Breastfeeding is on the Rise; Lactation Stations for Working Moms

Breast milk is BEST for babies.

As mandated by law, every August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month and we are especially happy to note of reports that the country “gained significant increases in exclusive breastfeeding rates”. 

The reports from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI-DOST) that showed exclusive breastfeeding rates have raised from 36 percent in 2008 to 47 percent in 2011.  Figures also noted that the initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of delivery has increased from 32 percent in 2008 to 52 percent in 2011.

While the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO) appreciated these developments, these organizations encouraged the country to work on the challenges of breastfeeding upon the re-entry of Filipino mothers in their respective workplace.

My take:  As mom, I am proud to say that I have breastfed both of my two daughters for as long as two years.  With my first child, I was working with a non-governmental organization then thus my work set-up fully supported my breastfeeding schedule.  On the second time, I was working on a freelance project that only required spending several hours, three times a week at the office so I had no problem with breastfeeding my daughter.  Now that I am working full-time, I am doubtful I will be afforded to breastfeed if ever I chose to have a third child.

Under Republic Act 10028 or the “Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009,” signed by President Arroyo last March 16, 2010, government offices and private establishments are required to set up “lactation stations” where working mothers can breastfeed their babies or store their breast milk in refrigerated containers.  Lactation stations must be equipped with fixtures (comfortable seats, small table, lavatory for hand washing) and facilities (refrigerators, electrical outlets) for breastfeeding and storing breast milk.

The WHO advocates exclusive breastfeeding for six months as key to curbing malnutrition and infant mortality. Studies have proven many times over that breastfeeding remains the “unequaled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants.”

Government offices and private establishments have yet to comply with the law and encourage mothers to continue exclusively breastfeeding their babies even after their maternity leave and during her work assignment.  Pro-women and pro-babies establishments that abide by this law can avail of tax deductions for private firms or additional budget for government offices.  With these incentives, hopefully, we will get to see more and more establishments very soon both in public and private sectors having lactation stations as common as your office tables and chairs.

Hot Tip:  Under the Milk Code or Executive Order 51, signed by President Corazon Aquino in 1986, breastfeeding women in the workplace are to be compensated for lactation breaks of not less than 40 minutes during an eight-hour work period.  This break, allotted for breastfeeding or expressing milk, is on top of the regular breaks and lunch hour.