Mumbai, August 9, 2016. BabyChakra, India’s most trusted parenting platform, concluded its flagship event on support and awareness around Breastfeeding, Breast is Best 2016 on August 6, 2016 at Goregaon Sports Club, with resounding success. Around 100 mothers with their spouses and extended families attended the event from different parts of the city – all in different stages of motherhood – expecting, infant moms and young toddler moms. Cloudnine hospital, a chain of maternity-childcare hospital, Medela, breast pump manufacturer and Babyoye, retail chain for baby products, were the sponsors for this event.
As next steps, BabyChakra will also be launching a “MomLine” on their Android APP as well as on other points of community engagement. The “MomLine” will ensure that mothers who want to donate breastmilk can directly connect with mothers in desperate need of breastmilk for their little ones. This is a first-of-its-type initiative globally.
The event had great traction from all quarters. Sessions included a healthcare expert panel discussion covering Breastfeeding: Challenges and Solutions. A prize ceremony celebrating the Top Mom Friendly Corporates in India and panel discussion with Corporate HR Leaders on how to get Moms back to work. Sessions with Mom speakers who came forward and shared their personal breastfeeding stories. The most inspiring of them being all, was the story of a mother who shared breast milk with another Mom’s baby, when she was struggling to survive in the NICU.
The Healthcare Panel had an eminent gynaecologist, lactation counsellor, nutritionist and babywearing expert. Dr Nikhil Datar, senior gynaecologist at Cloudnine Hospital, said, “I am very happy to be associated with Breast is Best 2016 as I am very particular about mothers adopting the best practices with regard to Breastfeeding. This forum helps disseminate the appropriate knowledge and awareness on critical aspects of breastfeeding.”
The corporate panel had speakers from some of the top Mom-friendly Corporates – IBM, Sony, Tech Mahindra and a top corporate daycare chain – Klay. Anita Guha, Diversity Portfolio and Solutioning leader, Professional Learning Delivery, IBM, said, “This event is a milestone. It goes to show how all stakeholders in the space need to work together to ensure mothers are able to succeed in the workforce. I am delighted to be a part of this event by BabyChakra and happy to receive the Top Mom-Friendly Corporates award on behalf of IBM.” Other speakers spoke of their personal challenges in integrating work and life and mentioned how their success in achieving so can be credited to the organizations. For example: Sushmita Roy, the Sony representative mentioned how she had gone through three IVF treatments and the only reason she was able to succeed professionally and personally was due to the “skin in the game” that Sony demonstrated they have in her success.
Naiyya Saggi, CEO & Co-founder, BabyChakra, said “The response for Breast is Best 2016 from mothers, corporates and babycare partners has been incredible. My team is passionate about healthier, happier moms and babies. The high levels of engagement and awareness we could build at scale on Breastfeeding through this event is testimony to how deep the need is. The stories of Mom Speakers, the advice from the HealthCare panel, the inspirational talks by Corporate panelists and the questions from the audience all indicate that BabyChakra needs to bring together a holistic support framework for mothers to succeed at home and outside.”