Every August, National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is being observed nationally under Republic Act No. 10028, or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009. This observance aims to increase public awareness and strengthen the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding as the normal, natural, and preferred way of feeding infants and young children (Republic of the Philippines, 2010). 

Breast milk is uniquely suited to an infant’s nutritional needs. It contains the energy and nutrients needed during the first 6 months of life, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water in forms that a baby can digest and use efficiently. Its composition also changes as the baby grows and even throughout a feeding. For most infants, no other food or drink, including water, is necessary during this period (World Health Organization, n.d.). 

Breast milk provides more than nourishment. It contains antibodies, immune cells, enzymes, and other bioactive components that help protect infants against infection. Exclusive breastfeeding lowers the risk of diarrhea and common childhood illnesses such as pneumonia while supporting optimal growth, development, and health (WHO, 2023). Breastfeeding also promotes close contact between mother and baby, which supports responsive care and bonding. 

These benefits are especially important during the first 1,000 days, which is the period from conception until a child’s second birthday. This is a critical window of rapid physical growth and brain development, when adequate nutrition can influence health, learning, and development throughout life (UNICEF Philippines, 2025). 

WHO and UNICEF recommend initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. Babies should then be exclusively breastfed for six months. At six months, complementary foods, which are safe, nutritious, and age-appropriate, should be introduced while breastfeeding continues up to 2 years or beyond (WHO, n.d.). 

However, breastfeeding is not solely a mother’s responsibility. Families can assist with household tasks and encourage mothers. Health workers should provide accurate, practical guidance, while employers should provide lactation stations and appropriate breastfeeding breaks as required by law. Communities must also protect families from misinformation and inappropriate marketing of breastmilk substitutes. 

This National Breastfeeding Month, let us help create environments where every mother receives informed, respectful, and sustained support. Every feeding can nourish, protect, and build a healthier future for the child. 

References:

• Republic of the Philippines. (2010). Republic Act No. 10028: Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009. The Lawphil Project. 

• UNICEF Philippines. (2025). UNICEF calls for stronger focus on the first 1,000 days to break through the learning crisis for children. 

• World Health Organization. (n.d.). Breastfeeding. 

• World Health Organization. (2023). Exclusive breastfeeding for optimal growth, development and health of infants. 

Breastfeeding requires energy and nutrients. Eating healthy during this period helps protect a mother’s nutritional status, supports healing after childbirth, and provides the resources needed for breastfeeding. Breast milk remains the ideal food for infants, supplying energy, nutrients, and protective antibodies during the first 6 months (World Health Organization, n.d.). 

A lactating mother does not need an expensive or ‘special” diet. She needs balanced meals from varied foods such as rice, corn, bread, oatmeal, or root crops for energy; fish, eggs, lean meat, beans, monggo, or tofu for protein; and vegetables and fruits for fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Milk, yogurt, small fish eaten with bones, tofu, and green leafy vegetables can help supply calcium. According to the Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes (2015), lactating women need an additional 500 kcal per day to support the energy demands of breastfeeding (DOST-FNRI, 2015). However, needs vary with age, body size, activity, and breastfeeding pattern. 

Several nutrients deserve attention. Iodine and choline requirements increase during lactation and contribute to an infant’s brain and nervous system development. Food sources include iodized salt, eggs, dairy products, seafood, beans, and peas (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2026). Iron-rich foods, such as meat, fish, beans, and leafy vegetables, help restore maternal iron stores after delivery. Pairing plant sources of iron with vitamin C-rich fruits, such as guava, papaya, or calamansi, improves iron absorption. 

Hydration is also important. Mothers should drink regularly, respond to thirst, and keep water nearby while breastfeeding. More fluid may be needed during hot weather, activity, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Pale-yellow urine is a sign of adequate hydration (National Health Service, 2023). However, forcing excessive amounts of water has not been shown to increase milk production (Ndikon et al., 2014). Frequent and effective breastfeeding or milk expression remains the main stimulus for maintaining milk supply. 

Avoid crash diets and unnecessary food restrictions. Limit highly processed foods, sugary drinks, and excess caffeine, and avoid alcohol and tobacco. Supplements or herbal products should only be taken on the advice of a doctor or registered nutritionist-dietitian since needs differ among mothers. 

Good maternal nutrition is not about perfection. Nutritious meals, enough fluids, rest, and family support help mothers recover, stay strong, and continue nourishing their babies. 

References:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, March 27). Maternal diet and breastfeeding.

• National Health Service. (2023, May 17). Water, drinks and hydration.

• Ndikom, C. M., Fawole, B., & Ilesanmi, R. E. (2014). Extra fluids for breastfeeding mothers for increasing milk production. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014(6), CD008758.

• World Health Organization. (n.d.). Breastfeeding.

• Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (2015). Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes 2015: Summary tables. 

