Manila, May 22 -- The Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) is ramping up its campaign for exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for babies from birth to six months and complementary feeding up to 2 years old, as a long-term strategy to combat malnutrition.

In a press conference on Thursday, CHO Nurse IV Heidi Gomez said for EBF, babies within six months should be fed only with mother's milk - no water and vitamins.

For complementary feeding, infants are provided food and liquids in addition to breastmilk.

Among those recommended for complementary feeding are mashed potatoes, vegetables, and easily digestible foods.

"This advocacy aims to lessen, if not eradicate, malnutrition until adulthood," Gomez said, adding that exclusively breastfed children...