RIMALIZA OPIÑA
An advocate of exclusive breastfeeding reiterated that mothers should continue to breastfeed their babies and not fear that their child could be infected of the Covid-19 virus.
In a webinar arranged by the National Nutrition Council and the Cordillera Media Educators and Nutrition, Arugaan Executive Director Maria Ines Fernandez said the Covid-19 pandemic should not deter mothers from continuing to breastfeed for breastmilk has anti-viral properties that can help protect an infant from getting infected.
Established in 1980, Arugaan is a breastfeeding advocacy group working in the community level.
For mothers who just gave birth, Fernandez said it is essential that their babies be breastfeed at once so they will be able to have the colostrum, a nutrient-rich fluid produced by female mammals immediately after giving birth.
The height of colostrum production is 15 days after birth. “So mothers who are under isolation should continue breastfeeding for it is within this period that colostrum is being produced,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez said colostrum contains antibodies which help develop a newborn’s immune system.
She said opting to use formula milk increases a newborn’s risk of developing asthma, allergies, ear infections, hypertension and heart disease, respiratory infection, lower IQ and cognitive development, obesity iron deficiency anemia, sudden infant death syndrome, diabetes, digestive problems, childhood cancer, exposure to environmental contaminants, sleep apnea, dental problems and malocclusions later in life.
For the mother, Fernandez said choosing not to breastfeed increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, overweight, breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, and reduced child spacing, among others.
Aside from its advocacy, Arugaan also assists mothers with the proper way of breastfeeding.
Arugaan is also campaigning for mothers to feed their babies using a cup, instead of plastic bottles with rubber nipples as alternative to breastfeeding.
Fernandez said using rubber nipples causes nipple confusion and expressing milk using a breast pump is not only uncomfortable to the mother as this damages the breast tissue and will eventually decrease the amount of milk being produced.
Arugaan teaches mothers, caregivers, and even husbands or their domestic partners lactation massages to hasten milk production as well as prescribed positions when nursing to make breastfeeding comfortable to both the mother and her child.
To maximize the benefits that can be derived from breastfeeding, Fernandez also reminded parents to continue breastfeeding even beyond the prescribed age of two. By the time infants can be given solid food, she also discourages feeding them with “grocery baby foods.” Instead, she said parents or caregivers should prepare indigenous foods mixed with breastmilk such as rice porridge, boiled sweet potato, pureed leafy vegetables, carrots, and soft vegetables.
“You do not need to prepare too much. One tablespoon every feeding time is enough,” Fernandez said.
The webinar on breastfeeding is part of the institutionalized projects of the NNC-CAR led by OIC Regional Nutrition Coordinator Belle Basalong and CAR-MENU president Rose Malekchan held every Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
This year banners the theme, “Tuluy-tuloy na pagpapasuso sa first 1,000 days.”
Close to 200 information and administrative officers and two mayors from Apayao participated in the webinar held on Aug. 17. – CAR-Menu release
