RA 10028 - Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act

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EXPANDED BREASTFEEDING PROMOTION ACT

What is this law about?
This law amends Republic Act 7600. 

This law requires Health Institutions (i.e. hospitals, infirmaries, health centers, lying-in clinics, or puericulture centers with obstetrical and pediatric services) to provide equipment, facilities, and supplies for breastmilk collections, storage and utlization.

Health Institutions are encouraged to set up Milk Banks for storage of breastmilk.  The stored breastmilk will be given to children in neonatal intensive care units.

The law now requires Health Institutions, Public Places (i.e. schools, public transportation terminals, shopping malls, etc.) and Work Places (i.e. work premises, whether private enterprises or government agencies) to establish Lactation Stations.

Lactation Stations should be private, clean, sanitary and well-ventilated rooms or areas where nursing mothers can wash up, breastfeed or express their milk comfortably and store afterwards.

Important Things to remember:
1. These places have to have Lactation Stations:

• Hospitals
• Infirmaries
• Health Centers
• Lying-In Clinics
• Schools
• Public Transportation Terminals
• Shopping Malls
• Your office

If not, you can report this matter to the Department of Health (651-7801 or 651-7800 loc. 1105) and the violating institution can be fined from P50,000.00 to P200,000.00.

2. A Lactation Station should have:

• Lavatory for hand-washing
• Refrigeration for storing breastmilk
• Electrical outlets for breast pumps
• A small table
• Comfortable seats

If not, you can report this matter to the Department of Health (651-7801 or 651-7800 loc. 1105) and the violating institution can be fined from P50,000.00 to P200,000.00.

3.  A Lactation Station should NOT be in a toilet or a rest room.

4.  Employees who are breastfeeding have a right to be granted breaks so that they can breastfeed.  A nursing employee is entitled to at least 40 minutes for breastfeeding for every 8-hour work period

Complete text of the law can be found at:
Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act at www.lawphil.net