Rules and Regulations On Philippine Importation

Republic of the Philippines
Department of Health
NATIONAL NUTRITION COUNCIL
TALKING POINTS
2010 Nutrition Month Celebration
Sa pagkaing tama at sapat, wastong timbang ni baby ang katapat!
1.
What is Nutrition Month?

This year, the country is celebrating the 36th Nutrition Month. Section 7
of Presidential Decree No. 491 or Nutrition Act of the Philippines
designates the month of July as Nutrition Month to create greater
awareness among the people on the importance of nutrition.
2.
What is the National Nutrition Council (NNC)?

The National Nutrition Council (NNC) is the highest policy-making and
coordinating body on nutrition in the country. It has a Governing Board
composed of 10 government organizations and 3 representatives from
the private sector, appointed by the President of the Philippines for a
two-year term. The NNC member agencies are the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Department of Health, Chair

Department of Agriculture, Vice-chair
Department of the Interior and Local Government, Vice-chair
Department of Budget and Management
Department of Education
Department of Labor and Employment
Department of Science and Technology
Department of Social Welfare and Development
Department of Trade and Industry
National Economic and Development Authority
For 2010-2011, the three private sector representatives are:

a.
Ms. Carmen G. Jimenez-Ong

President
Balance Bodies Studio Philippines, Inc.
b.
Dr. Elvira Lichuaco Henares-Esguerra, MD, FPDS, IBCLC, RPh,

Director, Children for Breastfeeding and
Co-Director, Philippine Lactation Resources and Training Center
Nutrition Month 2010

c.
Ms. Graciela Eleazar

President
Phoenix Sun International
The NNC Secretariat serves as the implementing arm of the NNC

Governing Board. Thus, among others, it coordinates and leads in the
celebration of Nutrition Month. This means that the NNC Secretariat
links with government organizations, local government units,
nongovernment organizations, the academe, the media, and business
corporations to make the celebration more meaningful. While the
Secretariat has a limited human resource base of only over 100, the
NNC network, composed of interagency nutrition committees chaired
by local chief executives, extends down to the barangay level.
3.
What is the theme for this years celebration?

The theme for this years celebration is Sa pagkaing tama at sapat,
wastong timbang ni baby ang katapat!. The theme focuses on the
importance of giving appropriate complementary foods starting at six
months while continuing breastfeeding as a strategy to promote
nutrition and health among children and prevent childhood
malnutrition.
4.
Why focus on complementary feeding?

Malnutrition among young children continues to be a major challenge
especially in developing countries including the Philippines. Scientific
studies have shown that levels of malnutrition are three to four times
higher among older children when compared to infants. Results of the
7th National Nutrition Surveys (2008) show that 8.2 % of infants, 25.4% of
1-year old, 31.8% of 2-year old, 37.9% of 3-year old, 34.4% of 4-year old
and 38.2% of 5 year-old children were undernourished.
The first two years are considered the most critical in the life of the
child. This is the critical window for the promotion of optimal growth,
health, and development. Insufficient quantities and inadequate
quality of complementary foods, poor child-feeding practices and high
rates of infection have a detrimental impact on health and growth
during these important years. Even with optimum breastfeeding,
children can become stunted if they do not receive sufficient
quantities of quality complementary foods at six months of age
(Lancet, 2008).
Thus, improved feeding of children under two years of age is important.
Continued breastfeeding beyond six months accompanied by the
2

consumption of nutritionally adequate, safe and appropriate

complementary foods will help meet nutritional requirements of infants
when breastmilk is still important but is no longer sufficient.
In the Philippines, only about 59% receive complementary feeding
between 6-9 months (Figure 1). The regions with complementary
feeding rates below national average are regions 1, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12 and
NCR. On the other hand, 11.8% of infants below six months received
complementary feeding earlier than six months (Figure 2). Infants are
worse off than the national level in regions NCR, CAR, 2, 5, 7, 9 and
CARAGA.
Figure 1. Percent of infants that received complementary

infants that re c e iv e d C F be twe en 6 t o 9 m onths (N D H S'0 3 )
feeding between 6 to%9o f months
100.0
National: 59%
90.0
80.0
72.4
80.0
66.7
62.5
70.0
56.5
60.0
75.0
68.4
67.9
61.1
56.4
54.3
50.0
47.1
50.0
62.5
52.6
39.1
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
MM
ga
Ca
AR
ra
XI
XI
VI
IX
II
I
VI
VI
IV
II I
II
R
CA
NC
0.0
R eg io n( s)
Source: NSCB. National Demographic and Health Survey, 2003.
Figure 2. Percent of infants below six months that received

