Nutrition month promotes exclusive breastfeeding
PIA daily news in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Waray, Pangalatok from around the Philippines: "Dr. Anthony Redaniel, MDGF-2030 Field coordinator for exclusive breastfeeding, said “Tama” stands for the correct practice of allowing immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth, and initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life.He said “Sapat” is meant to assure the mother that little breastmilk is enough for the first week and that frequent breastfeeding ensures continuous breastmilk supply to respond to the increasing needs of the baby.
“EKslusibo” on the other hand, Redaniel said, advocates that for the first six months, only breastmilk and no other liquid should be given to the baby as it has all the nutrients and water that the baby needs.
“After which, the baby should be given appropriate complementary foods while continually breastfeeding,” Redaniel said.
On the other hand, NNC Regional Coordinator Nona Tad-y said during a press briefing held July 4, that breastfeeding ranks among the most effective interventions to improve child’s survival.
Tad-y said the World Health Organization has estimated that high coverage of optimal breastfeeding practices could avert 13 percent of the 10.3 million annual deaths of children five years old and below."
