MILK CODE ROOMING-IN AND BREASTFEEDING ACT MILK CODE What is the Milk Code? E.O.

51, commonly referred to as, "The Milk Code", is a law that ensures safe and adequate nutrition for infants through the promotion of breastfeeding and the regulation of promotion, distribution, selling, advertising, product public relations, and information services artificial milk formulas and other covered products. What products does the Milk Code cover? Breast milk substitutes, including infant formula and milk supplements Foods, beverages, and other milk products (when marketed or represented to be suitable, with or without modification, for use as partial or total replacement for breast milk) Bottle-fed complementary foods Feeding bottles and teats Policies Exclusive breastfeeding is for infants from 0 to 6 months. Breast milk has no substitute or replacement. NOTE: Breastfeeding is best for babies ESPECIALLY during disasters. In addition to breastfeeding, appropriate and safe complementary feeding of infants should start from 6 months onwards. Breastfeeding is still appropriate for children up to 2 years of age and beyond. Infant or milk formula may be harmful to a child's health and may damage a child's formative development. Other related products such as teats, feeding bottles, and artificial feeding paraphernalia are prohibited in health facilities. What sanctions may be imposed on Milk Code violators? Imprisonment of two months to one year. A fine of not less than ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000.00) and not more than THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS (P30,000.00), or

 Suspension or revocation of license. ROOMING-IN AND BREASTFEEDING ACT Republic Act No. 7600 The Rooming-In and Breast-Feeding Act of 1992 (Promulgated June 2, 1992) National policy to encourage, protect and support the practice of breastfeeding. It shall create an environment where the basic physical, emotional, and psychological needs of mothers and infants are fulfilled through the practice of rooming-in and breastfeeding. Benefits of Breastfeeding To infants Provides a nutritional complete food for the young infant. Strengthens the infants immune system , preventing many infections. Safely rehydrates and provides essential nutrients to a sick child, especially to those suffering from diarrheal diseases. Reduces the infants exposure to infection. Increase IQ points.

To Mother Reduces womans risk excessive blood loss after birth. Provides natural methods of delaying pregnancies. Reduce the risk of ovarian and breast cancer and osteoporosis.

To Household and the community Conserve funds that otherwise would be spent on breast milk substitute ,supplies and fuel to prepare them. Saves medical cost to families and government by preventing illnesses and by providing immediate postpartum and contraception.

Rooming-in and Breastfeeding of Infants Sec. 5. Normal Spontaneous Deliveries. - The following newborn infants be put to the breast of the mother immediately after birth and forthwith roomed-in within thirty (30) minutes: (a) well infants regardless of age of gestation; and

(b) infants with low birth weights but who can suck. Sec. 6. Deliveries by Caesarian. - Infants delivered by caesarian section shall be roomed-in and breastfed within three (3) to four (4) hours after birth. Sec. 7. Deliveries Outside Health Institutions. Newborns delivered outside health institutions whose mothers have been admitted to the obstetrics department/unit and who both meet the general conditions stated in Section 5 of this Act, shall be roomed-in and breastfed immediately. Sec. 8. Exemptions. - Infants whose conditions do not permit rooming-in and breast-feeding as determined by the attending physician, and infants whose mothers are either: (a) seriously ill; (b) taking medications contraindicated to breastfeeding; (c) violent psychotics; or (d) whose conditions do not permit breastfeeding and rooming-in as determined by the physician shall be exempted from the provisions of Sections 5, 6, and 7: Provided, That these infants shall be fed expressed breast milk or wet-nursed as may be determined by the attending physician. Sec. 14. Sanctions. - The Secretary of Health is hereby empowered to impose sanctions for the violation of this Act and the rules issued thereunder. Such sanctions may be in the form of reprimand or censure and in case of repeated willful violations, suspension of the permit to operate of the health institution. Thank You!!!