BREASTFEEDING BEYOND 1 YEAR: BARRIERS AND ISSUES

"Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (November). For this month, participants share their experiences on extended breastfeeding. This includes tips to moms with young babies, as well as barriers and myths which discourage extended nursing. Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants."

**************************************

I breastfed my now 6-year old daughter C until she was 2 years old. I am still breastfeeding my baby B who is now 14 months old.

Whether one is breastfeeding an infant or a toddler, one thing has remained the same--breastfeeding benefits the child and the mother. Having this evidence-based fact in mind, I made a conscious decision to breastfeed for as long as possible.

The issues and concerns that I have in breastfeeding a toddler are the same and yet different from the concerns I've had while breastfeeding an infant. 

Pain. With my baby B, I dealt with sore nipples for the first two weeks due to improper latch. When he started teething at around 6 months, I had to endure the occasional bites until he learned that he is not supposed to "bite" the "goose that lays the golden egg", or in this case, the mom who produces the liquid gold. (Sorry, my Tax Law Review class is about to start. I've been reading a number of cases where the Supreme Court used this idiom.)  

Now that B is more than a year old, he has suddenly transformed into a Manny Pacquiao boxing wannabe and a football striker, rolled into one. My days and nights of reading while breastfeeding have ended. I have to be alert to make sure that B does not get a lucky kick straight to my jaw. Gentle hands and gentle feet, something that I've learned from my daughters' pre-school teachers, has become a favorite reminder to my baby B.

Supply. "Is my baby getting enough?" This is one of the common concerns of breastfeeding moms, especially during the first few weeks of breastfeeding. Fortunately for me, this was not a problem. That was until my daily yield of expressed breastmilk (EBM) went down from 24 ounces to 15 ounces when B was around 9 months old. The decrease, coupled with the fact that B is not as chubby as his formula-fed counterparts, made me question myself if B is getting enough milk and nutrients. 

But my worrying about my milk supply in relation to B's weight gain was short-lived. Why should I needlessly fret when B is an active, healthy toddler who drinks breastmilk and eats complementary solid food, and is regularly seen by his pedia? And instead of using the growth chart in B's free baby book which is most likely based on the growth of formula-fed children, I used the WHO growth chart after learning that this new chart "makes breastfeeding the biological 'norm' and establishes the breastfed infant as the normative growth model."

Besides, a study showed that in the second year (12-23 months) of life, 448 ml (about 15 ounces) of breastmilk provides:

• 29% of energy requirements
• 43% of protein requirements
• 36% of calcium requirements
• 75% of vitamin A requirements
• 76% of folate requirements
• 94% of vitamin B₁₂ requirements
• 60% of vitamin C requirements

Time. As a full-time working mom who is usually out of the house from 6 am to 8 pm every working day, I need to express milk several times in the office. I need to do this in order to maintain my milk supply and ensure that B will have something to drink while I'm not with him. It's a good thing that Republic Act No. 10028, otherwise known as the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 (EBPA), grants nursing employees paid lactation breaks of not less than 40 minutes for every 8-hour working period. And as I've written in my previous post, nursing employees who are breastfeeding children up to 36 months of age are entitled to this break. Yes, up to 36 months!

Support. I am fortunate to have supportive family, friends, employer and co-workers who never questioned or commented on, no matter how well meaning the comment may sound, my decision to breastfeed my daughter C until she was 2 years old. I even brought C, who was then 17 months old, to an out-of-town strategic planning session. 

If you don't have a support group, then this is a good time to join one. You'll be surprised at the number of local breastfeeding support groups we have here in the country! 

Breastfeeding in Public. It is possible, however, that you may get unsolicited comments and stares while breastfeeding an older child in public. You may consider these suggestions from babycenter.com: 

• If you're bothered by unsolicited comments and stares, you might find it easier to nurse your child at home before heading out to the store or the park. Some moms find it more acceptable to nurse at set times during the day — like in the morning, before naps, or before bed — and teach their toddlers to drink from a cup during meals and snacks.
• If you don't care what people think or say, then have some snappy responses ready when someone asks you the inevitable question: "Is she still nursing?" Sometimes a simple "yes" is the best conversation stopper. Or, the next time you're nursing in public and someone asks, "Are you ever going to stop breastfeeding?" say, "Yes, in about ten minutes."

