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Mommy Kristine

8/24/2022

2 Comments

 
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My breastfeeding journey with my first child was difficult. I wasn’t able to keep her full with my breast milk and I knew my daughter felt how sad I was. Because I wasn’t able to give enough breast milk, we had to mix feed our firstborn. I was in denial at that time so it was a tough hurdle which I had to face and let go. My breastfeeding journey with my second child now is very different. I have so much milk! Breastfeeding has helped me through my postpartum. It’s been tough and very tiring, but I feel more love and joy this time. I am grateful to be able to feed him enough and that we finish milk sessions so quickly. I’ve been kinder to myself and just loving myself more. 

I am now in my fifth month of breastfeeding and I’m so thankful that I even get to share my breast milk to others. I’ve been trying to pump more than four to five times a day to strengthen my output. If there was something I wish I did when I started breastfeeding my first child, it would be to be more informed and to join communities through Facebook because that helped a lot for my second child. For my firstborn, I pumped in between sessions because I knew that I needed to prepare breast milk for her when I would return to work. However, the people around me, who did not breastfeed, told me to stop, just sleep, and “lalakas din yan”. I stopped pumping and my milk production for my first child never got stronger. I felt so sad during those moments. I cried over it and had so many sleepless nights because I knew my firstborn would wake up every hour because she wasn’t full. Despite this, I planned on being more informed, and this allowed me to prepare for my second child more than ever.

Breast milk is indeed LIQUID GOLD. The nourishment and protection it has given my children is just amazing!
Our family got hit by Omicron at the start of the year. That was so difficult because my children were the only ones unvaccinated. I was so scared for them and consulted my children’s pediatrician right away for advice on what to do. She said to continue breastfeeding while keeping a mask on the entire time. My second child, Elias, didn’t get sick despite being in the same room. He slept well and developed no symptoms while my first born, whom I’ve been giving freshly pumped breast milk since last year, had colds for only a day or two. Breast milk is indeed LIQUID GOLD. The nourishment and protection it has given my children is just amazing! Even my husband is now a believer, and is very supportive of my walk with breastfeeding.
When it comes to donating breast milk, I was so worried at first. With my first child, I was able to donate for a month but I had to stop because I noticed my milk production wasn’t getting “strong” and I thought that by pumping more, I was losing more. I had not realized that being able to donate and pumping more milk made would actually be the key to increasing my milk output. I am always grateful for every drop I get to donate. Donating is very rewarding too! It made me more confident and appreciate myself more. I could not thank God more for this beautiful gift that I could share with others. It’s so important to help those in need, especially babies in hospitals who have either lost their moms or moms who do not have milk at all.
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Breastfeeding is a journey for you and your baby. Breastfeeding is so beautiful! I hope that us moms can freely breastfeed our children anywhere and that people become more respectful with our choice to exclusively breastfeed our children in public. I hope that society gives the much needed respect to moms breastfeeding their children. For us moms, may we give ourselves the much needed kindness to understand that every baby grows differently with breastmilk, and what’s important is focusing on our baby's needs; not to compare with one another, but rather to and enjoy this wonderful journey.

​To all the new mommies reading this, we don’t know yet how your breastfeeding journey will be. Be patient and be kind with yourself. Be informed and be accepting. Focus on yourself and on how you can make the most out of this lovely journey with you and your child. And once you’re comfortable with sharing your supply, if you’re thinking of donating your breastmilk, enjoy the process and put your heart into it. Donating is fun and rewarding. Last but not least, hydrate! Hydrate! And hydrate! Take it from me; take it easy and don’t stress out. Give what you can give!

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Mommy Marian

8/24/2022

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I began my breastfeeding journey right at the start of the pandemic. I had been working as a resident doctor, so I am away most of the day. Breastfeeding is the way my baby and I bond whenever I’m at home. The physical intimacy, and the emotional and psychological relationship formed during breastfeeding, have created  a priceless bonding experience between me and my son. It’s an instant boost of happiness and calmness, especially during a busy day.
However, no journey is without its share of problems. My breasts were constantly engorged when my baby was a newborn. I didn’t know it would be so painful! By using a warm compress and hand expressing, I was able to overcome the challenge and lessen the pain. Despite this, I wouldn’t change anything about my breastfeeding experience. It’s been a lot of hard work but the benefits are endless. Aside from being a bonding experience, breastfeeding provides my baby with the nutrients and antibodies he needs.
It’s been a lot of hard work but the benefits are endless.
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Throughout these months of breastfeeding, I realized how amazing the human body is for being able to produce breast milk. Mothers’ breast milk is perfect for human babies because it’s a species-specific whole milk packed with the nutrients necessary for proper growth and development.

