MANILA, Philippines -- Early this month, UNICEF came out with a study that shows that breastfeeding could lead to a 13 percent decrease in deaths among children under five. That is, if infants were exclusively breastfed for the first six months and continued to be breastfed for up to two years.

Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director, stresses that breastfeeding can save a baby’s life. “No other preventive intervention is more cost effective in reducing the number of children who die before reaching their fifth birthdays.”

Corresponding to this call to breastfeed is the need for lactating moms to pay attention to their diet for optimum health so they could deliver good quality and adequate quantities of breastmilk to their babies. According to Nelizza de Gorostiza-Banocnoc, M.D., a pediatrician at San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City, there is no specific formula for a lactating mom’s diet nor is there a particular food that can make breastmilk more nutritious. “However, we encourage intake of balanced nutrition containing the basic food nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats plus micronutrients from fruits and vegetables.”

She points out that it is the combination of different food groups at the right amounts which ensures a mother’s nutrition and makes breastmilk nutritious. “It is prudent to check the proportions of these food groups in the Food Pyramid chart for our guide to good nutrition.”

Dr. de Gorostiza-Banocnoc also mentions that there are no specific foods that should be avoided by a lactating mom. “However, if the mother notices some reactions of the baby to certain foods she eats (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, peanuts, and chocolates) like fuzziness, rashes, or gaseousness, she may as well avoid eating these foods,” she counsels.

On the other hand, Dr. de Gorostiza-Banocnoc affirms she would rather put more caution on the intake of some medications that can be secreted in breastmilk such as anticonvulsant drugs, anti-depressants, anti-psychotic drugs, and immunosuppressants. “The mother’s doctor will be in a better position to advice her if she should discontinue breastfeeding at all while taking these drugs. Too, limit intake if you cannot [totally] avoid beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas) and alcohol.”

In cases where the lactating mother does not get the right amounts of food due to dieting, which is highly discouraged, or due to any medical reasons, Dr. de Gorostiza-Banocnoc verifies that there are supplemental milk drinks especially formulated for lactating mothers available in the market. “Multivitamin preparations can also be given. Ask your doctor about them,” she recommends.

“Moms should not compromise their nutrition during lactation just to diet and lose weight,” reminds Dr. de Gorostiza-Banocnoc. “Weight gained during pregnancy can be gradually shed off by a pound or two every month without compromising a well-balanced and adequate diet needed by a nourishing mom. She should try doing some regular exercises rather than limit food intake to reduce weight.”

She adds that a very important key to the success in breastfeeding of a lactating mother is her psychological and emotional preparedness. “Family support and encouragement, together with doctors’ guides and teachings on the proper techniques on latching and breastfeeding are essentials in breastfeeding’s sustainability and consistency.”

Again, moms who have babies two years and below must keep in mind that there is a need to practice breastfeeding for all its benefits:

• Breastmilk provides the best nutrition for newborn babies

• It contains antibodies that can protect against various microorganisms and help babies fight infections

• It helps modulate babies’ immune function

• It can protect babies from developing allergies

• It may boost babies’ intelligence

• It prevents early return of a mother’s menstruation and therefore acts as a contraception method

Vanessa Tobin, UNICEF Philippines country representative emphasizes the need to take breastfeeding awareness to every corner of the country, from cities to rural communities. “Not just mothers, but fathers, in-laws, teachers and business leaders all have a role to play in supporting a breastfeeding culture in the Philippines,” she specifies. “In doing so, they are giving infants and young children the best possible chances of a healthy, secure start in life.”