Now, I happen to fall under the second category!

What about you? What concerns did you deal with or are dealing with in breastfeeding your child beyond 1 year?

*******************************
Please do take the time to read the posts of the other blog carnival participants:

J and the Three Boys - No more "de-de"

My Mommyology - My Extended Breastfeeding Experience

Mommyluscious - Breastfeeding for Two Beyond Two

Truly Rich Mom - On Extended Breastfeeding (a perfectly normal thing to do)

Life of a Babywearing and Breastfeeding Mommy - Still breastfeeding after 2 years

Got To Believe - Breastfeeding Room Story

Apples and Dumplings - My Constant Challenge with Extending Breastfeeding

Mommy Kuwentos - Challenges and Rewards of Extended Breastfeeding

The Odyssey of Dinna - Nurturing Rafael: Extended Breastfeeding, Stretching Some More Lovin'

Homeschooling Mommy - Yes, I've Got Milk

SOlovelyN - As long as he wants, I can

Touring Kitty - Extended Breastfeeding is Possible

SassyBiatcheMom's World - 1.4 and still breastfeeding

Mec as Mom - Shooting for the Benefits, Extending the Love

Chronicles of a Nursing Mom - Barriers/Myths vs. Extended Breastfeeding

BREASTFEEDING TALK BETWEEN ME AND MY FORMULA-FED DAUGHTER

"Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (August). For this month, we join the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action in its "Talk to Me!" theme where participants will share personal experiences, insights or recommendations in communicating breastfeeding intentions and goals to their support system. Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants."

*******************************

"Ma, did you breastfeed me when I was a baby?" my second daughter asked me one afternoon.

"I did. I breastfed you for two years."

"What about me?" my 8-year old firstborn inquired.

It took me a while to answer her. The truth is, I breastfed her for a few days only. Due to delivery-related complications, I was given medicines that the doctors said were not safe for a newborn. My first month after giving birth was spent confined at a hospital, and going back and forth the emergency room due to high fever, vomiting, and severe allergic reaction to medicines. By the time it was safe to breastfeed my daughter, my milk had dried up and she absolutely refused to latch.

So, how does one discuss breastfeeding with a child who was formula-fed? How does one emphasize the importance of breastfeeding to a daughter who, in a brood of three, happens to be the only one who was not breastfed?

I distinctly remember that while I was thinking hard and fast on how to answer her, there were three things that I wanted to be clear about. 

First, I love her very much and my actions and decisions have always been guided by that unconditional love. 

Second, breastmilk is still the best for babies under most circumstances and had it been medically safe for her to have my breastmilk, I would have willingly and lovingly breastfed her.

Third, while I intend to breastfeed B, her youngest brother, for as long as possible, my breastfeeding goal is not limited to that. As a mom of two girls, it is my long-term goal to raise daughters who, when the time comes, would choose to breastfeed. But I know that it would be difficult to do that if F perceives breastfeeding negatively as a result of her being the only one who was not breastfed. 

With the "what I want to say" being clear in my mind, I began to answer her question both in words and in deed. 

1. Honesty is still the best policy. "Yes, I breastfed you but for a few days only," I told F. I could have just answered her yes because technically, that is true. (Ah, have you noticed how lawyers often resort to technicalities? But I digress.) I've always tried to be honest with my children. I wasn't about to start lying to her by omission.

2. It's all about love. I emphasized to her that I love all three of them--her, my firstborn, her little sister and the bunso. Because I love all of my children, I want to give them the best milk. And breastmilk is still the best for babies under most circumstances. 

This, I told her, is the reason why I breastfed her sister for two years and am still breastfeeding her baby brother who is now 11 months old. And my unconditional love for her is also the reason why I breastfed her for the first few days of her life. 

