Hazel breastfeeds her child, two-month old Pia, not their real names, inside their house in Barangay Inarawan, Antipolo City. Hazel's mother, Maryjoy Mota, posted several comments on social media asking for help in buying formula milk for her infant grandchild after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was enforced in March. The family's breadwinner, Ricky, lost his job as a construction worker when the ECQ began. Hazel and her boyfriend are teenage students with no jobs. With little money to buy formula milk for Pia, Maryjoy encouraged Hazel to breastfeed her infant daughter. (Photo by Buck Pago)
PCIJ REPORT | Milk and the pandemic: Milk Code confusion cripples LGUs response for infants
The indiscriminate distribution and use of breastmilk substitutes, especially during emergencies, can change feeding practices and put babies at greater risk of illness.
