Pinay Moms Are Celebrating August With Simultaneous Breastfeeding!

PHOTO BYIngente-Valencerina Photography courtesy of SPiN

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and breastfeeding advocates and groups celebrate it with "Hakab Na!," which gather moms to nurse their children en masse simultaneously.

Breastfeeding Pinays, an online support group of over 250,000 mothers, tells us that the Philippines logged a total of 4,775 mom-and-baby pairs breastfeeding in 25 areas across the country in 2017.

The Hakab Na! Manila event in Araneta Coliseum had the highest number of participants last year.

The Hakab Na! event at Araneta Coliseum had 1,686 mothers breastfeeding and over 5,000 in attendance.
PHOTO BY courtesy of Breastfeeding Pinays

This year, Breastfeeding Pinays is expecting approximately 2,000 mothers at the SMX Convention Center alone on August 5, 2018. But there are now 62 locations (as of July 31) across the country holding simultaneous breastfeeding activities on August 3, 4 and 5. There's even one in in Dubai.

A Hakab Na! event hosted by South PiNanays at Ayala Malls South Park in 2017.
PHOTO BY Ingente-Valencerina Photography courtesy of SPiN

For those in the South, for example, South PiNanays, another online support group, is holding Hakab Na! in the following venues from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

August 3 - Korea-Philippines Friednship Hospital, Trece Martires City
August 4 - SM City BF, Paranaque City, Asian Hospital & Medical Center, Muntinlupa City and Southwoods Mall, Binan, Laguna
August 5 - Evia Lifestyle Center, Las Pinas

Rona Basallaje, a member of South PiNanays, does tandem breastfeeding during Hakab Na! in 2015.
PHOTO BY Ingente-Valencerina Photography courtesy of SPin

Can't go to any of the Hakab Na! venues? YOU can hold your own Hakab Na! event at your home or baranggay.

In 2015, two Filipina moms spending their holiday in Paris decided to hold their own Hakab Na!
PHOTO BY courtesy of Breastfeeding Pinays

Yes, breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to hold their own Hakab Na! events in any place where they can convene. They can participate in the online social media campaign with the hashtag #hakabna2018. You should be at least two (2) mom-baby pairs, and you will breastfeed for one (1) minute at 10:30 am on either August 3, 4, or 5. To be counted, log your details at bit.ly/hakabna2018countus.

Breastfeeding moms from Aklan in 2015.
PHOTO BY courtesy of Breastfeeding Pinays

Online breastfeeding groups as far as Mindanao participate in Hakab Na!

Hakab Na! in Cagayan De Oro in 2016.
PHOTO BY courtesy of Breastfeeding Pinays

Hakab Na! can be held at home, restaurants, libraries, and community centers. This one was in Iligan.
PHOTO BY courtesy of Breastfeeding Pinays

According to Nadine Angelica Casiño of online support group, Modern Nanays of Mindanao, "In 2015, moms from outside Cagayan de Oro, like Manolo and Iligan, were just there to participate. But after the event, they approached me and asked how to can organize their own support groups. After that, they were inspired to create their own tribes. It has been something we look forward to each year since 2013."