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.

I am a SuperMomma

When I got hospitalized last year, my doctor told me to “pump and dump” because of the medicines that I took.  One very wise woman named Nanay Nona told me otherwise.  If you haven’t met or heard about Nanay Nona Andaya, she is the only non-doctor in the Philippines who passed the accreditation for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC).  She told me to NEVER dump my milk because it can be used for treating several problems.

Breastmilk is not only for feeding babies and toddlers.  They contain anti-bacterial and healing properties that is suitable for people of all ages.  So I saved the milk that I pumped.  Until one day when I saw my son scratching his arm like crazy.  When I checked, I saw red bumps in his arm that looked irritated.  I then remembered Nanay Nona.   I thought this is the perfect time to try how effective my milk is.

Top Right pic - how my son's arm look like on Day 1
Top Left Pic - Day 2 after I start applying milk
Bottom left pic - Day 3
Bottom Right - Day 4

Everyday in the next 4 days I did nothing but apply breastmilk on the infected area at least twice a day.  Each day I notice something different.  He is less irritated. The area started to lighten and eventually all the rashes disappeared.  

Now it's confirmed. I am a supermom and I have a super healing power! A-MAZING!!

Toddler's Nook and Breastfeeding Station at the Bacolod-Silay Airport

I wrote about the Toddler’s nook at the IloiloCity Airport when we travelled to Bacolod via Iloilo last April.  I was pretty impressed that they had an area specifically for kids and nursing moms because most often if the flight gets delayed, then some kids get cranky.  We spent our New Year in Bacolod and guess what I found at the Bacolod-Silay Airport? They too have a Toddler’s play area and a Nursing station.

The sign beside Gates 1 and 2 of the Bacolod-Silay Airport

My son didn't mind that we were early for our flight.

The blinds can be closed if moms want to nurse their kids privately.

There's even a changing table outside the nursing area.

Big comfy couch for the nursing moms.

Kudos to the government for putting up Toddler's nook and Breastfeeding stations.  It's already hard to travel if you bring a lot of baggage with you, much more if you are traveling with kids.  And all nursing moms like me really really appreciate a private area where we could feed our babies, in my case, my toddler. 

I wonder if we have one of this in every domestic airport in the country? Do you know?

Mommy Treats Chocolate Lactation Spoon

I first knew about Mommy Treats exactly two years ago when I was struggling with my milk supply.  I’m not exactly a person who likes soup all the time so I ended up popping pills – malunggay pills.  Then I got introduced to this yummy treats with galactagogues (like fenugreek, brewers yeast and oat)  as ingredients and I got hooked ever since.

Now, another yummy treat was created and launched by yummy mommy Paola Loot, the beauty and brains behind Mommy Treats.  It is called the Chocolate Lactation Spoon.  The treat is a small block of chocolate that is stuck to a wooden spoon.  Just like the rest of the treats, it contains galactagogues that helps lactating moms in increasing their milk supply.  It comes in three variants – plain chocolate, chocolate with marshmallows and peppermint chocolate.  When I heard peppermint chocolate, I didn't waste any time.  I immediately placed my order.  

I didn't have to worry about how effective it is because I have ordered Lactation Brownies in the past.  Aside from it being yummy, it is very effective,  In my world where I have to attend several business reviews and having to work at night, I just made sure that I have my Mommy Treats with me so my milk supply will not dip.  My milk looks creamier too when I ate the Brownies.

They're here! Lactation Brownies and Chocolate spoons individually wrapped. And a letter from Paola.

Don't you just love the little hearts? I do! 

What I like about mommy treats is that it is wrapped based on the recommended daily serving.  Each chocolate spoon too is individually wrapped.  I also noticed that the peppermint chocolate have little hearts on top which is just lovely.  I unwrapped my first treat and started nibbling.  On my first bite, I can already taste the mint which is heavenly.  (Can you tell that I love mint on my chocolates?)  I kept telling myself that I should leave some to disolve in the water because this was meant to be drank not eaten but I couldn’t resist.  I ended up eating half and disolving half in hot water.  The chocolate drink was great but I enjoyed it better when I’m nibbling it. 

Get your treats now at Mommy Treats.  Visit their website or like them on Facebook.

You Said What?

One of the advice that we value the most as Parents are that of our physicians.   There are times though that we get confusing messages from them especially when it comes to the topic of breastfeeding.  In my two-year breastfeeding stint, below are some of the comments that I have received.

