Manila 9 Aug (ANA) - Mothers around the world have bared their chests in an event to promote and raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding. From the Philippines to Romania, breastfeeding mothers have taken to the streets armed their infants to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week which is held every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 120 countries. First celebrated in 1992 WBW promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) agree the practice yields tremendous health benefits, providing critical nutrients, protection from deadly diseases such as pneumonia and fostering growth and development. Mothers proudly breastfed their children while holding up signs such as 'breast is best', 'new generation mums love breastfeeding' and 'breastfeeding is nation building'. One mother said she was proud to have breastfed her daughter for more than three years.  Breastfeeding is protected by various laws in the Philippines, which grants mothers the right to breastfeed in public and taking breastfeeding breaks at work.  While UNICEF and the World Health Organisation promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, only 34 per cent of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed. Pro-breastfeeding groups have protested against the rise of breast milk substitutes, such as baby milk formulas. The Milk Code of the Philippines prohibits the advertising of infant formula or bottle teats for infants under two years old.(ANA) 

FA/ANA/9 August 2016------