Breastfeeding Archives - Touringkitty

Category: Breastfeeding

09
Oct
2018

A foundation that supports breastfeeding

categories: Breastfeeding, Press Releases

While formula and follow-on milk formula are enjoying the limelight in the marketing scene, it’s always nice to know that there are still institutions who dared take that road less traveled and support only the best–breastfeeding.

I got a chance to attend a forum on the Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines program of the World Vision and the Department of Health as a mommy blogger. When I read the invite, I immediately asked if there are milk sponsors and gladly there is none, since this is a project of the Department of Health.

What surprised me even more is seeing one of the foremost breastfeeding champs in the country, in the person of a male.

Yes, our breastfeeding face in the DOH is a he! Dr. Anthony Calibo.

Imagine that. A room full of mommy bloggers, nutrition experts, celebrity influencers, a supportive organisation, all in unison for breastfeeding.

The focal point of the event was the phone application they introduced to report milk code violations. I do hope that the response time will be reasonable and adequate, and for the customer to be assured of their safety and confidentiality.

Here’s more about the event:

Breastfeeding may be considered a challenging phase of motherhood but the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies truly make the journey worthwhile. While more and more mothers recognize that breastmilk will always be superior compared to formula milk, there is still a need to spread awareness on its benefits and to encourage people to support breastfeeding.

In response to the global campaign of protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding, World Vision Development Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Health, launched Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines. This two-year project aims to:

1. Support and strengthen the implementation of Executive Order 51 (The Philippine Milk Code of 1986), Republic Act 7600 (The Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992), and Republic Act 10028 (The Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009).
2. Increase awareness and educate health professionals and the public regarding these laws.
3. Encourage people to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding by involving them in monitoring the implementation of breastfeeding laws in the country.

Carleneth F. San Valentin, Health and Nutrition Technical Programme Manager of World Vision Development Foundation, believes that encouraging mothers to nurture their child is a way to empower a mother’s ability to breastfeed and care for their child. “We are here to educate mothers so that they are empowered to make the right choice in nurturing and caring for their child. We want them to realize that if these laws are not implemented, we are impinging on their rights and of their child’s,” she shared.

According to Dr. Anthony P. Calibo of the Department of Health, this responsibility to uphold the breastfeeding rights of mothers is not just the responsibility of concerned organizations and government sectors; it is a responsibility of the general public. “If a mother is investing herself for the betterment of the future of her child, then she is also investing in the betterment of the future of this country,” he emphasized.

To stay true to their mission and vision for this project, the team conducted Mommy Forum: Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines last October 2, 2018 at Little Owl in New Manila. #MBFPH was graced by mom celebrities like Camille Prats Yambao, Jennica Garcia Uytingco and Erika Padilla.

Erika Padilla, World Vision Breastfeeding Ambassador, shared her breastfeeding journey. “It is a huge sacrifice. It is difficult, painful, and a lot of work. But definitely worth every single drop because I see my son getting stronger and healthier every day,” she recalled. Her story encouraged more moms to share and ask for more tips from Erika as well.

Rommel Fuerte, Executive Director of World Vision Development Foundation, reminds long-time moms and new moms the reason behind this gathering: the breastfeeding normalization is still a work in progress and it’s a must to constantly promote and protect breastfeeding to empower moms and to ensure a healthy start for their children.

To know how you can support Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines, log on to https://mbfp.doh.gov.ph/ or download MBF PH via Google Play or Apple Store.

Jun Godornes, Resource Development Director of World Vision Development Foundation, joined Erika Padilla as she officially signs her contract as World Vision Breastfeeding Ambassador.

Dr. Anthony Calibo of the Department of Health; World Vision Breastfeeding Ambassador Erika Padilla, Carleneth F. San Valentin, Health and Nutrition Technical Programme Manager of World Vision Development Foundation; Camille Prats Yambao, Jennica Garcia Uytingco, Event Host Erin Valera, and Jun Godornes, Resource Development Director of World Vision Development Foundation.

15
Feb
2016

Consummatum est: Weaned from the breast

categories: Breastfeeding, Family, Health, Parenting

I really cannot think of any good title for this post. I just had to post this anyway: Aria is FULLY WEANED from the breast. From MY breasts, which nourished her with my own milk from Day One.

