Health execs urge companies to set up lactation stations

Health officials are encouraging companies to set up lactation stations in their workplace.

Dr. Parolita Mission, regional nutrition program coordinator of the National Nutrition Council in Central Visayas (NNC-7), said that although a lactation station is not compulsory, breast-feeding is very important for babies in its first 1,000 days because it will help develop the child’s well-being.

“Dapat continue gihapon ang breast-feeding even magtrabaho na ang mother (Breast-feeding should be continued even if the mother is working),” Mission said during the Association of Government Information Officers in Central Visayas (AGIO-7) forum late last month.

As of this year, retail companies like SM and Ayala have put up lactation stations.

Mission said they tied up with various business chambers in Cebu to also encourage their member companies to put up lactation stations. Some companies have not set up lactation stations due to lack of space.

“It does not necessarily have to be a separate room. It may be a portion of the office nga dunay (that has a) divider,” she said.

“It is during the first 1,000 days of life when growth faltering happens. But with proper nourishment during the first 1,000 days, the child can have a healthier and normal life and can be prevented from getting illnesses,” she said.

Meanwhile, as part of their campaign, the NNC-7 will be launching a nutriathlon – a series of activities intended to promote breast-feeding for the month of July.

In the latest data from NNC, Central Visayas’ average duration of breast-feeding has increased from only two months in previous years to 4.4 months in 2015.

Mission credited the increase to their intensified lactation management campaign in hospitals, both public and private.