3. I never assumed that she would not understand me. I explained to her that while I've always intended to breastfeed her, I would never knowingly put her at risk. Unfortunately, because of all the medication that I was taking after giving birth, it was not advisable for me to breastfeed her (or at least that's what my doctors told me).

"I get it. You were sick and you didn't want me to get sick also," she said.

Come to think of it, that perfectly summed it up.

4. I let her (and my other daughter) be a "part" of my breastfeeding relationship with baby B. I always make sure that she feels welcome to stay with me while I'm breastfeeding B. I also pointed out that my breastfeeding B benefits not only the baby but the entire family, including her and her sister. How? Since breastmilk is free, she knows that Mom and Dad don't have to buy formula milk. Instead, we can use the money to watch movies or buy her favorite Geronimo Stilton books.

5. I discuss breastfeeding with her and correlate it with her experiences. For example, last December, she and my second daughter had a terrible bout of cough and cold which necessitated frequent visits to the doctor. She had to drink nasty-tasting antibiotics in order to get well. And then she remembered that B did not get sick at that time. She concluded that it must be because B was drinking breastmilk!          

I am happy to say that most of my breastfeeding pictures were taken by my daughter F. And when she started doing this, I knew that she understood my message--that breastmilk is still best for babies.

But more importantly, she knows that I love her, breastfed or not. 

*On hindsight, how I wish I knew then that relactation is possible. This is why being informed about breastfeeding is so important and crucial to a successful breastfeeding experience.

**My daughter is not only a part of my support group. Had she felt bad knowing that she was the only one who was not breastfed, it would probably be difficult for me to continue breastfeeding B openly.

Please do read the posts of the other blog carnival participants:

Communication and First Time Breastfeeders 
Creating a Pro-Breastfeeding Culture in the Family
How to get others to support you in breastfeeding
Pre-Natal Pediatric Consultations Are Necessary
On breastfeeding: Say it, claim it, get support!
My Best Breastfeeding Support System — My Husband
Communication through Breastfeeding
Escie's World: Ready, Get Set, Go! for Breastfeeding
I'm breastfeeding, and that's that.
BreasTALK : Text, Retweet, Share your Knowledge and Experiences
A Shout out to My Breastfeeding Buddies
Talk and Make It Happen
How I Taught the Family to "Breastfeed"
Effective Communication Bucket List
6 persuasion tips for breastfeeding moms and advocates
How I recruited my top breastfeeding buddies
Couple's Decision and Communication: Key to Successful Breastfeeding
A-S-Ks (On Breastfeeding Questions, Help, Support)

MOMMY NECKLACE, MY NON-ESSENTIAL NURSING MUST-HAVE!

A non-essential but a must-have? Isn't that a contradiction?

If you are a nursing mom like me, you most probably have experienced hair pulling, arm pinching, and having little hands touching your nose, your lips, you name it. Not to mention the times when you have to deal with a fussy, distracted baby. 

That was until I discovered the Mommy Necklace, a stylish but SAFE accessory that is both Mommy and baby-friendly.

Why non-essential? Because even without it, I CAN still breastfeed B.

But with the Mommy Necklace, this Mom gets to be more fashionista-looking without compromising the safety of her baby.

Wearing the dangling donut necklace.

With the Aurora Flat Rock.

I like it so much that I wear it even though B is not with me.

Wearing the Allure Flat Rock in the office.

Aside from being nice, the Mommy Necklace is functional. No more hair-pulling and arm-pinching while nursing. And it also helps keep B quiet and busy.

B is playing with the donut necklace while nursing.

Most importantly, it is SAFE for babies. No lead. No phthalates. And it's guaranteed from breakage.

No wonder that my Mommy Necklace has become a non-essential nursing must-have!

**********************************

Note: All of the necklaces shown here were paid for. I decided to write a post about the Mommy Necklace since I've been receiving a number of comments and questions about it.

HAND EXPRESSION SAVED THE DAY!

Oh no! I left my electric breast pump at home!

