Countless benefits of breastfeeding

CEBU, Philippines - Studies done by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund say that “in 2003, there were 16,000 child deaths or an average of 44 child deaths daily which were attributed to malnutrition and non-breastfeeding.”

Findings underscored that such could have been prevented if only proper nutrition were given to the infants. “Babies who are breastfed are generally healthier and achieve optimal growth and development,” SM City Cebu mall manager Sherry Tuvilla said in her opening statement at the mall’s Event Center during a recent lecture on support to nursing moms in line with the observation of August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

With her were two invited resource persons who spoke on benefits of breastfeeding. Dr. Nayda Bautista of the Department of Health in Central Visayas pointed out that the colostrum in breast milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies that can easily be digested and efficiently used by the newborn. It also protects the baby against infections and that during lactation, the body secretes a hormone oxytocin which helps milk flow and signals contraction of uterus to prevent bleeding.

Further, psychological benefits include emotional bonding between infant and mom; baby cries less and feels emotionally secure; and that child performs better intelligence-wise.

Skin-to-skin contact (replacing the now obsolete latch-on procedure) immediately after delivery boosts the mother’s oxytocin levels, Dr. Bautista also said.

Breastfeeding saves money and makes moms miss work less, she also emphasized.

As for benefits of breastfeeding to society, Bautista cited through her PowerPoint presentation that medical care costs are lower for exclusively breastfed infants; contributes to more productive workforce when working moms are not bothered by sickly babies; employees’ medical costs are lower; and lesser environmental impact because of less plastics (feeding bottle, etcetera).

Above all, breastfeeding is most beneficial in times of emergency. It can save lives, protect babies from the risks of contaminated water supply, and protects against respiratory illnesses and diarrhea. The said ailments can be fatal in populations displaced by disaster.

Furthermore, Bautista reiterated that breastfeeding involves mind-setting. “Mind conditioning gyod ni siya. Mora’g program nga i-andam nimo ang imong kaugalingon nga magpasuso ka,” she said.

Meanwhile, Maternal and Child city coordinator Dr. Maria Theresa Tipgos of the Cebu City Health Department mentioned that the Philippines is one of 42 countries with 90 percent global deaths among under five-year-olds.

In her audio-video presentation, it was learned that two years ago, around 82,000 under five died and that approximately 16,000 of these could have been prevented had they only been exclusively breastfed and mothers continued breastfeeding until two years old or beyond.

“Malnutrition or undernourishment is the primary outcome of non-breastfeeding,” Dr. Tipgos said.

It was pointed out that neonatal deaths account for 37 percent. For the first 28 days of the newborn, he/she is most susceptible to sepsis and pneumonia, diarrhea, tetanus, among many other complications.

She warned that delaying initiation of breastfeeding, from the first hour of life to the seventh day, puts the child in harm as he/she has lesser chances of survival because of infection. Overall late initiation (or seven days) is associated with a 2.6-fold risk of death.

The forum was in line with SM City Cebu’s corporate social responsibility. Its program on breastfeeding began in March 2006 when it launched its first breastfeeding station at the SM Megamall. “At that time, the company saw the need for mothers to have their own private place where they can nurse their baby comfortably and peacefully for free,” Tuvilla said.

“After four years, we have 35 breastfeeding stations and have served more than 63,000 mothers and still counting,” she added.

“Our CSR program has expounded since from providing a facility for mothers to promoting the advocacy and helping stress two Millennium Development Goals – reduce child mortality and improve maternal health.”?