05.05.06
3,738 mothers in Manila top world mass breastfeeding record
By RAYMUND F. ANTONIO and JENNY F. MANONGDO
A total of 3,738 nursing mothers yesterday participated in the “Sabay-Sabay, Sumuso sa Nanay” project at the San Andrex Complex in Malate, Manila, shattering the Guinness world record for the most number of women breastfeeding simultaneously.
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN2006050563156.html
The event erased the previous Guinness record of 1,130 nursing mothers established in Berkeley, California on Aug. 3, 2002.
Women from Manila’s six districts participated in the simultaneous breastfeeding program which was aimed at raising public awareness on the importance of breastfeeding in averting maternal and child diseases and mortality.
The event emphasized the recommendation that infants should be breastfed exclusively up to six months and that mothers should breastfeed beyond two years.
Leading the largest simultaneous breastfeeding in the world were Manila Mayor Jose “Lito” L. Atienza Jr., a staunch pro-life advocate, and Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III. They renewed their commitment in promoting breastfeeding in the country.
“We will strongly promote breastfeeding in Manila through the city’s health centers, government-owned hospitals, offices, and even malls. Personally, all my children were breastfed because of its health benefits,” Atienza said.
Duque cited ways to strengthen the country’s breastfeeding program, including the transformation of health workers to become breastfeeding advocates, creation of community support groups for mothers, and establishment of supportive home and work environment.
“The health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding are proven and many,” Duque said. “Among mothers, breastfeeding reduces blood loss after childbirth, delays her return to fertility, and reduces the risk for various cancers associated with female organs,” Duque said.
Officials noted that the practice of breastfeeding has been on the decline. Recent studies showed that more mothers are now feeding their children with cow’s milk.
The latest National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) revealed that only 54 percent of infants in the Philippines are breastfed after birth, while only 33.5 percent of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed. The survey also showed that Filipino infants, on the average, are breastfed exclusively for less than a month.
Doctors said diarrhea and malnutrition problems could be traced to inadequate breastfeeding.
The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that every year, about 16,000 Filipino children die before their fifth birth anniversary due to inappropriate feeding practices. Many others suffer from allergies and long-term or serious illnesses like juvenile hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and premature puberty because of the “formula milk menace,” the WHO said.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said the Philippines is one of 42 countries that contribute to 90 percent of under-five deaths globally.
Some of the mothers who participated in the simultaneous breastfeeding lauded the practice. “Amelia” from Sta. Mesa, Manila cited breastfeeding as the first step to raising a bright child towards responsible parenthood. “Breastfeeding provides very good nutrition to our infants,” she said.
Jenny, the mother of a five-year-old boy, said she knows that breastfed babies are smarter and have greater resistance from acquiring diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
