Over a thousand moms breastfeed tots for ‘Hakab Na! 2014’

A total of 1,772 mothers in six of the country's provinces simultaneously breastfed their babies during “Hakab Na! 2014”, an event designed to create awareness on the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding.

Held last August 2, the event was organized by the Facebook group Breastfeeding Pinays (BFP), which gathered mothers in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod and Iloilo for a one-minute latching on with their babies.

“I was overwhelmed with the great turnout. This year's event has greatly surpassed our record last year,” BFP co-founder Bing Guevara told GMA News Online.

Guevara said that from 225 mothers last year, the number of participants in this year's “Hakab Na!” increased by almost 800 percent.

In Manila alone, 170 mothers breastfed their babies surpassing last year's record of 94.

The Manila event was held at the Philippine Army Officer's Clubhouse, in Taguig City.

For Cebu, 111 mother participated in this year's event; 33 in Bacolod; 37 in Davao; 24 in Cagayan De Oro and a staggering record of 1,397 mothers in Iloilo.

“Iloilo's impressive turnout needs to be mentioned. These towns [that participated] are at the northern part of Iloilo province where Typhoon Yolanda's wrath devastated 85% of their homes and livelihood,” the BFP said in a statement.

The BFP said all seven towns of Iloilo province participated in the event, including capital Iloilo City.

“Mothers right now are becoming more empowered and educated when it comes to breastfeeding than before,” Guevara explained.

“With the help of social media and other support groups, unti-unti nang nawawala yung thinking na nakakahiya mag-breastfeed or masyadong time-consuming, or the thinking that formula milk is better.”

Guevara also underscored the support of the local government units (LGUs) especially in rural communities.

“Ngayon mas mahigpit na ang mga local health centers, na kailangan ang mother nag-bre-breast feed bago bigyan ng vaccinations yung baby nila,” Guevarra said.

In an interview with GMA News TV's “Balitanghali” aired on August 2, Jenny Ong, peer counselor of non-government organization L.A.T.C.H. (Lactation, Attachment, Training, Counseling, Help) underscored the benefits of breastfeeding, not just for the children, but for the mothers as well.

“Yung breastfeeding kasi, yun yung tinatawag nating unang vaccination or unang bakuna ng baby. Generally mas nagiging healthy yung mga baby na na-breast feed kasi yung kanilang tiyan ay nagproprotektahan at mas madali nilang naiingest yung mga nutrients na nasa breast milk,” Ong said.

“Kapag nagpapa breastfeed ang nanay sa anak,nagkakaroon ng tinatawag natin na love hormone, yung oxytocin na nakakatulong sa nanay para mag-relax. At ito rin yung nakakatulong para magcontract or lumiit yung uterus ng nanay after manganak,” she added.

The BFP, meanwhile, said that “breastfeeding also supports the Philippine's Millennium Development Goals of eradicating extreme hunger and poverty, promoting gender equality and women empowerment, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating diseases and ensuring environmental sustainability,”

The BFP said the “Hakab Na!” event was held in celebration of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and in coordination with the Big Latch On – an international activity where mothers will latch on their babies from different locations around the world at the same time. — DVM, GMA News