Why Breastmilk is the best milk for babies
1. Breastmilk is the best milk because it is safe, sterile and immediately available whenever the baby is to be feed.
2. Breastmilk contains the perfect nutrients that the baby needs to fully sustain the growth and development of the infant from birth until six (6) months of age. When the baby reaches the age of 6 months, breast milk is still a good source of nutrients; however, it must be complemented with adequate nutritious foods of the mother.
3. Breastmilk can be easily digested by the infant and efficiently absorbed by the body since the baby has still immature body system.
4. Breastmilk is rich in antibodies and important substances that equip and protect babies against infections.
5. Breastmilk also contains DHA fats that are needed in the brain development and enhances intelligence of the body.

Why Breastfeeding is important
1. Breasfeeding is important because it promotes emotional bonding between the baby and mother for adequate time everyday.
2. Breasfeeding play important role with the mother’s health in protecting her against various kinds of dangerous cancers in the breast, uterus and ovaries. It also protects her from obesity and post-partum hemorrhage.
3. Breastfeeding is economical and gives the family big financial savings.

What are the Correct Breastfeeding Techniques
1. The mother should support the baby’s head including the entire body throughout the breastfeeding procedure. The head of the baby, back and hips should be facing the breast, positioned and aligned in a straight manner.
2. The mother must maintain the position of the baby in such a way that he/she is “face to face”, chest to chest, tummy to tummy” to her body.
3. The mother should support the breast with the hand of the opposite are in a C-hold position: thumb above, 4 fingers under the breast.
4. The mother should stimulate the infant to open the mouth wide by stroking the corner of the baby’s lips. Then she must check that the chin of the baby touches the breast and the lower lip is turned outward.
5. The mother should ensure that the baby grasps the entire nipple plus one inch of the surrounding areola.
6. The mother then allows the baby to suck 15-20 minutes per breast to extract the foremilk and hindmilk.
7. The mother must empty the breast around 8-10 times or more a day to make sure of the adequate supply of milk.

How is the Expression and Storage of Breastmilk
1. The mother should express the breastmilk by hand or by using breast pump. It must be done whenever the supply of breast milk is abundant or when the mother is planning to go away from her baby for a number of hours, like going to work.
2. The breastmilk must be stored in sterile polypropylene (cloudy hand plastic) or polycarbonate (clear hard plastic) containers, properly labeled with the date and time the breastmilk is collected.

Proper Storing of Breastmilk
1. If the room temperature is less than 25oC, breastmilk can be store until 4 hours.
2. If the room temperature is greater than 25oC, breastmilk can last for 1 hour.
3. Refrigerate at 4oC for five (5) days.
4. It can be stored in Freezer Compartment of 1-door refrigerator for 2 weeks
5. If it is stored in Freezer Compartment of 2-door refrigerator and it will last for 3 months.

Recommended Dietary Food for Lactating Mothers
1. Six (6) Cups of Rice
2. Four (4) pieces of Fruits of different varieties especially those rich in Vitamin C.
3. One and half (1 ½) Green leafy and yellow vegetables.
4. Five (5) pieces of meat, fish, poultry and seafoods. The size of is as of the matchbox for meat) or 2 cups cut into small pieces.
5. Four (4) pieces of eggs every week.
6. One and half (1 ½) cups three (3) times a week of Monggo, Beans or Taho.
7. Two (2) Glasses Milk a day.
8. Seven (7) teaspoon or vegetable fats and oil
9. Seven (7) glasses of water a day
10. One (1) Glass of fresh fruit juice a day.

Important Notes to Remember about complementary foods for babies
1. Complementary foods will be timely introduced to the baby 6 months old and above.
2. Complementary foods must be adequate and rich with the energy, protein and micronutrients that sufficiently provided to the baby’s body for the continuous growth and development. The Prescribed Food Guide Pyramid must be observed and used as tool for the preparation of the baby’s foods.
3. Complementary foods must be properly feed to the baby in the manner suitable to his/her age. The schedule or frequency of feed must be also observed and done properly. Good Hygiene and sanitation must be always applied in the preparation and feeding of babies. Clean hands, spoon, pork, cups, bowls and other utensil must be clean. The foods for the baby must be also natural and fresh.