Imagine that you’re a mother exclusively breastfeeding your baby and travelling to another place to visit. Many mothers find it difficult to continue breastfeeding while travelling unless they have their own vehicle or there is a nearby place to drop-by so they can breastfeed their baby. How about a mother waiting to ride a bus or a jeepney at a terminal yet she needs to breastfeed her baby? When in Naga City, worry no more because of the LGU’s initiative to provide a specific area for breastfeeding or lactating mothers.
On 1 March 2016, the Naga City Nutrition Committee led by Mayor John G. Bongat in collaboration with the City Population and Nutrition Office (CPNO) opened to the public the breastfeeding center located at the Bicol Central Station (BCS). The inauguration of the breastfeeding center highlights the significance of a specific area or place where breastfeeding can be continuously practiced even in a public place without compromising the privacy of lactating mothers.
Other participants present during the blessing were City Councilor Cecilia V. De Asis, other department heads of Naga City, BCS Manager, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, midwives, peer counsellors, terminal stall owners and vendors. NPC Arlene Reario and Mr. Julius Cesar P. Alejandre of NNC Central Office were the guests of honors of this important event. Together with Mayor Bongat, they led the cutting of ribbon to formally open the breastfeeding center.
Chapter III, Section 11 of the Republic Act No. 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 mandates all health and non-health facilities, establishments or institutions to establish lactation station. Naga City once again provided an enabling environment which not only promotes breastfeeding but provides a venue for nutrition counselling for mothers and caregivers. This is a solid way to advocate for breastfeeding in the workplace or support women to breastfeed while at the bus terminal. Sometime in 2014, the breastfeeding station at the People’s Mall of Naga City was also inaugurated. Today, it continues to provide a place for vendors and lactating mothers visiting the market to breastfeed their baby.
In the context of the First 1000 Days of Life, promotion and practice of breastfeeding is vital as one of the evidence-based interventions to address child undernutrition. It is also one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent infant and young child deaths.
So, when at the Bicol Central Station in Naga City and you need a place to breastfeed your baby, the breastfeeding station is open for you. Feel free to ask the trained counsellor in the breastfeeding station for your queries and concerns on infant and young child feeding. This is an invitation to all mothers and mothers-to-be: visit the place, learn and be empowered!
Click this link for more photos during the opening of the Breastfeeding Station.
nncbicol/arr/mja