No more breastfeeding, no more asking for “dede” to be able to sleep. Not even for comfort. Not even for…nothing. Hugs work. Blankets work. Dolls work. That’s enough for her.

I actually thought she’d wean after that two-week Europe trip I had in the middle of last year. Or even that overnight trip to Balesin last month. But she didn’t.

It has been close to two weeks of no nursing at all, no asking for “dede” to sleep. After our nightly prayers, she would just wrap herself in a blanket to sleep, then mightily proclaim that she will sleep by herself because she is a big girl.

She IS big. We have to pay for her train fare already. No more free buffet for her either. Kid's Rates already apply. — She IS big. We have to pay for her train fare already. No more free buffet for her either. Kid’s Rates already apply.

Let’s count this exactly: Five years, five and a half months. From someone who had doubts in the early days, who was almost persuaded to give formula (to which I never gave in), whose original goal was just six months, it was more than what I prayed for.

Breastfeeding is an investment. Aside from not buying formula and bottles anymore, we had lesser hospital trips, and reduced risk for certain types of cancers. Not only my daughter, but for me as well. Plus the countless other positive benefits for the whole family. Even for Daddy, who always had a good sound sleep in the night.

What happens next? Baby number two so I could breastfeed again? That’ll come, Sa Tamang Panahon.

That’s why I am ever so happy to see MORE breastfeeding families nowadays, and actively promoting it through the organisations that I am part of — LATCH and Our Lady of La Leche Movement.

It is true, a mom could be emotional when weaning time comes. For some, they choose to force wean, for some reasons. But I let this one come naturally, on her own. And all I feel is bittersweet.

I am praying and will continue to support all families who choose breastfeeding. Trust me, it’s the BEST and ONLY choice you’d want for your children.

~ Touringkitty

30
Jul
2015

Hakab Na! 2015: Bigger event for a big cause

categories: Breastfeeding, Press Releases

Flash mobs are always an instant hit with people. And this is one mob our family would definitely support.

Two years ago, my family participated in the first ever breastfeeding mob organised by Breastfeeding Pinays, an online support group of families who truly support breastfeeding. The mob was supposed to be held outdoors, at the Rajah Sulayman Park. Unfortunately, that day was a heavy downpour of rain. Aristocrat Restaurant came into the rescue, and gave a venue to a roomful of participants, mostly with babies to toddlers. We brought our own toddler, about to turn three years old at this time, who is still breastfeeding.

My husband wrote our experience during that very first breastfeeding mob here.

My daughter is turning five in August. She still breastfeeds, occasionally. I even thought she’d wean already as I was out of the country for two weeks last June. But then, she told me that she missed me, therefore she missed breastfeeding, too. There, she’s back at it, most often during sleepytime.

I never regretted any second spent on breastfeeding her, mainly because of the following reasons:

Economical. I don’t even want to compute IF we chose to give formula at any point in her five years. Sure, I’d give some fresh milk every now and then (or soy or hemp or whatever milk that’s NOT in powder form) but for the past year I rarely give her any milk. She eats more, and she eats everything, hardly gets sick, and is very healthy. Speaking of healthy…

Healthy baby, healthy mommy. Breastmilk gives both medical and health benefits for mom and baby. Baby gets her first immunization on the onset of breastfeeding as a newborn because of that very healthy colostrum. Mother, meanwhile, gets protection against certain cancer types, and exchanges immunity with baby. I’ve proven this because we rarely get sick, or we recover from sickness faster. The longer baby breastfeeds, the longer benefits for both mother and child. And I’d say, the father, too, who gets to sleep longer and therefore healthier.

Creating a healthier, wiser future generation. This perhaps is the most important to me right now. That’s why more work has to be done by breastfeeding advocates and support groups to be able to accomplish this. And this is one of my reasons why I trained to be a breastfeeding counselor–to pay forward the past five years of investing my time in breastfeeding my daughter (and the lifetime of benefits this will surely bring to our family).

Handa ka na ba humakab? (Are you ready to latch?)

This year, the global Big Latch On, locally known as Hakab Na!, will happen on August 1. The even aims to do a simultaneous latching all over the world, to emphasize that a world who breastfeeds is a healthier and stronger world. Here in our country, multiple locations are holding similar events, I will be attending the one in Pasig City.

