This was stated by Dr. Abu Ahamed Mortuja, child specialist at Nilphamari Hospital, at a workshop held here yesterday to create awareness about the need for breastfeeding of babies.

This code was recommended by the World Health Assembly to curb propaganda by baby food producers, he said.

The workshop was held at the Sadar upazila health and family planning training centre.

Jointly organised by the Civil Surgeon's office, Nilphamari and Breast Feeding Foundation (BBF), the workshop was also addressed by, among others, BFF Co-ordinator from Dhaka Dr Rifat Ara Hossein Lucy, Nilpharmi Deputy Commissioner Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Director of Nilphamari Health and Family Planning Department Tawfiqur Rahman and Dr. Selina Began. Civil Surgeon Dr Nazrul Islam presided.

The speakers said mothers, specially educated and working ones, despite knowing that breastfeeding is the best, prefer canned baby food for their babies because of illusion and propaganda by the multinational baby food producers. The country also incurs crores of taka for importing baby food.

They called upon the government to limit import of baby food to polularise breastfeeding.

Dr Rifat Ara said there is nothing superior to god gifted mother' milk. It gives the best nutrition, protects babies from diseases and helps them grow intelligent, she said.

Dr. Mortusa said the main obstacle to breastfeeding is the aggressive marketing policy of the multinational companies.

Staff at many hospitals also encourage mothers to use baby food for their babies. They get attractive presentations from those companies. It is unlawful.

The workshop decided to launch a national organisation that will encourage mothers in breastfeedin.

Maternity hospitals should be turned into 'baby friendly hospitals' to help mothers develop the habit, the workshop suggested and urged the government to frame laws in this regard.