Every working day, I bring to my office two containers--a Coleman soft cooler where I put my storage bottles, breast pump flanges and ice packs, and a white plastic box where I put my electric pump. While I always check if the green and white containers are in the car, I failed to do it this one time. Then, Murphy's law struck!

I have no choice but to learn how to hand express breastmilk. And I had to learn it fast.

Fortunately, I came across this video on the Marmet Hand Expression technique.

After watching the video twice, I was more or less confident to give the Marmet technique a try. I am happy to say that after expressing twice (one at 12 noon and the other at 5 pm), I was able to express 8 ounces of breastmilk. Not bad for a first timer!

Of course, this was way below my usual yield when using my ever reliable electric pump. But at the very least, I didn't have to endure the discomfort (and even pain) of engorged breasts.

Here are the things I learned while doing the Marmet technique:

• When done properly, it is NOT painful at all. The only discomfort I felt was in my right arm, the one I used  to express milk. I was able to lessen the ngawit by placing my right elbow on an arm rest. (I guess with more practice, I would be able to learn how to use my left hand effectively.)

• Use a wide-mouth bottle to collect the milk. I could just imagine how difficult it would be to collect the squirting milk with the more common narrow-mouth bottles.

• I was able to collect more by expressing alternately from right to left breast.

• Have clean tissues near you to wipe off milk drops. It is extremely difficult to get a good positioning of your fingers when the skin around/under the areola is wet. Without good positioning of fingers, you will not be able to express milk effectively. 

Hand expression of breastmilk is one HANDY skill to learn.

• This is especially important for moms who have just given birth and who, for one reason or another, cannot directly feed their babies yet. I found this video from Stanford School of Medicine's site showing how hand expression can be used in getting the much-needed colostrum. (If only I knew about this! In the hospital where I gave birth, I had to go to the nursery to breastfeed my baby during the first 24 hours. Now this was extremely difficult for someone who has just undergone a cesarian operation.)  

• For moms who are suffering from sore nipples, hand expression will buy you some time to rest and at the same time, you will still be able to feed your babies with expressed breastmilk.

• For stay-at-home moms who need to express milk occasionally only, why buy pump when hand expression can do the job?

• For working moms who have limited budget, why waste your money on a bicycle horn pump? True, it is inexpensive. However, it is not efficient at all and is even painful to use. Some experts discourage use of the bicycle horn pumps because they may be difficult to clean and dry. (Source: US FDA) 

• For working moms who have efficient pumps, in cases of emergency (e.g., you left your pump, some parts are missing, etc.), hand expression will save the day! 

WHY I DON'T NURSE IN BREASTFEEDING ROOMS

"Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (July). For this month, we join the National Nutrition Council - Department of Health in celebrating Nutrition Month with the theme "Isulong ang Breastfeeding - Tama, Sapat at EKsklusibo!" Participants will share their experiences in promoting breastfeeding or their tips on how breastfeeding should be promoted. Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants."

*****************

I don't nurse in breastfeeding rooms. Never did. Never will.

Don't get me wrong. I laud the malls' program to put up breastfeeding rooms. In a country where malls spread like mushrooms and where malling has evolved into a national pastime, providing rooms where moms could breastfeed in relative peace is indeed commendable. 

But I don't nurse in breastfeeding rooms. And my decision has nothing to do with their location, size or cleanliness. (Considering how bad I am with directions, B might already be howling in hunger by the time I find the breastfeeding room.) 

It's about promotion. As an advocate of breastfeeding, I've been religiously writing blog posts about it. I talk to my friends and colleagues about it. I even wrote an article about my experience as a full-time working and breastfeeding mom in a local newspaper! But I know that nothing beats seeing a breastfeeding mom in action.

So when I'm in the mall, I don't nurse in breastfeeding rooms.

I breastfeed in cafes. 

While nursing B in a cafe...

Guess who passed by less than 2 meters away from me? 

I breastfeed in restaurants.

Breastfeeding while waiting for our food.

I love this red breastfeeding boncho!

Look how stylish it is!

With the SaYa carrier which doubles as a breastfeeding cover.

Come to think of it, I have nursed practically anywhere as long as there is a chair I can comfortably sit on.