"You're still breastfeeding.   You didn't tell me you are breastfeeding.  Now what medicine do I have to give you?"

Uhm....seriously? I'm the patient and you're asking me which medicine should I take? I walked away from y the clinic disappointed and he ended up giving me Difflam -- for a cough!

"You're breastfeeding? How old is your baby?" I said two years.  "Ahhhh two years.  You should stop so you could take the medicine.  Otherwise I can only give you nothing but paracetamol."

Paracetamol is not the only medicine that's safe for breastfeeding moms - that's for sure.  I may not memorize it but I know there are a lot more.

Oh you're still breastfeeding?! That's great! But you have to stop when your toddler turns two.  Extended breastfeeding will have a psychological effect on your baby. 

There was no study proving that extended breastfeeding will have a negative effect on the toddler.

I'm not sure if you have heard any of these and you have that "iffy" feeling about what you are hearing from your doctor, here's what I suggest you do:

1. Research.  There are great information online that you can read about.
2. Go to the Right People.  Find a breastfeeding friendly doctor or reach out to the La Leche League Support group.  They will not let you down.  They never did.

Toddler's Nook and Nursing Station at the Iloilo City Airport

My family and I arrived around 4 hours early for our flight from Iloilo to Manila a couple of months ago so we had the kids run around the airport.  Both of us (hubby and I) got too exhausted especially from running after our energizer bunny - my son. 

When we got to the 2nd floor of the airport, we discovered that the airport has a Toddler's Nook and Nursing Mother's Station.  I got really excited because now I can let my son loose in one room not having to worry so much and I got another nursing station that I can experience and write about. 

Play area for the kids

Upon entering the room you see the large floor area covered with a rubber mat where the kids can play with the toys found on the shelves.  If you want to have a quiet story time with your kids, there are a lot of books that you can choose from.

Books on the shelves

Toddler toys that your kids can play with

Comfortable Chairs at the Nursing Room

If you want to enjoy a quiet time with your babies, there is another room where you can nurse them privately.  Personally I'd rather nurse my son in the nursing station only because the toys and the books in the play area might distract him.  

The Toddler's Nook is part of the CAAP Iloilo GAD Project.  So if you happen to be at the Iloilo City Airport and you have a toddler like mine, come and visit the area.  

Product Review: Avent Via Breastmilk Storage Kit

One of the things that I consider as a "must-have" for working nursing moms like me is a set breastmilk storage containers.  Avent Via Breastmilk Storage Kit is everything that I wanted.  A box contains 10 pcs of cups and lids that are pre-sterilized and two adaptors that I can use so I can pump my milk directly into the container.  What I love about it is that it is compatible with my pump and it is reusable.  Just make sure that you check the cup for any signs of wear and tear before reusing it.  Otherwise, you may need to dispose it.

This is great if you have a big refrigerator because you can stack the container on top of the other.  The cup is versatile too.  When my son started eating solids, we used this as a container for all his puree'd fruits and vegetables.  Now that he is 23 months old, what I do is just take out one via cup full of expressed milk, twist the lid open and he'd drink from it just like he'd drink from a regular cup.  We also use this to pack his snacks (and mine) such as mini oatmeal cookies and a handful of cereals.  So far, my milk nor his snacks and pureed vegetables has leaked out from the via cup container.

I also use it to pack my snacks at work. These are Mommy Treats Lactation Cookies.

It would have been better if the labels at the side of the container are more bold and clearer.  Once you put your breastmilk or any puree'd food inside, sometimes, you can hardly make out the number of ounces at the side of the container.  But aside from that, this product is highly recommend because of its versatility.  This has been on of my breastfriends for more than one year. 

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

The Breastfeeding Club's Breastfeeding 101 Class

Good news to all pregnant mothers who already made the decision and commitment in breastfeeding their kids.  The Breastfeeding Club will once again be holding their Breastfeeding 101 Class at the Medela House on May 5.  I am one person who believes that knowledge can be empowering and I highly recommend attending this class so you know what to expect on your breastfeeding journey. 

Pay the minimal Membership fee of 500 and be entitled to a free entrance to the succeeding Breastfeeding 202 and 303 classes and to other Special events.  To register just send an email to medelamoms@gmail.com or text them through 0917 681436.

See you there!

