Pampers launches expert parenting group
MANILA, Philippines – In line with its commitment to help parents nurture and care for their babies, Pampers recently hosted “Gabay para kay Nanay” at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Two hundred new moms from the Pampers Ward in Fabella were invited to take part in a series of short lectures that would arm them with the latest information on baby health and development, courtesy of the Pampers Parenting Institute-Philippines, which was also launched at the same event.
The Pampers Parenting Institute (PPI) is an international network of experts committed to understanding babies and all areas of their development and health. And now, Filipino parents can benefit from the expertise of these parenting professionals as Pampers introduces the Pampers Parenting Institute-Philippines, a diverse group of experts equipped with child-care information and research to help Filipino parents care for their babies.
Members of the Pampers Parenting Institute, Dr. Susan Echiverri, a well-respected pediatrician from Cook Country Hospital in Chicago, and Col. Estelita Galutira, president of the Maternal and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines (MCNAP), talked about diverse parenting topics, ranging from infant growth and development to the importance of breastfeeding and newborn screening.
There are a few things that parents can do to help encourage their baby’s development. One is to avoid the use of walkers as these actually hamper baby’s ability to learn to walk because their leg muscles are not developed. Another tip is that it is important to give them age-appropriate toys, which will not only stimulate the child and help him develop skills he needs at that stage in his development, but will also ensure that these are safe for him to use.
Another way to stimulate baby’s development is to ensure parents have plenty of skin-to-skin contact with their child. “Carrying and cuddling is very good — there are no limits to this. It’s reassurance for the baby and very important for bonding. Plus it has a good effect on the mother as well, it has a positive impact on the mother’s feelings for the baby,” says Echiverri.
Aside from making infants feel safer and more secure, studies also show that cuddling and physical contact have physical benefits as well like stimulating an infant’s growth hormones, reducing stress, and enhancing the immune system.
In relation to feeding and baby nutrition, Echiverri also advises parents not to push for early solid food feeding as infants who are very young cannot handle swallowing yet. “Breastmilk is complete food for babies up to six months. Then at that stage, they can start complimentary feeding to help train their baby’s mouth to swallow solid food. I say complimentary because it’s still important to continue breastfeeding.”
Col. Estelita Galutira elaborates on the importance of breastfeeding, “We always emphasize the three ‘Es’ of breastfeeding – early, exclusive, and extended. Start right away after delivery, do exclusive breastfeeding up to six months, and continue for up to two years. We say exclusive from birth up to six months because breastmilk contains everything that babies need at that stage in their development. They don’t need formula or water, breastmilk is complete.”
Finally, the MCNAP also discussed the importance of newborn screening, which is their advocacy. Newborn screening is a simple procedure that helps parents and medical professionals find out as early as possible if an infant has a congenital metabolic disorder, like congenital hypothyroidism or congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Using the heel prick method, a few drops of blood are taken from the baby’s heel and blotted on a special absorbent filter card. The blood is dried for four hours and sent to the Newborn Screening Laboratory (NBS Lab). It is ideally done 48 to 72 hours after birth.
To learn more about the Pampers Parenting Institute-Philippines and access more information on child care and baby development, visit www.pampers.com.ph.
