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DID you
know that the first half-hour after birth is crucial in
ensuring successful breast-feeding experience for
mommies and babies?
According to Dr. Sylvia de la Alas-Carnero, FPOGS,
chairman of the OB-GYN Department of FEU-NRMF Medical
Center, initiating the breast-feeding process within the
first four hours after the baby’s delivery is the most
crucial step for mothers who want to breast-feed their
babies. “Baby’s sucking action acts like a trigger, it
signals the mother’s body to start producing milk. To
achieve successful breast-feeding and encourage mothers
to continue the practice, breast-feeding must begin
within the first 30 minutes after giving birth.”
This is
one of the reasons behind Republic Act 7600, also known
as the “Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992.” This
law encourages government and private-health
institutions to promote breast-feeding immediately after
giving birth, practice rooming-in and give no artificial
teats or pacifiers to breast-feeding infants, to name a
few.
“Even
when FEU was still on Morayta,” recalls Dr. Carnero, “we
practiced rooming-in of mothers and babies within 24
hours after delivery. We also help mothers become aware
of the importance and benefits of breast-feeding as
early as their prenatal consultations. We teach them,
especially first-timers, about proper breast-feeding and
provide a breast-feeding room for those confined in
wards. It is important in breast-feeding to start it
right immediately after birth.”
Dr.
Rainero Abad, chairman of Dr. Jesus Delgado Memorial
Hospital, another baby-friendly hospital accredited by
the Department of Health, agrees. Even in cases when
mothers cannot breast-feed, “we practice surrogate
breast-feeding. This usually happens when the mother
cannot breast-feed due to a medical condition, infection
or heavy medication.”
The
persistence of these doctors in ensuring babies are
breast-fed during the first few hours after birth is
truly admirable. And this is because both doctors
believe that the benefits of breast-feeding remain
unmatched. Breast milk is the key in giving a child a
headstart in life; it contains all the essential
vitamins and minerals the child needs for proper
nourishment. More important, breast-feeding promotes the
wellness of both mother and child, and ensures the
baby’s physical, mental and emotional development.
It seems
their dedication is paying off. At FEU-NRMF Medical
Center, increase in the rate of breast-feeding mothers
has been observed. “The campaign is doing well. Of the
estimated 70 deliveries we have in a month, 86 percent
continue breast-feeding,” says Dr. Carnero.
To
sustain the positive figure, Dr. Abad says that
“continuous information dissemination is the key in
making breast-feeding successful. We hold lectures and
seminars to teach new mothers about the basic skills
they need to develop, which will make their
breast-feeding experience successful.”
This, he
says, includes showing them proper breast-feeding
techniques and how they can maintain lactation even if
they should be separated from their infants. Also
hospital personnel, especially those who work closely
with new mothers, are constantly reminded of the
importance of breast-feeding.
Mothers
are also educated on the importance of proper maternal
health and nutrition during their breast-feeding stage,
“Proper maternal nutrition is very important, because
one of the main causes for not having a successful
breast-feeding experience is the mother’s malnutrition.
Breast-feeding mothers require essential vitamins and
nutrients to produce quality breast milk,” says Dr.
Carnero.
In most
cases, Dr. Carnero recommends maternal milk supplements
especially formulated for breast-feeding women to ensure
mothers get all the essential nutrients they need to
produce enough quality breast milk. |
