Caritas Month: Milk Matters 2018

Patricia S. Sy, Ф2018 Class 2022

As part of Caritas Month celebrations which highlight the sorority's commitment of service to the Filipino people, the Phi Lambda Delta held its flagship project, Milk Matters, at the Canossa Health and Social Center, Silang, Cavite last February 16, 2018. This project centers on empowering women to know more about the importance of breastfeeding to enable them to take control of their own health and the health of their babies as well. It also encourages mothers to donate milk for the benefit of the patients in the Philippine General Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Upon arrival at the Canossa Health and Social Center, the sisses were gleefully welcomed by their very own sis, Sr. Maria Elena A. Adre, FdCC, Ф1986 Class 1991. The morning program started off with a public health lecture hosted by Patria Marie M. Lota Ф2018 Class 2022, and Jecelle D. Masula, Ф2018 Class 2022 for the mothers and mothers to be. Everyone could feel the energy in the air as the participants joined in a game of 'Tama' or 'Mali' that sought to clarify certain misconceptions about breastfeeding. Subsequently, Danee Coline E. Mangila, Ф2018 Class 2022 and Katelyn Edelwina Y. Legaspi, Ф2018 Class 2022 demonstrated the various positions that babies can assume while breastfeeding. They were able to show the mothers how to do the cradle hold, the cross cradle hold, the football hold, and the side-lying position. The fun fact that twins could be easily breastfed with the use of the football hold, with one baby on each arm, was met with resounding laughter.

Additionally, the hosts went on to discuss the pertinent information that mothers should always remember when breastfeeding, which was creatively presented through the acronym "G.A.T.A.S." The proper latch-on technique was also presented to the mothers. Another interactive segment ensued as mothers were asked to identify whether the images presented on screen depicted proper breastfeeding and latching practices. Everyone had their own opinion as they sought to analyze the images and correlate it with their own practice which created a space for mothers to share their own experiences about the matter.

In the next part of the program, everyone from DiversiPHI, Ф2018, pitched in to present to the mothers the many benefits associated with breastfeeding, with each benefit having a corresponding poster. Afterwards, therefore, the mothers were also able to run through all the amazing benefits associated with breastfeeding. Finally, common problems surrounding breastfeeding and the solutions to these problems were also discussed to help the mothers address these concerns more easily. 

To cap off the event, a breast milk expression activity was led by PGH's NICU nurses. Through this activity, the youngest batch of sisses were able to experience first hand how to facilitate milk expression from mothers. The joy among the mothers were palpable as they felt truly grateful to be able to share something that they had in excess to those who they know were in need.