CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)—Intensifying campaign on breastfeeding especially during the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic, Hakab Na 2021 gathered mothers all over Mindanao in celebration of the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month via virtual meet, August 8.

“Tumong namo nga ang kadaghanan makahibalo sa benepisyo sa eksklusibo nga pagpasuso sa mga bata isip suporta sa atong Philippine Milk Code. Akong pahinumdum kanatong tanan niining COVID-19 pandemic nga atong giatubang, kinahanglan nga makanunayon natong i-obserbar ang BIDA Solusyon,” Department of Health (DOH)-10 Regional Director Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr. said. 

(It is our goal for the people to know the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding of children as support to the Philippine Milk Code. I would like to remind everyone that with the COVID-19 pandemic we are facing right now, we should always observe the BIDA Solusyon)

An initial count of 367 mothers with their babies have joined in the one-minute simultaneous latch on all over Mindanao, signifying their support to the breastfeeding awareness month celebration with the theme, “Tulong-tulong sa Pagpapasuso sa First 1000 Days.”

Breastfeeding during pandemic

A significant drop in the number of breastfeeding mothers was noted by the National Nutrition Council (NNC), especially during the health crisis.

NNC Asec. Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang said based on the study conducted by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), 60.8% percent of children 0-5 months were exclusively breastfed during the pandemic while 59.7 of children 0-23 months are currently breastfed during this period.

“This means that 4 in every 10 babies are not breastfed during the pandemic,” she added citing that if only the mothers were supported, they could have decided to breastfeed or continue breastfeeding. 

To provide support to breastfeeding mothers, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Jefferson Gregorio gave proper guidance to mothers who are nourishing their children in the midst of COVID-19 saying that it is still safe for mothers to continue breastfeeding even if they have received the COVID-19 vaccine or if they test positive for COVID-19. 

“There is no evidence to date that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through breastfeeding. So ang breastmilk po natin ang nagpoprotect pa lalo ng antibodies, na nagbibigay sa baby ng sapat na (our breastmilk boosts protection of our antibodies that gives babies enough) immune system, healthy boost and protect them against from infection,” Gregorio said. 

As to concerns on COVID-19 infection among breastfeeding mothers, Dr. Jacqueline Flores Kitong of the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines said mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be encouraged to initiate and continue breastfeeding.

“Mothers should not be separated from their infants unless the mother is too sick to care for her baby,” Kitong said clarifying concerns on separation of mother and baby during isolation. 

She added that isolation facilities and hospitals should be ready to take care of women and they should be caring for women with respect. 

Meanwhile, Nadine Casiño, founder of Modern Nanays of Mindanao said Hakab Na 2021 was organized various breastfeeding groups in Mindanao including Modern Nanays of Mindanao, Iligan Breastfriends and Modern Nanays of Bukidnon in Region 10; Breastfeeding Moms of Caraga in Region 13; 

Dabaw Inas, Davao Breastfeeding Comunity, Mati Moms and TAGUMpay Moms in Region 11; Breastfeeding Moms of GenSan in Region 12; Mapiya Moms, Breastfeeding Mothers and Advocates in Cotabato in BARMM; and La Leche Materna in Region 9. (RTP/PIA-10)