MANILA – Around 200 mothers gathered in Taguig City on Friday to breastfeed their babies simultaneously, marking the start of Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
In a news release, the Department of Health (DOH) said the initiative is under its nationwide campaign “One Breastfeeding Philippines: Yakap Hakab,” which aims to raise awareness about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and to encourage community-wide support for mothers and infants.
According to the latest National Nutrition Survey, only 50.4 percent, or five out of 10 Filipino infants, are exclusively breastfed during their first six months.
“Nananatili ring mababa ang nabibigyan ng sapat na complementary feeding kasabay ng patuloy na breastfeeding mula anim na buwan hanggang dalawang taon (The number of children receiving adequate complementary feeding alongside continued breastfeeding from six months to two years also remains low),” the DOH said.
It also cited the lack of awareness and access to accurate information as one of the primary reasons for the decline in breastfeeding rates.
To address this concern, the DOH called for stronger collaboration across all levels of society, emphasizing the role of a supportive environment in empowering mothers to breastfeed successfully.
Breastfeeding kits containing a breastfeeding cover, tumbler, and thermal bag were distributed to participating mothers as part of the initiative.
The kits aim to provide practical support while also boosting mothers’ confidence and commitment to continue breastfeeding for at least two years. (PNA)