Hmm, I think this was in Tree Top, Subic.

At a hotel-resort. (I just pull the boncho a bit to make sure that
B can breathe properly.)

By the beach.

Besides, breastfeeding in public places has become an opening (no pun intended) to a number of interesting conversations. One lola, seeing me breastfeed B, said that B is very lucky. Why? Because he's drinking breastmilk. She said that her apo drinks formula because her daughter-in-law is a working mom. Aha, you could probably guess where our talk led to.   

I understand that there are some moms who may feel uncomfortable nursing in public, what with so many prying eyes. But there are a number of ways in which moms can breastfeed in public discreetly. Here's an informative post on nursing in public.

I do not know what really happened. But somehow, formula-feeding became the norm. Ask yourself. When you are in the mall, how often do you see babies and young children drink formula from bottles? Now, how often do you see moms breastfeeding their babies and young children? 

More than ever, our generation needs to reclaim what has been lost. We need to send the message that breastfeeding is as natural as breathing. We need to educate the younger women that breastfeeding is normal and is not something to be ashamed of. We can only do that if people begin seeing moms breastfeed their young ones anywhere and everywhere. 

For in the end, actions speak louder than words. 

And this is why I don't nurse in breastfeeding rooms. 

*Please read the breastfeeding stories of other gorgeous moms here:

Three Ways I Promote Breastfeeding by Example by Dainty Mom

A Simple Breastfeeding Campaign by The Lazy Mama

I Am A Breastfeeding Mom by The Painter's Wife
On Promoting Breastfeeding by ImPerfectly Created
Breastfeeding Promotion Tips from a Formula Feeder by The Fearless Formula Feeder
The Low-Milk-Supply Mommy Did It! by The Odyssey of Dinna
Milk Mama Diaries 3 by Benz Rana
Breastfeeding Mama by canDIshhh
I *heart* Breastfeeding by The Mum Side
Spreading the Word on Breastfeeding by Mommy Kwentos
A Breastfeeding Formula-Fed Mother by Soprano Mom
Breastfeeding: Promoting It Even If I Didn't Get Lucky The First Time Around by Glamma Momma 
Taking Breastfeeding Further by Mec as a Mom

I am your breastfeeding friend by Chrissy 

More on Breastfeeding Promotion plus a Guest Post by Chronicles of a Nursing Mom 

Breastfeeding Promotion - A View from a UK Doctor by Dr Sarah
Thoughts of a Lactating Counselor: Breastfeeding is More of Psychology by Handy Mommy
Celebrating my Magic Milk by Denise Gonzales (@deelirious)
Breastfeeding Sisters by Isis Evasco


And a post by one really cool DAD:
Why It's Easy to Support Your Breastfeeding Wife When Your Favorite Sport is Basketball! by Jonathan Adam Roxas

A WORKING MOM'S BREASTFEEDING STORY (PART 2)

Breastfeeding at the beach!

I'm a breastfeeding mom who has not bought a can of formula since the birth of my now 9-month old baby.

I also happen to be a full-time working mom. I usually leave the house at 6 am to bring my older daughters to school and I normally arrive back home at 8 pm, what with the traffic and all. 

In my previous post, I discussed the preparations I made before going back to work. These pre-work preparations helped me ensure that I would still be able to breastfeed Basti even if I'm not with him for around 14 hours each working day.   

5) Pumping at Work. Except for emergency meetings, I usually know what my work schedule would be for the day. I know beforehand if I have an out-of-town hearing or an out-of-the-office meeting on a particular day. 

Here are the things that I normally do on an ordinary working day: 

• I pump every 3-4 hours, schedule permitting. I pump upon arriving at the office, during lunchtime (I have a 2-hour lunch break), and before going back home. Note: Under the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, a female worker who is breastfeeding her baby or young child is entitled to lactation breaks. You may want to check my post on lactation periods here.
• I'm fortunate to have my own room and a small conference table which I converted into my "pumping station". (This is why lactation station in the workplace is so important!)
• While pumping, I don't think about work! During my first month of pumping at work, I did breathing exercises and imagined that I was holding my baby. But once I got the hang of it, I just breathe deeply  while reading the newspapers. (Well, you really need to take a deep breath when reading the papers!)    
• I don't sterilize the flanges of my breast pump after every use. I just put them inside a lock n lock box and store them inside the freezer. (Five years ago and not knowing any better, I used to sterilize my flanges after every use. I swear, nakakapagod siya!) 