If you’re a new mom who is just starting your breastfeeding journey, I encourage you to research, join support groups, talk to other moms, and ask questions! I became a new mom just when the pandemic broke out so it was very isolating. In addition to talking to the moms in my life, I joined Viber and Facebook communities to learn more about breastfeeding. My personal favorite is Dr. MILK, a support group for physician moms, where I got lots of advice about pumping and maintaining my milk supply despite the busy schedule of residency. Joining this support group also provided me with much needed reassurance and support. 
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If you’re not a mom, but know or see someone who is, know that the best thing you can do for them is support them. Support and protect breastfeeding and breastfeeding moms and their families, and do not neglect to also support and protect moms who choose to use formula for one reason or another. Fed is best! Happy and healthy moms mean happy and healthy babies.


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Mommy Anika

8/21/2021

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Mommy Anika shares her experiences through 17 months of breastfeeding her baby, Lucia. 

I had quite a tough start to my breastfeeding journey. When Lucia was born, she was diagnosed with jaundice, so she needed to do some blue light therapy. We were advised by her doctors to give breast milk from the milk bank to supplement my supply as the blue light tends to dehydrate the baby. This made me feel so sad, and I started to think that because my milk was not enough, I wasn’t doing enough. At just 2 days postpartum, I tried pumping to increase my supply. But after 30 minutes of using the hospital pump, I was only able to produce less than an ounce of milk. My nipples had become sore, my breasts easily got engorged, and my attempt to produce more actually made it more difficult because I was oversupplying already. We then decided to give Lucia breast milk from the milk bank instead to supplement with my direct feeding. It satisfied her and relieved some of the pressure from me to produce. It was a win-win situation for us both. 
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Throughout my breastfeeding journey, I’ve realized that breastfeeding is not easy. It takes commitment and dedication to see it through. In the beginning, it was exhausting to feed 15-20x a day. I have never felt more exposed, and I really felt like my body was no longer my own. Now at 17 months of breastfeeding, while feeding is much less and no longer as painful, it takes the same amount of dedication and commitment to continue and keep my supply up. It is hard work from the day you start until the day you decide to stop.
After all these months of breastfeeding my daughter, I look back and think that if I could do anything differently, I would have put less pressure on myself.
After all these months of breastfeeding my daughter, I look back and think that if I could do anything differently, I would have put less pressure on myself. I would trust that my body knows how much to give my baby and that my supply, whatever the amount, is just right for my child. I also wouldn’t have worried too much, and not have felt bad for having to resort to breast milk from the milk bank at the beginning. Even though it wasn’t my milk, it was still breast ​​milk - the best form of nutrition for my child. Since then, I have donated so much of my pumped milk to other moms and babies who needed it. Just like me, I’m sure the moms who receive my breast milk feel relieved, that while they are unable to provide their own breast milk, they are still able to nourish their child with the best milk available. 
Truly, breast milk is so powerful and special! I mean, what other drink (or food) can shift its components and adapt to exactly what the child needs? It's amazing how even just a few drops of colostrum is enough to nourish a newborn baby, or how milk with COVID-19 antibodies is enough to protect and keep a child free of COVID-19 despite exposure in the environment. Not many people realize this, but once they do, it is no surprise that they will try to keep breastfeeding for as long as possible. 
My advice to moms who are thinking about starting their breastfeeding journey, or thinking about continuing, is to just keep going, just keep trying! The benefits and the results are worth any struggle you might have or feel. But if after trying and giving your all, and you realize that breastfeeding is just not possible, there is no shame in asking for help--
        Breast milk is still powerful and special, even if it doesn’t come from you.
        It will still nourish and protect your child, even if it doesn’t come from you. 
​Breastfeeding my child has truly strengthened our bond. What many people don’t realize is that it is more than just providing food and nourishment for your child. Breastfeeding is providing protection, security and comfort in a way only a mother can. And now more than ever, I truly love and appreciate how much breastfeeding has given us special moments that only the both of us share.
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Mommy Yuki

8/15/2021

1 Comment

 
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Before becoming a mother, I thought breastfeeding was a simple task that moms can easily do for their babies. I thought that it was just an option for families who don’t want to include infant formula milk in their monthly expenses. It was very common for me to ask other parents, "Is your child breastfed?". As I became a parent myself to my firstborn, my perspective on breastfeeding changed.

