As the world continues to fight and develop a vaccine to combat COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) celebrates the Breastfeeding Awareness Month with the theme “I-BIDA ang Pagpapasuso Tungo sa Wais at Malusog na Pamayanan” that aims to strengthen the importance of breastfeeding amidst the pandemic.

Breastfeeding is delineated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the cornerstone of infant and young child survival, nutrition, development, and maternal health. It also reduces the baby’s risk of obesity, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes (type 2), promotes cognitive development in children, reduces the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, osteoporosis, and are less susceptible to chronic and infectious diseases.

The National Nutrition Council actively promotes exclusive breastfeeding of babies up to 6 months without giving any food, liquid, or water and providing timely, safe, appropriate, and adequate complementary food to children from 6 months with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age and beyond.

However, due to the pending threat of COVID-19, concerns arise whether mothers with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should continue breastfeeding their babies despite the risks of transmission.

To date, WHO stated that any COVID-19 active cases of transmission through breastfeeding and breastmilk have not been detected and appears that it is unlikely to be transmitted through breastfeeding. With this regard, mothers with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are advised to continue breastfeeding their infants or young children while following appropriate precautionary measures to lessen the possibility of transmission. It includes wearing of facemask, frequent handwashing with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub before and after touching your baby, and routinely cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

Executive Order No. 51 or the Philippine Milk Code, Republic Act (RA) 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, RA 11148 or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act, RA 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act are the several enacted legislation related to breastfeeding and the First 1000 days of a child’s life. #AJACerro