A health worker demonstrates another way to feed breastmilk to a baby using a spoon which involves placing the sterilized spoon on the baby’s lower lip and letting the baby take the milk by lapping or sipping at their own pace, rather than pouring the milk in during the “Breastfeeding Month Celebration” held in San Juan, La Union on August 28, 2025.
San Juan, La Union – WITH hearts and voices united for mothers and children, the Department of Health – Ilocos Region, together with the Local Government of San Juan, La Union and the San Juan Parish Civil Society Organization, marked National Breastfeeding Month 2025 with a regional campaign anchored on the theme “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.”
The celebration shines a spotlight on one of life’s most powerful beginnings—the bond between a mother and her child—and the collective role of families, communities, and institutions in nurturing it.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco emphasized that breastfeeding is not only a personal choice but also a shared responsibility.
“This year’s theme reminds us that when mothers are given the food, rest, and emotional support they need, they are empowered to give their children the best start in life. Breastfeeding is one of the simplest, yet most powerful ways to ensure child survival, healthy growth, and maternal well-being.Together, we can build a culture that protects, promotes, and sustains it.”
The event called on communities to rally behind mothers by removing barriers and creating supportive environments—whether at home, in health facilities, or in workplaces. It reinforced the national call to practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and to continue breastfeeding for two years and beyond, highlighting the “first 1,000 days” as a golden window for growth and development.
The program also offered engaging discussions on topics crucial for mothers and families, including:
· Postpartum Depression and Emotional Well-being
· The Importance of Exclusive Breastfeeding
· Establishing Lactation Stations
· Hand Milk Expression Techniques
· Danger Signs During Pregnancy
· Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care
· Dental Health for Pregnant and Lactating Women
Sydiongco further encouraged stakeholders at all levels—LGUs, barangay leaders, health workers, and families—to walk alongside mothers in their journey.
“Breastfeeding is one of our strongest weapons against malnutrition. Every act of support, whether big or small, strengthens a mother’s ability to give her child the best start in life.”
This regional observance aligns with the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) and the First 1,000 Days Law, which recognize breastfeeding as a cornerstone of health, nutrition, and nation-building.
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