In support for National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, the Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) Cardinal Santos aims raised the public’s consciousness about the vital role of breastfeeding in promoting infant health and nutrition.
As part of its commemoration, CSMC is also encouraging donations to its Lactation and Human Milk Bank, a crucial resource that supports premature and vulnerable infants in their journey to a healthier start in life. It cited a World Health Organization report that breastmilk is the ideal food for infants and it is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses.
During this month, the medical center re-committed to promoting breastfeeding as the cornerstone of child health and well-being.
Dr. Counselo Teodoro, a Pediatrician and the chairman of the CSMC Breastfeeding Committee shared her thoughts on this year’s celebration. “This year’s Breastfeeding Awareness Month Theme, “ENABLING BREASTFEEDING: Making a difference for working parents” is apt in CSMC setting since we are not only a Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital but also a Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace. We have a Lactation Management Clinic where not just our patients but also our employees can express and store breastmilk during their lactation breaks. Our Lactation Implementers are also available 24/7 to assist them with nursing positions, latching, expressing breastmilk, performing breast massage as well as counseling on breastfeeding matters. This means that our mom employees do not have to choose between breastfeeding their babies and their work, they can do both! Located beside our LMC is our Human Milk Bank where milk donors are screened and milk donations are accepted.”
As part of its efforts to support newborns in need, CSMC established its Lactation and Human Milk Bank in 2022, a pioneering initiative that collects, pasteurizes, and dispenses donated human milk to premature babies and those with specific medical conditions. Human milk is especially crucial for infants that are in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), as it offers essential protection against infections and facilitates optimal growth.
Donating to CSMC’s Human Milk Bank is a straightforward and meaningful way for lactating mothers to positively impact the lives of infants in need. The process involves thorough screening of donors to ensure the safety and quality of the collected milk. The donated milk undergoes a rigorous pasteurization process to remove any potentially harmful pathogens while preserving its nutritional value.
According to Dr. Lourdes Dizon-Co, Pediatrician and Head of CSMC’s Human Milk Bank, “The CSMC Human Milk Bank’s mission is to improve the health and survival of the most vulnerable infants. These babies deserve access to human milk. We carry out our mission through the safe collection and distribution of human donor milk, education, advocacy, and research.#
