IN the Philippines only 45 percent of infants born every year are breast-fed during the first six months, after which only 22 percent are breast-fed up to one year, and only 15 percent continue to be breast-fed up to two years. The rest are bottle-fed.

The first two years of a child’s life are particularly important, as optimal nutrition during this period leads to reduced risk of chronic diseases and better overall development, which ultimately result in reduced morbidity and mortality. In fact, optimal breast-feeding and complementary-feeding practices are so critical, they can save the lives of 1.5 million children under five every year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) recommend that optimal infant-and-young child feeding should involve the following: early initiation of breast-feeding within one hour of birth; exclusive breast-feeding (no water or other liquids) for the first six months of life; and the introduction of adequate and safe complementary foods at six months with continued breast-feeding up to two years and beyond.

Most private hospitals in the country explain how important breast-feeding is to mothers who have just given birth. Chief among these is the protection against gastrointestinal infections, pneumonia and neonatal sepsis.

The risk of mortality due to diarrhea and other infections increases in infants who are either partially breast-fed or not breast-fed at all.

Adults who were breast-fed often have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol, as well as lower rates of obesity and type-2 diabetes. Breast-feeding also contributes to the health and well-being of mothers, reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer, and helps space pregnancies.

SM Supermalls, in partnership with Unicef and NGO Beauty, Brains and Breastfeeding, encourages mothers to exclusively breast-feed their babies for at least six months. Recently, the retail giant organized a breast-feeding event for mothers, wherein it offered tips on successful breast-feeding and urged the private sector to support breast-feeding mothers.

“SM Supermalls is working to create and promote a breast-feeding culture in the country. The pioneer breast-feeding stations in our malls have helped 63,000 moms switch to a healthier and more economical feeding option for their infants,” said Bernadette Velasco, director of SM’s breastfeeding advocacy program.

While a large number of mothers in the Philippines breast-feed their babies, 88 percent of the infants are introduced to other liquids, such as water or formula milk, so the benefits of breast-feeding are greatly reduced. Mixed feeding—the introduction of other liquids or foods before six months—is nutritionally deficient and can lead to health problems in young babies, such as allergies, respiratory infections, diarrhea, dehydration and even death.

Unicef’s special advocate for children and TV host Daphne Oseña-Paez, who is also an avowed breast-feeding mom, said at the event, “Breast-feeding my three daughters has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences of my life. With all three, I had to return to work when they were still a few months old, but with a combination of organization and the support of my husband, I continued to exclusively breast-feed all of them until they were six months old. I am still breast-feeding my youngest daughter, who is now 13 months old, and the bond I have developed with my children is something special and long-lasting.”

Businesswoman Nuriza Abeja of the NGO Beauty, Brains and Breastfeeding explained that new mothers approach breast-feeding counselors with problems that stem from a lack of confidence and support for exclusive breast-feeding. “Often a mother will state that she doesn’t think she has enough milk, or that her baby is not gaining enough weight. But when you explain that almost all mothers have plenty of milk, provided they are letting the baby feed frequently, and that breast-fed and formula-fed babies grow differently, mothers tend to relax and with renewed confidence go on to be very successful breast-feeding moms. Friends, family and colleagues can all play an important role in building the confidence of new mothers.”

The newly passed Republic Act 10028, or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotions Act of  2009, now amends RA 7600 to include the establishment of lactation stations in all facilities, institutions and establishments, and the granting of lactation periods; provision of breast-milk collection and storage facilities in health institutions and the setting up of milk banks; integration of breast-feeding education in the curricula of elementary, high school and college, as well as medical and allied medical courses; and implementation of a public education and awareness program.

According to Unicef and WHO, mothers and families need support and action that can help protect, promote and support breast-feeding, such as the adoption of policies that include supported maternity leave and the International Code of Marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

They also outline 10 steps for health facilities to take in order to ensure successful breast-feeding: 1) Have a written breast-feeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health-care staff; 2) Train all health-care staff in the skills necessary to implement this policy; 3) Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breast-feeding; 4) Help mothers initiate breast-feeding within half an hour of birth; 5) Show mothers how to breast-feed and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants; 6) Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated; 7) Practice rooming-in, allowing mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day; 8) Encourage breast-feeding on demand whenever the baby is hungry; 9) Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breast-feeding infants; and 10) Foster the establishment of breast-feeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.