Life Stages: Birth

A newborn immediately becomes a vital part of the family.

Baptism shortly after birth is common among Filipino Catholics.

Common Practices

The family is the cornerstone of Philippine social, economic, and religious activities, and interpersonal relationships are also highly valued. The birth of every child in a Filipino family is an occasion for joy and celebration. A newborn immediately becomes a vital part of the family, which is the hub of society.

Filipinos traditionally believe that infants are susceptible to the “evil eye” and usog (bad luck). To avert evil influences, Filipino mothers typically place garlic and salt next to their babies or put a dot of lipstick on the baby’s forehead. They dress babies in loose and comfortable clothes, often white in color (symbolic of purity), and ornamented with religious signs to provide them with angelic or divine protection. They customarily wrap the umbilicus with a 50-cent coin in a belly band, believing that it will help the umbilicus heal faster.

Most Philippine mothers keep their newborns in the house for up to four months after birth or until formal baptism. Their first venture outside the home is usually to visit the doctor, and the second is to ask a priest for his blessing. Filipinos typically keep newborns in their arms until the babies learn to walk, and parents or older siblings stay beside the baby during sleep hours.

Filipinos, especially those in rural areas, follow a traditional custom of disposing of the placenta. Many believe that the placenta influences the well-being and fate of newborns, so they bury it in a place where nobody will step on it.

Most mothers continue breastfeeding their babies until the age of two before they wean them. Nursing mothers also consume clams, which are thought to help increase the production of breast milk for the babies.

The majority of all births in the Philippines take place in professional settings with the assistance of a skilled attendant. Preference for certified medical staff (including doctors and nurses) is highest among urban women.

Most rural women, however, are comfortable birthing babies in their own homes in the presence of certified or unlicensed midwives (popularly called lolas). Although the country has an extensive medical system, rural women only have limited access to prenatal and childcare services due to the high cost of such services, poor transportation, and various social hurdles. While the average infant mortality rate is a modest 15 deaths per 1,000 live births, the average maternal mortality rate is 120 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Religious Customs

A formal baptism ceremony for newborns is obligatory in this predominantly Christian country. Baptisms are conducted within first six months of birth in the presence of all close family members and friends. Rituals include baptizing the baby in a church, giving it a name, appointing godparents (compadres or ninangs) who sponsor the ceremony and give presents to the baby, and holding a celebration at the home of the baby’s parents.

Philippine parents usually choose wealthy acquaintances or close relatives as godparents for their children. This tradition ensures financial support for the children’s entire life, provides surrogate parental relationship to the children, and forms a permanent bond between the child’s parents and its godparents. Godparents in the Philippines also play vital roles in the child’s future confirmation and wedding ceremonies.

Philippine babies are typically named after their parents, godparents, family relatives/friends, or famous saints. Baptized babies usually visit close relatives’ homes and receive money, marking good fortune for the homeowners. The high prevalence of extended families means that Philippine children also have many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close neighbors to look after them (especially in the event of the parents’ deaths).

Filipinos usually host parties on their children’s birthdays and give them many gifts. Birthday celebrations in the country also can include a thanksgiving Mass, blessings by a priest, a party with family and friends, noodles to symbolize a long life, and specially baked birthday cakes. Philippine birthday decorations often include blinking lights outside the home and colorful balloons. The main attraction of Philippine birthday party is often breaking the piñata, a large, colorfully adorned papier mache container filled with candies, toys, and/or coins.

Reproductive Rights

Abortion is illegal and a criminal offense in the Philippines unless the life of the pregnant woman is at risk. Performing an abortion requires the authorization of a panel of certified professionals. In reality, however, illegal abortions are widespread and rarely prosecuted. Such abortions are one of the primary causes for the high maternal mortality rate among Philippine women. Modern birth control methods are not widely available, and only a tiny minority of married couples of childbearing age use contraceptives.