DO YOU know that breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women can get the Covid-19 vaccine?
This relevant information was shared by Latch (Lactation, Attachment, Training, Counseling, Help) Davao, a non-profit organization that offers quality lactation education and peer counseling services to mothers who wish to breastfeed.
“Breastfeeding and pregnant women can get the Covid-19 vaccine. Despite limited data on this, the World Health Organization states that if they are part of a group recommended for vaccination (e.g., healthcare workers) then they can receive them. For pregnant women, they are advised to get the vaccine after their 1st trimester,” clarifies the Department of Health’s Resbakuna primer posted by Latch Davao on their Facebook page.
Moving online
“Our main goal is to continue to educate and empower parents and their families by giving them the right information on breastfeeding, backed up by evidence-based data and practices,” says Alex Morris-Hao, one of the founding members of Latch Davao.
With their face-to-face breastfeeding classes at the Southern Philippines Medical Center, Brokenshire Hospital and Davao Doctors Hospital called off because of Covid-19, the breastfeeding support group has strengthened its presence online.
Moving online though came with a fair share of challenges. Technical issues and poor internet connection made the breastfeeding support group wary if they could conduct their “Best Beginnings” classes smoothly. Fortunately, tech-savvy Latch Davao peer counselors stepped up. And now they conduct their monthly breastfeeding webinars for mothers, mothers-to-be, and their partners with nary a glitch.
Topics in their workshops include Preparation for Childbirth and the First Week as well as Breastfeeding Myths. The dedicated mothers also offer free breastfeeding counseling via Facebook Messenger, e-mail, and SMS.
Breastfeeding awareness month
In celebration of Breastfeeding Awareness Month this August, Latch Davao organized an online Q and A contest on breastfeeding.
Being mothers who have experienced the challenges and benefits of breastfeeding, the Latch Davao peer counselors know all too well that receiving proper knowledge is one of the keys to a successful breastfeeding journey. Here are some of the frequently asked questions they encounter:
*Breastfeeding after delivery: “After delivery, our breastmilk production becomes demand-driven. What this means is that the mother’s body produces enough milk for the baby. Nothing more, nothing less.”
*Pumping milk: “When you are not expecting to be separated from your baby, there is no need to pump. This is how intelligent our bodies are. When we pump (on top of exclusive and direct feeding), it signals our body to produce more and may lead to oversupply.”
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*Skin to skin: “This is the practice of immediately and thoroughly drying the newborn baby and laying the baby directly onto mother’s bare chest upon birth. No blanket, cloth, or anything between them. When this process is left undisturbed, it stimulates instinctive behaviors both in mother and baby; stimulating maternal hormones for nurturing and baby’s instinct to attach at the breast and feed.”
Indeed, Davao City is enormously blessed to have the Latchers patiently reach out to new moms with kindness and understanding while supporting, promoting, and protecting breastfeeding.
Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Month, super moms!
Image credits: Resbakuna, Canva, Latch Davao and Alexa Georgia Ocampo-Mosqueda
Follow Latch Davao on their Facebook page. For inquiries, you may send your e-mail to latchdavao@gmail.com or message/call at (0905)3537144.