Ancog, J - DDD

The Child Health Programs (Newborn, Infants, and Children)

The newborns, infants, and children are vulnerable age groups for common
childhood diseases. The risk of infection among children is higher when not screened for
metabolic disorders, not exclusively breastfed, unvaccinated, not properly managed when sick.

 Child health programs available in all health facilities:

- Infant and Young Child feeding
- Newborn Screening
- Management of Childhood diseases
- Micronutrient Supplementation
- Dental Health
- Early Childhood Development
- Child Health Injuries

Strategic Thrusts for 2005 – 2020

 Develop local capacity to deliver the whole range of essential health packages for children.
Pursue the Sentrong Sigla initiative to ensure quality of health services at the peripheral
levels, and identify priority areas for health systems development.

 Implement programs and projects that favor disadvantaged populations. These should
address the needs of the children with disabilities, children in areas of armed conflict, street
children, children among indigenous peoples, among others.
 Apply the Reaching every Barangay (REB) strategy for immunization to reach every child.
 Intensify education and information campaigns at the ground level to increase the proportion
of mothers (and caretakers) practicing behaviors that promote children’s health, such as
breastfeeding, ensuring child’s immunization, oral rehydration for sick children, knowledge of
danger signs of common childhood illnesses and control of child labor and other child abuse
practices.
 Enhance medical, nursing and midwifery education with cost-effective life-saving strategies
such as the IMCI and the BEMOC.

 Pursue the implementation of laws

and policies for the protection of
newborns, infants and children
such as Early Childhood
 development Act of 2000,
Newborn Screening Act of 2004,
Executive Order 286 for the Bright
Child Program, Executive order 51
also known as the Milk Code, the
Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act,
etc.
 Pursue the implementation of laws and policies for the protection of newborns, infants and
children such as Early Childhood development Act of 2000, Newborn Screening Act of 2004,
Executive Order 286 for the Bright Child Program, Executive order 51 also known as the Milk
Code, the Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act, etc.

IMCI – Integrated management of Childhood diseases

BEMOC – Basic Emergency Obstetric Care

Infant and Young Child Feeding

National Plan of Action for 2005 – 2010 for infant and young child feeding:

 Goal: reduce child mortality rate by 2/3 by 2015

 Objective: to improve the survival of infants and young children by improving

their nutritional status, growth, and development through optimal feeding.
: to improve health and nutrition status of infants and young children

 Outcome: to improve exclusive and extended breastfeeding and complementary

feeding
 - Specific outcomes
a) 70% of newborns are initiated into breastfeeding within an hour after being born
b) 60% of infants are exclusively breastfed up to 6 months
c) 90% of infants are started on complementary feeding by 6 months of age
d) Median duration of breastfeeding is up to 18 months

Key messages on infant and young child feeding

a) Initiate breastfeeding within 1hr after birth

b) Exclusive for the first 6 months of life
c) Complement feeding at 6 months with appropriate foods, excluding milk supplements
d) Extend breastfeeding up to 2yrs and beyond
e) Exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding

Importance of breastfeeding

1. It has psycho-emotional benefits for children and mother

2. Economic benefits
3. Health benefits

Benefits of breastfeeding

To infants:

 Provides a nutritional complete food for the young infant

 Strengthens the infant’s immune system, preventing many infections
 Safely rehydrates and provides essential nutrients to a sick child, especially to those
suffering from diarrheal diseases
 Reduces the infant’s exposure to infection
 Increase IQ points

To mothers:

 Reduces woman’s risk of excessive blood loss after birth

 Provides natural methods of delaying pregnancies
  Reduces risk of ovarian and breast cancers and osteoporosis

To household and community:

 Conserve the funds that otherwise would be spent on breast milk substitute,
supplies and fuel to prepare them
 Saves medical costs of families and government by preventing illnesses and by
providing immediate postpartum and contraception

Complementary feeding (TAPS)

Timely – may be introduced when the need for energy and nutrients exceeds what the
exclusive breastfeeding can provide

Adequate – provide sufficient energy, protein, and micronutrients to meet the growing
child’s nutritional needs

Properly fed – only give food with a child’s signals of hunger and that feeding methods
should be suitable to child’s age

Safe – properly prepared and use of utensils should be sure of its cleanliness and not the
use of bottles and teats.

Low – Birth Weight Children – means a birth weight of less than 2,500g. This is usually seen
in babies that are born before term (premature) at risk to various infections LBW babies born
at term, usually suckle effectively unlike with preterm babies

– breastfeeding is best for them than bottle feeding.

Fluid Needs of the Young Child

Breast milk is sufficient enough for the babies aging 0-8 months. They may not need extra
water. But extra fluid may be given if the child has fever or diarrhea.

1.) Water is good for thirst. A variety of pure juices can be used also. But too much of these
fruit juices may cause diarrhea and reduce child’s appetite.
2.) Drinks that contain a lot of sugar may actually make the child thirstier as the body deals
with the extra sugar. Fizzy drinks are not suitable for children.

3.) Teas and coffee reduce iron absorption. They must not be given 2 hours ac or pc

4.) Only give small amounts of water during a meal

5.) Drinks should not replace foods or breastfeeding

6.) Remember that children who are not receiving breastfeeding need special attention
and special recommendation. A 6 – 24month-old child may need 2 – 3 cups/day in a
temperate climate and 4 – 6 cups/day in a hot climate. They may be incorporated in
porridges and stews.

Feeding a child who is ill

1.) encourage the child to drink and eat with lots of patience

2.) feed small amounts frequently

3.) give foods of child preference or likes

4.) give a variety of nutrient – rich foods

5.) continue to breastfeed – often ill children breastfeed more frequently

Feeding during recovery

1.) give extra breasted 3.) use extra rich food 5.) give an extra amount

2.) feed an extra meal 4.) feed with extra patience

Important things about breastfeeding

 Breastmilk is good for babies from birth up to 6 months

 Gives colostrum to the baby
 Do NOT give plain water, sugared water, chewed sticky rice, herbal preparations or
starve the baby while waiting for the milk to come
 Breastfeed as much as the baby wants, day and night
 Use both breasts alternatively at each feeding
 After one breast is emptied, offer the next breast that has not been emptied in the next
feeding

Important key messages on feeding babies over 6 months old

  Breastfeeding for two years or longer helps a child to develop and grow strong and
healthy
 Starting other foods in addition to breast milk at 6 months as complement helps a
child grow well.
 Foods that are thick enough to stay in the spoon give more energy to the child.
 Animal-source foods are especially good for children to help them grow strong and
lively.
 Peas, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds are also good for children.
 Dark green leaves and yellow-colored fruits and veggies help a child to have
healthy eyes and fewer infections.
 A growing child needs 3 meals plus snacks: give variety of foods.
 A growing child needs increasing amounts of foods.
 A growing child needs to learn to eat. encourage and give help with lots of
patience.
 Encourage children to drink and eat during illness and provide extra food after
illness to help them recover quickly.

Laws that protect infant and young child feeding

 Executive order 51, The Milk Code

 Rooming – in and Breastfeeding Act of 1992, compliance to this law in the hospital
through the program Mother-Baby Friendly Hospitals, wherein the mother and the baby
should be together for 24 hours and as long as both are in the hospital with no
complications
 Food fortification law or an Act Establishing the Philippine Food Fortification
Program and for Other Purposes-Food Fortification Law (RA 8976)