Making breastfeeding possible for mothers in every community
For every child, sustainable support
In the upland barangay of Tabon, Dalaguete, Cebu, Moya Janessa Lachica breastfeeds her newborn daughter, Marinelle Jane, in the same home where her family grows vegetables and raises livestock. She lives far from town, but when it was time to give birth, she travelled to the nearest health center. It was there, through regular antenatal visits, that she learned how facility-based delivery could help protect her and her baby—and how exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months could give her child a stronger start in life. Breastmilk, she learned, is more than nourishment. It builds immunity, supports healthy growth, and reduces the risk of disease during the most critical first 1,000 days.
In remote communities like Tabon, where food prices can quickly change and roads can become impassable during storms, breastfeeding provides steady nourishment when other options are out of reach. Moya received early counselling from her barangay nutrition scholar and continued support from her mother and partner, who help with caregiving and household meals. These layers of support—at home and in the community—have made it easier for her to focus on her baby’s nutrition.
Moya’s story shows how consistent support—at home, in the community, and through policy—can make it possible for mothers to continue breastfeeding, even in challenging settings. More research now shows it can also protect the environment. When counselling is available, and policies to protect breastfeeding enforced, and families are not left to navigate feeding decisions alone, children are more likely to receive the care and nutrition they need from the very beginning.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to protect a child’s health. Upholding it means ensuring every mother has what she needs—and every child is given the best possible start.