Whether you breastfeed or not, we call on your support. Visit www.hakabna.com to join.

Hataw na! I mean, Hakab na!

~ Touringkitty

11
Jun
2015

www.gobreastfeed.com: A new local go-to site for breastfeeding

categories: Breastfeeding

“Wala akong gatas, eh.”

“Naubusan na ako ng gatas.”

“Masakit magpadede.”

“Gusto ko na magtrabaho ulit.”

These are just four of the most common things I’ve heard (and said so myself) about breastfeeding.

Unfortunately, these phrases can make or break breastfeeding success.

One mom had a vision: to educate and empower mothers to breastfeed in the most accessible platform nowadays: the internet. And why would she not, with her experience as former country editor of Yahoo Philippines, spreading the news online is easier, and can reach a wide audience.

Thus, Go Breastfeed was born.

Cute logo, right?

“I believe that no parent who completely understands the power of breastfeeding would choose any other way to nourish a child,” says Kate Delos Reyes, creator of Go Breastfeed.

Kate is a trained breastfeeding counselor and my batchmate at LATCH. Her experience as a breastfeeding mom of a two year old and her online expertise is much utilized in Go Breastfeed.

“We want Go Breastfeed to be a platform for breastfeeding advocates to reach more parents online,” she said, noting that the website aims to amplify the efforts of these groups, not to duplicate them.

The website is a one-stop site for breastfeeding concerns. New parents can immediately visit the CRASH COURSE tab for their first breastfeeding course. Read and exchange stories in their Breastfeeding Diaries and Forum sections.

Kate aims to make classes accessible by producing online training materials to make classes cost-free. The website is a good start to gather the attention of most people to support and protect breastfeeding.

To support Go Breastfeed, especially their efforts at making breastfeeding classes available to everyone, please click here. (http://igg.me/at/gobreastfeed).

~ Touringkitty

07
Oct
2014

Mother of Milk celebrates Feast Day on October 11

categories: Breastfeeding, Church Life

Nuestra Señora de La Leche Y Buen Parto, or more popularly known as Our Lady of La Leche, is the patroness of mothers and mothers-to-be. Her image is that of the Blessed Mother breastfeeding her Baby Jesus. All mothers, particularly pregnant, nursing and trying to conceive, come to Our Lady of La Leche with their petitions.

La leche at hp — Image enshrined at Harrison Plaza Chapel.

The Our Lady of La Leche Movement aims to make the devotion to Our Lady known throughout the Philippines, giving spiritual nourishment to the Filipino family.

Devotion to Our Lady of La Leche steadily grows in the country through the movement that started in 2000. The following churches are fortunate to have an image of Our Lady enshrined in them:

1. Basilica of the Immaculate Conception -Intramuros, Manila
2. Our Lady of Fatima Parish – Mariveles St., Mandaluyong City
3. Espiritu Santo church – Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila
4. St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral – Camp Crame, Quezon City
5. Sanctuario de San Jose – Greenhills East Subd., San Juan City
6. Church of Sta. Clara – P. Burgos St., Pasay City
7. Our Lady of Loreto Parish – Bustillos, Sampaloc, Manila
8. San Roque Parish – San Roque St., Mandaluyong City
9. Holy Family Parish –Faraday, Makati City
10. Shrine of Jesus, Truth, Way & Life – Reclamation Area, Pasay City
11. St. John Mary Vianney Parish – Barangay Cembo, Makati City
12. St.John the Baptist – Pinaglabanan, San Juan City
13. San Carlos Seminary chapel – Edsa, Guadalupe, Makati City
14. San Roque Cathedral – A. Mabini, Caloocan City
15. St. Francis of Assisi church – Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong city
16. Sto. Nino de Violago chapel – E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City
17. Parish of the Risen Christ – Bulihan, Silang, Cavite
18. Holy Trinity Parish – Calabash Rd., Sampaloc, Manila
19. Our Lady of Fatima Parish – Maricaban, Pasay City
20. Capuchin Retreat Center – Lipa, Batangas
21. San Rafael Arcangel Parish – Calaca, Batangas
22. Harrison Plaza chapel – M. Adriatico, Malate, Manila
23. San Agustin Parish – Palatiw, Pasig City
24. Medical City Hospital Chapel – Ortega, Pasig

OLLL in Mandaluyong — Special Mass hosted by the OLLL Movement last August 30 in Mandaluyong.

