“Breastmilk is the natural first food for babies, it provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life. Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of mothers, it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment” – World Health Organization

Frances Francisco gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Alonso. Glenda Lagadia gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Aliyah.  Both mommies gave birth last February 2020. Mommy Frances used to work as an Architect before giving birth to Alonso, spending most of her time at the construction sites or doing office work. Mommy Glenda, on the other hand, is a businesswoman who spends time working at home.  Both of them see the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) as a good opportunity to focus more on their families, particularly on their babies.

Both mommies believe that breastfeeding is the best decision they made, giving the best gift to their babies… their breastmilk.

“Breastfeeding can protect Alonso from diseases since breastmilk has antibodies. During this ECQ, we do not need to include formula milk in our grocery list and instead allocate the budget for fruits and vegetables that I can eat to make me and my baby healthy”, says Mommy Frances

“Breastmilk is always available anytime. With breastfeeding, I don’t have to worry about running out of supply of food to give to my baby during this ECQ. Breastfeeding Aliyah creates precious bonding moments, relieving me from stress that I get from reading  negative social media posts and watching news on this pandemic”, Mommy Glenda explains.

Fulfilled and happy with their good job at breastfeeding their babies, both mommies would like to help to other babies in need of breastmilk. Their breastmilk is the best gift that they can give to other babies in need, particularly during this time when a lot of families with infants and young children are offered donation of formula milk.

But before donating their breastmilk, breastfeeding moms should be aware of the following:

• They can be considered potential donors, if they are: healthy, eating and feeling well; not a smoker; never had a blood transfusion; not drinking too much caffeine; not taking illegal drugs and limits intake of alcohol, among other criteria.
• If they are interested, they will be screened by HMB personnel and will be requested to get tested for HIV, Hepatitis, HTLV and Syphilis.
• Their expressed milk collected for donation should be frozen as soon as possible to maintain the nutritional and microbiological quality of the milk. 
• The expressed breastmilk stored in the freezer should be kept away from other food by storing them in a sealed bag or plastic container labelled with the date of expression.
• Their breastmilk will be enough for their babies even if they are donating. The body adjusts the amount of milk produced to meet the changing needs of the baby at different times and will respond in the same way if mothers express regularly.
• There are five (5) Human Milk Banks located in Metro Manila where they can send and donate their breastmilk. These HMBs are open even during this ECQ. They also welcome inquiries from mothers who are interested in donating their breastmilk.

With the current situation we are in where access to food for babies is limited, mommies are all the more encouraged to breastfeed.  Breastmilk is the only safe and nutritious food for babies, and it’s free! What’s more, breastmilk protects babies from viruses and other diseases.  

For other breastfeeding mothers like Mommies Frances and Glenda who are thinking of  sharing their breastmilk to other babies in need, be assured that breastmilk donation is possible amid COVID-19. (ELF/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)

Source: www.who.int; www.hmb.ph

For interested breastmilk donor, you may call the following HMBs for details:

• Malabon Human Milk Bank

           Contact Number: 281-4999 local 1901

           Look for: Dr. Mitzi Tanchoco

• Quezon City Human Milk Bank

          Contact Number: 863.0851

          Look for: Dr. Shahani Duque

• Pasig City General Hospital Human Milk Bank

         Contact Number: 643.3333 local 410 / 0956.0139322

         Look for: Ms. Gigi Lim

• Makati City Human Milk Bank

         Contact Number: 513.6564 / 513.6564 / 0943-240-4113

         Look for: Ms. Mylene Macaraeg

• Taguig City Human Milk Bank

         Contact Number: 8838.3485/0956.2641444

         Look for: Ms. Grace Ann Apostol