MANILA - A children's group on Tuesday urged mothers to breastfeed their infants for the first six months, amid prevailing malnutrition and increase of food prices in the country.

In a statement, Save the Children Philippines said breastfeeding "decreases financial burden of families hurting from increase in food prices including infant formula."

Inflation has affected some 8 million food-poor families, it said.

• Inflation putting poor children at risk of malnutrition - Save the Children

“Inflation hits the poorest families and children face the risk of malnutrition and stunting,” said Albert Muyot, CEO of Save the Children Philippines.

Citing the United Nations Children's Fund, the group said exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months can prevent 1.3 million deaths of children under 5 years.

There are some 3.3 million stunted children in the country, while 800,000 more are malnourished, the group said.

It also decried the "poor enforcement" of the Milk Code, which requires breastfeeding for babies up to six months, due to the strong influence of milk companies in the country’s health care system.

The group said its study "Barriers to Breastfeeding in the Philippines" found that milk companies' advertising campaigns "discourage mothers to breastfeed thinking that infant formula can equal the nutrients from breastmilk."

"The research study showed that Milk companies advertise infant formula products containing breakthrough nutrients that are only found in breastmilk," it said.

The group also called on health professionals to abide by the Milk Code, which prohibits milk companies to sponsor professional trainings and publications of health clinic materials.

"We trust that our esteemed physicians and health professionals will not be instruments of deception when it comes to telling mothers that only breastmilk contains the nutrients that can save lives of their children from various diseases and malnutrition,” Muyot said.

The group reiterated its call for the passage of the "First 1,000 Days" Bill, which seeks to provide health and nutrition services to children during their early days of development.

The bill is awaiting the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.