Percent of infants below six(6) months that received Compplementary Feeding (NDHS,2003)
complementary
feeding, 2003
100.0
National: 11.8%
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
31.7
40.0
30.0
20.0
23.8
16.0
10.8
6.9
31.3
27.0
16.7
14.6
8.0
5.7
10.0
11.6
9.1
8.2
10.7
8.0
R e gi on( s)
Source: NSCB. National Demographic and Health
Survey, 2003.
CF before six(6) months
MM
AR
ga
Ca
ra
I
XI
XI
IX
II
VI
I
VI
VI
IV
III
II
R
CA
NC
0.0

5.
What is complementary feeding?

Complementary feeding is the giving of foods to infants starting at six
months, in addition to breast milk. The additional foods and liquids are
called complementary foods because these are only additional or
supplemental to breastfeeding, and not sufficient on their own as a
diet.
Complementary foods used to be more commonly called "weaning
foods". However, some experts advise that the use of the term "weaning
foods" should be avoided so as not to imply that complementary foods
are meant to be given to infants as they are weaned or removed from
the breast. Complementary feeding should not displace breast milk or
initiate the withdrawal of breastfeeding.
6.
What are the characteristics of desirable complementary feeding

practices?
Infants and young children are very vulnerable to malnutrition during
the transition period from exclusive breastfeeding to complementary
feeding. Thus, it is important that their nutritional needs are met
through appropriate complementary feeding practices.
Complementary foods must be:
7.
a.
given timely meaning that they are given at six completed

months when their need for energy and nutrients exceeds what
can be provided through exclusive and frequent breastfeeding;
b.
nutritionally adequate meaning that the recommended

amount for his/her age provide sufficient energy, protein,
micronutrients and other essential nutrients to meet a growing
childs nutritional needs;
c.
safe meaning that they are hygienically stored and prepared,

and are fed with clean hands using clean utensils;
d.
properly fed meaning that foods are given consistent with a

childs signals of appetite and satiety, and that meal frequency
and feeding method are suitable for age.
When is the right time to start complementary feeding?

From six months and older, there is a gap between the total energy
needs of the baby and energy and nutrients provided by breast milk.
As the baby grows, the energy and nutrient gap increases. Thus, the
sixth month is the best time to start giving complementary foods.
4

Exclusive breastfeeding from birth up to six months and starting

complementary feeding at six completed months while continuing
breastfeeding up to two years and beyond will help a child to grow
healthy.
In addition, at six months, the babys digestive system is mature enough
to digest a range of foods. The baby also begins to develop the
coordination skills to move solid food from front to back of the mouth
for ingestion. The control of the baby's head is improved and the baby
is able to sit with support. These are important skills in eating solid foods.
A 6-month old baby who looks and grabs at foods is a clear sign that
he/she is ready to eat.
The following are some common signs to indicate that a child is ready
to start complementary feeding at six months:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
8.
holds his/her head straight when sitting down

opens his/her mouth when food approaches
is interested in food when others eat
receives frequent breastfeeds but appears hungry soon after
is not gaining weight adequately.
What are the risks of starting complementary feeding too early or too
late?
Starting complementary feeding before the sixth month may:
a.
Reduce breast milk production or intake. The early introduction

of other foods into the infant's diet decreases the frequency of
breastfeeding and intensity of suckling and as a consequence
breast milk production also decreases. When this happens, the
additional food may take the place of breast milk, making it
difficult to meet the childs nutritional needs.
b.
Contribute to increased rates of infant mortality and morbidity.

