News
Faculty of Nursing Conducts Community Outreach Programme on Breastfeeding Awareness at Bithoor, Kanpur
21 Aug 2026
Event Title: Faculty of Nursing organises extension Outreach Programme on Breastfeeding Awareness at Bithoor, Kanpur
Event: World Breastfeeding Week 2026 celebration
Event activity: Extension Out Reach Programme
Theme: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works”
Date: 04.08.2026
Day: 3rd day
Time: 10am – 1:00 Pm
Venue: Bithoor, Kanpur
Organized by: Department of O.B.G & Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Rama University, Kanpur, UP.
On the third day of the World Breastfeeding Week 2026 celebrations, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing and Department of Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Rama University, in collaboration with community wellness club organized a Community Extension Outreach Programme at Bithoor, Kanpur, with the objective of creating awareness among rural families about the importance of breastfeeding and maternal-child health. The programme focused on reaching the community directly and encouraging positive health-seeking behaviours through interactive educational activities.
The programme was conducted under the esteemed guidance of Prof. Dr. Jasmi Johnson, Dean cum Principal, Faculty of Nursing, Rama University. It was moderated by Mrs. Agnes Mahima David, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, and coordinated by Ms. Monika Awasthi, Tutor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, and Ms. Madhuri, Tutor, Department of Child Health Nursing. Faculty members from both departments accompanied and guided the nursing students throughout the outreach programme.
The programme began at 10:30 AM in the community setting of Bithoor, where nursing students interacted directly with local residents, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, fathers, grandparents, and other family members. Instead of a conventional lecture, the students adopted an interactive approach by conducting a community awareness campaign using role play, live demonstrations, and face-to-face health education. This approach enabled the participants to easily understand the significance of breastfeeding and its long-term benefits for both mother and child.
During the programme, the students educated the community on early initiation of breastfeeding immediately after birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, timely complementary feeding, maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, newborn hygiene, immunization, and common breastfeeding challenges with their practical solutions. The session also highlighted the importance of family support, particularly the role of fathers and grandparents, in promoting successful breastfeeding practices. Students encouraged mothers to share their experiences and addressed common misconceptions prevailing within the community regarding breastfeeding and infant feeding.
A special attraction of the programme was the interactive discussion session, where community members openly expressed their concerns regarding breastfeeding difficulties, nutritional requirements, and newborn care. Nursing students, under faculty supervision, provided evidence-based guidance and practical demonstrations on proper breastfeeding positioning, attachment techniques, burping, and maintaining maternal nutrition. This interactive exchange created a friendly learning environment and encouraged active participation from the audience.
To strengthen the educational impact, health education pamphlets in simple language were distributed among the community members. The pamphlets covered essential information on breastfeeding, newborn care, maternal nutrition, immunization schedules, and healthy childcare practices. Participants were encouraged to preserve the pamphlets for future reference and to share the information with other families in their neighbourhood.
The community responded with remarkable enthusiasm throughout the programme. Mothers actively participated in the discussions, while elderly women and family members appreciated the scientific explanations provided by the students. Many participants shared that the programme helped them correct long-held misconceptions about breastfeeding and increased their confidence in adopting healthy childcare practices. Several mothers expressed their willingness to exclusively breastfeed their infants and acknowledged the importance of seeking timely healthcare advice whenever required.
The residents of Bithoor conveyed their heartfelt appreciation to the Faculty of Nursing, Rama University, for organizing such a meaningful community-based awareness programme. They appreciated the dedication, confidence, and communication skills displayed by the nursing students and requested that similar health education programmes be conducted regularly in their locality to address other community health issues. The active involvement of the community, positive feedback from participants, and enthusiastic participation of the students made the programme highly successful.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks to the community members for their warm cooperation and active participation. The outreach initiative successfully strengthened the bond between the Faculty of Nursing, Rama University, and the local community while reinforcing the institution's commitment to promoting maternal and child health through community-based education and preventive healthcare initiatives during World Breastfeeding Week 2026.