Her Feast Day is celebrated on October 11, and in line with this, the OLLL Movement will celebrate the Feast Day with a special Mass at the Harrison Plaza Chapel on October 11 at 5:00 PM. Pregnant and nursing mothers with their babies and devotees are invited to join this special Mass. Those who would like to have a special part during the Mass, preferably pregnant and nursing mothers, may get in touch with the OLLL Movement by sending a Facebook Message at www.facebook.com/lalecheph.

The Our Lady of La Leche Movement prays for all pregnant and nursing moms for a safe delivery and plentiful milk that will nourish our children–our country’s future.

Image enshrined at Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. With my four year old nursling.

22
Aug
2014

Breastfeeding: a solution to societal problems

categories: Blog Carnival, Breastfeeding, Milk Mama Diaries

“Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (August). For this month, we write about the World Breastfeeding Week 2014 – Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal for Life and share how breastfeeding can help the Philippines achieve the 8 Millennium Development Goals developed by the government and the United Nations. Participants will share their thoughts, experiences, hopes and suggestions on the topic. Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of carnival entries.”

Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal for Life! is the theme for this year’s Breastfeeding Month, as set by the World Breastfeeding Awareness Week.

In the years I have been breastfeeding our daughter, I have gotten mixed reactions. Some are happy for our family, others give me that dagger look, as if asking me why.

And in these past four years, I have always wondered about how a nation that breastfeeds can change the course of things. For a low-income family, breastfeeding should be automatically done. But it isn’t so, in this generation where milk companies let money and marketing do their talking.

Breastfeeding, for me, is beyond personal concerns. I know it would not only benefit my daughter and my family, but the whole society. We live in a condo, but the community outside the condo have a number of low-income earners. I usually pass by the small streets and see a lot of bottlefed babies. I even saw up close their bottles, and find out how diluted their milk is with its translucent color. I would not even wonder if they use clean water or not.

Breastfeeding helps eradicate poverty. If they only know that breastmilk is the most sterile, most accessible and cheapest milk there is (you won’t even spend a penny to breastfeed!). Thus, families will not be compelled to buy those cans of milk anymore.

You’re probably thinking now, but I can afford to buy, anyway, so why should I even breastfeed? That’s exactly where the personal reasons come in, like health benefits for mother and child, among many others.

I came to a point wherein I almost gave up breastfeeding. But I did not. I credit my husband for not only being there for me financially, but also physically and emotionally, when I doubted my ability to breastfeed an awful lot of times. He would do the research for me, giving in my simple requests or handing a drink over when my hands get suddenly full because of the newborn. He knew breastfeeding was best. He did not force me to do it. He’d even say that I can give up and top up with formula, but everytime he says this, I am more challenged to do better in breastfeeding.

It has been four years. No stopping yet. And instead of buying formula milk, we use the money to buy and cook delicious and nutritious food on our table.

In a similar light, breastfeeding also saves the environment. No formula milk preparation means zero use of cans, bottles, water and soap, electricity, and plastic. When we breastfeed, there is less carbon footprint that may harm the environment. We are ensuring and giving a safe environment to our future generation.

Likewise, breastmilk is the first zero waste food for baby. Organic, natural, and nutritious. My daughter, when she started talking at around a year old, tells me that my breastmilk tasted like strawberry milk. That’s funny, because at that time, she never tasted strawberry milk, not even on tetra packs.

Some would wonder, am I against formula feeding? Well, no. But I am against how these milk products are marketed. Those commercials, freebies, and free samples in the grocery surely would undermine breastfeeding. No wonder, they use a different tagline in the commercials nowadays. Remember when they say, Breastfeeding is best for babies up to two years? Instead, they now use, The use of milk supplements must only be upon the advice of a health professional. How cleverly done! Really taking away the importance of breastfeeding.

What should be done, then, to avoid these things:

1. Report Milk Code violations. These companies will continue to innovate their products, give you freebies and samples, because tell me, what can you still innovate about breastmilk and breastfeeding?

