Mothers set breastfeeding record

More than 3,000 mothers packed a sports stadium in Manila yesterday and set a new world record for the largest number of women simultaneously breastfeeding their babies in the same place.

The city government of Manila and the Department of Health (DOH) said a total of 3,738 mothers breastfed their babies for at least one minute at the San Andres Sports Complex, breaking the current Guinness Record set in Berkley, California.

Manila City Mayor Lito Atienza announced that based on the tabulation of the independent firm Sycip Gorres and Velayo (SGV), 3,754 pairs of mothers and babies went to the sports complex, however, only 3,738 breastfed their children simultaneously for the one-minute period.

Atienza, president of Prolife Philippines, said the city government is fully committed in advocating breasffeeding because of the many health benefits to children as well as mothers.

"We will strongly promote breastfeeding in Manila through the city’s 48 health centers, four hospitals and other offices. Personally, all my children were breastfed," the mayor said.

The event dubbed "Sabay-sabay, Sumuso sa Nanay" took place on the same month that the world celebrates Mother’s Day.

The organizers of yesterday’s event are now awaiting official confirmation from the Guinness to declare the setting of a new world record.

Dr. Nicholas Alipui, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) country representative, called the event a "magnificent gathering."

"It was wonderful to see so many children being breastfed simultaneously," he said.

He said breastfeeding can help curb malnutrition in children under two years old, provide them with anti-bodies to fight diseases and boost the country’s economy because families save on infant formula.

"Breastmilk has all the nutrients that a newborn infant needs," Alipui said.

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III, for his part, paid tribute to nursing mothers.

"Next to (boxing champion) Manny Pacquiao and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), kayo (breastfeeding mothers) ang bagong bayani dahil itinataguyod ninyo ang breastfeeding," he said.

Among those who participated were new born babies, carried by their mothers still wearing their hospital gowns.

Maricar Mendoza, 22, of Tondo, said she gave birth to her second child at the Tondo Medical Hospital last April 30. She said breastfeeding would strengthen the bond between her and her child.

For Mary Roy Anim, 30, and Joan Dioctol, 19, both believe breastfeeding will make their babies healthy and build stronger immune systems to fight illnesses.

Figures show that the rate of breastfeeding in the Philippines has been declining. The average duration of exclusive breastfeeding as of 2003 was 24 days, down from the 1.4 months in 1998. Only 1.4 percent of babies six to seven months old are still being exclusively breastfed.