IN AUGUST 2005, the annual celebration of World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7 was proclaimed by Malacañang.
This is to revive the indigenous way of nurturing children guided by deep respect for life and environment and to mobilize the parent and children advocates and other sectors of society to promote, support and protect breastfeeding.
SM Supermalls has established the first breastfeeding-friendly mall in the Philippines by putting up Breastfeeding Stations in most malls throughout the country. With this, SM City Pampanga joined the nation in celebrating Breastfeeding Month last Wednesday with the theme "Supporting Breastfeeding."
Dr. Elma Manarang, Program Manager in Maternal Health and Family Planning, Fatima Santos, coordinator of Breastfeeding Programs and Clenalyn Danganan, Nicu Nursery Head Nurse from V.L. Makabali Memorial Hospital in the City of San Fernando gave pep talks on how breastfeeding benefits mothers and infants.
Fitness First-SM City Pampanga branch also participated in the breastfeeding advocacy by teaching instructional Yoga to mothers-to-be.
The campaign also aims to strengthen healthcare and nurturing practices like cooperative or shared nursing and the use of baby slings; strengthening family ties and community support; and the other traditional practices that sustained breastfeeding in the past. SM City Pampanga, dubbed "The Longest Walking Mall" in the country, in time of for its renovation, will have its Breastfeeding Station in the second quarter of 2011. (PR)