(PNA file photo by Connie Calipay)
LEGAZPI CITY -- The Department of Health (DOH)-Bicol is inviting breastfeeding mothers, along with their babies, to attend the "Hakab na Bicol 2019", which aims to help educate all women of child-bearing age on the importance of giving breast milk only to infants until six months of age.
Dr. Rita Mae Ang-Bon, DOH-Bicol Family Cluster head, said in a phone interview on Wednesday that at least 200 mothers, babies, other family members and breastfeeding advocates from different towns and municipalities in Albay are expected to attend the event slated August 10 at the Ayala Mall here.
"Aside from breastfeeding, we will have a cooking demo on how we can provide local, nutritious foods for our babies, and re-lactation or lactation massage to help increase the milk supply of a mother," she added.
The event includes various activities such as a mini-discussion on policies regarding mothers breastfeeding in the office, "Zumba for Mommies and Babies" and the highlight, which will be the simultaneous breastfeeding by mothers.
Special prizes await mothers who can bring a Bakuna Card (for Fully Immunized Child); Expanded Newborn Screening result and Newborn Hearing Screening result.
"Hakab Na!" is the biggest simultaneous breastfeeding event spearheaded by the DOH, which is being held annually all over the Philippines to celebrate the World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month in August.
This year's theme is “Lakas ng magulang, sigla ng pagpapasuso-kalusugan, nutrisyon at kinabukasan ng kabataan”. (PNA)
