Limasawa Dads are nutritious conscious

LIMASAWA, Southern Leyte – Mothers in this island town are not left alone in ensuring that children are well-nourished with fathers equipped with knowledge on good nutrition and proper breastfeeding.

The "Tatay Ko, Kaagapay sa Kalusogan Ko" campaign was launched three years ago by the local government which regularly gathers all fathers in the island and orients them on their role to improve or maintain the nutritional status of children.

Jesrel Tiongco, a community health team member, said while men in other places usually make jokes on breastfeeding-related topics,
fathers here are taking their support role seriously.

"We gather in the barangay health center every quarter and discuss how fathers can support lactating women. We ensure exclusive breastfeeding during first six months of life. We also learn the proper position of breastfeeding so that we can help our wives," said Tiongco, a father of a three-year-old child.

Remegilda Salomon, municipal nutrition action officer said during a gathering with fathers local nutrition workers gave updates on good nutrition and responsible parenthood aside from breastfeeding promotion.

"In Limasawa the mother and the father jointly monitor the nutritional status of their children," Salomon said.

In 2010 almost all the men in the municipality together with all municipal and barangay officials had undergone the training on Infant and Young Child Feeding and the Pabasa sa Nutrisyon. In most areas in the region, these advocacies are centered on health and nutrition workers and mothers.

Stores here don't sell infant formula since all mothers are exclusively feeding their babies with breast milk from birth to six months and provide nutritious complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding up to two years.

Limasawa's performance in terms of breastfeeding is remarkable compared to the national figure, Salomon said.
The 7th National Nutrition Survey revealed that among infants 0- 5 months old only 36 out of every 100 were exclusively breastfed.
Only 37 of every 100 were breastfed at the same time given a complementary food and as many as 27 out of every 100 infants were given other milk and other foods.

Breastfeeding during the first six months of a child's life is deemed crucial since it cuts the risk of chronic diseases and leads to overall better development.

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