DAVAO CITY – Mothers, including soon-to-be moms, and their partners will gather here in a breastfeeding mobilization on August 1 to campaign for breastfeeding of their infants.
Fe Janice So, a member of the Breastfeeding Pinay which organizes the Hakab Na! Davao 2015 said “the event is a breastfeeding mobilization event annually organized by Kayamanan at Yakap ng Nanay as part of the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.”
So said she was able to attend the event last year and was inspired by successful breastfeeding of babies until they turn toddlers.
“When I joined Hakab Na! last year, Erin was still five weeks old and I was struggling with breastfeeding,” So said.
She said the support system, including family and group of mothers who breastfeed, was very helpful for her.
“I was inspired seeing other moms successfully breastfed their babies up to three years old. Hearing other stories from moms like me empowers me too,” So told Davao Today.
So, who continues to breastfeed her one-year old daughter, said joining this year’s event is a commitment for her to inspire other mothers.
“I have the same successful story to tell, 13 months (of breastfeeding) and counting,” she said.
So said they are encouraging mothers to attend the event where they could get information about the benefits of breastfeeding and share experiences with other mothers.
“Mommies should be well-informed of the benefits of breastfeeding. If they encounter problems, they should ask questions and advises,” she said.
Winnie Cody, who is also a member of Breastfeeding Pinay, said the event is also part of the Big Latch On which is a global event where mothers will simultaneously breastfeed their babies at 10:30 am.
Cody shared that she also had a hard time to produce milk when his son was born.
“When I gave birth to my son, I really had a hard time to produce milk and I thought I can’t produce milk because I have small breasts,” Cody said.
However, with proper information, Cody said she was encouraged to breastfeed her son.
“Breast milk boosts the immune system of the baby. Mothers pass their antibodies through breast milk so our children are protected from different types of illnesses,” she said.
Cody said more than joining the event to be part of a world record, “we encourage mothers to join Hakab Na! for them to gain proper knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding.”
Hakab Na! will take place in a total of 17 locations in the country including Alabang, Aklan, Bacolod, Baguio, Bulacan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Isabela, Mandaluyong, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo, Angeles and San Fernando in Pampanga, and Sta.Rosa, Laguna. A Hakab Na! event will also happen in Singapore.
Hakab Na! Davao 2015 will be held at the 2nd floor hallway of the Abreeza Mall Davao at 10:00 am. The group said registration is free to encourage mothers to attend. (davaotoday.com)
