Mass breastfeeding in Philippines
Thousands of lactating mothers across the Philippines have simultaneously breast fed their babies in an attempt to break a world record and break down social taboos. Organised by the advocacy group Breastfeeding Philippines, the event was held in- "This activity is meant to send a strong message to legislators not to be swayed by these multinational milk companies to weaken our law," Ms Andaya-Castillo said.
- Another law passed in 2009 requires private and public companies to allot time for employees who breast feed, while requiring lactation stations in all public institutions.
- Passed in 1986, the law, called the Milk Code, prohibits advertising of infant formula to infants under two years of age.
- Organisers said the event also aimed to remind legislators to resist lobbying by infant formula companies seeking to reverse a law promoting breast feeding.
- "Maybe I'm just shy. I am not used to doing this around in public, with so many people around," she said. "Maybe I will get used to it eventually, but I don't know if my husband will approve of it."
- Twenty-one-year-old mother Jinky Valencia cradled her one-month-old baby, Chrysler, as she tried to coax him to feed, but only a few drops came.
- At one of the main venues of the event, about 500 lactating mothers were bussed to a convention centre in suburban Marikina city east of Manila. They sat in plastic chairs and were given tips on proper ways to breastfeed their babies, including
- "When women bare their chests for sex in movies or wear skimpy clothes the public thinks its okay, but when a mother bares her breast to feed a child, people generally think its gross," group director Nona Andaya-Castillo said.
Thousands of lactating mothers across the Philippines have simultaneously breast fed their babies in an attempt to break a world record and break down social taboos. Organised by the advocacy group Breastfeeding Philippines, the event was held in
Mass breastfeeding in Philippines
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