During a health crisis, it is important to continue to prioritize nutrition because good nutrition is key to build immunity and fight the disease. Mothers should exclusively breastfeed their infants during the first 6 months and provide appropriate complementary feeding starting at 6 months and continue breastfeeding up to 2 years or more. Also, sanitation and hygiene should be observed to prevent infection, as well as provide psychosocial stimulation. COVID-19 infected mothers can still breastfeed their children. Expressed breast milk, wet nurses and milk banks are other options of child feeding should the mother’s condition becomes severe.
Food and nutrition security of children should be ensured during this pandemic to prevent the long-term effects of malnutrition. Pregnant women should secure their proper nutrition to avoid pregnancy complications. It is also advised to grow your own food garden and produce fresh and nutritious food such as vegetables.
Most importantly, to preventing stunting and worsening of nutritional status of children during this pandemic, health and nutrition services in the first 1,000 days of life such as growth monitoring, immunization, and prenatal checkups of pregnant women should still be available as long as health protocols are observed.
Breastfeeding reflects a “wais” household or community because breastmilk is readily available and free. It is also the optimal source of nutrients for infants, as well as the safest nourishment for them during this pandemic. An infant is food secure if he/she is breastfed.
Breastfeeding also contributes to a “Malusog na Pamayanan” because breast milk improves the immune system of infants. Therefore, diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and other infections can be prevented. If the health and nutrition of an infant are ensured through breast milk as first food, he/she will grow into a healthy citizen in the future.
He/she will have a reduced risk for overweight and obesity consequently reduce the likelihood of acquiring cancer, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. Also, breastmilk helps in meeting the child’s full growth potential that will enable him to succeed in life as an adult. These are the lifetime benefits of breastfeeding.
As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Everyone has a role to play in support to breastfeeding. Fathers and other family members should help lactating mothers in doing household chores to lessen their burden and stress. Communities can form breastfeeding support groups. Mothers who were able to breastfeed successfully before could offer support, advice and information especially to first time lactating mothers.
All are encouraged to become breastfeeding advocates. Everyone can support, protect and promote breastfeeding. Establish breastfeeding areas in workplaces and in public areas. Prioritize pregnant and lactating women in queues and services. View breastfeeding as a natural way of feeding infants and this should be seen without malice.
The government through the Department of Health conducts several programs to support, protect and promote breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is continually promoted in the Infant and Young Child (IYCF) Program. The Department of Labor and Employment also implements the Extended Maternity Leave Law that gives mothers 105 days of paid maternity leave.
Another government legislation that supports breastfeeding is the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act requiring lactation breaks and the establishment of lactation stations in workplaces with proper storage for expressed breastmilk such as refrigerator or cooler.
A more comprehensive law was recently enacted – the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act or Republic Act 11148. This ensures the welfare of mothers and their babies during the first 1,000 days of life. This act recognizes the importance of securing the health and nutrition of infants during this critical window of opportunity where growth and development rapidly happens.
There is also a PhilHealth pregnancy package. Pregnant women should undergo prenatal check-ups. Studies prove that many pregnant women who did not undergo prenatal check-ups were unable to avail necessary health services. This may lead to pregnancy problems, birth defects and problems during childbirth.
There is also the Milk Code that prohibits donations of breastmilk substitutes especially during emergencies and calamities. Though well-meaning in intention, this may disrupt the continued breastfeeding of infants.
Aside from nutrition, psychosocial stimulation is equally important to foster proper brain development in the first 2 years. Studies have shown that a child who lacks enough care to fully develop his/her social abilities and interaction with other people, even if properly nourished, still do not thrive and his/her brain development also suffers.
Good nutrition and psychosocial stimulation are the two most important ways to reduce the risks of child stunting and altogether ensure that brain development is at its fastest and optimal level. This stimulation should come, first and foremost, from the family and not from gadgets or through screen time. This should be done through human to human interaction in a conducive environment.
Parents and caregivers should indulge their children in storytelling. This is a good way to stimulate their brain development. Even pregnant women or fathers can already tell stories or simply talk to their unborn baby. Use storybooks instead of gadgets especially when dealing with children at a very young age. Their brain interacts better when being talked to rather than when they simply watch from the gadget’s screen. Storytelling also promotes bonding time of parents with their child.
