Mothers in Cebu help campaign for breastfeeding

CEBU, Philippines - At least 111 mothers in Cebu breastfed their children simultaneously with mothers in Manila, Davao and Iloilo yesterday morning.

The minute-long activity was undertaken in line with the celebration of National Breastfeeding Month. The activity in Cebu was held simultaneously at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and Ayala Center in Cebu.

Dr. Lilibeth Espinosa, medical specialist of VSMMC’s Department of Pediatrics, said at least 81 mothers have participated in the hospital. Thirty mothers participated in Ayala Center Cebu where they were treated to a raffle draw.

Espinosa said the hospital’s advocacy for breastfeeding is an ongoing, continuing process.

“It’s not just the month of August. Sa atong hospital, neverending among advocacy sa breastfeeding,” she said.

Dr. Marini Esguerra, a pediatrician at the Mactan Doctor’s Hospital, initiated the project here, in Cebu. She said the first week of August has also been declared World Breastfeeding Month.

“Importante gyod ning breastfeeding kay dili kaayo magkasakit ang baby and makatabang pod siya sa atong mga mothers,” Esguerra said.

Breastfeeding advocates have reiterated the responsibilities of all hospitals in the country to push for breastfeeding, saying the same should be certified as the Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.

Esguerra acknowledged the efforts of the Cebu Breastfeeding Club and private sponsors in helping make the event possible. She called on more mothers to participate in the same event next year.

One of the mothers who joined the event, Rendon Amirul, 33, said she leads a busy lifestyle as a working mother but this was never an excuse for her not to breastfeed her children.

“I am a travelling mom with an out of town trip average of 15 days in a month but that don’t hinder me to continue to provide the best nutrition for my kids,” she said.

Amirul said that wherever she goes, she brings with her the breast pump kit and ice chest for milk banking while she is away. As soon as she comes back home, she then replenishes the breastfeed milk supply for her baby. (FREEMAN)