Bacolod Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training

One of my personal goals this year was to get trained as a breastfeeding peer counselor. I failed to breastfeed my daughter 11 years ago and I struggled with breastfeeding my son a few years later. I know how difficult it is not to have the right support because believe me, you can easily give up at the first sign of pain and discomfort. I did when I experienced sore nipples with my daughter then. When I had my son, I was fortunate to meet people who encouraged me not to give up. Today, I am a proud breastfeeding mom of an almost 4-year old son and I want to be able to help out as many moms as possible to be successful in their breastfeeding journey.

It all began with just a plan to bring the Arugaan team to Bacolod because we really want to build a breastfeeding community here. Thanks to the equally passionate ladies behind the Bacolod Mom and Baby Club, the plan became a reality.

Certified!!!

The Arugaan team, headed by Velvet Escario-Roxas, facilitated the two-day seminar attended by moms, doctors, nurses, nutritionists and health care workers. It was everything I expected it and more. The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training covered everything from what our current situation is, the role that breastfeeding plays in our society and how the different formula companies' marketing tactics can undermine the woman's ability to breastfeed. The best part of the training are the "practical" exercises. Nanay Rich taught us how to properly do lactation massages, Tin taught us the right way of hand expressing milk and Velvet showed us the right positions. Tin also showed us cup feeding to avoid nipple confusion and the drip drop method that can help bring the baby back to the breast.

Dinner with the team.

Did I mention that there were moms who attended the training and ended up relactating? It was such an amazing, amazing experience.

The training in Bacolod is the last leg of their Breastfeeding Peer Counselor training before they head back to Manila. They also facilitated the training in Davao and Cagayan de Oro. The passion of these ladies (Velvet, Nanay Rich and Tin) is so admirable and so inspiring that it makes me us want to do more.

If you're from Bacolod and would need help, you can reach out to the Breastfeeding Peer Counselors of the Bacolod Mom & Baby Club through our Facebook Fan Page.

Bacolod Breastfeeding 101 Class

Last Sunday marked the first of many parenting events and mommy meet-ups of the Bacolod Mom & Baby Club.  In celebration of the Breastfeeding Awareness month, they brought Abbie Yabot, a Philippine Certified Lactation Counselor to facilitate the very first Breastfeeding Basics Class.

Photo courtesy of SM PR Manager, May Castro

The event was held at the North Wing of SM City Bacolod where a mix of pregnant, breastfeeding and mixed feeding moms came to attend.  We also had Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue with us together with Amiga Carmela-Gamboa, host and executive producer of the local TV show MagTV na Amiga.

with Abbie Yabot

With the team

It was good to see moms participate and ask questions about their breastfeeding challenges.  I was even surprised to see my high school teacher during the class.  Several prizes were given out too. Thanks to the club's generous sponsors.  One lucky mom got to take home the new Avent manual breast pump.  I was extremely happy to find out that this mom had plans of buying a breast pump after the breastfeeding class.

Happy that this event is a successful one and we look forward to organizing more mommy meet-ups and classes for the moms of Bacolod.