The Department of Health–Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD 6), Iloilo City urges fathers to support their wives in breastfeeding their babies.
According to DOH assistant regional director Dr. Marlyn Convocar, men tend to think that only women should worry about breastfeeding their babies. "They’re wrong," she said.
Women who are being assisted by their husbands while breastfeeding are able to regain their health faster than those who breastfed alone, she said. The mothers are also able to properly breastfeed their babies especially when their husbands are very supportive, she added.
Dr. Cristita Lacurom, DOH regional breastfeeding coordinator, advised mothers to request their husbands’ support when breastfeeding. The baby could feel the father’s presence in the process, she said.
DOH Regional Director Dr. Ariel Valencia revealed the DOH is currently intensifying its call for breastfeeding as part of their advocacy to improve maternal and child health.
He said, only 50 percent of lactating mothers practice breastfeeding their babies in Western Visayas. This should be addressed immediately since improper breast-feeding practices to most babies in the region result to underweight.
The DOH recently conducted its "Buntis" Congress 2010 in Iloilo City where pregnant women from various municipalities, representatives from the Provincial Health Offices and municipal health offices attended. (PNA) /MP
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