Our breastfeeding journey began during my pregnancy. In my third trimester, my husband was very supportive. He knows better when it comes to breastfeeding essentials – from fixing up an electric pump to choosing the best breast milk storage bags and containers. He even bought all of those for me. But yes, I still felt the pressure was on me!

When I gave birth in September last year, my milk production didn’t kick in immediately. I felt sad as days passed, and still my milk supply was not coming in. I was about to lose hope, desperate to 
breastfeed our newborn, until one day I prayed and asked God to guide me and our baby in our breastfeeding journey. If He would allow, I asked Him to use me as an instrument to help the preemies in the NICU or the babies in the nursery. I made a promise that once I am able to build a stash, I would donate to public hospitals or NGOs. Day after day, I kept praying. Every time I pumped, I prayed for God's help. A month later, my husband and I decided to purely breastfeed our baby since we both thought that my supply was already enough to satisfy his hunger. It was on that day when I finally collected enough to build my very first stash!

Last January, I gave a dozen of my breast milk to my sister as she was about to give birth. In that same month, I made my first donation to PGH through Milk Matters. This donation really made a big impact to me as a person because I realized that becoming a mother won’t only give you the role of being a mom to your newborn, but also a mom to those who are in need. Through breast milk donations, mothers can help newborns have the best nutrients and immunity that they need, especially during this pandemic. ​
"This donation really made a big impact to me as a person because I realized that becoming a mother won’t only give you the role of being
​a mom to your newborn, but also a mom to those who are in need
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I also realized that apart from the physical benefits, breastfeeding can also contribute to a child’s mental health as it helps moms communicate with their babies. Knowing that newborns are not yet used to the outside world, proper nursing can give them the warmth and cuddle they had when they were still in the womb.
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My key takeaway from my experience is if I could do things differently before giving birth, I would definitely educate myself with enough knowledge in breastfeeding. If I just knew earlier that a mother’s breast milk supply is enough from day 1, then we would not have purchased the infant formula milk for my baby, and I would not have felt bad for thinking that I was not enough for my baby.

​Yes, breastfeeding is indeed difficult as it requires patience and determination. Having someone who is heavily dependent on you 24/7 can be exhausting. While it may have caused a drastic change in my life – from eating habits to lifestyle, I always kept in mind that the challenges are outweighed by the physical and mental benefits breastfeeding has on my baby’s growing years. I am glad that up until now that he is 10 months old, our breastfeeding journey continues. I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to help in this special way. Salute to all moms and supportive dads that are on this journey!

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Mommy Gi

8/8/2021

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Mommy Gi is a proud mom to 5-month old Alon. In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, she shares with Milk Matters her experience in breastfeeding her baby. 

Unlike most moms, I did not feel the instant connection with my baby while he was in the womb. In my mind, I knew he was my son, but I did not feel the “baby fever” nor the usual giddy feeling that moms talk about. It wasn’t magical for me. Everything was so sudden because I had to have an emergency cesarean section. Even when I first held him in my arms, it didn’t sink in yet. Suddenly, I’m cradling my baby when a few moments ago, he was just kicking in my womb. It was disorienting.
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Thankfully, being a mom finally felt real to me during Alon’s first latch. We simply clicked. Breastfeeding brought us closer together. He would cling to me as much as I’d cling to him. Every moment he was away from me, like when my in-laws would watch him in the morning as I caught up on sleep, I would miss him already.