2. Educate one family at a time. Share a related breastfeeding link via your social media sites. Tell your mom, mother-in-law, husband, and other people that breastfeeding is not only beautiful and beneficial, but also contribute to a better society. This is why I trained as peer counselor for LATCH in order to reach out to more families who need breastfeeding support, and for myself to be better educated. Being and working with the amazing moms of LATCH especially these past months fueled my passion to advocate breastfeeding more.

3. If you’re the mom, Just Do It! And pray to Our Lady of La Leche to intercede. Having a child is a gift, much so, breastfeeding them.

The abovementioned points are part of the eight Millennium Development Goals set by the UN in 1990. The goals are set to be attained by 2015, which is next year. It may be that near, but happily, these goals are being achieved one day at a time.

Here are many thoughts and reasons why we should all advocate for mothers to breastfeed for the first 1,000 days of life #BF1st1000days

Jenny shares experiencing the One Asia Breastfeeding Forum

Mec insists to do the Math and breastfeed!

Ams, The Passionate Mom says Breastfeed for a Better Future

Pat says breastfeeding saves money and the planet

Cheryl, the Multi-Tasking Mama, tackles maternal health as addressed by breastfeeding

2011 CNN Hero Ibu Robin highlights gentle births and breasfeeding, even in disaster zones

Felyn stresses that Healthy Moms = Healthy Babies

Monique reminds us that there are second chances in breastfeeding

Normi relates how breastfeeding gave her strength and purpose

Nats thanks Dr. Jack Newman for showing how breastfeeding can be a win-win situation

Em believes breastfeeding is a solution to societal problems

Marge shares what breastfeeding has taught them

Kaity was empowered financially and as a woman through breastfeeding

Madel relates her breastfeeding saga

Jen of Next9 reminds us to do our research and share what we know

Celerhina Aubrey vows to work on one mother at a time

Grace wants to put an end to stories of toasted coffee and similar stuff over breast milk

Diane shares how she prevailed when things did not go according to plan

Hazel appreciates mommy support groups

Roan combines two passions, breastfeeding and architecture

Queenie tackled breastfeeding as the best choice for the environment as well and breastfeeding myths and poverty

Rosa shares how the picture she thought of was realized

Sally believes breastfeeding benefits mankind and our planet Earth

Floraine reminds us that breastfeeding helps combat diseases

Crislyn was happy to realize that she improved her own health by breastfeeding

Armi reminds us how breastfeeding during emergencies is crucial

Arvi tells us how breastfeeding made her look at her body a different way

Clarice elaborates on how breastfeeding saves lives and the planet

Giane reminds us that women empowerment can begin by seeing breastfeeding as more than a feeding issue

Liza thought she was only breastfeeding for her child

04
Aug
2014

Thanksgiving Mass in honor of Our Lady of La Leche on August 30

categories: Breastfeeding

UPDATED POST: Updated schedules on the event day

Through our breastfeeding journey, I was blessed to meet new people and learned a lot of things. One of which is the devotion to Our Lady of La Leche (Nuestra Senora de la leche y buen parto-Our Lady of Milk and good birth), patroness of mothers and mothers-to-be.

And an even greater blessing is that an image of Our Lady is enshrined in our church, Shrine of Jesus. The image is located on the right side of the church, below the projector. If I remember it right, this was enshrined even before I got married, perhaps back in 2007. Who would have thought that this image will be instrumental in my life as a breastfeeding mother and servant of the church.

Yesterday after mass, my daughter and I prayed for the four years of breastfeeding! — Yesterday after mass, my daughter and I prayed in thanksgiving for the four years of breastfeeding!

There is another image in the chapel in our nearby mall, Harrison Plaza, and that’s where the yearly Masses in Her honor is celebrated every October 11, her Feast Day. Through a friend and fellow LATCHer Bianca Gutierrez, there I learned about the Our Lady of La Leche Movement, which propagates the devotion to Our Lady. The movement is led by Remedios Ticson-Gonzales (read a story about how it started here).

As I mentioned in a previous post, there will be a Thanksgiving Mass in honor of Our Lady of La Leche on August 30 at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church in Mandaluyong, as Breastfeeding Awareness Month comes to a close. Here are the activities:

August 17-31: Our Lady of La Leche exhibit, showcasing the various beautiful images of Mother Mary nursing her Baby Jesus

August 30, Saturday at 8:00 AM, there will be a Thanksgiving Mass, with a special blessing for mothers who are pregnant, nursing and trying to conceive. This will be immediately followed by a talk on Breastfeeding Success, and a Medical Mission for pregnant mothers and babies 2 years old and below. The first 150 patients will be seen.

