SAN JUAN CITY DONATES BREAST MILK TO MAKATI THROUGH "GATAS MO, LAKAS KO" PROJECT

Sept. 10, 2021

Breastfeeding is good for babies, we all know it. It is important in building resilient and healthy kids especially during this time of pandemic. In fact, studies have shown that infants who are breast fed are much more protected, especially if their mothers received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

This is also equally beneficial to mothers as they tend to recover faster and even reduce the chances of getting breast and ovarian cancer later in life. However, not all mothers can feed their babies through breastfeeding. Some can’t produce enough supply, while others may be taking medications and breastfeeding is not safe for both mom and baby. This is where milk-letting activities come in. Last September 10, 2021, 21 mothers from the San Juan community simultaneously expressed breast milk through the city’s “Gatas Mo, Lakas Ko” Project. This milk letting activity aims to provide breast milk to premature infants, especially those with illnesses and those mothers who cannot produce enough breast milk for their babies. To ensure that the babies will receive only the best ‘liquid gold’, breast milk donors were screened by San Juan City Health IYCF coordinator and member of the San Juan City Social Hygiene Clinic to ensure that they are healthy. Participants were screened for HIV and Hepatitis B, and were given lactation massages to increase their milk supply. After the event, 21 milk bags were delivered to the Makati Milk Bank for the benefit of babies who need the nourishment.