As a first time mom, I did not have a hard time like I expected to. Despite giving birth earlier, my milk came just in time, so supply was not a problem. Alon also latched like a champ, although he was picky with breastfeeding positions. I had to experiment with what was comfortable and efficient for us both. I had to deal with nipple blisters, ensuring I had nipple balm on hand and that I would ice my breasts in between feedings. Luckily, pain was not much of an issue for me because I have a relatively high tolerance for it. What worried me the most was when I had a bad episode of diarrhea and my supply tanked for a few days. But after much rehydration and eating right, I was able to regain my supply.
Breastfeeding has many benefits; ultimately, the practical aspect of it drew me to practicing it with my baby. I hope people see that breastfeeding is natural. It doesn’t only feed or provide, it also nurtures and soothes. There are a lot of misconceptions that need to be dispelled. One comment I heard while breastfeeding was “ginawa nang pacifier yung suso mo,” which shouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, because breastfeeding brings comfort. Furthermore, comfort nursing should be normalized. Society shouldn’t sexualize breastfeeding just because milk comes from breasts. The workplace and society in general can still grow to be more open, understanding, accommodating, and accepting towards working mothers. They deserve to be be given protected time and a safe space for pumping in between work hours.
 The workplace and society in general can still grow to be more open, understanding, accommodating, and accepting towards working mothers.
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I’d also like to remind new mothers that breastfeeding is hard work. It will take a lot from you - physically, mentally, emotionally. This is why you will need to nurture yourself as much as you nurture your child. Eat right, hydrate, and rest as needed. Know that it’s okay to hand your child over to someone else while you recharge because you need to replenish your energy. 

​My advice to new moms who are breastfeeding like me is to give yourself some grace; there is no need to wallow in self-guilt and self-pity. I was too hard on myself at first because I was really determined to breastfeed my baby. Whenever I couldn’t soothe Alon by the usual methods (cradling, latching for comfort), negative thoughts like “I’m a failure” or “I’m a bad mother” came to mind. Hormones are crazy after giving birth, but with an adequate support system behind me, I was able to get past this. I’m sure you can, too.


​For those who are contemplating breastfeeding their newborn, I encourage you to do it. Do it 100%, not simply half-baked. Do it for you and your baby, and not for anyone else. Listen to your body. Listen to yourself. If you are in for it, consider breastfeeding and set little goals - aim to breastfeed for 6 months, then 1 year if you can. It’s not easy but it’s manageable, given the right resources and support system. If it’s not for you (even if you have exhausted all efforts), don’t beat yourself too much about it. Don't label yourself a failure. No matter how you feed your baby - be it by breastfeeding, pumping, or formula feeding - what matters is your baby is fed and nourished. At the end of the day, your baby loves you no matter what.
 If you are in for it, consider breastfeeding and set little goals - aim to breastfeed for 6 months, then 1 year if you can. ​
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Mommy Chax

11/1/2020

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Breastfeeding is a rewarding yet demanding commitment. In fact, deciding to stick with exclusive  breastfeeding—even despite the difficulties experienced—is sometimes the harder decision to make. In  this online interview, Mommy Chax shares some of her personal experiences in her breastfeeding journey,  which was made uniquely challenging not only due to the current pandemic, but also due to her decision  to return back to orthopedic residency 2 months after giving birth to her 14-month old daughter, Eli. She  shares some of the insights she gained, as well gives valuable advice that she hopes will help not only  mothers who are already breastfeeding, but also those wanting to pursue breastfeeding as well.  

According to Mommy Chax, she had no prior knowledge of the struggles that came with  breastfeeding from any other mom, since Eli was the first baby in her side of the family. Thus, she initially  thought that due to its accessibility, providing breastmilk for Eli was going to be easy. However, she soon began to feel pressured in her responsibility of serving as the only source of nourishment for the baby.  She got worried when her supply dipped a little, or when she experienced inconveniences such as needing  to running errands and wake up at night to breastfeed. ​
In addition, she realized that breastfeeding wasn’t really 100% free. It entailed a lot of effort on her part to express milk, clean and sterilize her pump, avoid mastitis, and take care of herself to be healthy  enough to produce more milk. However, Mommy Chax remarks that all of these things made breastfeeding even more valuable than the money spent on formula feeding. ​
Thus, no matter how much time and effort it entailed, Mommy Chax decided to keep on  exclusively breastfeeding Baby Eli. In deciding to resume her orthopedic residency, she knew that to  continue exclusively breastfeeding her was going to be a challenge. And it certainly was.  

“I had to pump before, in between and after surgeries, right after OPD, during duties and after  conferences. My pumping schedule wasn’t regular, so there were episodes of engorgement and plugged  ducts. Thankfully, I never had mastitis, and my milk was always enough for my baby and even had more  to share for donation.”

She then emphasizes that this was made possible through the support she received from her colleagues,  with them not minding the buzzing sound of the pump late at night, or when Mommy Chax had to excuse  herself right after trans out.
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However, there came a time when Mommy Chax almost stopped breastfeeding. “Eli started biting  during feeding when she was teething at around 10 months. I even got a wound and it was really painful  to feed.” Fortunately, after getting support and encouragement from her husband, as well as advice from  Baby Eli’s pedia and her friend who also happened to be a breastfeeding counselor, Baby Eli’s feeding  habits improved. Mommy Chax was then able to recover and continue breastfeeding. 

