Events for Breastfeeding Awareness Month
Various Filipino groups organize events to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is a normal, natural and healthy way of nourishing a child.
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding during the child’s first six months, followed by breastfeeding with complementary healthy food for two years and beyond.
While breastfeeding may be challenging at first, parents who receive the right information and support can be highly successful in breastfeeding their children.
August is a special moment for many parents, health professionals and advocates around the world — it marks Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
In the Philippines, various groups with the common goal of protecting, supporting and promoting breastfeeding have organized these events throughout the month:
1. Mothers of Multiples Baby Shower
August 1, Friday, 1:00 to 4:00 PM
LATCH, a non-profit organization of breastfeeding peer counselors, is launching Mothers of Multiples (MoMs), a support group on raising twins, triplets and other multiples. The event, which is a baby shower, will cover breastfeeding, attachment parenting and baby-led weaning. To join the event for free, register here.
2. Hakab Na 2014
August 2, Saturday, 9:00 AM
“Hakab Na” is the Philippine counterpart to the Big Latch On, an international campaign in which women, children and families join in simultaneous breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Pinays, the group organizing this event, aims to surpass the previous year’s attendance of 225 Filipino mothers. The Filipino word “hakab” loosely translates to “latch.”
These are the venues where you can join the event:
Cebu City: Ayala Center Cebu Active Zone
Bacolod City: Santuario de la Salle, University of St. La Salle
Davao City: Stockbridge International School
Iloilo City: Iloilo Provincial Capitol
Manila: Philippine Army Officers Clubhouse in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Registration fee for the Manila leg is Php150 for each mother-baby pair and covers a souvenir shirt for baby, snacks and loot bag. Registration fee is Php100 for companions seven years old and above and covers snacks. To register, click here.
3. Second Breastfeeding Congress
August 7 to 8
The Philippine Pediatric Society will be holding a 2-day Breastfeeding Congress for doctors, nurses, midwives and other allied medical professionals at the Unilab Bayanihan Hall, Pasig City. For inquiries, call the lactation center of VRP Medical Center at 464-9999 local 489.
4. Breastfeeding Uncovered 2014: Mission Possible
August 9, 11, 13
Dr. Jack Newman, a renowned pediatrician and expert in international breastfeeding advocacy, is coming to the Philippines for a series of talks in Manila, Davao and Cebu.
The full-day symposium, organized by non-profit organization LATCH, will cover common breastfeeding challenges such as poor weight gain and latching problems.
Aside from breastfeeding mothers, healthcare practitioners can also benefit from the in-depth discussion as Dr. Newman tackles what doctors, nurses and medical students may not have learned about breastfeeding in their training.
Early-bird tickets are at Php1,000 until August 2. On-site tickets are at Php1,500.
Venues and registration details are:
August 9 - Henry Sy Auditorium, St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City, Taguig City. Register here.
August 11 - SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier, Davao City. Register here.
August 13 - Chong Hua Hospital, Don Mariano Cui Street, Fuente Osmena, Cebu City. Register here.
5. Best Beginnings in Breastfeeding
August 23, 2 to 5 PM
Yahoo Philippines, in cooperation with LATCH, will hold a free breastfeeding class on August 23 in Taguig City. Expecting mothers and their partners or support group will learn about the benefits of and myths surrounding breastfeeding, what to expect in the early weeks after giving birth, and going back to work while breastfeeding.
Seats are limited so register early here.
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