11/02/2026
The First Vaccine: Empowering a Breastfeeding Nation for Every Filipino Child
Breastfeeding is often called a “window of opportunity” and “liquid gold.” It is the foundation upon which lifelong health is built, and global health authorities remain steadfast in their view that it is the most effective way to ensure child health and nutrition. Lately, however, the conversation has shifted; the focus is no longer solely on why mothers should breastfeed, but rather on how modern society can support them.
France Bégin, a senior nutrition advisor for UNICEF, underscored the importance of breastfeeding by highlighting that early initiation can be the difference between life and death. “If all babies were fed nothing but breastmilk from the moment they are born until six months of age, over 800,000 lives would be saved annually,” Bégin stated. Breastmilk acts as the "first vaccine"—the first and best protection against illness.
In the Philippines, while many view breastfeeding as a personal choice, it is also a matter of national health and legal morality. Under RA 10028, or the “Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act,” the tradition of nursing is no longer confined to the home; it has moved into workplaces and public spaces, transforming breastfeeding from a mere option into a strategic action for the nation’s nutrition.
Furthermore, the Philippines strengthens breastfeeding practices through the mandates of RA 7600 (the “Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act”) and Executive Order 51 (the “Philippine Milk Code”), both of which ensure safe infant nutrition by promoting breastmilk as the gold standard. Additionally, the second of the "10 Kumainments" encourages mothers to breastfeed infants exclusively from birth up to six months, followed by the introduction of appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for two years and beyond.
Despite the country’s strong legislation on breastfeeding, a significant gap remains in the Philippines. The 2023 DOST-FNRI National Nutrition Survey reveals that only 61.2% of newborns are breastfed within the first hour of life, and barely half (50.4%) of infants under six months receive the life-saving benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, highlighting the need for stronger community and workplace implementation.
Transforming the state of breastfeeding in our country is a collective mission. By addressing the hurdles mothers face—both in their personal lives and in the workplace—through a unified, multi-sector effort, we can ensure that every child gets the best start in life. Ultimately, breastfeeding is not a burden to be carried alone, but a collective responsibility that society must share. Because a child’s health starts with us, let us carry this mission with joy.
RKEmbodo
