Thousands of lactating mothers across the Philippines have simultaneously breast fed their babies in an attempt to break a world record and break down social taboos. Organised by the advocacy group Breastfeeding Philippines, the event was held in
"This activity is meant to send a strong message to legislators not to be swayed by these multinational milk companies to weaken our law," Ms Andaya-Castillo said.
Another law passed in 2009 requires private and public companies to allot time for employees who breast feed, while requiring lactation stations in all public institutions.
Passed in 1986, the law, called the Milk Code, prohibits advertising of infant formula to infants under two years of age.
Organisers said the event also aimed to remind legislators to resist lobbying by infant formula companies seeking to reverse a law promoting breast feeding.
"Maybe I'm just shy. I am not used to doing this around in public, with so many people around," she said. "Maybe I will get used to it eventually, but I don't know if my husband will approve of it."
Twenty-one-year-old mother Jinky Valencia cradled her one-month-old baby, Chrysler, as she tried to coax him to feed, but only a few drops came.
At one of the main venues of the event, about 500 lactating mothers were bussed to a convention centre in suburban Marikina city east of Manila. They sat in plastic chairs and were given tips on proper ways to breastfeed their babies, including
"When women bare their chests for sex in movies or wear skimpy clothes the public thinks its okay, but when a mother bares her breast to feed a child, people generally think its gross," group director Nona Andaya-Castillo said.