A Future That Depends on Action Today

This World Environment Day, hosted by Azerbaijan, the conversation goes beyond the environment alone. The climate crisis is about people, their lives, and their futures. Among those most affected are women and children, who continue to face the harshest consequences of changing weather patterns, water scarcity, and food insecurity.

Impact of Climate Change on Women and Children

When droughts intensify and water sources shrink, it is often women and girls who travel longer distances to collect water, losing valuable time that could otherwise go toward education, work, or care. Crop failures caused by erratic rainfall and rising temperatures directly affect women who are often primary caregivers and contributors to household food systems.

Children face the impact even more deeply. Nearly 45 percent of deaths linked to undernutrition are among children under five, showing how climate stress quickly turns into a nutrition and health crisis. Extreme weather events also disrupt schooling, increase the spread of disease,

and force families into displacement. According to the United Nations, women account for close to 80 percent of those displaced by climate related disasters.

Empowering Change Through Sustainable Solutions

The way forward lies in community driven and sustainable solutions. Climate resilient farming, better water management, and stronger livelihood opportunities can help families adapt while protecting natural resources.

Supporting women with access to sustainable agricultural practices and income opportunities strengthens not only households but entire communities. When communities are equipped to adapt, children are more likely to remain healthy, nourished, and in school.

How Action Against Hunger Foundation Creates Change?

Action Against Hunger Foundation continues to work towards long term climate resilience through practical and community focused solutions:

• Supporting organic and sustainable farming practices
• Promoting climate resilient livelihoods for vulnerable communities
• Improving access to safe water and sanitation
• Strengthening nutrition support for women and children

Its approach focuses on solutions that help families face climate challenges with dignity and resilience, creating a safer and more sustainable future.

A Shared Responsibility

World Environment Day is a reminder that action does not stop today, it must continue every day.

Climate action must place people at its heart, because protecting the environment also means protecting lives, health, and futures, especially for those most vulnerable to its impact. The choices we make today will shape the world we live in tomorrow.

Let us commit to sustained action, collective responsibility, and building a safer, more sustainable future for all.

In a world of advanced monitors and beeping machines, we believe that the most powerful life-support system is still a mother’s heartbeat. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a transformative approach to newborn health that shows how skin-to-skin contact is not just comforting, but lifesaving.

For babies born too soon or too small, this simple practice provides the warmth, protection, and nourishment they need to survive and thrive. Through our programmes, we continue to promote KMC as a critical, life-saving intervention for newborn care.

What is Kangaroo Mother Care?

Kangaroo Mother Care is a method where a newborn is held in direct skin-to-skin contact with their mother or a caregiver. When combined with exclusive breastfeeding, it creates a natural, protective environment that supports the baby’s early development.

As part of our maternal and child health initiatives, we actively work with caregivers and healthcare providers to build awareness and confidence around adopting KMC practices.

The Four Pillars of KMC Duration

While any duration is beneficial, we encourage consistent practice for the best outcomes:

• Short: 4 hours daily
• Extended: 5 to 8 hours daily
• Long: 9 to 12 hours daily
• Continuous: More than 12 hours daily, especially for high-risk infants

Why is KMC the Ultimate Lifeline for Little Ones?

For a low birth weight infant, the world outside the womb can be overwhelming. Through our on-ground experience, we have seen how KMC helps bridge this transition by:

• Regulating body temperature and preventing hypothermia
• Reducing the risk of infections and strengthening immunity
• Supporting healthy brain development
• Promoting steady weight gain and faster recovery
• Building a deep emotional bond between parent and child

We have witnessed firsthand how consistent KMC practices can improve survival rates and overall well-being of newborns in resource-limited settings.

Perfecting the Kangaroo Position

To ensure safety and comfort, correct positioning is essential:

• The baby is placed upright between the mother’s breasts
• The head is turned to one side and slightly extended to keep the airway clear
• The hips are flexed in a frog-like position, with arms tucked in
• A soft cloth or binder supports the baby securely, allowing the caregiver to move comfortably

While it is called Kangaroo Mother Care, we encourage fathers and other family members to participate, making care a shared responsibility and strengthening family involvement in newborn care.

Turning Care into Action

At Action Against Hunger, we work to ensure that KMC is not just understood, but consistently practiced within healthcare systems and communities.

From Concept to Consistent Care at Cooper Hospital, Mumbai

In collaboration with Dr. R. N. Cooper Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai, we have helped integrate KMC into routine newborn care.

• Dedicated KMC units now provide round-the-clock support for preterm and low birth weight infants
• Over the past three years, more than 500 babies have benefited from this care, showing improved recovery and steady weight gain
• Our teams also support mothers and caregivers on-site, ensuring they are confident and comfortable practicing KMC

Care That Continues Beyond Hospital Walls

Our support does not end at discharge. We stay connected with families through follow-up calls and guidance, ensuring that KMC and breastfeeding practices continue safely at home.