The early introduction of complementary foods increases the risk
of illness, diarrhea, wheezing and other allergic conditions
because a child receives less of the protective factors present in
breast milk. Studies have shown that the incidence of diarrhea is
3 to 13 times higher when breastfed infants are given
complementary foods between 4 to 6 months than when they
are exclusively breastfed. Furthermore, babies fed early with
restricted diets and living in unsanitary environments suffer from
more frequent diarrheal episodes. The incidence of diarrhea is
attributed to the lack of potable water, the use of water
contaminated with Escherichia coli, and improper food storage.
5

c.
Increase the risk of mothers becoming pregnant. Breastfeeding

mothers are protected from getting pregnant because
breastfeeding is considered a natural contraceptive. With
shorter duration and less frequent breastfeeding, mothers lose
this inherent protective factor.
d.
Interfere with iron absorption. Studies have also shown that the
early introduction especially of cereals and vegetables can
interfere with the absorption of breast milk iron, which is normally
low in concentration at the age of six months. Unless the child is
fed with iron-rich food preparations, a child may be at a greater
risk to iron deficiency or anemia.
On the other hand, delaying the giving of complementary foods is not

beneficial and is dangerous because the child will not get the energy
and nutrients required to meet his/her growing needs. As a result, the
child's physical and mental development is affected and may lead to
growth faltering and eventually malnutrition.
9.
What are recommended complementary foods?

Breastmilk is considered the complete food for the baby from birth up
to six months. This means that breastmilk alone is what a baby needs
for the first six months of life. At the sixth month, the baby should be
given additional foods in the recommended amount for his/her age
that will provide sufficient energy, protein, micronutrients and other
essential nutrients to meet the growing childs nutritional needs.
Parents should choose and prepare foods from the different food
groups: energy-giving, body-building, and body regulating foods or
what we know as GO, GROW and GLOW foods.
Energy-giving (GO) foods: The main nutrients in this food group are
carbohydrates and fats. Carbohydrates and fats are chief sources of
energy. Examples of foods in this group are: rice, corn, root crops,
bread and bakery products, noodles, cooking oil, butter, margarine
and other fats, and sugars.
Body-building (GROW) foods: These foods are high in protein and
minerals needed for growth and repair of body tissues. Protein also
gives energy, but it is important as a body-building nutrient. The foods
in this group are: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, organ meats, milk and milk
products, and dried beans like mongo and nuts. These foods are also
high in vitamin A and iron that can be used readily by the body.

Regulating (GLOW) foods: Included in this group are fruits and

vegetables high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Vitamins and minerals
are essential for growth, for healthy eyes, for strong bones and teeth
and high resistance to infections. Fiber is important for regular bowel
movement.
Table 1 may be used as a guide when preparing foods for the child
until about 12 months. At one year onwards, the child can eat the
regular family meal.
Tabe 1. Complementary Feeding Guide
Age of introduction in months
Food Group
6
Rice or lugao, cooked or
cereals (e.g. oatmeal)
Root crop (e.g. camote,

cassava, gabi), cooked
cup, thin
lugao,
strained
cup, thick
lugao
cup thin
cereal
cup, thick
cereal
12
2-3 tbsp.
mashed
1 piece
2- tbsp.
mashed
Vegetables, cooked
Meat, fish, and poultry,

deboned, cooked well,
ground, flaked or minced
11
1 cup soft
cooked
Bread or biscuit
Fruits, ripe (e.g. banana,
papaya, mango)
10
1-1/3 srvgs.
Egg, cooked
3 tbsp. cut
into small
pieces
4 tbsp.
cut into
finger
sized
pieces
1 tbsp.
mashed
1 tbsp.
finely
chopped
1-2 tbsp.
coarsely
chopped
1-1/3
srvgs.
1-1/3 srvgs.
1-1/ 3
srvgs.
1-1/3
srvgs.
eggyolk
1-1/3
srvgs.
1-1/3
srvgs.
whole
egg
Legumes (mongo, white

beans)
1-1/3
srvgs.
mashed
Whole milk
2 cups
Cooking oil or margarine,

may be added to lugao
or meat and vegetable
dish
4 tsp
Sugar
3 tsp
3 tsp
3 tsp
Custards, pudding, plain

gulaman or jello
3 tsp
3 tsp
3 tsp
1 tsp
Source: Adapted from the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos, 2000 Edition, DOST-FNRI.
(Note: Current recommendations from WHO refer to thicker

consistency of complementary foods, i.e. the food must be thick
enough to stay in the spoon. The use of whole milk is recommended
when baby is not breastfed. Refer to more recent recommendations in
Table 2.)
7

