Breastfeeding, ‘unang yakap’ can protect 142k newborn Filipino babies —UN agencies

Practicing essential intrapartum and newborn care or "unang yakap" and breastfeeding with precautions could protect 142,000 babies who are expected to be born in the country this month, according to various United Nations agencies on Tuesday.

In a statement, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and World Food Programme (WFP) said that immediate skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding within the first hour of birth are essential, especially amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threats.

"Placing babies in immediate skin-to-skin contact with their mothers keeps babies warm, prevents exposure to surfaces in health facilities that may carry diseases, and helps establish breastfeeding," the statement read.

"Babies who drink only their mother’s breast milk receive antibodies from their mothers, protecting them from potentially deadly infections like pneumonia, diarrhea and sepsis," it added.

Further, COVID-19 infection should not prevent mothers from providing these essential care for their babies, according to the WHO.

"When performing skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and any activities involving touching or being close to the baby, infected mothers must use a medical mask, wash their hands properly before and after contact with the child, and routinely clean and disinfect surfaces which the mother has touched,” Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative in the Philippines, said.

The UN agencies stressed that rates of disease and death among babies and children are higher than for any other age group during emergency situations.

They urged the Department of Health (DOH) and all stakeholders to ensure that "unang yakap" and breastfeeding are not neglected while prevention of COVID-19 transmission is being observed in the country.

Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe also reminded the local government officials to ensure that mothers and babies have continuous supply of nutritious food amid the quarantine period.

"While our eyes are firmly focused on defeating the virus, we must not forget the babies and children who should be protected from hunger and malnutrition," Poe said in a separate statement.

She said the budget under the Republic Act 11148 or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act which she authored could be used to guarantee these relief assistance.

“This must include pregnant and lactating mothers, and children in their first 1,000 days. What the future will look like for them is our responsibility today," she added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Calibo, officer-in-charge of the DOH-Children's Health Division said that private individuals who plan to donate formula milk amid the enhanced community quarantine should first coordinate with the DOH, pursuant to the  Executive Order 51 or the Philippine Milk Code which provides for the proper use of breast milk substitutes. —LDF, GMA News