We also work at the community level to raise awareness, address barriers, and ensure that families feel supported even beyond healthcare facilities

Is KMC Right for Every Baby?

The initiation of KMC depends on the baby’s condition and birth weight:

• Under 1200 grams: Requires stabilization in specialized care before starting KMC
• 1200 to 1800 grams: Can begin after a few days once the baby is stable
• 1800 to 2500 grams: Can often start soon after birth

Our approach focuses on supporting healthcare providers and families to make informed decisions based on each baby’s needs.

A Simple Touch, A Lifetime of Health

Kangaroo Mother Care reminds us that healthcare is not only about technology, but also about human connection. By enabling parents to play an active role in their baby’s care, we are helping ensure that even the smallest newborns have the strength to grow, recover, and look forward to a healthier future.

Sources

• Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
  Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Resource Material
  KMC PPT Resource
• World Health Organization.
  Kangaroo Mother Care: A Clinical Practice Guide (2025)
• World Health Organization.
  Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care and newborn survival evidence
• National Health Mission, Government of India.
  Operational Guidelines for Kangaroo Mother Care and Optimal Feeding of Low Birth Weight Infants

Breastfeeding may seem natural, but it requires extraordinary strength from every mother. Her body works tirelessly to produce the essential nutrition her baby needs to grow and stay healthy.

At Action Against Hunger, we stand beside mothers throughout this beautiful yet demanding phase of life. With the right nutrition and care, they can stay energized, recover better, and continue giving their little ones the very best every day.

Here’s a simple nutrition guide to help lactating mothers take essential steps toward better nourishment and well-being:

1️⃣ Iron – The Power Behind Energy¹⁻⁴

• Prevents tiredness, weakness, and anemia
•  Supports postpartum recovery
  Sources: Dark leafy greens, beans, jaggery, whole grains, eggs, lean meat

2️⃣ Calcium – For Strong Bones (Mother & Baby)¹⁻⁴

• Helps baby’s bone and teeth development
• Prevents bone loss in mothers
  Sources: Milk, curd, paneer, ragi, sesame seeds, almonds, broccoli

3️⃣ Protein – Fuels Milk Production³⁻⁵

• Repairs tissues and builds muscles
• Supports mother’s strength and baby’s growth
  Sources: Lentils, legumes, eggs, fish, chicken, soy, peanuts, dairy products

4️⃣ Healthy Fats – Brain & Nervous System Development⁴⁻⁷

• Supports brain and vision development
  Sources: Nuts, seeds, avocados, vegetable oils, fatty fish

5️⃣ Vitamin A – Immunity & Vision¹⁻⁵

• Strengthens the baby’s immune system
• Protects maternal eye health
  Sources: Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, milk, mango

6️⃣ Vitamin D – Helps Absorb Calcium²⁻⁵

• Supports bone strength and immunity
  Sources: Morning sunlight, fortified milk, eggs

7️⃣ Folic Acid – Cell Growth & Blood Health¹⁻⁴

• Essential for new cell formation
• Helps prevent nutrient deficiencies
  Sources: Green leafy vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits

8️⃣ Fluids – The Key to Milk Flow¹⁻⁷

• Boosts milk production
• Prevents dehydration
  Best choices: Water, coconut water, buttermilk, fresh juices, soups
  ⚠ Avoid packaged sugary drinks

Daily Diet Chart for Breastfeeding Mothers

This plan focuses on frequent, nutrient-dense meals to support energy, recovery, and milk production, incorporating the essential nutrients discussed in the blog.

Taking the Next Step

To break this cycle, Action Against Hunger focuses on practical, community-driven solutions that combine infrastructure with education:

While these recommendations lay a strong foundation, each mother’s dietary needs vary. For detailed guidance tailored to your specific dietary needs, we strongly encourage you to consult a healthcare professional.

Your baby deserves the best, and so do you! Start making empowering choices today and seek the expert support you need.

References 

1. World Health Organization. Infant and young child feeding: Guiding principles for breastfeeding mothers. Geneva: WHO; 2023.
2. UNICEF India. Maternal nutrition: Ensuring the health of mothers and babies. New Delhi: UNICEF; 2024.
3. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Dietary guidelines for lactating women. Government of India; 2022.
4. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Nutrient requirements and recommended dietary allowances for Indians. New Delhi: ICMR; 2020.
5. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dietary supplement fact sheets. Bethesda (MD): NIH; 2023.
6. National Health Service (NHS). Breastfeeding diet recommendations. London: NHS UK; 2023.
7. American Pregnancy Association. Nutrition for breastfeeding mothers. Texas: APA; 2024.
   
8. Surya Hospital. Breast milk increasing foods: Indian diet chart for lactating mothers [blog]. Surya Hospital; 2025.