Regis Cebu Leadership Call to Arms by Leader Ivy Eleanor Ko- My Liquid Gold journey

Regis Cebu Leadership Call to Arms by Leader Ivy Eleanor Ko- My Liquid Gold journey

To Professor Jorge, and leader classmates, Fellow Parents and Soon to be parents. , Good Afternoon 

Have you ever heard of the Milk Code? 

Yes, there is a Philippine law on milk. Breast milk in particular. The Milk Code or Executive Order 51, signed by then president Corazon Aquino was implemented in 1986 (the first in asia), is the law that protects and promotes breastfeeding in the Philippines. It regulates the industry of formula milk and other milk products that there should be no form of advertising or promotion of milk formula to the public and medical authorities are expected to play a part in the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in the country. 

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), the Philippines is one of the 37 countries that fully implemented this milk code, Ironically, after almost 29 years, surveys show that Filipino mothers have yet to fully grasp the benefits of feeding their infants exclusively with their breast milk. Only 34% of infants under 6 months are breastfed. Most mothers opt to use milk formulas for various reasons such as alleged inability to produce breast milk and time constraints. Although an improvement from 2011's 27%, these findings still put the country with lowest percentage of breastfed babies.

We have very weak implementation, due to the strength these formula milk companies over the governing authorities and medical practitioners. Sad to say, a lot of medical practicioners are still staunch supporters of formula milks, and this is a very sad reality why breastfeeding in the country not garnered strength.  Advertisements of breast milk substitutes in the Philippines amounted to more than $100 million in 2006. These ads often give misinformed claims and false promises regarding milk formulas at the expense of the child's health.  According to Dr Anthony Calibo of the Family Health Office of DOH, only a few milk companies abide by the Milk Code but the violations often go unreported due to lack of awareness. LACK OF AWARENESS???? That EMPHASIZES the is the strength of marketing and advertising of these heavily funded formula milk companies, and the PATHETIC and the INDIFFERENT  attempts of the regulatory agencies in the country to put this effort into reality.

BUT THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO. A lot of civic organizations have stood up and formed support groups to create awareness to women. I was lucky that I got pregnant during a time when breastfeeding had made a comeback with a lot of support groups all around Cebu – be it in social media, research topics, or even well informed OB Gyne, Pediatrician and hospitals.  While I was into my pregnancy, I was introduced into the LATCH advocate group, and attended their meetings and free seminars that before I gave birth, I already hyped myself that I will be exclusively breastfeeding my baby at a minimum of 1 year. DOH now has the Unang Yakap program, whereby baby is immediately placed on your chest as soon as he comes out to start his breastfeeding. That first hour of sucking was one of the most precious memories for me. YES! I'M A MOM! You tend to forget all the pains and tiredness you have gone thru the past 9 months seeing your  baby greedily sucking for that first meal of Colostrum. 

For those that are not familiar, Colostrum is the first secretion from the mammary glands after giving birth, rich in antibodies should be baby's first meal ever. This special milk is yellow to orange in color and thick and sticky. It is low in fat, and high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies to help keep your baby healthy by destroy disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Colostrum has an especially important role to play in the baby's gastrointestinal tract. It seals the holes by "painting" the gastrointestinal tract with a barrier which mostly prevents foreign substances from penetrating and possibly sensitizing a baby to foods the mother has eaten. The colostrum gradually changes to mature milk during the first two weeks after birth. During this transition, the concentrations of the antibodies in your milk decrease, but your milk volume greatly increases. Not even water should be given, because breastmilk, during those very important first 6 months of life, is perfect. After six months, you can start solid food but the important point is that breastfeeding itself needs to be continued, if the mother is able to. 

In my 18 months journey with breastfeeding, I could really see the wonders of this liquid gold. Aside from the economical savings it generates, I can see my baby is generally healthy, rarely prone to common cough and colds, very easy to manage and listens to mommy.  Breastfeeding is not about the size of the mammary glands, but the passion and determination of the mother to produce and to feed. Of course, mom has to eat healthy, drink water, rest as you are sharing your food to your infant. Though some women ultimately are not able to breastfeed, many who think they cannot actually are able to breastfeed. There are several lactation groups that provide support to women learning to breastfeed.  For those who are not able to breastfeed, milk banks or donor milk may be an alternative.

 In fact, I was able to help one baby named Sam, whose mom died while giving birth, the baby a lot of complications that he had to stay in the hospital for 5 months, and for him to survive, he should be fed with breastmilk. His aunt, who is luckily in the medical field, was able to ask help from mothers who had extra breastmilk to spare. You would imagine his aunt bringing a cooler all around Cebu everyday in case she would receive milk from donors. I am very proud to say Klive has been sharing his milk with baby Sam until he turned one, and Sam today is a healthy 18 month baby boy, thru the courtesy of the various mommies in Cebu who has helped him since day 1.  

My advocacy has always been share, pay it forward. The Lord has been very good to me, and my best way to give praise and gratitude is to share it to those in need. That is why I am in front of you leaders today. What is important is to properly educate those directly involved in a child's life on the benefits of breastfeeding early on. All over the Philippines, we have LATCH, Breastfeeding Philippines, La Leche League (Philippines), etc. Aside from that, you can draw support from your officemates, your family, your friends. Myself. Believe me, the help will come, once you want to do it for yourself. And fellow leaders, I am offering myself, if in case you know anyone who needs breastfeeding assistance, I am at their service. You know how to contact me. I will be very happy to help and share my notes, as these have been in service for 18 months and counting…. 

Thank You and good afternoon.