Mommies with newborns do everything they can to make sure that their babies are the healthiest. Exclusive breastfeeding of infants from birth up to six months is the most effective way to ensure your child’s nutritional needs. Breast milk provides all the energy and essential nutrients, making it the most complete and sustainable food for an infant. While breastfeeding plays a crucial role in the growth and development of babies, it isn’t always easy to do, mothers too may need some support to get started.

To help mothers achieve optimum nutrition for their babies, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) joins in the call to safeguard infant’s health in this year’s nutrition month campaign, “Malnutrisyon patuloy na labanan, First 1,000 Days tutukan.” The theme calls for all sectors to help in spreading awareness about the importance of the First 1,000 Days of life as the strategic intervention to prevent stunting and obesity. The First 1,000 Days of life is the period from conception up to the first two years of a child.

“Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 month of life is also essential in forming the special bond between a mother and child. This is why we, at Ajinomoto, aim to empower more women to continue breastfeeding and support them with healthier methods at this special time in their lives,” Ajinomoto’s Science Communication Executive Deborah S. Fajarda, RND.

With this, APC developed four easy-to-cook recipes to help lactating mothers in their breastfeeding journey. Check them out!

Umami Mommy Burger

Moms with newborns have a lot on their plate so staying on top of things is difficult to do. To help address this, Ajinomoto prepared this easy-to-prepare Umami Mommy Burger which is filled with energy and carbohydrates perfect for restoring energy loss of a breastfeeding mother.

Laing with Malunggay Leaves

Ensuring moms get enough iron helps prevent the iron deficiency anemia and reduce the feeling of fatigue. Moreover, dark green leafy vegetables like malunggay and gabi leaves are helpful in increasing your milk supply. These veggies are rich in iron that would help fill for the high demands for Iron during lactation. Try this Laing with Malunggay Leaves dish developed by Ajinomoto that provides 33% of the daily Iron needs of a breastfeeding mom.

Squash Spaghetti in Cheesy Malunggay Sauce

A unique and healthy take on spaghetti! Both squash and malunggay are rich in Vitamin A. Do you know that infants have low Vitamin A stores and are reliant on external sources especially on breast milk? Thus, it’s vitally important for lactating mothers to consume foods rich in Vitamin A to produce breast milk that is rich in Vitamin A needed for visual health, immunity, growth, and development of their infants. Eat well and have your baby share in the benefits!

Milk-Boosting Salad

This recipe features Adlai rice, which is rich in fiber and has a low glycemic index. Not only does it help control the blood sugar levels of lactating mothers to help them produce milk, it also transforms the salad to a full meal!

These recipes reflect the Ajinomoto Creating Shared Value (ASV) framework and Eat Well, Live Well commitment, as the company continues to develop ideas and create products to improve the nutrition of Filipino families, especially of the children.

“Through these recipes, we hope to be a companion to moms in their babies’ crucial First 1000 Days and even beyond, as we strive in helping shape a healthier generation,” shares Fajarda.

For more information and nutritious recipes, visit cookmunitybyajinomoto.com.