August is considered Breastfeeding Month in the Philippines.  It is celebrated to increase awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding for babies and mommies and to dispel the myths about breastfeeding.  

It's a good thing that there are lots of resources both online and offline about breastfeeding.  When Kib was still a baby, there were no available resources for me to read nor to attend talks about breastfeeding.  I know I am capable of exclusively breastfeeding Kib but since no one taught me how to properly do it, I ended up mix-feeding him.

Breastfeeding is always a hot topic on social media.  People have different views on breastfeeding and sadly, some have been bashed and shamed online for their views and means of feeding their babies.  Whatever the means a mother do in feeding breastmilk, I do believe that she must not be judged as long as the baby is healthy.  Anyway, breastfeeding is just a phase in raising a child.  

Breastfeeding may be considered a challenging phase of motherhood but the physical, mental and emotional benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and baby truly make the journey worthwhile.  While more and more mothers recognize that breastmilk will always be superior compared to formula milk, there is a need to spread awareness on its benefits and to encourage people to support breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding has lots of benefits.  It is a parental responsibility.  It also helps in the prevention of non-communicable diseases.  Breastfeeding is the best equalizer in the world, as all mothers regardless of race are capable of breastfeeding her child.  

In response to the global campaign of protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding, World Vision Development Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), launched Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines.  This 2-year project which commenced in 2017 aims to:

1.  Support and strengthen the implementation of Executive Order 51 (The Philippine Milk Code of 1986), Republic Act 7600 (The Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act of 1992), and Republic Act 10028 (The Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009);

2.  Increase awareness and educate health professionals and the public regarding these laws; and

3.  Encourage people to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding by involving them in monitoring the implementation of breastfeeding laws in the country.


Carleneth F. San Valentin, Health and Nutrition Technical Programme Manager of World Vision Development Foundation, believes that encouraging mothers to nurture their child is a way to empower a woman's ability to breastfeed and care for their child.  She said that World Vision will educate mothers to empower them in making the right choice in nurturing and caring for their child.  "We want them to realize that if these laws are not implemented, we are impinging on their rights of their child's," she added.