ILOILO City – Ilongga breastfeeding mothers are being urged to join a global attempt to establish a world record – the simultaneously breastfeeding of children for one full minute on Aug. 4.
In this city, the breastfeeding will be at the Festive Walk of the Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao district.
The non-government organization Breastfeeding Ilonggas is spearheading the activity it calls “Hakab Na! 2018” in line with the observance of August as National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky breast milk produced at the end of pregnancy, is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the perfect food for the newborn, and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth.
Colostrum contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large, according to the WHO.
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to six months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.
Internationally, the breastfeeding world record attempt is called the “Big Latch On.”
Aside from Iloilo City in this county, other areas participating in the world record attempt are Metro Manila (Mandaluyong and Alabang), Aklan, Bacolod City, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Davao City, Dumaguete City, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Zambales.
The global Big Latch On aim to protect, promote and support breastfeeding families by:
* provide support for communities to identify and grow opportunities to provide ongoing breastfeeding support and promotion in local communities
* raise awareness of breastfeeding support and knowledge available locally and globally
* help communities positively support breastfeeding in public places
* make breastfeeding a normal part of day-to-day life at the local community level
* increase support for people who breastfeed – they are supported by their partners, family and their communities
* ensure communities have the resources to advocate for coordinated appropriate and accessible breastfeeding support services./PN
