Boys breastfed beyond two years old are less likely to become rapists when they grow up because breastfeeding gives them an instinctual respect for women.
Dr. Nicholas Alipui, country representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said a child breastfed for more than two years develops a special bond with his mother and this extends to all women.
"The instinct of the child as soon as he is born is sucking. He is capable of sucking and feeding himself, without being taught how to breastfeed," he noted.
Alipui added that "when the child grows up to two years and beyond (and still being breastfed), you remember that bonding, that lifeline sets you apart in terms of relationship that you reserve and enjoy with your mother." "It is already known in medical literature that such a relationship in later years in life is a safeguard against the young boy ever attempting to rape a girl because of the instinctual feeling of protection that the child develops towards the mother figure in his life. That’s a known fact," he maintained.
According to Dr. Elvira Henares-Esguerra, co-director of non-government organization Children for Breastfeeding Inc. (CFB), a breastfed infant does not remember the experience "because you were too young."
"There might be a difference when you are at the age of two. They remember and develop respect not only to their mothers but to all women as well. You would not want to desecrate the breasts that feed you," she said.
The UNICEF and the CFB are advocating for the exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first six months of life and then continued breastfeeding with complimentary feeding for two years and beyond.
They named the SM Supermalls yesterday as the country’s "First Breastfeeding-Friendly Mall" in a simple ceremony at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City Tuesday afternoon.
The management put up an enclosed and air-conditioned breastfeeding station between the ice-skating rink and food court at the Megamall, where mothers could breastfeed their infants privately.
The station is also equipped with a wash area, changing diaper table and refrigirator.
Annie Garcia, vice president for operations of Shopping Center Management Corp., claimed the move is part of the company’s commitment to ensure the comfort and security of its clientele.
Garcia added the program would be replicated at all SM malls within this year.
Alipui said breastfeeding is becoming a forgotten practice among Filipinos.
"The demise of breastfeeding culture in the Philippines is alarming and requires our urgent action. The average duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the Philippines went down from 1.4 months in 1998 to a mere 24 days in 2003 — a far cry from the recommended six months," he added.
Alipui said the consequences of low breastfeeding practice are "deadly and long-lasting."
He ssaid the World Health Organization estimates that 16 million babies below five years old die in the Philippines every year because of non-breastfeeding.
"Babies who are formula-fed are more prone to a host of diseases: asthma, allergies, childhood cancers’ diabetes during childhood and later in life; cardiovascular disease, obesity, gastrointestinal infections, ear infections and exposure to environmental contaminants," he said.