(I once pumped at the basement ladies' room of Shangrila EDSA. Why? Because I was too lazy to pump before leaving work thinking that I would be home within an hour or two. And then the unexpected happened. No, it's not the heavy traffic because that's to be expected.)

6) Storage Tips

I use BPA-free plastic bottles and cups in storing breastmilk.  BPA-free and pre-sterilized disposable plastic bags are used only as a back-up. There are a number of breastmilk bags that are locally available. The cheapest but effective brand that I found is Spectra at PhP200 per 30 bags. 

Milk that could be consumed by Basti within 6 days from expression are stored in the refrigerator (the guidelines say 8 days). I don't put them in the freezer because I read somewhere that "the antimicrobial properties of human milk are better preserved with refrigeration." 

For more information on milk storage guidelines, you may want to check this and this. 

Oh, and since I'm a little OC when it comes to expressing and storing breastmilk, I'm using a separate small refrigerator for my stash.

Those that can be consumed within 6 days are not placed in the freezer.

The 4 bottles containing 5-6 ounces of milk on the upper tray are for Basti's consumption within the day. These are on top of his 3 meals of semi-solid food now that he's 9 months old. I do direct breastfeeding once I'm home.

These are my reserves. This freezer has its own door.

7) That Extra Pump.

While the milk that I expressed in the office is more than sufficient to meet Basti's needs for the next day, I made a commitment to do an extra pump at night. Not only are they my reserves. These are the milk that I could share with moms who need breastmilk for their babies. In a country where there are only a handful (one hand lang yata) of breastmilk banks, moms do not have much choice but to ask for help from one another. (This is another reason why the IRR of the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 should be prioritized. In the said law, health institutions are encouraged to set up "milk banks for storage of breastmilk donated by mothers and which have undergone pasteurization.")

I'm not saying that breastfeeding while working is easy. It is not. It requires commitment and hard work on your part. 

But it certainly is possible!

THE IRR OF RA 10028: NOW IT'S SIGNED, NOW IT'S NOT!

Fifteen months. It has been 15 months since Republic Act No. 10028, otherwise known as the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 (EBPA), was signed into law by GMA. 

Under Section 18 of the said law, the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the other departments and government agencies, is mandated to issue the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within 120 days from the effectivity of the EBPA.

Obviously, that period has long transpired. 

So where is the signed IRR?

Sometime in March 2011, breastfeeding advocates got hold of a copy of the IRR signed by the DOH Secretary. This signed IRR created an uproar in the brestfeeding community. Why? It appears that its Sec. 10 imposed an additional condition, one that is difficult to meet that it effectively puts to naught the provision on the establishment of lactation stations. Sec. 10 of the supposedly signed IRR is quoted below:

"Section 10. Minimum Requirements in the Establishment of Lactation Stations. - It is hereby mandated that all health and non-health facilities, establishments or institutions, which have at least 100 women of reproductive age working in the establishment or institution, including public places, shall establish lactation stations. x x x"

For a more a detailed write-up on this, you may check the post of fellow lawyer J. of Chronicles of a Nursing Mom here.

So when I was writing my previous post regarding lactation periods, I decided to check the website of the DOH for a copy of the supposedly signed IRR. Lo and behold! As per the DOH website, the IRR of RA 10028 is for public hearing! I checked it again this afternoon and this is what I saw:

See the date and time on the lower right hand side!

Close-up view

I was able to download a copy of the draft by clicking "Draft IRR of RA 10028". Interestingly, the highly controversial Section 10 is worded as follows:

"Section 10.   Minimum Requirements in the Establishment of Workplace Lactation Stations. - It is hereby mandated that all health and non-health facilities, establishments or institutions shall establish lactation stations. x x x"

The questionable and highly contentious requirement of at least 100 women of reproductive age is no longer found in the said draft!

