Empowering Mothers: SM Supermalls strengthens Maother-Baby Friendly spaces with DOH accreditation
LifestyleSM Cares, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), continues to strengthen its commitment to maternal and child health advocacy. As of March 2025, 51 out of 87 malls have been certified as Mother-Baby Friendly Workplaces by the DOH, reaffirming the company’s dedication to providing safe and inclusive spaces for mothers and their children. Aligned with Republic Act No. 10028, the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, this milestone ensures that all SM malls meet and exceed the required standards for breastfeeding-friendly environments, setting a new benchmark for family-friendly facilities in commercial spaces Transforming Spaces into Havens for Mothers and Infants SM Supermalls’ commitment to inclusivity and care has proven evident in its comprehensive approach to fulfilling DOH standards. The initiative includes the following key measures: ð——ð—²ð—±ð—¶ð—°ð—®ð˜ð—²ð—± ð—•ð—¿ð—²ð—®ð˜€ð˜ð—³ð—²ð—²ð—±ð—¶ð—»ð—´ ð—¦ð˜ð—®ð˜ð—¶ð—¼ð—»ð˜€: SM malls feature safe, clean, and thoughtfully designed spaces where mothers can nurse their infants with ease and privacy. Equipped with comfortable seating, well-maintained facilities, and discreet enclosures, these stations ensure that mothers can breastfeed with confidence and comfort, promoting a stress-free experience in a supportive environment. ð—¦ð˜‚ð—½ð—½ð—¼ð—¿ð˜ ð—³ð—¼ð—¿ ð—›ð˜‚ð—ºð—®ð—» ð— ð—¶ð—¹ð—¸ ð——ð—¼ð—»ð—®ð˜ð—¶ð—¼ð—»: Through SM Cares Milk Depots in select malls, mothers are provided with a safe, accessible, and convenient space to donate their excess breast milk. These donations directly benefit medically vulnerable infants, particularly those in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) or born prematurely, ensuring they receive the essential nutrients needed for survival and growth. By fostering a culture of care and generosity, this initiative strengthens community support for breastfeeding advocacy and maternal health. ð—˜ð—»ð—µð—®ð—»ð—°ð—²ð—± ð—™ð—®ð—ºð—¶ð—¹ð˜†-ð—™ð—¿ð—¶ð—²ð—»ð—±ð—¹ð˜† ð—™ð—®ð—°ð—¶ð—¹ð—¶ð˜ð—¶ð—²ð˜€: SM malls ensure that spaces for mothers and children are accessible and thoughtfully designed to meet their needs. ð—¦ð˜ð—®ð—³ð—³ ð—§ð—¿ð—®ð—¶ð—»ð—¶ð—»ð—´ ð—¼ð—» ð—•ð—¿ð—²ð—®ð˜€ð˜ð—³ð—²ð—²ð—±ð—¶ð—»ð—´ ð—¦ð˜‚ð—½ð—½ð—¼ð—¿ð˜: Mall personnel receive education on breastfeeding policies and providing support to nursing mothers, furthering a culture of care. ð—” ð— ð—®ð—·ð—¼ð—¿ ð—¦ð˜ð—²ð—½ ð—™ð—¼ð—¿ð˜„ð—®ð—¿ð—± ð—¶ð—» ð—¦ð— ’𘀠ð—”ð—±ð˜ƒð—¼ð—°ð—®ð—°ð˜† ð—³ð—¼ð—¿ ð—œð—»ð—°ð—¹ð˜‚ð˜€ð—¶ð˜ƒð—¶ð˜ð˜† With a growing number of its malls certified as Mother-Baby Friendly Workplaces, SM Cares continues to advocate for greater accessibility and awareness in maternal and child health. Annually, an average of 70,000 to 100,000 breastfeeding mothers use SM Supermalls’ Breastfeeding Stations, underscoring the critical role these facilities play in supporting families across the country. “Achieving the Mother-Baby Friendly Certification across all our malls is more than a milestone—it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to creating safe, welcoming spaces for families,” shared by Atty. Pearly Joan Jayagan Turley, Senior Assistant Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Program Director for SM Cares Women + Breastfeeding “This ongoing initiative reflects our firm belief that every mother deserves the support and comfort to provide the best care for her child.” The certification also underscores SM Cares’ continuing proactive stance in educating the public about the importance of breastfeeding and human milk donation, further contributing to maternal and child health advocacy. ð—Ÿð—¼ð—¼ð—¸ð—¶ð—»ð—´ ð—™ð—¼ð—¿ð˜„ð—®ð—¿ð—±: ð—•ð˜‚ð—¶ð—¹ð—±ð—¶ð—»ð—´ ð—œð—»ð—°ð—¹ð˜‚ð˜€ð—¶ð˜ƒð—² ð—–ð—¼ð—ºð—ºð˜‚ð—»ð—¶ð˜ð—¶ð—²ð˜€ ð—§ð—¼ð—´ð—²ð˜ð—µð—²ð—¿ Through the Mother-Baby Friendly Certification and other ongoing initiatives, SM Cares continues to build inclusive communities where every mother and child feel supported and empowered. By providing safe spaces, essential resources, and advocacy-driven programs, SM Cares is creating a lasting impact on maternal and child health. With each step forward, we reaffirm our commitment to making SM malls truly “A Mall for All.”
