According to 2017 End of Childhood Survey done by Save the Children, 'Philippines barely scraped into top 100 countries for a child to grow up in'. The international child welfare organization also pointed out in 2016 that the Philippines is facing the worst chronic malnutrition rates in 10 years. Emphasis on the word chronic. In their 2013 report entitled Cost of Hunger: Philippines, they found out that malnutrition in the country costs PHP 328 billion yearly. Again, emphasis on billion and yearly.
Malnutrition is best to be prevented during the first day of pregnancy of the mother until the baby becomes two years old. This is the first 1,000 days of life or the 'Golden Window of Opportunity'.
During this period, if the mother and the child/ren is/are given the right nutrition, proper guidance, and proper health care interventions, the baby/ies can achieve his/her/their optimal growth and development.
This is what Dok Ricky, Pedia ng Barangay is trying to address. All about maternal and child care especially the first 1,000 days of the baby. I think the show aims to reach the C, D, and E audience or the masa. Most parents do not want to go to the hospital or even clinics for fear of expenses with the consultations aside from the medicines and vitamins they have to get for their young ones.
The cast of Dok Ricky, Pedia ng Barangay
Recent episodes showed the importance of breast feeding. I am so proud that on TV, it was able to show breasts and nipples. They showed a demo on how a mother can have express breast milk. This is stored breast milk. So when mothers need to go to work, the fathers or guardians can feed the baby express breast milk. I've learned so many things on that episode.
I learned that babies shouldn't be fed using the beberon or feeding bottle because they might have nipple confusion. We can use clean cups where they can drink the breast milk. Just a short kuwento. I told that to my Nanay.
Me: Nanay! Tignan mo. Dapat hindi mo kami pinagbeberon dati!Nanay: Eh baby pa kayo non!
See? Even my Nanay did not know about it. O baka pasaway siya. But my lil bro and I were breastfed.
Breastfeeding is not a sexual thing. It isn't something you should be ashamed of. It's something you should be proud of. Your kids should drink breast milk until they are two years old.
Dok Ricky, Pedia ng Barangay also discussed the importance on why there's a need for mothers to give birth in birthing facilities or hospitals instead of the traditional hilot -- known here in the Philippines. After giving birth, health workers will conduct the Unang Yakap procedures. It has three steps:
- Drying the baby
- Putting the baby on top of the mother's chest (like embrace or hug -- Unang Yakap: First embrace) to make sure the baby gets warm, he/she gets to bond with the mother, and the baby can breastfeed.
- The umbilical cord is not immediately cut
So moms-to-be, parents-to-be, make sure you always have your regular check-ups. Your barangays have health centers where in you can have consultations for free. There's a Dok Ricky who will help you to take care of your little one/s.
Dok Ricky, Pedia ng Barangay airs on ABS-CBN every Saturday, 8:00 A.M with Dominic Ochoa as Dok Ricky. Together with him are Lousie Abuel, Yen Santos, Kristel Fulgar, CJ Navato, Raul Morit, and Lotlot Bustamante. Directed by Director John Red, Dok Ricky Pedia is a partnership between ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. and National Nutrition Council.
Be updated with the show by following it's social media accounts: @dokrickypedia (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram)
Note: This is not an official PR for Dok Ricky Pedia. Just some opinions. My grammar may not even be correct. Haha!
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What do you think, Awesome?