Thousands of nursing mothers across the Philippines simultaneously breastfed their babies on October 24 in an attempt to break a world record and break down social taboos.

Organised by the advocacy group Breastfeeding Philippines, the event was held in 1,000 cities across the country, where activists say there remains a stigma against women who breastfeed in public.

The attempt intended to break the group's own Guinness World record for the highest number of women simultaneously breastfeeding in multiple sites, which stands at 15,218 in 2007.

An estimated 21,000 mothers joined the activity, but it will take Guinness representatives up to three weeks to verify the final tally.

The organisers stated that the achievement will remind legislators to resist lobbying by infant formula companies seeking to reverse a law promoting breastfeeding.-VNA