A group of Baguio-based artists are exhibiting their paintings and other crafts as part of the city’s promotion of breastfeeding among nursing mothers.
The Pasakalye Group of Artists showcased each of the members’ artworks portraying mothers breastfeeding their children in an exhibition that opened on 15 August at the Upper Ground Floor of SM City Baguio.
Some of the artworks show women who strongly prefer the indigenous, more beneficial and safer method of nurturing and ensuring that their babies grow healthier.
According to the Baguio City Health Services Office chief Rowena Galpo, breastfeeding in pandemic times will assure the babies and the next generation of stronger immune system.
She said it strengthens the bond between mothers and their children.
However, Dianne Mendoza, Lactation Management Specialist of the Breastfeeding Care Center of the North, said only 30 percent of Filipino mothers in the country breastfeed their children.
This contradicts the World Health Organization’s recommendation that babies need all the nutrients from zero to six months more their first 1,000 days.
Mendoza pointed out that if the child grows up with a weak body or poor health, the mother is blamed. She added that activities promoting and encouraging breastfeeding are important to bring back good health practices among Filipino families.
Pasakalye Group of Artists founder and president Maricar Docyogen said that they are proud to be part of the effort to encourage breastfeeding.