An Answer to My Insecurity

I used to take home at least 8-10 oz of milk for my son.  I am so used to seeing my stash in the ref and in the freezer.  But recently I can hardly fill a 4-oz bottle in a 9 hour shift.  I know I have milk but I couldn't help but be insecure when I see the new moms easily fill an 8oz bottle with ease.  I wasn't able to attend the La Leche League meeting last week and so I went to Medela Mom's seminar on Increasing Milk Supply. 

Abbie Yabot in action

The meeting was facilitated by the La Leche League leader, Abbie Yabot held at the Medela House in New Manila.  I didn't get to catch the first part of the seminar because I was at least an hour late (I fell asleep on the couch.  I said I was just going to rest for 15 minutes and ended up sleeping for an hour. hehe).  But the gist is, the mom has to be relaxed, breasts have to be stimulated and direct feed to increase supply.  What I learned that I am looking forward to applying are the breast massages shown by Abbie. These are simple massages that any mom can do before pumping/nursing and while pumping/nursing the baby. 

Yummy treats provided by Mommy Treats and Ella Eats

I am so glad I get the chance to talk to Abbie after the training and shared with her my predicament.  She pointed out that my son is almost two years old.  And milk supply do decrease as the baby grows older.  Breastfeeding moms should expect a decrease in supply once a child starts eating solid food at 6 months and may continue to decrease in his/her toddler years.   I felt better and she reassured me that I need not worry.  I should just increase my son's food intake before going to bed.  That way he will not ask for milk in the middle of the night.   I will definitely try that - or get my husband to try that since I work at nights and he pretty much stays with the kids. 

Breastfeeding Station at SM Bacolod

We had our vacation in Bacolod about two weeks ago.  What I usually do when I visit the malls is check if they have breastfeeding stations and where they are located at.  Not that I am not comfortable nursing my son in public, there are just certain days that I want to nurse in a more quiet place. 

I was quite pleased when I found out that SM Bacolod has their own nursing station located at the foodcourt.  If you had the chance to visit the breastfeeding stations in other SM stores in Manila, it will be very easy to conclude that "they all look alike."  So far I have seen SM Centerpoint, SM Mall of Asia and SM Makati.  The furnitures are the same.  The rooms have the a sink if you need to wash up and they have a diaper changing station inside.  I personally don't think that it is the best place to put the diaper changing station.  I mean you don't want to change your son's dirty nappy while the other kids are eating. 

Breastfeeding Station right at the SM foodcourt

The same comfortable chair that I see when I was in SM MOA and SM Centerpoint

As expected, the place is really clean but the only difference is that the aircon inside their breastfeeding area is not working.  It's pretty warm.  My son and I just stayed there for a good 5 minutes and I had to leave. 

Have you visited any breastfeeding station lately?  I wonder which one's the best...

Elite is Finally Home

You can imagine our excitement when we won the Ameda Elite contest.  The pump and the 5 hygenikits were turned over to us by Mi'Ann (Babymama) last March 30, 2012.

With Mi'Ann (Babymama), Joyce Cosenas (AVP - HR) and Lenard Quirante (Manager - HR)

Mi'Ann was greeted by the HR management headed by our AVP, Joyce Cosenas.  Being a breastfeeding mom herself, Joyce was as excited as I was when she learned that the employees will have a discounted rate if they purchase additional hygenikits from Babymama online.

The Ameda Elite set up in Cafe Au Lait

The Aegis Cafe Au Lait will be the Elite's home until next year; although I'm hoping that it will be it's home for good. 

Stubborn Me! Sure Glad I Didn't Give Up

"Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (February). For this month, we focus on back to basics. Participants will share advices - either the best breastfeeding advice they received OR/AND the best breastfeeding advice they can give to new moms.  Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of carnival entries."

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     I knew I was going to breastfeed my kids.  I thought breastfeeding is as simple as offering your breast to your baby when they're hungry.  I thought wrong.  I soon found out that it's a skill developed by both the mother and the baby.  It's just unfortunate that I learned that the hard way with my firstborn.  The wrong latch and the pain made me quit at 1 month.  Back then, formula feeding seemed like the best solution.

Second Time Around

     Fast forward to a few years later, I got pregnant with my son and breastfeeding was at the top of my list.  The pain must have missed me because it was still there when I started nursing.  I keep reminding myself that I am more determined this time.