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When asked about some of the things that she wished she would have done differently in her  breastfeeding journey, Mommy Chax shared the she would have simply brushed off unsolicited advice  that she received from people who had never breastfed—especially males. In addition, she wished to have  cared less about feeding or pumping in public. Finally, she would have bought less “nursing” tops and just  stuck to regular clothes that she could wear even after weaning.  

Nevertheless, one’s breastfeeding journey will never be perfect. Mommy Chax even remarks that  “challenges will always be there in every stage.” Thus, she advises moms to develop a strong support  group, starting from the baby’s father, up until the mother’s colleagues and workmates. She then reminds  mothers that they do not have to bear the burden of breastfeeding and motherhood all by themselves. 

Finally, we asked Mommy Chax how breastfeeding has made an impact on her relationship with  Baby Eli. To this, she replied: “It definitely made “a mother’s unconditional love” more tangible, as the  journey to breastfeed wasn’t as easy as I expected.” 
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Mommy Chax goes even further by saying that as she saw how Eli was able to reach her leaps and  milestones healthily, the decision to continue breastfeeding truly proved worth every plugged duct and  bite mark.
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Mommy Margo

10/25/2020

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​While breastfeeding can be an incredibly fulfilling experience for a mother and her child -- much like any journey -- it does have its ups and downs. Breastfeeding is not always smooth sailing. This week, Margo Soliman shares how she overcame the roadblocks of this facet of motherhood. In an online interview, Mommy Margo shares her experiences in nursing her two beautiful daughters, Morgan (3 years) and Maxine (11 months).
Upon asking her about the difficulties she encountered during breastfeeding, Mommy Margo firstly mentioned how both her daughters had lip ties, a condition wherein the upper lip is tethered to the gum line. This limits lip movement; in her experience, this prevented her daughters from latching on properly early in their newborn periods. 

​Her daughters’ mouths slipping off her nipple while nursing, shallow latches, clogged milk ducts, and short but frequent nursing periods were only a few of the many obstacles she overcame. Throughout it all, however, Mommy Margo stayed patient and highlights the importance of seeking out medical advice. This led her to avail of a safe surgical intervention to address her second daughter’s lip tie and improve her breastfeeding experience. 
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​​Another significant challenge Mommy Margo encountered was finding out her younger daughter had food (and environmental) allergies. Her younger daughter, Maxine, has been exclusively breastfeed for 11 months. Being the primary source of her youngest daughter’s nutrition, Mommy Margo had to eliminate certain food in her diet, restricting herself to a limited range of food ingredients. She had to make sure the food she ate was safe for her daughter, a very tricky thing since the food items her daughter is allergic to are in almost every dish out there. Sadly, every rash that appeared on her daughter’s body would constantly make Mommy Margo blame herself for the meals she had the previous day. She knew there was no absolute way to pinpoint what could’ve caused the rash or discomfort, given that multiple factors could have caused it. She says, “I cannot personally say that we have overcome this difficulty yet, but through the help of her medical specialists, we at least were able to determine what food items she is allergic to as a guide for her diet as well as mine.” Thankfully, with the help of healthcare professionals and her personal determination to adjust her diet, Mommy Margo is now able to manage her daughters’ allergic reactions.

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In relation to this, Mommy Margo really does advocate for healthy eating, not just for babies but for moms as well! She believes eating nutritious meals herself was the best way to start providing her daughters with the healthiest meals as soon as she gave birth to them. After this newborn period, eating healthy in turn helps in milk supply. Mommy Margo reminds moms that the length of breastfeeding nor the amount of milk one makes should be factors in a competition. “Each breastfeeding journey is as unique as our babies are.”

​​Breastfeeding has positively impacted Mommy Margo’s relationship with her daughters. Through each nursing session, she felt the connection between her and her children develop beyond the physical act of holding them in her arms. She expounds by saying, “It is during breastfeeding that I was able to first soothe or calm them down, when I first discovered their eating habits, when I first saw their content and full faces and even their first smiles.”



