About PSBLM
The Philippine Society of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (PSBLM) is an organization of dedicated lactation support providers committed to advancing breastfeeding and lactation care in the Philippines through evidence-based practice, specialized training, and strategic advocacy.
We believe breastfeeding is the foundation of lifelong health, and that every Filipino family deserves access to compassionate, competent, and culturally attuned lactation care.
Our Story
The Dream
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PSBLM was born out of a shared vision—to transform the landscape of breastfeeding and lactation care in the Philippines. Officially established in Pasig City in July 2024, PSBLM was founded by five pediatricians specializing in Breastfeeding Medicine: Drs. Maria Cristina D. Cornelio, Diane Fabellon, Jamie Carmina I. Cumpas, Ma. Cristina S. Tuazon, and Catherine O. De Leon.
At the time, no local training pathways existed in this field and Filipino health professionals often had to rely on foreign programs and guidelines—many of which did not reflect the cultural or systemic realities of Filipino families. The absence of a local accrediting or regulatory body further hindered the delivery of consistent, high-quality breastfeeding care.
Rooted in Filipino Values
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PSBLM’s foundation is deeply anchored in the values that define us as a people: Malasakit sa pamilya (deep care for family), Bayanihan (collective unity and cooperation), and Pakikipagkapwa-tao (respectful empathy and compassion). These principles shape our society’s ethos and guide our mission across education, clinical service, research, and public health advocacy.
A Call to Action
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More than a professional organization, PSBLM represents a movement—a collective call to strengthen governance, promote equity, and build sustainable systems that support and protect breastfeeding. We envision a future where breastfeeding and human milk feeding are universally valued and supported—through culturally responsive training, empowered communities, and resilient health systems.
What We Do
PSBLM leads the development of structured, locally grounded, and globally aligned training and certification programs in lactation care. Our work focuses on:
Professionalization
Supporting credentialing and career pathways for all lactation support providers.
Specialization
Establishing formal training in Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine in partnership and collaboration with professional organizations and institutions.
Standardization
Developing national training standards, including certified peer counselor programs.
Integration into UHC
Advocating for a national breastfeeding program that is coordinated, comprehensive, accessible, and free from financial burden.
We work closely with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and align with international standards set by NABBLM and the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) to ensure quality and consistency in lactation education and practice.
Why It Matters
Despite significant national progress—such as exceeding the 2025 SDG exclusivity target of 50%—breastfeeding support in health systems remains suboptimal. With only a handful of lactation professionals serving over 1.3 million births annually, the workforce gap is stark. PSBLM hopes to address this gap by building local capacity, fostering clinical competence, and creating structured, sustainable career pathways in lactation care that reflect our country’s unique context and needs.
Looking Ahead
Today, PSBLM stands at the vanguard of breastfeeding and lactation medicine in the Philippines. We are committed to building a future where every Filipino mother and child has access to high-quality, compassionate lactation care—delivered by a skilled and recognized workforce, rooted in both science and shared values.