Business establishments and offices in Antique are encouraged to establish a breastfeeding room to accommodate lactating moms while outside of their homes.

Antique Provincial Nutrition Action Officer designate Irene Duldoco, in an interview on Thursday, said that exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, as part of the first 1,000 days of babies, is crucial to their development.

“We are strongly campaigning for establishments and offices to have lactation rooms for mothers because exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of the life of an infant is crucial in preventing malnutrition,” she said.

Malnutrition experienced by infants during their first 1,000 days could also affect their intelligence quotient.

According to Duldoco, parents can introduce mashed vegetables, potatoes, and beans as complementary foods at six months, alongside continued breastfeeding.

“So far there are only a few establishments or malls and offices in Antique that have breastfeeding rooms,” Duldoco said.

Duldoco added that they will be monitoring the compliance of establishments, malls and offices in Antique with Republic Act 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act and the Department of Health guidelines, requiring them to have functional, private, and sanitary breastfeeding rooms.

“Advocating for exclusive breastfeeding is one of the measures that could bring down the malnutrition rate in our province,” Duldoco said.

IPHO data showed that in 2025, Antique had a 5.5 percent prevalence rate for underweight and severe underweight among zero-to 59-month-olds, 9.5 percent for stunting and severe stunting,2.6 percent for overweight and obese, and 1.3 percent for moderate wasting and severe wasting.

The advocacy was in line with the national observance of the 52nd Nutrition Month this July in Antique. (PNA)