MATI CITY, Davao Oriental – Some 96 moms here simultaneously latched on and breastfed their babies on Sunday, August 5, in the city’s first ever conduct of the global breastfeeding event.
Dubbed as “Hakab Na! 2018,” breastfeeding mothers from Mati City and other neighbouring municipalities such as Manay, Tarragona, and Lupon showed their support in the global campaign aimed to encourage more mothers to breastfeed and do away with infant formula.
Rejee-Lou Fiel Mejia, organizer and head of the online support group for breastfeeding moms called “Mati Moms”, said of the 96 mothers, five were into tandem feeding (feeding two babies at the same time) and 101 babies were successfully latched at Honey’s Hotel and Restaurant in this city.
Mejia said the event gives the mothers “a feeling of belongingness and acceptance.”
“Breastfeeding is not just a choice but a commitment for me. This advocacy is something that is important to me and my family, that is why I would like to influence others as well hence bringing ‘Hakab Na’ here in our place,” Mejia said.
DOH XI breastfeeding program manager, Ma. Clarose Mascardo explained that the number one problem why mothers do not exclusively breastfeed is that they think that their (mothers) milk is not enough, which is a wrong belief.
“Kasi kung gaano kadami ang nilabas ng suso natin, ganun din ang ginagawa natin na milk. Kahit pa kambal, kaya yan, basta palagi lamang natin iempty ang ating breast nang sa ganon, dumami din ang ating milk (What breastmilk we can give out is also the volume that our breasts can produce. Even if twins would suck them, for as long as we regularly empty them, our breasts would continue to produce in greater quantity),” Mascardo said.
According to the Mati City Health Office (CHO), in 2017, only 52 percent of infants were exclusively breastfed as compared to the national target of 70 percent.
“We need to improve this to improve the survival of our infants and children and I believe, with your help and especially the mothers, we can have a big impact to the over overall health of our communities and our nation,” CHO officer Dr. Benhur Catbagan, Jr. said.
Apart from the simultaneous latch on, the event was also composed of different activities including training on basic life support and first aid, informative discussions, games, booths for mompreneurs and raffle draws.
With the overwhelming conduct of the event, Mati Moms and its partner agencies is looking forward to conduct “Hakab Na” in the city annually. (davaotoday.com)
