Paalala ng DILG, bawal ang donasyong infant milk formula

IPINAALALA ng Department of Interior and Local Government na bawal ang donasyon ng infant milk formula.

Ayon kay DILG spokesman at Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya ipinagbabawal ang pagtanggap at pamamahagi ng donasyong infant formula, powdered milk at iba pang breastmilk substitutes, commercial baby food, feeding bottles, artificial nipples at teats para sa mga bagong panganak hanggang anim buwan.

“May ilang LGUs na ang namigay ng milk formula kasabay ng distribution nila ng food aid. While the intent to help is laudable, our health experts have advised against it. Hindi pa rin mapapantayan ang nutrisyon ng breastmilk. Let’s promote, protect and support exclusive breastfeeding only for infants 0 to 6 months old,” ani Malaya.

Pinapayagan naman umano ang gatas para sa mas matatanda.

Ang polisiya ay alinsunod sa Department of Health (DOH) Guidelines at National Nutrition Council-Nutrition Cluster Advisory No. 01 Series of 2020.

“Breastfed infants and young children of mothers who are too unwell to breastfeed or whose mothers have died may require replacement feeding with a nutritionally adequate diet such as with pasteurized donor breastmilk for sick newborns and preterm infants, donated breastmilk, through wet nursing,” saad ng pahayag ng DILG.

“For symptomatic mothers well enough to breastfeed, they should be advised of wearing a mask when near her infant or child including during feeding, washing hands with soap and water before and after contact with the child including feeding, and cleaning or disinfecting contaminated surfaces – as should be done in all cases where anyone with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 interacts with others, including children.”

“If a mother is too ill, she should be encouraged to express breastmilk and give it to her infant or child via a clean cup or spoon – all while following the same infection prevention and control methods.”