National Policies on Breastfeeding and Milk Code
National Policies on Breastfeeding and Milk Code
National Policies on Breastfeeding and Milk Code
In the Philippines, several national laws and policies promote and protect breastfeeding. These are aligned
with international guidelines, particularly the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes by
the World Health Organization (WHO). Here are the key policies:
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Purpose: Regulates the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, breastmilk supplements, and other related
products.
Key Provisions:
Prohibits advertisements, promotions, or sponsorships of infant formula, feeding bottles, teats, and similar
products targeting the general public.
Manufacturers are required to include proper labeling, emphasizing the superiority of breastfeeding.
Enforcement: Managed by the Department of Health (DOH) through the Inter-Agency Committee on the
Philippine Milk Code.
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Purpose: Promotes, protects, and supports breastfeeding in workplaces, public places, and health facilities.
Key Provisions:
Requires establishments to set up lactation stations that are clean, private, and equipped with basic
necessities.
Grants paid lactation breaks for breastfeeding employees, separate from regular breaks.
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3. Republic Act No. 7600 (The Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992)
Purpose: Encourages early initiation of breastfeeding and rooming-in of mothers and newborns in hospitals.
Key Provisions:
Newborns should be roomed-in with their mothers immediately after delivery to promote breastfeeding.
Health facilities must educate mothers on breastfeeding benefits.
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Purpose: Focuses on the First 1,000 Days of Life, emphasizing maternal and child health and nutrition.
Key Provisions:
Mandates comprehensive health and nutrition services for pregnant women and children up to 2 years old.
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Administrative Order No. 2006-0012: Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Philippine
Milk Code.
Administrative Order No. 2010-0010: Guidelines on lactation stations in health and non-health facilities.