The Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992 (RA 7600): Why Breastfeed Part 1
In response to the need to inform the public on the importance of breastfeeding in relation to the recent “Melamine Scare” due to the Melamine Content in Milk and Milk Products Made in China, I am posting here a law enacted by the Philippine Congress and Senate (The Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992 also known as RA 7600) mandating hospitals and their staff (including nursing students during their RLE periods or duties at hospitals) to strictly monitor breastfeeding of newly-born babies by their mothers as part of enforcing the law.
This two-part discussion on breastfeeding, in view of the law, hopes to increase the awareness of readers, especially mothers, on the importance of breastfeeding.
Technically speaking, RA 7600 is an act providing incentives to all government and private health institutions with rooming in and breastfeeding practices and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title.- This Act shall be known as “The Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.- The Senate adopts rooming in as a national policy to encourage, protect and support the practice of breastfeeding. It shall create an environment where basic physical, emotional, and psychological needs of mothers and infants are fulfilled through the practice of rooming-in and breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding has district advantages which benefit the infant and the mother, including the hospital and the country that adopts its practice. It is the first preventive health measure that can be given to the child at birth. It also enhances mother-infant relationship.
Furthermore, the practice of breastfeeding could save the country valuable foreign exchange that may otherwise be used for milk importation.
Breastmilk is the best food since it contains essential nutrients completely suitable for the infant’s needs. It is also nature’s first immunization enabling the infant to fight potential serious infection. It contains growth factors that enhance the maturation of an infant’s organ system.
<end of part 1>
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Breastfeeding is really the best if a mother is healthy and no bad health condition that will affect the baby if she breastfeed. Some mothers were not capable. So maybe they’re exception to the rule.
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jessie reply on October 7th, 2008:
Joy,
One of the alternatives for that problem is wet nursing. On the other hand, if the mother really cant breastfeed the child, then bottle feeding is the most feasible and convenient alternative.
jessie’s last blog post..Racist Show “Harry and Paul” in BBC UK Against Filipino OFWs
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