By Mary May A. Abellon
DIPOLOG
CITY - The World Health Organization (WHO) gave emphasis on the
benefits of breastfeeding to infants aged 0-6 months and when continued up to
two years of age and beyond with the right complementary food, will help save the
lives of an additional 1.5 million children below five years old annually.
In a press release, Ms. Marie T. Bugas, Science Research Specialist II of the
Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), said among infants 0-5 months
old, only 36 percent were exclusively breastfed.
“Only 37 percent were breastfed at
the same time given complementary food, and as many as 27 percent of infants
were given other milk and other foods based on the 7th National Nutrition
Survey (NNS) conducted by the FNRI-DOST in 2008,” said Ms. Bugas.
Breastfeeding provides significant
benefits to both the mother and the baby. It creates joyful bonding between the mother and her baby, promotes cost savings, and undeniably provides health benefits for both of
them.
“Let’s work together to ensure the
adoption of the breastfeeding practice by encouraging all sectors to help
promote, protect and support breastfeeding,” urged Ms. Bugas. (PIA9)