Tacloban city: Majority of infants in Eastern Visayas are receiving early breastfeeding, with many mothers continuing the practice up to two years, according to the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).
According to Philippines News Agency, the 2023 National Nutrition Survey reveals that two out of three infants and young children (67.9 percent) in the region are being initiated to breastfeeding shortly after birth. Some 59.3 percent of infants under six months are being exclusively breastfed, a key indicator of infant health and nutrition. Breastfeeding continues for up to one year for seven in 10 (73.6%) infants, while almost half (47.7 percent) of young children continue to be breastfed up to two years.
National Nutrition Council (NNC) Eastern Visayas regional program coordinator Catalino Dotollo highlighted that these figures show progress in breastfeeding practices in the region. "Even if we have prevalence in food insecurity, we have very caring support programs, such as improved exclusive breastfeeding proportion and our comprehensive dietary supplementation program," Dotollo told the Philippine News Agency. These practices have helped the region record a downtrend in stunting, wasting, overweight, and obesity.
The survey revealed that the region ranks fifth among 17 regions in the country in terms of percentage of children 0-23 months with timely breastfeeding initiation. For continued breastfeeding at one year among infants and young children, the region is the top in the country. The region landed in fourth spot nationwide for continued breastfeeding at two years among infants and young children, based on the latest survey.
The NNC emphasized the importance of breastmilk, stating that it contains essential nutrients such as vitamins, protein, and fat, in the right amount needed by a baby for healthy growth. Breastmilk also provides everything the baby needs for optimal nutrition. Babies should be breastfed exclusively, meaning the infant only receives breast milk, with no water or solid food given, apart from oral rehydration solution or drops of vitamins, minerals, or medicines, from birth up to six months, according to NNC.
