Mothers Urged to Practice Exclusive Breastfeeding of Infants

The Department of Health (DOH-7) is urging mothers to exclusive breastfeed their newborns for the first 6 months.

In the recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) – Philippine Information Agency (PIA) 7 Forum,  DOH-7 Medical Officer IV Dr. Hayce Famor said that exclusive breastfeeding is the most cost-effective way for reducing childhood morbidity and mortality.

“For the exclusive breastfeeding, infants should not take water, other milk, vitamins, and food to  prevent them from any sicknesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia,” continued Famor.

She also said that when you feed your baby with colostrums or the first milk from the breast (which may appear as clear fluid or a deep golden color) it is as though you’re giving the child his first vaccination.

“It’s full of antibodies and immunoglobulins that help protect the newborns,” she explained.

Famor also clarified that it is not necessary for mothers to stop breastfeeding when the child reaches six months to 2 years old as the time will come for the child to voluntarily stop.

“Working mothers can store their milk for two days in the refrigerator, 24 hours only in the ice box and six hours in the temperature room,” she said.

“Breastfeeding is not only good for the child, it also lessens the chances of ovarian and breast cancer, hypertension, heart problems and diabetes for the mothers,” she continued.

Dr. Parolita Mission, Regional Coordinator of the National Nutrition Council (NNC-7) said that breastfeeding is the intervention nutrition for the infants.

She also encouraged the mothers to make breastfeeding a habit because it has good nutrients for the infants.

Mission also said that after the breastfeeding, appropriate complementary feeding should follow for the child to grow healthy and to be more active in the community.

The month of August marks the observance of National Breastfeeding Month with the theme, “Breastfeeding and Family Planning: Keys to Sustainable Development.” (rmn/hfg/AGIO-PIA 7 Forum)