Parents should be careful in giving young children shellfish and other

crustaceans and fruits with spores as these are known to cause allergic
reactions; slippery foods like whole grapes, hotdogs and hard candies
to prevent choking; and dry, sticky foods that are difficult to chew and
swallow.
10.
What are some guideposts when giving or preparing complementary

foods for the child?
a.
Introduce one new food at a time. Continue with the same food
for 3 to 4 days until such time that the child gets used to the taste
of the food. Introducing mixed foods is not advisable, as this will
only create confusion to the child.
b.
Start with small amounts of any food. Prepare only a small

amount (about 1 teaspoon) of the food to be introduced to
avoid wastage. Increase the food quantity as the child ages
while still maintaining frequent breastfeeding.
c.
Increase food consistency and variety as the child ages,

adapting the diet to the infant's requirements and abilities. Use
thick lugao and well mashed foods when starting solid food then
gradually shift to a more viscous food with higher nutrient density
as the child gets older and become more active. For instance,
at six months, mothers can start giving thick lugao and well
mashed vegetables then shift to thick lugao and mashed
vegetables with minced fish then to soft rice with chopped meat
or fish and vegetables. Make a transition to family diet at about
12 months.
d.
Diversify the diet of the child to improve quality and

micronutrient intake. A variety of foods from the three food
groups and in the right quantity will assure the child of the
nutrients she/he needs for optimum growth.
e.
Never force an infant to eat. One common mistake among

mothers and caregivers is feeding the child when he/she does
not feel like eating. To ensure that the child eats when fed,
mothers and caregivers should space the time between
breastfeeding and mealtime. It is good to give complementary
foods only after breastfeeding is done.
f.
Never force a child to eat foods that he/she does not like. If the
baby objects to taking some foods, mix it with other foods he/she
likes until he/she becomes accustomed to the flavor.

11.
g.
Season babys foods very slightly. When starting, the baby's food
should be bland not too spicy, peppery, pungent, salty or oily.
When family foods are to be given, mothers should make sure
that she separates some amount for the baby before this is
seasoned with salt or pepper. It is also important that salt should
not be added to the diet of the infant before the age of 1 year
because the baby's maturing kidneys cannot handle sodium
effectively.
h.
Be patient when feeding the child. Mothers and caregivers

should possess a positive attitude when dealing with, caring or
feeding the child. A cheerful disposition of the mother and
caregiver will help encourage him/her to eat more. It will also
help if mothers or caregivers talk or interact with the child during
feeding sessions as this will stimulate the senses of the child.
How can we improve the nutrient density or quality of complementary

foods?
Oftentimes, the nutritional quality of family foods given to infants and
young children is poor. The foods are also less digestible compared to
commercially prepared mixes.
Giving a variety or a mix of complementary foods is the best way for
children to get enough energy, protein, and micronutrients for healthy
growth and development. Giving the right consistency of foods to the
child will also improve food intake.
A simple meal planning guide which could help mothers and
caregivers is given below:
Breakfa
st
Lunch
Dinner
Snacks
Rice or
= Lugao
or
Cereals
Beans or
Green leafy
Fruits
+ Cooking
+ Meat or Fish + and yellow
+
Oil or
or Chicken
vegetables
Margari
or
ne
Egg
Biscuit, crackers, bread with margarine, mashed fruits, mashed root
crops/potatoes
The ordinary lugao can be made more nutritious and energy-dense

through the following:
a.
Cook lugao or other cereals thicker by preparing it with less

water. Lugao or cereals which are too thin or runny contain less
calories.