On August 12 at 9:00 AM, tune in to “Pinagpalang Bayan ng Diyos” on DWAD 1098am. Bianca Gutierrez and Em Alcantara will be discussing how Our Lady of La Leche has helped them through their breasfeeding journey.

The church is Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Mariveles Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City. Here’s a map to the church. It’s near MRT Shaw. Click on the photo to go to Google Maps.

For more information, please visit http://ourladyoflaleche.tripod.com/mdevote.htm, or send a message through www.facebook.com/lalecheph

~ Touringkitty

15
Jul
2014

Breastfeeding Month Activities

categories: Breastfeeding

UPDATED with two more events! Read on.

August is just around the corner! Oh, how time flies. It also means my daughter will be celebrating her birthday again, and she’s turning four!

Unexpectedly, my August became my second December for this year with the line up of activities related to breastfeeding. My breastfeeding advocacy inspired me to continue this blog (see breastfeeding posts on my blog here), take a peer counselor certification so I could properly and formally address breastfeeding concerns among friends and the community, and to carry on with breastfeeding my daughter until she weans herself. She is semi-weaned, nursing only once a day, some days none.

Here are a few activities wherein you can participate as well. Breastfeeding or not, we do hope everyone shows support by sharing this blog post on your social media as well. Better yet, join us in one of our activities.

August 2: Breastfeeding Pinays: HAKAB NA!

Click link to join: http://bit.ly/HakabNaMnl2014

Breastfeeding Pinays is a collective of mothers, fathers, lactation counselors, and medical professionals who support, champion, and educate about breastfeeding. Admins of the Facebook Group is organizing this year’s simultaneous breastfeeding with The Big Latch On, aiming for a bigger number of attendees. The Hakab Na is being done to promote breastfeeding, especially in public.

Last year, despite heavy rains, we were able to gather at Aristocrat Restaurant in Roxas Blvd., Manila who graciously opened its doors as the event was supposed to be held outdoors. We actually had second thoughts on joining, but my husband, who was my number one supporter in giving the best food for our daughter. He wrote about last year’s activity here.

See you on this year’s hakaban on August 2 at Taguig.

August 9: LATCH BUMP: Breastfeeding Uncovered: Mission Possible

August will be an even busier month for me especially now that I’m part of an organization called LATCH. LATCH is a non-profit breastfeeding support and education group. Last June, I and the other Batch 5 LATCHers had a chance to talk about breastfeeding at a Yahoo Philippines Spotlight event.

Passionately talking about one advocacy closest to my heart (and my breast, pun intended).

It was my first time to talk about breastfeeding, so I am super duper excited and nervous that I have committed myself to give another talk–a breastfeeding testimonial–on July 26 at The Medical City! I can remember how I was more nervous giving that talk last month to a full house of pregnant moms and fathers (hooray for joining us!). It was so special because it was held a day before Fathers Day.

Last year, I was able to attend Dr. Jack Newman’s talk here in Manila, and was even luckier to have won the ticket for it (thanks, Eliza Ypon of The Painters Wife!). After Dr. Newman’s successful visit last year, LATCH is once again fortunate to host him, this time in three cities!

I had no idea who Dr. Newman was until I attended the whole day talk. It was Aria’s third birthday, but I knew I could not miss that chance. Here’s some scenes from last year’s event, and why we want you to attend, too.

Post by L.A.T.C.H.

Here’s a newsclip about that talk that came out on Salamat Dok:

Post by L.A.T.C.H.

So, if you are a mother, father, medical practicioner, or would want to support and promote breastfeeding more, attend his talk. See photo below for details and register now:

August 23: Breastfeeding Seminar hosted by Yahoo Philippines

Click photo to register. Limited slots only!

Yahoo Philippines hosts this breastfeeding talk on August 23 at the Yahoo Philippines headquarters. This is where I had my first talk last June.

