DOH-12 pushes breasfeeding
HEALTH • 01:13 AM Wed Oct 8, 2014
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By:
DXND Radyo Bida Kidapawan
Breastfed babies are healthier, stronger
KIDAPAWAN CITY
– Health authorities in North Cotabato today urged mothers not to deny their
babies with the most important food they need as they build muscles and
strength.
The appeal came
as the Department of Health starts celebration of Breastfeeding Week in the province.
Dr. Teogenes
Baluma, DOH-12 regional director, told Radyo Bida DXND in Kidapawan, said no
one could give the most nutritious food a baby needs but mothers.
He said
breastfeeding reduce infant morbidity, provides superior nutrient for optimum
growth, cause birth spacing, improves cognitive and motor development of the
child and lowers risks of chronic diseases.
Breast milk is
a perfect food that cannot be duplicated. It actually alters in composition to
meet the changing needs of the growing infant,” a leaflet promoting breastfeeding
said.
Baluma said
mothers should not excuse breastfeeding in lieu of her work. A law exists in
the Philippines giving at least an hour for lactating mothers to produce milk
for her baby.
He advised
working mothers to leave home at least a bottle or two of her milk by placing
it on a sterilized container so the baby continues to take mothers’ milk
although she at work.
The health
director stressed that 0-6 month old babies should be fed with mother’s milk to
ensure ample vitamins and mineral for the baby’s growth.
As the
breastfeeding week starts, Baluma urges lactating mothers to have their breasts
regularly check with the rural health stations in their communities to avoid
breast cancer.
Baluma advised
mothers to eat well, do some exercises at home and see doctors for anything
that protrudes in their breasts that could be cancerous.