Congratulations Hakab Na 2018!

Congratulations Hakab Na 2018!

Congratulations to all the breastfeeding mothers and their babies that participated at the last Hakab Na! 2018 which was held at the SMX Convention Center Pasay. The final official count proved that more mothers joined this year compared to last year. This is fantastic news for the local breastfeeding community, Breastfeeding Pinays, aim to normalize breastfeeding and spread correct information about the benefits of breastfeeding for families.

Hakab Na! 2018 was brought to you by the non-government organization Breastfeeding Pinays (BFP) in partnership with the Department of Health, SM Cares, SMX Convention Center Manila and World Vision in celebration of  National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. It was a full day of activity after activity and dozens of amazing booths where moms could shop after the Big Latch On. Check out my favorite booths last Sunday in the photos below, and what I bought from them.

For the kids, there were play areas they could spend time in, but they could only pick one. This was a bit sad as so many kids wanted to try each play place but they were denied entry. My son was allowed to play in the Little City Ph, Gymboree and Kolisko Waldorf School play areas but was denied entry at the Little Hands and Minds one. Same with the photobooths, you could only pick one set-up to get professional photographs. There was also a raffle the moms could enter where they had to get a "passport" stamped by the big sponsors. The prizes were amazing! I really wanted that portable UV sterilizer!

I'm happy I attended and spent the day with my son. It was a worthwhile bonding experience and I got to take home some amazing loot and do a little shopping at the same time. It's still unsure if we could join again next year or if the little guy has weaned already by then, but if you're a breastfeeding mom, I highly encourage you to join next year's Hakab Na event. Stay tuned to Breastfeeding Pinay's social media accounts for more information.

Normalize Breastfeeding with Hakab Na 2018!

Normalize Breastfeeding with Hakab Na 2018!

The sixth annual breastfeeding awareness event called Hakab Na! will happen this Sunday, August 5, 2018. The event will be held at the SMX Convention Center Manila Function Rooms 3-5 and registrations begins at 8 AM. It will be a full day of games, raffles, and presentations with the main event being the simultaneous latch on by mothers at 10:30 AM. The annual Hakab Na! event is held by the non-government organization Breastfeeding Pinays (BFP) in partnership with the Department of Health, SM Cares, SMX Convention Center Manila and World Vision in celebration of  National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

Hakab Na! is a call for mothers to let their babies latch on for a period of time, and this is a nationwide activity with over 40 registered locations around the Philippines and more across the globe. We are expecting more mother-child/children attendees this year, up to 2000 in fact. Aside from The Big Latch On, this will be a gathering of breastfeeding families, lactation experts, peer counselors, and breastfeeding advocacy supporters, who aim to normalize breastfeeding in the country. We want to support breastfeeding mothers and ultimately, establish the Philippines as a breastfeeding nation.

Last year's Hakab Na! 2017 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum saw over 5000 in attendance and had 1,686 mother and child/children participants. We had 4,775 mothers simultaneously latched their babies in 25 different locations around
the country. It was my 3rd time attending the event and this year will be my 4th and possibly last time with my son. I found out about Hakab Na! when my son was only 4 months old, and I attended the event at Shaw 500. Breastfeeding Pinays have been a great online support group for me and they really encouraged me to breastfeed boldly. Breastfeeding Pinays (BFP) was founded on January 22, 2013, and they have grown in number and reach over the years. They have been holding meet-ups, seminars, and training to help mothers and their families deal with breastfeeding as well as infant and kid nutrition.

For more information about Hakab Na! you can check their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,  or contact Ms. Ros Padua-Macachor at 0920-938-0963 or breastfeedingpinays@gmail.com.