In an effort to support, protect and promote breastfeeding especially in emergencies, Mother-Baby Friendly Spaces were established in Iligan City evacuation centers resulting from the Marawi City siege.
Breastfeeding advocates and support group Modern Nanays of Mindanao (MNM) initiated the establishment of Mother Baby Friendly (MBF) Spaces together with partner agencies NNC X, Moropreneur Inc., and Iligan Breastfriend Club. According to the December 2013 Operational Guidelines for Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies in the Philippines, a Mother-Baby Friendly Space is a safe, comfortable area, with proper ventilation and sufficient lighting where pregnant women and mothers can breastfeed or express breastmilk, avail of information, appropriate counselling, and support for breastfeeding and nutrition of her child below three years old.
Pilot areas for the MBF space were Buru-un School of Fisheries and Sta. Elena evacuation centers (ECs). Along with the establishment of MBF spaces was the putting up of community kitchen where mothers were taught how to prepare safe and appropriate complementary food for infants 6-23 months, considering that most of the food donations received is directed to adults.
Breastfeeding counselling for pregnant and lactating women with children 0-24 months was conducted spearheaded by MNM founder Nadine Angelica G. Casiño, in partnership with The Moropreneur Inc. led by Hashim Sellahudin who served as BF counselors given that most of the participating mothers are Maranaos. Daily sessions of counselling are conducted in Buruun EC with 69 participating mothers, 1 session each in Ma. Cristina and Sta. Elena ECs with 25 and 39 participating mothers, respectively.
Culture-sensitive Malong Care Packs (MCP) were provided to internally displaced mothers with infants, which each pack containing hygiene kits, baby clothes, clean water among others.
“The Mother-Baby Friendly space shall be a private place for mothers to breastfeed comfortably, and for children to have a safe, clean place where they can play and be cared for,” Casiño said.
Challenges such as lack of Maranao-speaking breastfeeding counsellors and halt of breastmilk mobilization still emerge as the nutrition-cluster and partner agencies look for solution to support, protect and promote proper child care and nutrition during emergencies.
MBF spaces established in Buruun and Sta. Elena shall be replicated in the rest of the evacuation centers in Tibanga, Ma. Cristina, and Buruun Gym. The Moropreneur, on the other hand has set up six more M-B spaces in evacuation centers in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.
In line with the NO MILK DONATION policy, mothers who have difficulties breastfeeding were advised to have their infant undergo cup feeding or wet nursing. Three infants received cup feeding and 1 wet nursing and 1 child has been continuously cup fed for four straight days now with increasing demand and intake.
“We’re trying to see how successful we will be in other areas due to cultural sensitivity and hesitations. But we are still mobilizing, trying to get in touch with partners in case may pumayag ng cup feeding and wet nursing, so we will be ready to provide the donated expressed milk in all evacuation centers.” NPC Navales explained during a press conference in June 6. smgt
