Manila council supports Breastfeeding Week

In support of to the celebration of Breastfeeding Week, the City Manila Council has passed a resolution calling on all mothers to breastfeed their babies during the first six months.

Sixth District Councilor Ma. Lourdes Isip-Garcia said the aim of this year’s Breastfeeding Week, which started last Aug. 2, is to save 1.5 million babies worldwide by breastfeeding them 30 minutes after delivery.

At 10 a.m. on Aug. 8, the Philippines will lead the worldwide synchronized breastfeeding.

Isip, who is a breastfeeding advocate, stressed the importance for mothers to get into the habit of breastfeeding. About 16,000 Filipinos die every year due to diarrhea, pneumonia and other diseases caused by bacteria because they were not breastfed.

Garcia said the nutrient-filled colostrum, which is expressed from a mother’s breast shortly after birth, would strengthen the babies because it is high in carbohydrates, protein and antibodies.

The passage of the resolution, according to Garcia, is an indication that Manila is one with the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in stating that the mothers’ milk is “the best food for any baby.”

Garcia also said that apart from developing the child’s body, breastfeeding also strengthens the bond between the mother and baby.

“If you hold, touch and carry your baby, the physical contact has a strong, positive, reaffirming effect on the baby, emotionally and psychologically,” she said.

Garcia added that “there is no substitute for a mother’s milk. We must nurture a strong healthy future generation of leaders and citizen. We encourage mothers to breastfeed their children to assure their physical health.”  – Evelyn Macairan, Judith Catabay