12.
b.
Add mashed/finely chopped vegetable, meat, fish, eggs and

fruits. Adding the soup of vegetables and meat or fish will also
improve the flavor.
c.
Add fortified milk, sugar or chocolate powder.
d.
Add a little cooking oil, margarine or butter to the lugao. The oil
or butter will not only make the thick lugao softer, but also easier
to eat and more tasty.
How much and how often should a child be fed?

The appropriate number of feedings depends on the nutritional quality
or nutrient density of the foods and the usual amounts consumed at
each feeding. If the food given is less nutrient-dense or the amount of
food consumed per meal is low and/or the child is no longer breastfed,
more frequent feeding is required. It is important to increase the
quantity and frequency of complementary feeding as the child gets
older. To achieve optimum growth and development, the following
recommendation is suggested:
Table 2. Quantity, Variety and Frequency of Feeding
AMOUNTS
Age
OF FOODS TO GIVE THE CHILD
Texture
Frequency
Amount at each meal1
Initiation of
complementary
foods at 6 months
Thick lugao, well mashed

foods
2 times per day

plus frequent breastfeeds
2-3 tablespoonfuls
7-8 months
Mashed family foods
3 times per day

increasing gradually to
2/ 3 of a 250 ml cup at
each meal
9-11 months
Finely chopped or mashed

foods, and foods that baby
can pick up
3 meals
plus 1 snack between meals
3/ 4
12-24 months
Family foods, chopped or

mashed if necessary
3 meals
plus 2 snacks between meals
A full 250 ml cup/bowl
of a 250 ml
cup/bowl
THE AMOUNTS INDICATED ARE IN ADDITION TO FREQUENT BREASTFEEDS. IF BABY IS NOT

BREASTFED, GIVE IN ADDITION: 1-2 CUPS OF MILK PER DAY, AND 1-2 EXTRA MEALS PER DAY.
1 Adapt the chart to use a suitable local cup/bowl to show the amount. One cup = 250ml; one tablespoon = 10ml.
Source: WHO. Infant and young child counseling: An integrated course: Participants manual, (2008 version).
Initially, when the child is learning how to take new foods, give the food
when the child is hungry, that is, before breastfeeds. This will allow the
child to taste or get accustomed to the food. When the child is
already taking the lugao or mixture well, give the breastfeed first, and
then the food or better yet, the food is given during mealtimes and
10

breastfeed is between meals. By doing so, the baby will suckle hard
because he is hungry. This will encourage a continued supply of breast
milk.
13.
Do young children also need extra fluids?

Infants who are exclusively breastfed do not need extra water.
However, when other solid foods are introduced, they already need
additional water. Foods high in protein and electrolytes such as meats
and eggs may cause dehydration. Offer fluids such as clean (boiled
and cooled) water or juices when the child seems thirsty. Extra fluid is
also required when a child is suffering from fever or diarrhea.
There are many commercially prepared fluids and drinks available in
the market. For young children, plain clean water and pure fruit juices
are recommended. Avoid giving drinks that are sugary, and those that
contain stimulants such as softdrinks, coffee, and tea. Liquids should
never take the place of breastmilk and foods. Liquids can easily fill up
the childs stomach; thus, give drinks only in small amounts during a
meal or best give it at the end of the meal.
14.
Should a sick child be fed?

Yes, it is important to practice frequent and responsive feeding during
and after illness. Feeding children with adequate and nutritious foods is
necessary to reduce the risk of becoming malnourished. During illness,
mothers or caregivers are advised to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
increase the number of breastfeeds;

offer small amounts of food frequently;
give soft foods especially if the mouth or throat is sore;
give extra fluids if the child has fever or diarrhea; and,
give foods that the child likes.
After illness, continue to breastfeed frequently and give complementary

foods more frequently. Encourage the child to eat as much as possible
at each meal and continue this until the child regains any weight loss
and is growing well again.
15.
Why is it important to ensure that complementary foods are clean and

safe?
At the age of six months up to 24 months, children are prone to
illnesses. Children get sick when the food they eat and their
surroundings are not clean and safe. Safe preparation and storage of
11

complementary foods through good hygiene and proper food

handling are important to ensure that complementary foods are clean
and safe.
Complementary foods are clean and safe if they do not contain
pathogens, that is, no disease causing bacteria or harmful organisms
that cause conditions like diarrhea, vomiting, worms, typhoid, cholera,
hepatitis), no harmful chemicals, pesticides or toxins, no bones or hard
bits that may choke the child; and not boiling hot.
16.
What are some guideposts to maintain cleanliness?

