Breast feeding rate still low

MANILA, Philippines — Thirty two years after the passage of the Milk Code of the Philippines, the breastfeeding rate in the country remains low, to the detriment of Filipino children, results of a research study commissioned by non-governmental organization Save the Children Philippines showed yesterday.

The study, “Barriers to Breastfeeding in the Philippines,” bared there was only a slight increase in the number of mothers who continue to breastfeed at 60 percent in 2017 compared to 51 percent in 2013.  

These figures are based on the 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The group’s chief executive officer Albert Muyot blamed this development on the “poor enforcement” of the Milk Code of 1986, the law that requires exclusive breastfeeding for babies up to six months.

The 75-page study also stated that “strong lobbying and advertising campaigns” of milk companies promoting infant formula was one of the barriers to encouraging mothers to breastfeed.

These companies spend $100 million (about P53.6 billion) on marketing and promotions of infant formula. Such spending translates into $260 million (P13.9 billion at P53.70 to $1) worth of annual profits from Filipino families.

Muyot said the influence of multinational milk companies in the country’s health care system is “strong” as mothers think that “infant formula can equal the nutrient benefits of breastmilk.”

The study also observed that in the past three decades, there were “blatant violations” of the Milk Code committed by manufacturers of milk formula.

The law provides that milk companies are prohibited from sponsoring professional trainings and publications of health clinic materials such as baby books.