, gynaecologist and fertility specialist at Kauvery Hospital, said if a woman was unable to breastfeed on time it could cause complications. “A woman has to breastfeed 8-10 times a day and if she isn’t able to, it can lead to engorgement and cause severe pain,” she said. “Breastfeeding is important since a child receives the required nutrients to fight diseases,” she said.
Many women did not use the facility because of privacy issues, some said that they were unaware while others cited poor maintenance
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