PIA News Feature: 10 steps to successful breastfeeding

By: Joelyn G. Baluyut - See more here.

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga, Aug 16 (PIA) -- Breastfeeding is still the best for babies and here’s 10 baby-friendly steps to successfully feed baby.
Department of Health Medical Specialist Dr. Lailani Mangulabnan said that breast milk is the best food since it contains essential nutrients completely suitable for the infant's needs. Because of its importance to the baby, government had created Republic Act No. 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act to enable mother to feed her baby. And to attain successful breastfeeding, Dr. Mangulabnan has cited these steps that can help local government units (LGUs) in particular, to fully implement breastfeeding.

First, it must have a written breastfeeding policy communicated to all health care staff; second, it must train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy;third, inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding; fourth, help mothers initiate breastfeeding within an hour of birth.

Fifth, LGUs must show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants; sixth, give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated; seventh, practice "rooming in"— allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day; eighth, encourage breastfeeding on demand; ninth, give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants; and tenth, foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.

Mangulabnan said breastfeeding is, “The best bonding moment of a mother and a baby.” Consequently, it helps in building a stronger relationship between mother and child, and it has physiological, psychological, and financial benefits to mothers.

Breastfeeding promotes uterine involution, decreases risk of postpartum hemorrhage and increases period of postpartum anovulation, and decreases the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and hip and bone fractures. (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)