11/09/2024
๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐
๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฌ: ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10028 more commonly known as the โExpanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009โ, Breastfeeding Awareness Month is observed during August in order to recognize the significant impact of breastfeeding for building a healthy community. The National Nutrition Council-NCR (NNC-NCR) emphasizes the critical role breastfeeding plays in the First 1000 Daysโ a period known as the "golden window of opportunity" for a childโs growth and development. This yearโs theme, โClosing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,โ highlights the need for inclusive and sustained support for breastfeeding mothers to ensure optimal nutrition and health outcomes for their children.
The First 1000 Days, spanning from conception to a childโs two years of age, is a critical period where proper nutrition has the most profound impact on a childโs physical and cognitive development. Proper nutrition during this time is vital for preventing stunting and other forms of malnutrition, and long-term health issues. Did you know? Breastfeeding is important in this period. Breast milk provides all the essential nutrients the baby needs in the first 6 months for healthy development, while also providing protection against common childhood illnesses and chronic diseases later in life. It also provides mother-child bonding that no substitute can replace. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods until at least age two, is recommended to ensure optimal growth.
Despite its proven benefits, many mothers face challenges in breastfeeding due to lack of support, misinformation, and social barriers. The theme โClosing the Gapโ calls for all sectorsโfamilies, employers, healthcare providers, and policymakersโto work together to remove the barriers that prevent mothers from breastfeeding. This includes ensuring access to accurate information, creating supportive workplace policies, and fostering a societal culture that values and normalizes breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is not just a personal decisionโ it is a public health priority. In the Philippines where malnutrition remains a significant concern, breastfeeding is the key in combating stunting and other forms of malnutrition. Supporting breastfeeding also means investing in the health and nutrition of our children, our families, and our entire community. The commitment of NNC-NCR to promote and protect breastfeeding is integral to achieving "๐๐ถ๐ต๐ณ๐ช๐ด๐บ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ข๐ฑ๐ข๐ต ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ข ๐ด๐ข ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ข๐ต," ensuring that every child has the best start in life.
As we celebrate National Breastfeeding Month, let us reinforce our collective responsibility to support breastfeeding as a key strategy during the First 1,000 Days. By doing so, we contribute to the long-term health and well-being of our children and future generations.
For more information on breastfeeding and the First 1000 Days, visit First 1000 Days PH.
Written by: JBRAC/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR
National Nutrition Council (Official) DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development Healthy Metro Manila