     My son being the first grandson (our families have been having granddaughters for years) put so much pressure on me.  I heard a lot of comments such as "I dont have enough milk." and that I am "starving" my son.  I'm sure the lolo's and lola's mean well but as early as one month, my son is already mix feeding.  His crying was interpreted always as being hungry.  I thought this could not be happening again. 

     Reaching out to my colleagues who have been successful with breastfeeding was probably one of the best decision that I made.  One of them  told me "You're the mother.  You know what's best for your child.  Just listen to your instincts.  And don't stop breastfeeding." Come to think of it, this advise did make sense.  

     My stubbornness and persistence must have worked.  I refused to feed him formula milk and offered him my breast instead.  I eventually figured out what his cries meant - and I became more confident about my ability to supply the milk that he needed.  Month after month his intake of breastmilk increased as the formula milk became almost like a history.  And when they say I'm not producing enough milk, I help myself with galactagogues and try not to mind the comments.  

To the New Moms

     Every breastfeeding journey is different.  You will find a lot of people challenging you simply because you can't see the amount of milk that your baby is consuming. The best preparation that you could ever do is by arming yourself with the right information.   You are the best person to filter out which ones are facts and which are fiction.  

The smile that greets me when I wake up in time for his morning milk.

     

     Having gone through the experience has made me become the advocate that I am now.  The journey was challenging but definitely the most rewarding.  To date, my son is 19 months old and is still not showing any signs of weaning off my breasts.  Pretty soon I know he'll grow out of this but  I know I can always look back and say "I'm so glad I didn't give up."

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Please check out the other carnival participants

The Articulate Pen's Breastfeeding needs Patience

Diapers and Stethoscope's Back to Basic

My Mommyology's What I've Learned About Breastfeeding

Ms. Masungit's From One Mom To Another

The Odyssey of Dinna's Breastfeeding Words of Wisdom

Mrs. Bry126's We're All in this Together

I Am Clarice's Paying it Forward

My Mommy Kwentos' Sharing My Favorite Breastfeeding Advice

Planet Marsy's Better Than None

Mommy {T} Coach's Saved by the Nursing Mommas

Mama Drama's Patience and Breast-friends

Adventures on Planet Mom's Stubborn Me! Sure Glad I didn't give up

Nanaystrip's Eat Malunggay, Say "I Have Milk" and Love your Baby

Starting at Twenty-Five's My Husband's Best Breastfeeding Advice

Nanay *Loves* Purple's Why Attend Breastfeeding Class/Seminars

Truly Rich Mom's My Top 5 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

Legally Mama's Take it from the non-expert!

Mommy Mama Rat's My Breastfeeding Mantra

Mr. Jacob's Mom's Breastfeeding Tips from a Non-Breastfed Mommy

Hybrid Rasta Mama's Breastfeeding Lists, Advice, Links and More

Apples and Dumplings' One Word of Breastfeeding Advice

Touring Kitty's Just Do It

EthanMama's Only the Best for My Baby

the canDIshhh tales' My Breastfeeding Advice

Mec as Mom's Enough is Enough

Chronicles of a Nursing Mom's On Breastfeeding Number Two - Redux

Breastfeeding in Public

I rode the jeepney a couple of months ago together with this woman.  She was with her toddler.  Her toddler was a bit unsettled and was asking for something to eat.  They probably were anxious to get to where they're going to stop and buy something to eat.  The woman, instead nursed her toddler until he's satisfied.


In my mind, I was cheering for her.  I was thinking "Go mommy!" I admired her attitude and I couldnt help but look at how the other people would react to this kind of picture.  There were a few who looked away and a few who stared and felt embarassed.  I just smiled and wondered if i'd be able to do the same thing that she did without feeling exposed.


Fastforward to today, I guess you can say that I am pretty successful in being able to breastfeed my son in public.  I bought a nursing cover (which I hardly use. thank God for the Next9 ring sling), a few nursingwears and build my confidence.  I also experimented with my existing blouses on how I can breastfeed without exposing too much (yes! I practiced in front of a mirror).  I've done it pretty mucheverywhere -- the doctor's clinic, MRT, the cab, at the malls, at company sponsored events, the church, while attending seminars -- and I've grown more confident each time.  What better way to promote breastfeeding than letting everyone see that you're actually doing it?

me and my trusty nursing cover waiting for hubby

Beauty, Brains & Breastfeeding

It's such an irony that the Philippines, being a 3rd world country have such poor percentage of breastfeeding women.  According to the UNICEF statistics, only 34% exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six (6) months.  The rest are either bottlefed or were given liquid other than breastmilk.  Mix feeding in the first six months is not really recommended because it can lead to health problems such as "allergies, respiratory infection, diarrhea and dehydration."