It's possible that the DOH website is simply not updated. I sent a message to DOH Breastfeeding TSEK asking if the IRR of RA 10028 has already been signed. The answer--Not yet.

Not contented with this, I called the DOH hotline and was able to talk with someone who confirmed that the DOH Secretary had indeed previously signed the IRR. Unfortunately, it was the wrong draft/version. Which is why the previously signed IRR has not been published!

So there you have it--the case of the now it's signed, now it's not IRR!

GIVE ME A (PUMPING) BREAK!

Lactation Periods. Have you ever heard of it?

On 16 March 2010, GMA signed into law Republic Act No. 10028, otherwise known as the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 (EBPA). The EBPA introduced a number of significant changes to Republic Act No. 7600, more popularly known as the Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992.  

One of these changes is the right of nursing employees to lactation periods. I am quoting the pertinent provision of the EBPA for easier reference: 

 "Sec. 12. Lactation Periods. - Nursing employees shall be granted break intervals in addition to the regular time-off for meals to breastfeed or express milk. These intervals, which shall include the time it takes an employee to get to and from the workplace lactation station, shall be counted as compensable hours worked. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) may adjust the same: Provided, That such intervals shall not be less than a total of forty (40) minutes for every eight (8)-hour working period."

In short, lactation periods are breaks given to a nursing employee in order for her to breastfeed or express milk.

What does the EBPA say about Lactation Periods?

1. All establishments are required to grant nursing employees lactation periods. Unlike the establishment of a lactation station where an employer, upon application, may be exempted from complying under certain circumst ances, there is no similar provision on lactation breaks. (Sec. 4, EBPA)
2. Nursing employees are entitled to lactation periods. Under the law, a nursing employee is any female worker, regardless of employment status, who is breastfeeding her infant and/or young child. (Sec. 3(r), EBPA) Employment status is immaterial. 
3. Just to be clear, the definition states “any female worker”. It does not say married. Thus, civil status is immaterial.
4. The 4th child limit does not apply here. So yes, you are entitled to lactation periods even if the baby/young child you're breastfeeding is your 5th child. (Under the SSS Law, maternity benefits shall be paid only for the first 4 delivers or miscarriages.)
5. The inclusion of “young child” in the definition of nursing employee expands the coverage to moms who are breastfeeding older children up to 36 months of age. [Sec. 3(r) in relation to Sec. 3(z), EBPA] This is actually better than the US Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which grants reasonable break time for mothers who are pumping for babies under one year of age only.
6. The break is in addition to the regular time-off for meals and is counted as compensable hours worked. (Sec. 7, EBPA; Sec. 12 of RA 7600, as amended by the EBPA) That means that there should not be any deduction from your salary for taking lactation breaks.  
7. The break is given to nursing employees for them “to breastfeed or express milk”. Again, this is better than the US PPACA which covers only milk expression and not direct breastfeeding.
8. The time it takes an employee to get to and from the workplace lactation station is included in the break. This is why it’s important that the lactation station is strategically located in your workplace. You don’t want to waste 30 minutes of your 40-minute break just walking to and from the lactation station.
9. The break shall not be less than a total of forty (40) minutes for every eight (8)-hour working period. It could be more! (So contrary to the pic above, you do have to return to work and it's not whenever you want!)
10. For failure to comply, the following are the penalties:

·         First Offense – Fine of not less than PhP50 Thousand but not more than PhP200 Thousand

·         Second Offense – Fine of not less than PhP200 Thousand but not more than PhP1 Million

·         Third Offense – Fine of not less than PhP500 Thousand but not more than PhP1 Million AND the cancellation or revocation of the business permits or licenses to operate. (Sec. 21, EBPA)

                 

Ok, so why did I not mention anything about the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act?

Because this one deserves another story.  It’s the story of the now-it’s-signed-now-it’s-not IRR.

Source: Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers by Kori Martin