Parents and caregivers must practice good hygiene and proper food
handling by:
a.
washing with soap and clean water the caregivers and

childrens hands before food preparation and eating
b.
using clean or potable water for food preparation
c.
using only fresh foods
d.
storing foods safely and serve foods immediately after food

preparation
e.
keeping perishable foods and cooked foods in a refrigerator or in

a cool place
f.
keeping away flies by covering cooked foods
g.
letting the child eat prepared foods within two hours if there is no
refrigerator
h.
storing leftovers properly
i.
feeding the child with a clean spoon, cup and plate
j.
keeping the house and the surroundings clean
k.
disposing children's waste properly and washing hands

afterwards
l.
keeping food and utensils in clean cabinets
m.
not "cooling" the baby's food by blowing on it
n.
not chewing the food first before giving it to the child.
12

To keep foods free from toxin and harmful chemicals, parents and
caregivers must:
a.
b.
c.
17.
keep and store foods properly

not use foods with molds and foods with signs of spoilage
keep chemicals away from children and in a separate cabinet.
How should parents and caregivers feed young children?

Inappropriate feeding practices and behaviors are important
determinants of malnutrition. Improving complementary feeding not
only requires appropriate foods, attention must also be given to
feeding behaviors of caregivers and family members. A child needs
support and assistance that is appropriate for his or her age and
developmental needs to ensure that he or she is eating adequate
amounts of complementary food. This is called responsive feeding.
Mothers and caregivers should practice responsive feeding by:
a.
Assisting children to eat, being sensitive to their cues or signals;
b. Feeding slowly and patiently, and encouraging children to eat but

not forcing them;
18.
c.
Talking to children during feeding with eye-to-eye contact as

these will also help develop his/her mental capacities;
d.
Trying different methods of encouragement and experimenting

with different food combinations, tastes, textures if the child
refuses to eat;
e.
Minimizing distractions during mealtimes if the child loses interest

easily; and
f.
Letting older children join family meals which they will really enjoy.
How do we know that the child is getting enough breast milk and
complementary foods?
Regularly monitoring the growth (weight and height) of the child is a
useful and important way to know if he/she is taking enough breast milk
and complementary food and is healthy. Measure his/her height and
weight regularly and plot these on a growth chart.
With sufficient breast milk and food of good nutritional quality, the
child's weight and height will continue to increase correspondingly with
his/her age. The growth chart can also be used as a tool for teaching
13

mothers and caregivers if they are feeding the child properly. A

decrease in the weight of the child is a signal that she/he is not
properly fed and or cared for.
19.
What infant mixes are available in the market?

There are many industrially-processed complementary foods readily
found in supermarkets, convenience stores and even the
neighborhood sari-sari stores that mothers and caregivers conveniently
use but these are often expensive and may not really provide the best
nutrition for infants and young children.
Other infant supplementary mixes are also available in selected areas
like the Nutripak Plus, Kalinga, Kalamay-hati and Insumix. These
products consist of a mixture of ground rice, mung beans, and sesame
or ground fish and are commonly used during feeding programs. They
are usually produced in a relatively lower scale, often by communitybased organization of women or by local government units, except for
Nutripak.
Even if a mother decides to feed commercially prepared infant foods
which are quick, easy and convenient to prepare, it is still important to
provide home-prepared foods so that the child will get accustomed to
a wide range of foods, flavors and textures.
20.
What are policies and programs that promote appropriate

