As we end the celebration of breastfeeding awareness week and breastfeeding awareness month, we in the health and nutrition network together with development partners is one in our call to all would be mothers, already mothers and will be mothers again to practice BREASTFEEDING.

“Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, and exclusively for the first six months has lifelong benefits. It is a baby’s best source of nutrition, promoted bonding between mother and infant,” said UNICEF. It boosts brain development and immune systems, hence it is the baby’s first immunization.

As the country faced with the challenges of bringing a baby into the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we provide mothers with the support they need to breastfeed.

Evidence shows that vertical transmission of COVID 19 between mother and the unborn infant or fetus is very rare. Likewise, transmission of COVID 19 in breast milk.

There are four core steps of Unang Yakap both in normal and cesarian section delivery: 1) Immediate and thorough drying; 2) Early skin to skin contact;   3) Properly-timed cord clumping; and 4) Non- separation of newborn from the mother fir early breastfeeding.

Unang Yakap is a campaign that seeks to engage national and local sectors, public and private health sectors, individuals and organizations, mothers, fathers and families, to embrace the Essential Newborn Care Protocol to ensure a bright and healthy future of our newborns.

This year the Department of Health and National Nutrition Council and the various development partners and breastfeeding advocates-initiated activities to celebrate the Breastfeeding Awareness Week/Month. #NPC CPDotollo