​​Lastly, we asked Mommy Margo what about breastfeeding would she want people to know. Her response was,
“What I want society to know about breastfeeding is that breastfeeding is one of the most natural yet magical expressions of love a mother can give to her baby. The wonders of breastmilk, even up to this day, is something science cannot fully explain. The magic of the mother’s body being able to change her breast milk composition based on her child’s health is just one of the many beauties of what breastmilk and a nursing mother can do. Breastfeeding isn’t easy. It takes a lot of dedication, patience and persistence to mold your own unique journey of breastfeeding your child.”
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Mommy Anita

10/18/2020

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​Recalling the beginning of her breastfeeding journey, Mommy Anita is quick to bring up one of her first challenges - getting her baby to latch properly. She comically tells us that it was because she had flat nipples, and never expected nipple size nor shape to ever affect latching. There was a lot of crying on her baby’s end, and just as much stress on hers. Her baby was losing weight and so had to make the decision to momentarily cup feed and bottle feed him with her milk.

“It was very frustrating because I always thought I'd be able to breastfeed directly”, she said. Mommy Anita reminds us once again that breastfeeding does not come without unforeseen obstacles, especially for first time mothers. However she does tell us that overcoming these is possible with a good support system. Together with her loved ones and fellow mothers, Mommy Anita was able to get Mav to latch directly on his second month. Despite the many times she felt like giving up, she says that the bond she felt whenever Mav would latch was strong enough for her to be persistent and patient. This led her to fully realizing how big a responsibility it was to be a mother. In her words, to be one’s source of survival and food, but also comfort and security.
“I realized that breastfeeding is hard! It's painful, it’s messy, it's the most important thing your baby needs and it's a lot of pressure. But it's the labor of love, and it's rewards are beautiful.”
​Mommy Anita says this fondly thinking of how nice it is to see Mav 'milk drunk' and fast asleep after a good feed.

Her journey as a first time mother simultaneously took place with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. At one point, Mommy Anita came down with a fever. Despite this, her doctor advised her to continue breastfeeding with taking proper precautions, such as wearing a mask. 
“I want society to know that breastfeeding is so essential, especially now that there is a pandemic, our babies need the antibodies found in breastmilk to strengthen their immunity. And it doesn't cost a thing!”
​Mommy Anita expresses this while advising new moms who are considering breastfeeding to stay healthy, don’t give up and enjoy it because it doesn’t last forever. And lastly, she encourages new moms to donate their extra milk to help fellow mothers and babies in need. 
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Mommy Rae

10/10/2020

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Mommy Rae has been raising her twins for a year now, and talks about her experiences on breastfeeding with Milk Matters. She shares that the beginning was not so easy, “When they were newborns, I fed them every 2 hours and all throughout, I was always the only one to feed them. No one else ever gave them a bottle.” Mommy Rae says that one of the most difficult parts was getting the schedules right, and it was much tougher with two babies. “Breastfeeding twins was really difficult, especially scheduling. The best advice I got from another twin mom was to always feed both babies together and to sleep when they slept otherwise you’ll never rest. Learning how to tandem feed was a challenge. We watched YouTube videos and I could basically never feed them together on my own. The twin pillow was really helpful. I also think feeding them immediately when they came out was really helpful in establishing a good latch from the beginning.”

After a year of growth and learning, Mommy Rae looks back on this beautiful journey, “If I could do anything differently, I’d try and put less pressure on myself to get it perfect. It’s in their nature to breastfeed, they’ll basically figure it out for themselves.” She also realized that it can actually be pretty easy to breastfeed compared to having to wash bottles, prepare formula, and take all that gear when leaving the house.   ​
“I think breastfeeding has definitely strengthened my bond with my babies. Even though it was sometimes very hard, it was always my special time with them.”
Despite the challenges that come with breastfeeding, she feels that breastfeeding has made her closer to her babies. “I think breastfeeding has definitely strengthened my bond with my babies. Even though it was sometimes very hard, it was always my special time with them. Now they still nurse for comfort when they’re sick or just when they need comforting for any reason. It’s nice to know there’s something I can give them that makes them feel better no matter what.”
Mommy Rae hopes more people are aware that breastfeeding is hard for many moms; they need all the support they can get. “Don’t hesitate to offer a mom a seat or a glass of water.” As for her fellow moms, Mommy Rae advises, “Try and latch them as early as possible after birth and drink a TON of water to establish your supply. Also research about the health benefits of breastfeeding for the baby. It helps when you’re feeling discouraged to remember all the nutritional and immune benefits. Talk to other breastfeeding moms to get support.”
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Mommy Maloi Averilla

