In pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 10028, otherwise known as the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, August of every year is Breastfeeding Awareness Month. This year’s theme “Pagpapasuso’y Pundasyon para sa Malusog at Mahabang Buhay ng Ina at Sanggol”. This month-long observance aims to raise public awareness and highlight the significance that breastfeeding can bring to both the health and welfare of babies, as well as a wider push for maternal health, focusing on better nutrition, poverty reduction and food security and to further promote breastfeeding in the country.
The benefits of exclusive breastfeeding extend well beyond basic nutrition. Exclusive breastfeeding means the infant only receives breast milk, no water, no solid food is given, nothing else, apart from oral rehydration solution, or drops of vitamins, minerals or medicines. Human milk is uniquely superior to infant feeding and it is packed with disease-fighting substances that help your baby fight off infections and other conditions. Also, it contains all the vitamins and nutrients your baby needs in the first six months of life for optimum growth.
Ultimately, interventions to promote breastfeeding are relatively simple and inexpensive. For a healthy infant feeding, various interventions include nutrition education and counselling targeting mothers which aimed in promoting the initiation and duration of breastfeeding.
SOCCSKSARGEN joins the nationwide celebration of the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. The Department of Health (DOH) XII conducted breastfeeding forum participated by 100 mothers last August 3 at Kidapawan City. The provinces of Region XII conducted breastfeeding summit among mothers and barangay nutrition scholars, scoping breastfeeding topic in there Usapan series and a lot of related activities done by all LGUs in the region.
In addition, the Department of Health (DOH) as the lead agency for program and policy development is committed in protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding through advocacy, implementation and creation of a positive environment in all services and workplace.
Moreover, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) had come up a helpful tool which serve as guide in promoting a better nutrition for all. The second nutrition message of the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos reminds us to breastfeed infants exclusively from birth up to 6 months then give appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for two years and beyond for optimum growth and development. DOST and NNC also has the Pinggang Pinoy, an easy to understand nutrition tool for preparing healthy food on a per meal basis for all age groups and for lactating women.
Breastfeeding may not always seem easy, but it is the best choice for every baby and it is always worth it. (NO I Laurito/NO III Flores)
