The gift of breastfeeding

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

As the World Health Organization marked the start of the World Breastfeeding Week, it rued the worldwide statistic that less than 40 percent of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed. The WHO has been recommending exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant's life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. They define exclusive breastfeeding as infants getting only breast milk and no other liquids, not even water, or solids; with the exception of oral rehydration solutions, vitamins, minerals or medicines.

The WHO places emphasis on early and exclusive breastfeeding for its substantial benefits in reducing child mortality and morbidity. Dr. Flavia Bustreo, WHO assistant director-general for Family, Women's and Children's Health blames suboptimal breastfeeding as being responsible for 45 percent of neonatal infectious deaths, 30 percent of diarrheal deaths and 18 percent of acute respiratory deaths in children under five. She added that one-third of children under five in developing countries in 2005 were estimated to be stunted as a consequence of poor feeding and repeated infections.

According to the WHO, studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding can help reduce infant mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea or pneumonia. It also aids in the quicker recovery from illnesses. On top of all those health benefits, it is also 100 percent natural, sterile, and free.

The celebration of World Breastfeeding Week gives the WHO a chance to remind us of the health and economic benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, a practice that does not have any known drawbacks. More mothers being made aware and properly educated on how to take advantage of this awesome gift of nature mean that we avoid spending on the hospitalization of children for avoidable health problems as well as give our children a developmental boost that doesn't cost anything and at the same time cannot be replicated by expensive infant formula and other breast milk replacements.

Filipino mothers have to realize that there are some things that advances in science and technology cannot replace and breast milk is one of them. We shouldn't need a World Breastfeeding Week to remind us of this but the unfortunate thing is that statistics say we do. May more and more mothers appreciate and use wisely this generous gift that nature has given us.*