4/30/2019

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​Mommy Maloi Averilla, a 22 year old student from UP Manila, shares her experiences as a first time mom with her almost 1 year old daughter, Gaby. She opens up about going in to breastfeeding and how she was able to adapt to her new found role as a mother. Mommy Maloi said, “entering this new chapter of my life is a big turning point and I can say that breastfeeding was the most challenging so far and it left a remarkable experience in me as a woman and made me appreciate the importance of bonding between me and my child.”
“It may be challenging but it is the best you can do for the nourishment of your child. It will create several changes in your body. Your body may never be the same anymore but remember, all the marks left are symbols of how powerful and exceptional the woman's body is.”
​She and her daughter are able to share intimate moments during breastfeeding that strengthen their bond and bring them closer together as a family. It is in moments like those where Mommy Maloi knows she is giving the best parts of her self for her daughter. “It created a bond between us which has become significant to me in gaining motivation to be more optimistic of what motherhood will cost me as a first time mom.”
 
 Aside from fostering a strong bond between mother and child through exclusive breastfeeding, she knew she was providing only the best for her daughter— “I felt that she got closer and more familiar with me and I felt fulfilled because of being able to provide nourishment to my child. We both enjoyed and showed satisfaction whenever my daughter feeds and I was so happy about seeing how healthy my baby was when I was still breastfeeding.”
 
However, not all breastfeeding journeys will be easy. Mommy Maloi had her fair share of struggles, “I remember how I cried during the first week while breastfeeding my baby due to painful, sore and wounded nipples. I [also had a] naturally abundant supply of milk but the presence of wounds made it unbearable for me sometimes.” Like a lot of moms, she experienced pains during breastfeeding but it did not stop her from pursuing exclusive breastfeeding. She shares how she was able to overcome those difficulties through manual expression, rest, and medication.
 
“What I did was I pumped and stored milk for my child and she fed through bottles for the mean time as I let my wounds heal before directly breastfeeding my child again. When I returned to direct breastfeeding after a week to allow my wounds to heal, I applied nipple gel twice a day to relieve pain and soreness.”
 
Despite the problems she has faced during motherhood and breastfeeding, she was able to persevere because of the love she had for her daughter. When asked if she would have done anything differently when she had first started breastfeeding, she said she wouldn’t have it any other way. Mommy Maloi sees motherhood as a beautiful gift where she is able to celebrate her womanhood and share the gift of life. “A lot of things has always been unpredictable for me as a first time mother, but it positively affected me and keeps me motivated to do better each day.” All the ups and downs of motherhood had all been worth it as Mommy Maloi sees her daughter grow up strong and healthy.
“…it just proves how a woman's body can give life and nourish a life… and that is what makes it valuable.”
Breastfeeding will always be with its stigmas and misconceptions but what Mommy Maloi wants us to know is that breastfeeding is not a thing to be to be ashamed of — “…it just proves how a woman's body can give life and nourish a life… and that is what makes it valuable.”
 
The lack of public education holds society back by keeping to old misconceptions, which is why she believes that access to the health information is crucial to ending the stigma. “The facts about [breastfeeding] must be strengthened and properly taught to all people, not just to mothers.” She also stresses the importance of breastmilk for the overall health and nutrition of infants and that it is a big factor in their brain development. Mommy Maloi wants mothers like her and soon-to-be moms to know the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding but also to be aware of the possible difficulties that could be faced. “It may be challenging but it is the best you can do for the nourishment of your child. It will create several changes in your body. Your body may never be the same anymore but remember, all the marks left are symbols of how powerful and exceptional the woman's body is.”
 
Sharing her story, Mommy Maloi hopes that her story will inspire moms and soon-to-be moms to find the time and determination to pursue exclusive breastfeeding for their children despite the challenges that could be faced.
 
“I must say as a mother to another mother, breastfeeding will cause beautiful changes in your life and will make you appreciate and love your own body even more. Be proud and carry on!”
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    Express Yourself

    ​In line with our objective to empower Filipino mothers to breastfeed, Milk Matters presents Express Yourself, an online movement that sheds light on the breastfeeding experiences of Filipino mothers, families, doctors, nurses, and other members of society. Our vision is to inspire other mothers to continue breastfeeding through these stories.

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