Beauty, Brains & Breastfeeding, Inc. is an organization created to advocate breastfeeding and to correct several breastfeeding misconceptions.  Founded by Iza Abeja, the organization also aims to support mothers in breastfeeding even at their workplace.  Iza, together with Daphne Osena-Paez and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, are out to make sure that their message is heard. 

It was unfortunate that my kids belonged to 66% of the population.  I may not be successful in breastfeeding my daughter;  I may have supplemented; but my son is still breastfeeding at 15 months.  If I can make a difference - support someone and be more successful than I am in breastfeeding, I'll be one happy momma!

Journey through Breastfeeding

I was never breastfed as a baby.  My mother told me that she had inverted nipples and I couldn't get milk from her.  I was crying most of the time and so my father got frustrated and told my mom to feed me with formula milk.  


When I was pregnant with my first child, I knew I was going to breastfeed.  I saw pictures of mothers feeding their babies on their breasts and for me its beautiful.  I want to do just that.  My daughter was born via CS section.  They cup feed her while I was recuperating.   When she finally got to room in with me, I brought her to my breast and she took it.  It was a happy day for me.  I loved the way she felt in my arms and seeing her there -- nursing peacefully -- it was perfect.  I have been nursing only for days and I already had sore nipples.  I was crying and didnt know what to do.  My hubby (also formula fed) and the people around me, only had one solution.  Formula feed.  I had to stop until the wounds heal.  So we bought formula milk and baby bottles (we didnt buy one before I gave birth because I really want to breastfeed).  I pumped but my breasts are still engorged.  When the wound finally healed, I held my baby again in my arms thinking if I should bring her back to my breast or not.  I was young.  I was scared of the pain.  I resorted to formula feeding.  


When I got pregnant again after a few years,  I only had two things in mind -- VBAC and breastfeeding.  This time I know its going to be different.  Armed with gazillions of information, I was able to breeze through my normal delivery.  Now the breastfeeding part.  The pain must've missed me because there were days when I cringe in pain everytime my son latches;  My daughter can only watch and rub my back telling me over and over to relax.  How can something that's supposed to be natural be so painful?  I read. I researched. I applied what I learned.  My neverending explorations of the net lead me to one breastfeeding class and several information about the La Leche League.  All these empowered me and made me more confident.


My journey was not easy but it reminded me that there are so many things that I learned in the process.


1.  Breastfeeding is a skill.  One has to learn the correct position and the baby has to learn how to latch.  Patience is an important ingredient for you to master this skill.  Believe me, I've done a lot of trial and errors in getting my son to latch perfectly.


2. Breastfeeding is a committment.  You will encounter a lot of reasons why you should quit -- sore nipples, having to go back to work, sleepless nights -- to name a few.  But making that committment to yourself and to your baby that you will only give him/her the best milk, will keep you going.


3.  Being hard-headed is not that bad.  Yes. I admit. I'm an only child and what I want is what I usually get.  That kind of attitude worked for me because if I didnt assert what I want to do with my son, I never would have been successful with breastfeeding him this long.


4.  Knowledge is POWER.  It's a cliche`, I know.  But believe me, there are a lot of breastfeeding myths and misconception.  Know where and who to get the best information from.  The internet is ultra powerful and you get all sorts of information.  You can go to the La Leche League's website or the well known mom bloggers like me.  Here are some of the blogs and sites that I read and found very helpful:


Chronicles of a Nursning Mom
Babymama
Kellymom
Ask Dr. Sears

"Momsicle"

My son is still breastfeeding at 15 months.  He's been eating a lot of solid foods now and I often found myself with an extra ounce or two of breastmilk by the end of the week.  He is also a big fan of ice cream so we created a popsicle made out of breastmilk. 

What you need are the following:

breastmilk

pacifier

small cup (I used the cap of the Gerber feeding bottle)

It's pretty easy really.  Just pour the milk into the small cup then stick the pacifier in.  Put it inside the freezer and wait for an hour.

Pour the milk into the cap and stick the pacifier in

Fresh from the freezer

Ready to serve

yummy!!!

My son not only has unlimited supply of breastmilk but of "momsicles" as well.  Let me know when you tried making one too.