Alarming Facts about Breastfeeding in the Philippines

August is Breastfeeding Month!

I would like to highlight some alarming facts about breastfeeding in our country. Statistics mentioned here are from 2008 National Demographic Health Survey by the National Statistics Office.

[caption id="attachment_251" align="aligncenter" width="256"] Source of Photo: Unicef[/caption]

Average duration of exclusive breastfeeding is only 21 days! 

[caption id="attachment_2568" align="aligncenter" width="268"] Source: NDHS, 2008[/caption]

This means that on the  average, Filipino babies are fed with breast milk alone for just 3 weeks! From day 22 onward,  most moms needed to supplement with formula or water. This is alarming because baby’s first few weeks are crucial in establishing breastfeeding. Breast milk alone is sufficient until 6 months.

I’ve encountered moms who stopped breastfeeding early on. Here are some of the reasons why they stopped:

•  She thinks she doesn't have enough milk


•  She said her milk came in late


•  She said she had to work

To take on the breastfeeding challenge, moms need to toughen up! The first weeks of breastfeeding will be a test of your patience and determination.

My sister was reduced to tears at times when no milk came out. This was at the first 2 weeks postpartum. She panicked and pleaded my parents to let her give formula to baby. Thankfully, they resisted and now she's continuing to breastfeed. If this happens, just stand back for a while and relax. Moms need to get through the agony of doubting if she can produce enough milk for baby. But I dare say that formula should be the last option.

While sharing the a hospital room with a mom who had just delivered and just started to breastfeed, we heard a lot of screams and shrieks from the newborn. After about a whole day of baby’s crying while attempting to latch, the MIL seemed worried and summoned a relative to buy formula.  She thought giving formula would suffice baby’s hunger. True enough, baby stopped crying as he happily downed a bottle. But this does not solve the “learning to latch problem”. I think crying is just a phase. Resist the urge to supplement with formula early on. The key to producing milk is to empty breasts regularly. You won’t be able to do this if you add formula to the equation.

When you’re just starting to breastfeeding, it’s normal for baby (and you ,too) to cry because both of you are still learning. Crying is baby’s only way to say what she’s feeling so best to decode her cries first before deciding that you breast milk is not enough. Check if your posture and latch position are correct. Put hot compress on your breast before latching to encourage milk production.

Before offering any formula to baby, make sure to check with your pedia.  Here are some clues to check if baby's getting enough breast milk:

• if he's gaining weight (it's normal for newborns to shed some weight in the first week as he excretes black waste called meconium)


• if he wets more than 6 diapers in 24 hours


• if he seems satisfied after a feed (to the point of sleeping)

Only one of three babies under 6 months are exclusively breastfed

[caption id="attachment_2569" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Source: NDHS, 2008[/caption]

Breast milk alone has enough nutrients to cover baby’s needs. Read this if you want to know more about the benefits of breastfeeding both for baby and mom. Both Unicef and World Health Organization recommend 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding for optimal growth and health of the baby.

Introducing formula can sabotage your breastfeeding plans. At the early stage it's normal that you produce just a few mL.  Always take note that the amount milk you produced is enough to suffice your baby's need. At just days old,  your baby's stomach is as large as a cherry, so you produce that much milk.  Don't be pressured if you don't see milk oozing out at this this stage.  Focus on learning to latch and soon enough, you'll see satisfaction as your baby begins to swallow your breast milk.

Don’t be misinformed about formula. Check the can of every formula. It's indicated there that "Breast milk is best for babies!"

College graduates are less likely to breastfeed than other moms with lower educational attainment. 

[caption id="attachment_2570" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Source: NDHS, 2008[/caption]

Breastfeeding rate drops as educational level rises. Yes, there’s an opposite relationship between breastfeeding and mom’s education. I guess this may be related to moms’ career. Most moms need to go back to work after a month or so after having a baby so they opt to stop breastfeeding.

Again I’d like to remind moms that breastfeeding while working is possible! Here’s my previous blog post about pumping at work.  Your commitment to breastfeed will be tested during this time. Except some adjustment as you squeeze in pumping in your busy schedule. But keep in mind that you're extracting the best milk there is for your little one. That should be motivation enough for you!!

Pump at work, it’s your right!  Read the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act  so you know your rights.  The internet has been abuzz recently about the proposed revisions of the Milk Code. One of my beef regarding the revisions is the changes regarding lactation period. What's previously paid lactation period is now being proposed to be unpaid.  Imagine how hard it will be for pumping moms if such revisions are passed!

Babies from poor households are more likely to be breastfed than babies from richer households 

[caption id="attachment_2571" align="aligncenter" width="265"] Source: NDHS, 2008[/caption]

I'm glad about this fact! This means that the poor won’t need to spend on formula milk. I hope more and more poor families opt to breastfeed. I do hope the richer population realize that breast milk is superior to formula. No pricey formula can bump off the benefits breastfeeding brings.

The biggest purchase, if a mom decides to breastfeed is a breast pump, which could be worth  at least P5,000 depending on the model. But in the long run, breastfeeding is still more economical than opting to regularly buy formula.  I  checked out formula milk prices from several stores. A big can of formula costs about P1,500, depending on the brand.  According to Unicef, the minimum cost of formula feeding an infant per month is P2000!

Mothers who delivered baby in hospitals are less likely to breastfeed than those who delivered at  home. Those assisted by health personnel are less likely to breastfeed than those assisted by a hilot. 

[caption id="attachment_2573" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Source: NDHS 2008[/caption]

This mirrors the sad state of most of our hospitals. Most of our hospitals are  not breastfeeding-friendly. I do hope government programs like the Unang Yakap, improve the breastfeeding policies of hospitals (public, at least).

Always assert baby’s right to be given breast milk. Hospitals should accommodate breastfeeding moms.  I was disappointed at the hospital where my sis gave birth. The nurses turned down my expressed breast milk for my nephew. At that time he had to be bottlefed in the NICU.  The nurses said there's no more space in their freezer. What? Why don't they have a freezer that's big enough to accommodate donated milk? Oh well, i'm just sharing my frustration.

Look for breastfeeding - friendly ob and pedia who will guide you in the first steps to establish breastfeeding.  Let them know of your intention to latch right away after baby's birth. This will hasten milk production.

Inform your pedia that you intend to breastfeed you baby. I've noticed that some pedia are keen on recommending formula to their newborn patients.  Here are some guidelines when looking for a breastfeeding-friendly pediatrician. Read up of breastfeeding so you can be informed.

•  Know that the decision on what to feed baby belongs to you.

The facts mentioned above call for vigilance from breastfeeding moms and their families. More so now that proposals to jeopardize the very law that protect the rights of breastfeeding moms.  Atty. Jenny Ong of Chronicles of a Nursing Mom gave a comprehensive primer on the bills pending in congress that will spread (mis)information about formula and make breastfeeding harder for working moms.

Ever since i started breastfeeding, it's been my goal to encourage fellow moms to try it as well. I also believe that breastfed babies make healthy children and healthy children make good citizens.

Kudos to all breastfeeding moms!!!

Also worth reading:

• Is your pediatrician breastfeeding friendly?


• For breast milk givers and takers