August 30: Thanksgiving Mass in honor of Our Lady of La Leche

Just recently, a friend reached out to form a core group who will help propagate the devotion to Our Lady of La Leche, the title of our Blessed Mother in honor of nursing mothers. The Our Lady of La Leche Movement is planning to hold a special mass in celebration of breastfeeding month on August 30 at Mandaluyong. Watch out the blog or my Facebook Page for more details.–>UPDATE: See post here for complete details.

I prayed through her intercession especially on the early days of my nursing journey. An image of Our Lady is enshrined at our church, Shrine of Jesus. I was also fortunate that my church community was supportive of mothers like me to breastfeed their children. By taking the peer counselor certification of LATCH, I am praying that God will use me to promote, educate, and support more people in their breastfeeding journey.

And to cap off August, Aria will celebrate her fourth birthday! Actually, we still don’t have plans for that day. It will be a Sunday, so we have Mass Service. Will ask that our family be the main offerors for the 10:30AM Mass on August 31, so we invite you to join us and pray with us for the wonderful blessing of family. The Shrine of Jesus Children’s Choir serves for that mass as well, so it will be your chance to hear my choir sing Mass songs. So, please join us!

Likewise, it is the Feast Day of Saint Raymond Nonato, the patron saint of pregnant mothers, childbirth, and children. It was with such serendipity that my daughter was born on that Feast day, when we were all expecting a September baby. Read my birthing story here.

Check back the blog for more breastfeeding month activities. See you in one of them, or in all of them!

~ Touringkitty

08
May
2014

Mom’s Basket: A basketful of stories through cookies

categories: Breastfeeding, Press Releases, Working Mama

Sharing is caring.

It all started with sharing her homemade lactation cookies to someone who is a total stranger, but was in dire need of foods which will help increase her milk supply.

Dea Macachor-Mesa is the mom behind Mom’s Basket, her small home business which she started last year. Visit her Instagram feed and read actual testimonials of moms who have benefited through her yummy, healthy, lactation cookies.

Mom’s Basket logo (taken from her Facebook Page).

I got her to answer some questions (thanks, Dea!) for us to know how she started and what does she plan to do with her blooming business.

Touringkitty (TK): Is Mom’s Basket your fulltime business? Any other ventures/jobs?

Mom’s Basket (MB): This is just my sideline. I’ve been working full time as a writer for a US-based website for almost three years now.

TK: Why the name Mom’s Basket? How did you start it?

MB: A few days after I gave birth, my mom came home from the wet market carrying a bag full of veggies and meat; she planned on making a lot of soup to help increase my milk supply. I remember the feeling of reassurance I got from seeing her come home with all those ingredients for me. That day came back to me while I was thinking of a name for the cookies. Okay, she actually used a green SM ecobag, but Mom’s Ecobag didn’t have the right ring to it, so Mom’s Basket it is.

I started baking my own lactation cookies when my daughter turned 6 months old. My milk supply dwindled as soon as she started eating solids. I always made extra for my sisters-in-law and a couple of close friends. One day, a mommy posted in the Breastfeeding Pinays Facebook group desperately asking for help on how to increase her supply for her premature baby who was still in the NICU. Since I had a lot of extra cookies that day, I offered to send her some. That mommy posted about the cookies on the BFP forum, and that day I got a lot of private messages asking me if I took orders. I replied to every one to say that I don’t and gave them the recipe instead. At that time, I could barely meet my work requirements because I was too busy with the baby. However, I thought of nothing else that night. I thought to myself, “Why not?” The very next day, I set up a Facebook page, did costing on the cookies, and messaged all of those moms back to say I was ready to take orders. They were some of my first customers. That was October last year.

TK: What products do you currently offer?

MB: I have classic oatmeal (P299), chocolate (P339) and chocolate chip (P339), and red velvet (P339). They come in packs of 28 pieces that are good for 1 week. I ship nationwide.

(My personal favorites are red velvet and chocolate chip!)

TK: Plan for the product for 2014? What should we watch out for?

MB: As far as my offerings go, these are probably it. My husband keeps telling me to expand to other baked products, but limiting my product list to just cookies means my production is more efficient, there’s less cleanup to do afterwards, and there are fewer ingredients to stock. I will probably come up with limited edition flavors every now and then because I like to experiment with new cookie recipes. Personally, I would like to be trained as a lactation peer counselor within the year. Majority of my customers are mothers like myself who have issues with their milk supply, and I would love to get the training to be able to support them and help them out as best as I can. I’m in the process of registering my business.

