WITHIN the maternity ward of the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, formerly Tala Hospital in Caloocan City, the most effective medicine comes not from a syringe or pill form, but through the flow of life-nurturing breastmilk.
Working nursing mothers at Tala’s maternity ward are coming together to support new mothers by providing free breastmilk. This remarkable act of generosity not only highlights the strength of community but also emphasizes the importance of breastfeeding in promoting infant health. Many are donors who work at the same hospital, doing their duties while helping another mother nourish their newborn child. It became a circle of giving, where one mother’s surplus becomes a lifeline for another infant.
Elaine, 31, a mother of three and a nurse at Tala Hospital, finds happiness in helping fellow mothers, not just through her duty as a nurse but also by sharing her breastmilk.
She finds a different joy in it, “It feels like I am giving a part of me,” she shared.
Elaine explains that many of the mothers who undergo cesarean delivery often struggle with producing milk right away, due to the effects of anesthesia.
Not only nurses, but also staff from other departments donate their surplus milk to the patients, all coming together to support Tala Hospital’s maternal ward.
Breast milk serves as the source of important nutrients for the healthy development of an infant during the first 6 months of life, protecting them against common childhood ailments and the potential for chronic diseases in later years. It is also widely recognized for its nutritional and immunological benefits. It provides essential nutrients that are crucial for a baby’s development and helps protect infants from infections and diseases. By offering free breastmilk, these nursing mothers are not only nourishing newborns but also promoting long-term health benefits.
For many new parents, the emotional and physical stress of feeding can be overwhelming. The availability of donated breastmilk helps alleviate some of that pressure, allowing mothers to focus on bonding with their babies.
The National Nutrition Council (NNC) emphasizes the role of exclusive breastfeeding within the First 1000 Days or the golden window of opportunity that shapes a child’s growth and development. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding along with complementary foods until two years of age, lays the foundation for optimal health.
Recognizing the special bond a mother and a child should create, Tala Hospital practices “Unang Yakap” (first embrace). This important tradition, where immediate skin-to-skin contact happens, not only gives warmth, love, and security between the mother and child but also naturally boosts breastmilk production. This aligns with the Republic Act 10028, the “Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009,” mandating rooming-in and supporting breastfeeding in all health care facilities in the Philippines.
As Liza Policarpio, Tala Hospital’s delivery supervisor, explains, “The very first sensory experiences for the infant, like their first smell, first touch, and first latch, are with their mother.”
However, despite the benefits of breastfeeding and supportive practices, many mothers are still having a hard time. These challenges often come from a lack of support systems, misinformation, and social barriers. Tala Hospital recognizes these challenges and actively supports mothers, particularly those facing difficulties with milk production.
According to Policarpio, their commitment goes beyond the generous donations of surplus milk from employees. The hospital has already established a human milk bank, equipped to collect, screen, process, and distribute donated breast milk to mothers who are unable to fully breastfeed their infants. While physical infrastructure is in place, the hospital awaits the training of its healthcare workers to make it fully operational.
Policarpio also stresses the importance of a supportive environment, especially from supportive partners and shared parental responsibilities, because the well-being of the mother is deeply linked to the well-being of the child.
“A happy mother is essential, because stress can significantly hinder milk production,” Policarpio explains.
In this corner of the hospital where we hear the sound of our future generation, the maternity ward shows that nurturing a life begins with mothers helping mothers. This Mother’s Day, let us be reminded that every drop of breastmilk is a symbol of love and resilience. (GLDG/PIA-NCR)
