Breastfeeding culture promoted

There is no substitute for mother’s milk. That is an age-old fact often emphasized by elders, the medical world and even by milk companies.

The key is the colostrum found in mother’s milk, which, as the first food ingested or suckled by the infant, is essential to health and helps fend off infections. It cannot be emphasized enough that babies need to breastfed at least for the first six months of its birth or longer, if possible.

It used to be a natural conclusion for mothers to breastfeed their babies. For mothers unable to produce enough milk or stops producing abruptly, literally a whole village of milk-producing women would assist. These days, however, with the readily available cow’s milk in powder or wet form, not to mention that there’s no longer a village-full of lactating women, it is no longer a given that a mom should take on the responsibility of breastfeeding her newborn.

Some consider it the right of all babies to be breastfed, but for some moms, it is a choice. This is one reason why it is no longer common to see breastfeeding moms around us. In the last few decades, mothers nursing their babies have become so rare that some people have developed an aversion to the sight and even have to demand political correctness or are scandalized when they encounter such moments.

Indeed, with more working women choosing not to be full-time moms, it becomes more convenient to just put their babies in a formulated milk diet. It is under this light that SM Supermalls, with United Nations Chindren’s Fund (Unicef) and non-goverment organization Beauty, Brains and Breastfeeding organized a breastfeeding event for mothers, giving them tips on successful breastfeeding and urging the private sector to support them.

“SM Supermalls is working to create and promote a breastfeeding culture in the country. The pioneer breastfeeding stations in our malls have helped 63,000 moms switch to a healthier and more economical feeding option for their infants,’ says Bernadette Velasco, program director of SM’s breastfeeding advocacy program.

A large number of mothers in the Philippines begin breastfeeding their babies, but about 88 percent quickly begin to introduce other liquids such as water or formula milk, leading to the lessened benefits of breastfeeding.

Only 34 percent feed their babies only breastmilk, as recommended by the Department of Health, Unicef and the World Health Organization, up to six months. Mixed feeding, which is the introduction of other liquids or foods before six months, as well as being nutritionally deficient, can lead to health problems in young babies such as allergies, respiratory infections, diarrhea, dehydration and even death.

Rewarding experience

Unicef Special Advocate for Children and breastfeeding mom Daphne Oseña-Paez says, “Breastfeeding my three daughters has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences of my life. With all three, I had to return to work when they were still a few months old, but with a combination of organization and the support of my husband, I continued to exclusively breastfeed all of them, until they were six months old. I am still breastfeeding my youngest daughter, who is now 13 months old, and the bond I have developed with my children is something special and long-lasting.”

Among the tips that Daphne gave for those thinking of breastfeeing were:

a) Take classes before giving birth. Most birthing classes touch on breastfeeding. Or at least read up on it; there’s a wealth of free information on the Internet.

b) Get help from lactation consultants. Most hospitals have them. Ask your doctor even before you give birth. They can teach you how to establish a rhythm.

c) Bring the baby to your breast right after she/he is born. Let the hospital staff know you are planning to breastfeed.

d) Try a lactation massage during the first week. This will help relieve engorgement and help get the milk to flow. You want to avoid getting milk lumps.

e) Go easy on the tools and gadgets. You won’t know what you’ll need until you need it. The only thing necessary in the first day of life is to put your baby to your breast. You can even try the baby crawl and your newborn can find your breast. Hold off on the pumps and all the gadgets until you need it.

f) Exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first six months. If you’re breastfeeding your baby, he/she won’t need water, vitamins, cereal, snacks, vitamins or fruit for the first six months. Exclusively breastfeeding will give your baby stronger immunity and it will eradicate the possible exposure to bacteria or contamination.

h) You can care for your baby and still work! There’s the Expanded Breastfeeding Act that’s turned into Law. Companies are now given tax incentives if they provide a room for their employees to nurse, express and refrigerate their milk. Lactating employees can also get an additional 20-minute break every four hours for pumping on top of their mandatory lunch and break time.

i)Breastfeeding is the best way for you to keep your body healthy. You can’t go on crash diets, but you’ll be forced to eat healthy, nutritious food for your child. And it’s the best way to lose weight naturally.

Love language

Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, sportscaster, television host and wife to former PBA player Vince Hizon, also adds: “I have achieved so much in my life and in my career, but one of my proudest achievements as a woman is being able to breastfeed my children. There are many ways to express your unconditional love for your child, and I really feel that nursing them, breastfeeding them is one of the clearest and most endearing love language a mother can convey.  It’s an act of love that they will benefit from for the rest of their lives, being healthy and intelligent individuals. And having my husband Vince support me through it was also one of the best ways he’s shown me his love.”

Beauty, Brains and Breastfeeding executive director Nuriza Abeja advised, “Often, a mother will state that she doesn’t think she has enough milk, or that her baby is not gaining enough weight. But when you explain that almost all mothers have plenty of milk, provided they are letting the baby feed frequently, and that breastfed and formula-fed babies grow differently, mothers tend to relax and with renewed confidence go on to be very successful breastfeeding moms. Friends, family and colleagues can all play an important role in building the confidence of new mothers.”

The event held at the Activity Center of SM Megamall in Ortigas also included interviews on the “Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby and Mom” with certified La Leche League Leader Abbie Yabot and “Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work” with working mom Jenny Ong. –Lou Marquez-Hernandez, Daily Tribune