Amid the ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine, Department of Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire on Monday said that local government units should help families with infants needing milk, be it through facilitating formula milk donations or sourcing from milk banks.
If a mother cannot breastfeed her child, Vergeire said that milk from a milk bank would be the best substitute that should be given to babies.
She said the pasteurized milk stored by the banks are from local breastfeeding support groups who undergo strict screening.
The strict screening ensures that the pasteurized donor milk is clean, appropriate and safe for infants.
At present, there are 16 human milk banks operated by the DOH and LGUs in the National Capital Region alone. The Human Milk Bank website lists down the locations and contact details of the milk banks nationwide: https://hmb.ph/milkBankLocation.php.
Vergeire added that LGUs should coordinate with local health and nutrition offices to access the milk banks and learn the proper way of transporting the pasteurized milk.
She also said families should not go there directly because of the Enhanced Community Quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead, she said LGUs should deliver the donated pasteurized milk to families, who must be properly instructed how to prepare it.
Since COVID-19 is a public health emergency, Vergeire cited the need to ensure that local government units know that they can procure supplies (of milk) for non-breastfeeding families.
“Formula milk should not be given to random families to reduce waste and to ensure that it is only given to those in need,” she said.
Vergeire noted that the Philippine Milk Code prohibits advertising infant formula milk as a good substitute for breast milk.
“In the end, we are recommending exclusive breastfeeding for children who are 0 to 6 months old because breast milk greatly improves the immune system of a child,” said Vergeire, adding that children who are older than 6 months should be given breast milk and regular nutritious food.
The WHO said exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea or pneumonia, and helps for a quicker recovery during illness.
“Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of mothers, it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment,” the WHO said.
WHO earlier encouraged COVID-19 positive mothers to continue nursing their children if they are able, with proper sanitation and precautions.
