Why do I breastfeed

I am a member of Breastfeeding Pinay in Facebook. Somebody asked (for a survey) - Why did you decide to breastfeed your baby initially? Give at least 3 reasons.

Napaisip ako...bakit nga ba? Sa panganay ko di pa ako member ng group na to. I am not sure nga if 6 years ago may Breastfeeding Pinay na =) I am not that aware of the pros of Breastmilk and cons of Formula Milk. Basta alam ko lang na mahirap ang breastfeeding and dapat pag handaan.

Di kaya ang reason ko is it is a challenge for me? Alam kong mahirap, gagawin ko! And maipagmamayabang ko sya haha! 

Maybe yes maybe no. But I know I have given the best to my panganay (though mixed fed sya...e kasi nga di pa ako member ng forum...how sad!) until he was 3 years old!!! and now, I am giving the best also to my bunso...eto exclusive talaga! Thanks to the mommies at BFP, I have learned a lot and learning everyday. 

I also thank my husband for supporting me...alam nya kasi ang effect sa panganay namin - smart, high EQ and my eldest eats what is on the table (though konting pilit sa veggies).

I pray to God that I can sustain this until my bunso is ready to wean!

Breastfeeding pins

 Last Saturday, I finally got the breastfeeding pins from Ms. Benz. They are soooooo cute! I want to wear them to flaunt them but at the same time, I am afraid they might get lost! Haha!

Thanks to Ms. Benz of w@w/n@w! I love them!!!!

Happy Breastfeeding Month!

International Breastfeeding Symbol

When I learned that I was pregnant, I armed myself with pregnant and mommy do’s and don’ts by reading articles in the net, personal encounters of n@wies, stories from blogs, etc. Through those stories, I was able to psych myself to breastfeed. I was really keen on breastfeeding our child, that I bought an electric breastpump even though it was way out of budget. Hehe!

I was not able to direct feed our son right after giving birth because I have inverted nipples and no milk was coming out then. So we had to give him formula. So I was psyched to breastfeed but I was not confident enough (lalo na to breastfeed in the mall, etc). Haha! I think a week after giving birth, I was crying when my son latches. The pain was really excruciating that I wanted to throw my son every time…and not only did I experience cracked nipples but my gosh, when my breasts were engorged…it was really ouchy! Ahuhuhu!

Thinking about it now, a year and 8 months of breastfeeding my son, I cannot recall why I chose to breastfeed or to stick with it. That even though my son was mixed fed ever since, I did not give up totally. I tell you, it was not easy, it was such a hassle, and it was painful! Hassle because when I was still working, I had to bring a lot of stuff in the office. My officemates often tell me that I am like an Avon Lady! And daming bitbit palagi! Also, I did not only feel physical pain but I was also emotionally hurting ha. Naaawa na nga ako sa sarili ko…tapos makakarinig pa ako na “gutom pa ata, tubig lang naman yan” Huwatt??

But after all those not-so-nice-memories I have experienced, if I will be given a chance to go back to the time that I gave birth, I will DEFINITELY still breastfeed my son! Siguro baka fully breastfed na sya! =) If you ask me why, I really do not know. I know I am giving my son the ultimate (sa aking pananaw lang po) nutrients , I know super nakatipid kami, I know the bonding time we are having is irreplaceable…pero it is beyond that that I cannot fully explain. Basta I know I am doing the right thing and I am happy. Period. =)

To those who have breastfed and are breastfeeding, kudos to you! =) To the soon-to-be-moms, please please try your best to breastfeed. There are a lot of breastfeeding resources in the internet, a number of lactation consultants here in the Philippines, and helpful mommies from n@w. And please do not mind the sakit...the sakit will not be even equal to 1% of labor pains or CS pains! =)