complementary feeding practices?
a.
In 2002, WHO and UNICEF jointly developed the Global Strategy

for Infant and Young Child Feeding to revitalize world attention
to the impact that feeding practices have on the nutritional
status, growth and development, health, and survival of infants
and young children. It aims to improve the nutritional status of
infants and young children through optimal feeding and to
educate families on the correct way of feeding their children
from birth up to the first two years of life.
b.
The Philippines adopted the Global Strategy by renewing its

commitment to infant and young child nutrition. The National
Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding was issued through
DOH Administrative Order 2005-14 to guide health and nutrition
workers and other stakeholders to protect, promote and support
exclusive breastfeeding and timely and appropriate
complementary feeding practices. In support of this policy, the
14

National Plan of Action for IYCF was approved for 2005-2010.

Currently, the plan is being updated for the next medium-term.
21.
c.
The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Milk Code was

approved in 2006 through DOH Administrative Order 2006-0012
and was later upheld by the Supreme Court in 2007 to strengthen
the promotion, protection and support to breastfeeding and
regulation of marketing of breastmilk substitutes including infant
formulam milk products, foods and benerages, including bottlefed complementary foods when marketed as partial or total
replacement of breastmilk; feeding bottles and teats.
d.
The Medium-Term Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2005-2010

was updated for 2008-2010 to prioritize actions towards
improving infant and young child feeding. The MTPPAN will
likewise be updated for the next planning cycle, 2011-2016.
e.
Under the Promote Good Nutrition component of the

Accelerated Hunger-Mitigation Program (AHMP), the NNC is
conducting a multi-level campaign to promote infant and young
child feeding including conduct of trainings on IYCF counseling
to increase exclusive breastfeeding and promote appropriate
complementary feeding practices.
f.
In 2008, the DOH launched an integrated Maternal, Neonatal

and Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) Strategy. The MNCHN
Strategy works to ensure that all pregnancies are wanted,
planned, supported, and well-managed; deliveries are facilitybased and managed by skilled birth attendants; and all mothers
and newborns receive good postpartum and postnatal care. It
aims to improve health service delivery, proper regulation of
health facilities, capacity-building of health care staff, improved
health financing, and establishment of governance mechanisms
to ensure political commitment and accountability.
What can be done to promote complementary feeding practices?

Below are recommended ways by which infant and young child
feeding practices including complementary feeding can be
promoted, protected and supported:
a.
Pass local resolutions or ordinances supportive to infant and

young child feeding practices e.g. EO 51 enforcement, adoption
of RA 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act;
Adoption of National IYCF Policy;
15

b.
c.
22.
Organize and support breastfeeding/IYCF support groups to

provide peer-to-peer counseling to pregnant women and
mothers with infants 0-2 years old
Monitor the Milk Code and report violations
d.
Produce affordable ready-mixes of fortified complementary

foods; these could also be used during emergency feeding for
infants older than 6 months
e.
Develop local IEC materials promoting key messages on IYCF
f.
Conduct seminars, public fora to generate public awareness on

the importance of complementary feeding and dispel
misconceptions and fallacies
What are some ways to celebrate NM 2010?

Various stakeholders continue to celebrate nutrition month in a number
of ways. Some local government units conduct parades, healthy baby
contests, quiz bees, poster-making contests, seminars and lectures and
other activities. These are modified according to the current theme.
One way could be to conduct food demonstrations on the
preparation of nutritious complementary food mixes or conduct a
complementary feeding counseling day for mothers with young
children.
For more information or queries about NM, please write or call

The Nutrition Action Officer in your province/city/municipality or the
National Nutrition Council
2332 Chino Roces Avenue Extension
Taguig City
Telefax Numbers 843-5838 / 843-5818
E-mail: oed_nnc@yahoo.com / oed@nnc.gov.ph
16

