
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and despite the ongoing pandemic, donors and volunteers of the Breast Milk Advocates of the Philippines (BMAPh) continue to work together tirelessly to make sure breast milk will be provided for babies in need.
Breast milk provides optimum nutrition for newborns and contains the antibodies they need to fight off bacteria and viruses.
Sadly, not all babies have access to it, as not all moms can provide ample amounts of breast milk.
Good thing the spirit of bayanihan is still pretty much alive in Barangay Fortune in Marikina City, as BMAPh put together a network of donors and volunteers who can make breast milk donations possible.
BMAPh was originally established to help babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, whose mothers cannot produce enough breast milk.
According to one of the founders of BMAPh Laarni Oliveros, based on a study, mothers of premature babies tend to suffer from low milk production.
That's why many premature babies are in need of breast milk from donors.
Fortunately, BMAPh now has 100 breastfeeding mom volunteers who actively participate in their advocacy.
The donor moms are given free lactation massage by health workers in order to stimulate milk production and get rid of clogged ducts.
During the massage, health workers are in full personal protective equipment in order to ensure safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, once the breast milk has been collected, volunteer riders called Kamote Riders will deliver them for free to beneficiaries.
Such an impressive and inspiring community effort, right?
Watch the beautiful breast milk bayanihan efforts of the BMAPh heroes at the 4:31 minute mark of this video.
For more uplifting stories such as this, watch 'Bright Side' every Tuesday, 8:30 pm. on GMA News TV.
And for more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.
You might also want to read about volleyball player Jayvee Sumagaysay and actor-model JM Magalona who use their respective food businesses to help out during the pandemic.