Breastfeeding is the best way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of babies. Importantly, it has many benefits for the infant and the mother such as it provides all the energy and essential nutrients from birth up to 6 months of life and it contains antibodies that protect babies against infectious and chronic diseases, such as diarrhea and pneumonia. Thus, the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is observed every August by virtue of Republic Act No. 10028 signed in 2009 to raise public awareness of the importance of breastfeeding.

This year’s theme “Breastfeeding TSEk (Tama, Sapat at Ekslusibo): I-BIDA ang pagpapasuso tungo sa wais at malusog na pamayanan!” focuses on exclusive breastfeeding especially amidst this COVID-19 pandemic. According to World Health Organization, breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. However, concerns have been raised about whether mothers with COVID-19 can transmit the virus to their infant through breastfeeding. The WHO recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be encouraged to initiate or continue to breastfeed. Mothers should be counselled that the benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks for transmission.

Breastfeeding has many benefits for the infant and mother:

1. It provides all the energy and essential nutrients from birth up to 6 months of life and continued breastfeeding with complementary food above 6 months old;

2. The first few drops of breast milk called colostrum contains antibodies that protect babies against infectious and chronic diseases, such as diarrhea and pneumonia;

3. Breastfed babies have higher intelligence and scores and are less likely to develop problems with behavior and learning as they grow older;

4. It strengthens the bond between mother and child; and

5. It reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer of the mother.

Mothers only want the best for their children. Even in this time of pandemic, breastfeeding should continue. To strengthen the campaign for exclusive breastfeeding, we should remember DOH’s “BIDA”.

B- Bawal magpasuso nang walang mask kung may sintomas o exposure sa COVID-19

I- I-sanitize and mga kamay bago magpasuso

D- Dumistansya ng isang metro sa iba kung magpapasuso

A- Alamin ang totoong impormasyon ukol sa pagpapasuso

Thus this August, I-BIDA ang pagpapasuso tungo sa wais at malusog na pamayanan! Dahil ang gatas ng ina lamang ang pinakamabuti sa inyong baby.

AA VI Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot