In observance to the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month celebrated every August, the Cordillera Barangay Nutrition Scholar Federation Association Inc. (CordiBNS Federation) in partnership with National Nutrition Council Cordillera Administrative Region (NNC-CAR) conducted a webinar on “Reskilling the Barangay Nutrition Committee: Tulong-tulong para sa first 1000 days of life,” to discuss the important key messages on breastfeeding, proper breastfeeding practices and to enlighten the roles of Barangay Nutrition Committee in the implementation of Infant and Young Child Feeding.
Over 550 participants composed of Barangay Nutrition Committee members, Nutrition Action Officers and other health workers across the region were imparted with knowledge and learnings by the resource speakers. Ms. Di Anne Mendoza, a breastfeeding advocate refreshed the knowledge of the participants on breastfeeding through her discussion of the W’s of breastfeeding. Why is breastfeeding important, when to start, what are the different positions, what affects breastmilk production, what are the challenges and who are the key players for a successful breastfeeding were tackled.
“Breastfeeding reminds us of the universal truth of abundance; the more we give out, the more we are filled up, and that divine nourishment- the source from which we all draw is, like a mother’s breast, ever full and ever flowing,” she quoted during her lecture.
On the other hand, DMO II Velanie Dao-ines briefly presented why Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) program should be done in the community and the role of the BNC in its implementation. During her lecture she also refreshed the participants on the sample IYCF activities that the BNC may include in their Barangay Nutrition Action Plan.
“The implementation of the IYCF is the responsibility of the Barangay Nutrition Committee,” she emphasized.
The CordiBNS Federation Inc in partnership with NNC-CAR has committed to organize similar future activities to upskill and reskill not only the Barangay Nutrition Scholars but to include the Barangay Nutrition Committee.
Velanie M. Dao-ines, DMO II
