Samboan, Cebu – Not all infants in the Philippines are exclusively breastfed during their first six months of life. Some are given formula milk alone, some are breast milk with water, and others are breastmilk and formula milk given alternately. During the first six months of an infant’s life, all the nutrients that the baby needs are found in the milk of the mother.

So, what is the reason why all mothers are not exclusively breastfeeding their infants? Breastfeeding has its own share of challenges. From breast engorgement, low milk supply, and sore nipples, to name a few, breastfeeding can be difficult for some first-time moms.

There is an association of women that supports first-time mothers on how to properly breastfeed their infants and they are called Breastfeeding Support Group. Mothers may also ask the nearest health center personnel or the members of the breastfeeding support group near them to get informed.

Experienced breastfeeding mothers share information, good breastfeeding practices, all the experiences they’ve encountered while breastfeeding and offer support to these new breastfeeding moms so that it would be easy for them to breastfeed their infants. Sometimes, new mothers are often vulnerable and sensitive and that is when the experience and knowledge of these peer counselors come into play.

Proper training on Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition is also a must for these peer-to-peer counselors since it will broaden their knowledge on infant and young child feeding. Even in the presence of our midwives and nurses in the barangay setting, breastfeeding support group plays a crucial role in increasing the number of mothers who are exclusively breastfeeding their children. // ND II, Teresito M. Caayaman III