TK: How do you juggle motherhood and the business?

MB: I get by with a LOT of help from my family. My husband, my mother, and my siblings take turn watching over my baby girl so I can do some writing and bake cookies. I have no yaya, I don’t want to get one, so I have to rely on my family to help me.

Also, I have to prioritize, and at the end of the day, my baby is my #1 priority. Many times, I’ve had to postpone deliveries because I’m not able to bake or buy ingredients. It helps that my customers are all mothers and are very understanding. But I make it a rule to always, ALWAYS be honest with my customers if ever I won’t be able to deliver.

TK: Top three tips for breastfeeding working moms?

MB: 1. Don’t give up. Breastfeeding and working are not mutually exclusive. You can accomplish both if you’re determined to do it.

2. Get all the help you can get. Involve your husband in your breastfeeding journey so he can support you. Connect with other breastfeeding mothers so you can also get support from them.

3. Learn how to hand express.

This is a sample pack with all the flavors. Thanks for sending some, Dea! The whole family loved it.

~ Touringkitty

Visit her Facebook Page and Instagram account to know more about her products, to order, and to read the many testimonials of moms!

22
Mar
2014

Run for Breastfeeding: Join the Nurture Run on May 18

categories: Breastfeeding, Press Releases

UPDATE: The event is rescheduled to May 18 from April 13. See details on their website.

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You would definitely join a fun run for any good cause, but would you run for Breastfeeding?

The recent calamities that struck our country underscored the importance of breastfeeding, especially in times of emergency. Lactation support groups made their way to far flung areas where breastfeeding and child feeding support are much needed. Milk donations poured out, even wet nurses came to aid.

Breastfeeding is best for babies. Even best for their parents and families. It’s most accessible, practical, economical, and greatly beneficial. Personally, I advocate extended breastfeeding, meaning beyond two years. I still breastfeed my 3 and a half year old daughter because we both know it is still best. We complement with nutritious food, of course. I cannot enumerate the many wonderful benefits breastfeeding has given my family.

Spring has sprung, but for us here in sunny Manila, summer is kicking in. Looking for something worthwhile to do?

Join the Nurture Run on ~~April 13~~ May 18, 2014, Sunday, 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM at the ~~Quezon Memorial Circle~~ Cultural Center of the Philippines. This upcoming event is led by a Beauty, Brains, and Breastfeeding (BBB), a nonprofit and lactation consulting organization committed to promote, support and protect the rights of the breastfeeding mother and her child.*

BBB has the UNICEF, the International Labor Organization (ILO), as well as local government agencies, as its staunch partners in implementing its goals.

The event was introduced to online media through a press launch a couple of months ago at Recess by Chef Chris.

Iza Abeja, Executive Director of BBB, talking about the real situation of recent disaster-stricken areas. Patricia Hizon hosted the event.

BBB’s partnership with international and local agencies strengthens them to fulfill their main mission, which is to uphold breastfeeding in emergencies and in the workplace. Still, new mothers are not aware that it is their right to breastfeed even when working.

Other speakers included Henry Mdebwe of the UNICEF and Kate Demetrio of the National Nutrition Council. Mr. Mdebwe discussed the benefits of and the global policy on breastfeeding. Kate, on the other hand, gave us a picture on how formula feeding is an added risk during emergencies.

Media partners and bloggers were invited to this event. I got invited through Mommy Bloggers Philippines, a very supportive online community of mom bloggers.

Seven of the 300 members of Mommy Bloggers Philippines! What an overwhelming online community of mothers!

In attendance were: Glaiza Tomino of Mommy Musings, Lanie Lluch of Tweenselmom, Jen Bave of I Am Mommy Bave, Nadia De Leon of NanayStrip, Bedalyn Aguas of MamiAndFamily, and yours truly.

Watch out our blogs for more about breastfeeding! Check out my own posts here.

Act fast and join the Nurture Run! Race kits cost P450 which contains the race bib and a shirt. Get your race kits here. Not only will you run and be fit this summer, you will also help increase awareness in this really natural act of breastfeeding. This summer, #LetsBeReal.

~ Touringkitty

Category: Breastfeeding

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