A baby’s first six months are a critical period of growth and development. During this time, breast milk alone provides the energy, nutrients, and fluids infants need. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend starting breastfeeding within the first hour after birth and giving only breast milk for the first 6 months (WHO, 2026). 

Exclusive breastfeeding means that the baby receives no other food or drink, not even water. Oral rehydration solution and prescribed drops or syrups containing vitamins, minerals, or medicines are the only exceptions (WHO, 2023). Even during hot weather, a healthy exclusively breastfed baby does not need additional water. Breast milk is more than 80% water and can satisfy both hunger and thirst (UNICEF, 2019). 

Breast milk offers far more than nourishment. It contains antibodies and other protective components that help strengthen an infant’s developing immune system. Exclusive breastfeeding helps protect babies from diarrhea, pneumonia, and other common infections that can threaten their health and survival (WHO, 2026). It also supports healthy brain development, cognitive performance, and physical growth (UNICEF Philippines, 2020). 

Giving water, formula, juice, lugaw, mashed food, or any other liquid or solid before 6 months may cause the baby to breastfeed less and receive less breast milk. When breastfeeding becomes less frequent, the mother’s body receives fewer signals to produce milk, which may gradually reduce her milk supply. Water and food prepared or stored improperly may also contain harmful microorganisms that can cause diarrhea and other infections. Breastfeeding frequently, during the day and at night, helps the baby receive enough milk and encourages the mother’s body to maintain milk production. 

Mothers should breastfeed whenever the baby shows hunger cues, such as opening the mouth, turning toward the breast, or sucking on the hands. Crying is usually a late sign of hunger. Families can support mothers by helping with household tasks, ensuring they have nutritious meals and water, and encouraging them when breastfeeding becomes challenging. 

At 6 months, begin giving safe, nutritious, and age-appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding up to 2 years or beyond (WHO, 2026). If there are concerns about latching, milk supply, medicines, or the baby’s growth, consult a doctor, nurse, midwife, nutritionist-dietitian, or trained breastfeeding counselor. With accurate information and family support, exclusive breastfeeding can give every baby a healthier beginning. 

References: 

• Andriamasinoro, L. F., & Kaligirwa, C. (2019). No water, breastfeed only. UNICEF. 

• UNICEF Philippines. (2020). Breastfeeding must continue amidst COVID-19. 

• World Health Organization. (2023). Exclusive breastfeeding for optimal growth, development and health of infants. 

• World Health Organization. (2026). Infant and young child feeding. 

As National Breastfeeding Month comes to a close, support for proper infant and young child feeding must continue. A child’s nutrition needs change during the first two years of life, a critical period for growth, brain development, immunity, and the formation of healthy eating habits. After 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, children need both continued breastfeeding and appropriate complementary foods (UNICEF, n.d.). 

Breast milk remains valuable beyond 6 months. It continues to provide energy, essential nutrients, and protection against infectious diseases. Between 6 and 12 months, breast milk can supply half or more of a child’s energy needs and about ⅓ between 12 and 24 months. The World Health Organization therefore recommends frequent breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond (World Health Organization, 2026). 

At 6 months, breast milk alone can no longer meet all of a growing child’s energy and nutrient requirements. Complementary feeding should begin at this time, not earlier or later, while breastfeeding continues. Start with small amounts of soft, thick food, then gradually increase the quantity, frequency, variety, and texture as the child develops (WHO, 2026). 

Offer a varied diet using nutritious, locally available foods. Meals may combine rice, corn, or root crops with vegetables and fruits; monggo and other legumes; and nutrient-dense foods such as eggs, fish, chicken, lean meat, or liver. Foods rich in iron are especially important because an infant's iron needs increase after 6 months. The National Nutrition Council encourages families to provide calorie- and nutrient-dense complementary foods and continue breastfeeding over 2 years and beyond (National Nutrition Council, n.d.).

Feed children patiently and responsively: watch for signs of hunger and fullness, encourage eating, and never force-feed. For breastfed children, offer a complementary food 2-3 times daily at 6-8 months and 3-4 times daily at 9-23 months, with 1 or 2 nutritious snacks as needed. Use clean hands, safe water, clean utensils, and properly cooked food to reduce the risk of diarrhea and other infections (WHO, 2026). 

Ending the month does not mean ending the support. Families, health workers, employers, and communities all have a role in helping mothers continue breastfeeding and provide safe, adequate, and age-appropriate meals. Together, continued breastfeeding and balanced complementary feeding give children a stronger foundation for healthy growth and development. 

References:

• National Nutrition Council. (n.d.). Promote good nutrition (PGN). 

• UNICEF. (n.d.). Infant and young child feeding. UNICEF Data. 

• World Health Organization. (2026, August 4). Infant and young child feeding.