References
_________________. Administrative Order 2006-0005.
_________________. Complementary feeding of young children in developing
countries: a review of current scientific knowledge. World Health
Organization, Geneva, WHO/NUT/98.1, 1998.
_________________. Global strategy for infant and young child feeding.
Geneva: World Health Organization; 2003.
_________________. Infant and young child counseling: An integrated course:
Participants manual. [Geneva: World Health Organization].
_________________. National Plan of Action for Infant and Young Child
Feeding, 2005-2010 (unpublished, undated).
_________________. Nutrition Guidelines for Filipinos. FNRI-DOST, Taguig City.
2000.
_________________. Updated Medium-Term Philippine Plan of Action for
Nutrition, 2008-2010. National Nutrition Council (unpublished, undated).
Department of Health. Administrative Order 2005-0014. National Policies on
Infant and Young Child Feeding
Food and Nutrition Research Institute, DOST. 7th National Nutrition Survey.
[Taguig City, Philippines: Food and Nutrition Research Institute, 2008].
Food and Nutrition Research Institute, DOST. Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos.
[Taguig City, Philippines: Food and Nutrition Research Institute, 2000].
National Nutrition Council. 2004 Nutrition Month Talking Points. (Unpublished).
National Statistical Coordination Board. National Demographic and Health
Survey, (2003).
Pan American Health Organization. Guiding Principles for Complementary
Feeding of the Breastfed Child. Washington DC: Pan American Health
Organization, World Health Organization, 2003.
Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization. Guiding
Principles for Complementary Feeding of the Breastfed Child. PAHO,
Washington DC, 2003.
World Health Organization. Infant and Young Child Feeding Counseling: An
Integrated Course: Trainers Guide. [Geneva: World Health
Organization].
17

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Republic of the Philippines

What is Nutrition Month?

What is the National Nutrition Council (NNC)?

Department of Health, Chair

For 2010-2011, the three private sector representatives are:

Ms. Carmen G. Jimenez-Ong

Dr. Elvira Lichuaco Henares-Esguerra, MD, FPDS, IBCLC, RPh,

Nutrition Month 2010

Ms. Graciela Eleazar

The NNC Secretariat serves as the implementing arm of the NNC

What is the theme for this years celebration?

Why focus on complementary feeding?

Nutrition Month 2010

consumption of nutritionally adequate, safe and appropriate

Figure 1. Percent of infants that received complementary

Source: NSCB. National Demographic and Health Survey, 2003.

Figure 2. Percent of infants below six months that received

CF before six(6) months

Nutrition Month 2010

What is complementary feeding?

What are the characteristics of desirable complementary feeding

given timely meaning that they are given at six completed

nutritionally adequate meaning that the recommended

safe meaning that they are hygienically stored and prepared,

properly fed meaning that foods are given consistent with a

When is the right time to start complementary feeding?

Nutrition Month 2010

Exclusive breastfeeding from birth up to six months and starting

holds his/her head straight when sitting down

Reduce breast milk production or intake. The early introduction

Contribute to increased rates of infant mortality and morbidity.

Nutrition Month 2010

Increase the risk of mothers becoming pregnant. Breastfeeding

On the other hand, delaying the giving of complementary foods is not

What are recommended complementary foods?

Nutrition Month 2010

Regulating (GLOW) foods: Included in this group are fruits and

Root crop (e.g. camote,

Meat, fish, and poultry,

Legumes (mongo, white

Cooking oil or margarine,

Custards, pudding, plain

(Note: Current recommendations from WHO refer to thicker

Nutrition Month 2010

Parents should be careful in giving young children shellfish and other

What are some guideposts when giving or preparing complementary

Start with small amounts of any food. Prepare only a small

Increase food consistency and variety as the child ages,

Diversify the diet of the child to improve quality and

Never force an infant to eat. One common mistake among

Nutrition Month 2010

Be patient when feeding the child. Mothers and caregivers

How can we improve the nutrient density or quality of complementary

The ordinary lugao can be made more nutritious and energy-dense

Cook lugao or other cereals thicker by preparing it with less

Nutrition Month 2010

Add mashed/finely chopped vegetable, meat, fish, eggs and

Add fortified milk, sugar or chocolate powder.

How much and how often should a child be fed?

OF FOODS TO GIVE THE CHILD

Amount at each meal1

Thick lugao, well mashed

2 times per day