BAGUIO CITY, Aug. 4 — Breastfeeding is vital to a baby’s total health and in support of this idea, at least 50 mothers and their babies joined the simultaneous lactating activity initiated by the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) Friday to commemorate the National Breastfeeding Month.
The participants’ ages ranged from 15 to 39, expressing milk as lullabies were played on the background.
Dr. Renelyn Ignacio of the BGHMC Pediatric Newborn Care Unit said breastfeeding is the first vaccine a newborn baby receives as it helps strengthen their immune system and brain development.
Aside from the health benefits that the babies get, Ignacio added that mothers who breastfeed reduce their risk of acquiring cancer and are helped in their post delivery healing. For both the mother and baby, breastfeeding develops a stronger bond.
Dr. Eleanor Cuarte, BGHMC infant and baby care unit chairwoman, mentioned that the mass breastfeeding event is in compliance with Republic Act 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Law which mandates the regular conduct of activities that will heighten the public’s awareness on the importance of breastfeeding.
She added that continuous support for the mothers through such activities should be adopted among communities especially for institutions that have a high number of mothers still breastfeeding their babies.
Cuarte added “mothers do not like to neglect breastfeeding, but employed mothers find it hard to breastfeed their babies once they are back to work, which is really a challenge to the advocacy.”
The doctor said that as an initiative to encourage breastfeeding, the spaces should be provided with a breastfeeding room and allowed a reasonable “break” to allow them to express milk even while at work.
Cuarte pointed out that formula milk should never replace breast milk during the first six months, which is a crucial period for the babies’ development. **Kris Chan/PNA)
