A barangay in Pasig City launched Thursday, June 16, the city's first-ever extensive breastfeeding program as well as it's very own milk bank.
According to Barangay San Antonio (BSA) Chairman Raymond Lising, the breastfeeding program dubbed as “BSA Moomas” aims to support and assist lactating mothers not just in the barangay but in the whole city of Pasig.
“We wanted to support the First 1,000 Days Law which is already enacted at the national level. The First 1,000 Days Law indicates that the foundation of the child starts from conception until two years old, so all the proper nutrition, proper activities to make the child healthy and strong starts from conception,” the barangay’s Committee on Health and Nutrition head Councilor Rachel Rustia said.
“That means we need to take care of the mothers from the time they are pregnant. So that is also why we were also able to coin BSA Moomas because we strongly believe that through supporting the mothers in their breastfeeding journey, it will be easy for them to provide nutrition to their children," she added.
Rustia noted that the BSA is the first and only barangay to introduce a lactation specialist in Pasig that will guide mothers to breastfeeding.
She also explained that the program will economically benefit indigent mothers in the long run as they will rather choose breast milk over pricey formulas for their babies.
Aside from the breastfeeding program, BSA also established its very own BSA Milk Bank wherein the donated milk will be stored and will be available for mothers having difficulty producing milk and single fathers taking care of their babies, among others.
BSA’s Milk Bank will be situated at the Health Center, specifically in the Nutrition Room.
“All interested donors will undergo health screening to guarantee that milk donated is sanitary and nutritious,” Lising said, adding that even non-residents are allowed to donate.
According to the barangay chairman, the BSA procured a chest freezer for the storage of the donated milk.
Handsfree medical-grade breast pumps were also procured by the BSA so that breastfeeding mothers who wish to work may be able to pump supply at the Health Center and store their milk at the Milk Bank which will then be consumed by their baby as needed.
Lising explained that the freezer can store at least 100 milk bags of four ounces or a total of 400 ounces of breast milk.
“Donated milk can be stored in the Milk Bank up until 6 months,” he added.
As an incentive, Lising said the barangay will give milk donors 10 kilos of rice per 100 ounces of breast milk.
“Apart from 10 kilos of rice per 100 ounces donated, our donors can occasionally receive lactation aids such as malunggay capsules,” he said, adding that donors may also receive milk storage bags for replenishment.
Lising also said that lactating mothers are also entitled to lactation massages from their lactation specialist.
The chairman said the milk is free for all barangay residents for their babies.
“The reason also BSA Moomas was established is to help, most especially, mothers who might have difficulties supplying their own breast milk. Which is why the program prepares mothers in the breastfeeding journey as early as conception,” said Lising.
“Since Barangay San Antonio fully supports single parents, single fathers are also encouraged to participate in BSA Moomas. They may inquire at the Health Center for the details," he added.
Meanwhile, Lising bared that the barangay wishes to have a quicker turnover to ensure the freshness of the donated milk by opening donations to public hospitals such as the Pasig City General Hospital (PCGH), Rizal Medical Center (RMC), and moms in need.