"Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (May). This carnival is dedicated to all moms, celebrating Mother's Day today (this weekend). Participants will share various topics covering A Breastfeeding Mother's Top Ten List. Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants."
(Note: The first 5 tips on this list have been taken from my article on Smart Parenting's website, which you can read here. Happy Mother's Day to us all!)
Breastfeeding is a normal, beautiful part of motherhood. Unfortunately a lot of moms choose to bottle-feed their babies without even trying to nurse their kids first. Most of the time, these moms make the choice because of inadequate knowledge or plain ignorance.
Luckily though breastfeeding has been gaining a lot of positive public attention lately, and groups like L.A.T.C.H., and La Leche League Philippines/Best Friends in Breastfeeding (contact Cris Nicandro Rosenthal 0917-8941099) have been working double time to promote the womanly art of breastfeeding as the best way to give the best nutrition to one’s child.
It's also great that there are a lot of celebrities, both local and foreign, that are proudly breastfeeding their children.
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| Tintin Bersola-Babao - breastfeeding is beautiful! Photo c/o The Stork Studio and taken from Jenny's breastfeeding blog
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For a lot of Filipino moms, breastfeeding in public is something they would probably not think twice about doing, BUT there would definitely still be one or two out there who may find it “nakakahiya” (embarrassing). When I was a new nursing mom, I used to be one of those mothers who was embarrassed to feed my baby in public.
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| Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal certainly has no problem nursing in public! :-) I am not that bold yet though! hehe. |
Now that I have 2 kids, and am more informed when it comes to breastfeeding, I am blessed to say that I have no qualms about nursing anytime, anywhere, even without a cover! (Which is what happens a lot of times, as our adorable toddler Rysse always pushes away anything that I use to try covering up! hehe).
Also, nursing our kids even beyond toddlerhood (I nursed Tim for 2 yrs and 4 months, and plan to go beyond Rysse's 2nd birthday this July, maybe even till she's 3) even if it may cause some people to be surprised or even shocked, is something that I really believe in. After all, breastfeeding has made me a better woman, so why stop now right?
Anyway, this post is especially for those of us who may be a little bit uncomfortable when it comes to “whipping ‘em out.” Don't be embarrassed or afraid of breastfeeding in public! Nursing your baby is actually pro-God, pro-family, pro-life and pro-poor!
Here is the first part of my top 10 tried and tested tips to help dispel the discomfort about nursing in public.
1. It’s all about the attitude Mommy!
This is the most important thing you will need to successfully breastfeed your baby, not just in public, but everywhere! When you know that you have chosen to give your little one the best start in life, you will find that you can breastfeed in confidence anytime, anywhere and given any situation.
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| Breastfeed from birth - it will help you gain confidence, and boost Baby's health and immunity as well! Photo from filipinolifeinpictures.wordpress.com |
Being a new mom in itself is a daunting task, and mastering the art of breastfeeding, with all the initial challenges of sore nipples (usually due to improper latching); fears that the baby is not getting “enough milk” (breastmilk usually starts to come in a few days after giving birth, in the meantime, the “golden liquid” colostrum – packed with antibodies and Baby’s perfect first food – is enough for Baby’s nutrition right after birth); and battling post-delivery fatigue can make one easily give up.
DON’T! Do not give up. Just keep at it. Get some advice from your ob-gyne (try getting one who is breastfeeding-friendly) and other sources who can help you in your nursing adventures. Jenny Ong, the mommy blogger behind “Chronicles of a Nursing Mom”, has provided a list of useful resources here.
So to all you “milky mommas” out there, be proud of the choice you made, and arm yourselves with the knowledge and information that you’ll need to help you in your journey.
2. Practice makes perfect.
Take the time to establish your nursing relationship with your child at home, so that when it is time to bring her out and about, you are fully confident about, and at ease with breastfeeding.
It may be helpful to practice breastfeeding Baby in front of a mirror so that you can check how you will look, i.e. how “exposed” you will be. I did this with my first child, who was born in Timor Leste. I had no access to nursing clothes and covers there and so had to settle for the trusty lampin to cover me during breastfeeding. I would practice nursing little Timothy in front of the mirror in different outfits, positioning the lampin to provide appropriate coverage. This helped me gain confidence to nurse in public. There were times that people would approach me and would be surprised that Tim was actually nursing.
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Nursing our eldest Tim, who was 3 months old at the time, while waiting at the pedia clinic
Whatever “tool” you will be using to cover up – breastfeeding clothes, bibs, ponchos, lampin, baby blankets – it will always pay to practice first. This will help avoid embarrassing “peek-a-boo-other-people-can-see- your-breasts” incidents later on. Stay tuned for the other tips I have for nursing in public! In the meantime, feel free to check out the other carnival entries below: |
Top Ten Breastfeeding Partners
Ten Things a Handy Mommy Can Do While Breastfeeding
Ten Life Altering Moments of a New Breastfeeding Mom
Nurturing Rafael: A Breastfeeding Mother's Top 10 List
Ten Things I Now Know About Breastfeeding Because I Breastfed
Ten Ways to Cheer a Breastfeeding Wife
Aria's Habits While Breastfeeding
Top Ten Tips for Pumping and Working Moms
Our Breastfeeding Library
How to Breastfeed in Public
Ten Favorite Foods for the Breastfeeding Mom
Ten Breastfeeding Nice-to-Have's
Nursing Must-haves and Cheaper Alternatives
Ten Reasons I Still Breastfeed Even if I Have to Supplement / Ten Milk Supply Boosting Supplements
10 Things You Don't Say to a Breastfeeding Mom (Dainty Mom.com)
4 comments:
Personally, there is a part of me that does not like nursing covers because
1) why cover something so natural?
2) it's hot in the country!
3) you create more awareness when more people can see you
4) it's such a hassle sometimes
5) few babies like doing it
6) few people will actually stare
That being said, I love my boncho and Infinitude... haha... and understand that other moms have greater inhibition (them, or their hubbies) :D
I should practice in the mirror. I'm still uncomfortable nursing in public even with a cover. My baby would pull and play with the cover so no use. Plus the husband is not comfortable too with me NIP.
i put baby on my lap, put the cover on (it has a neck strap) then feed him. no one sees a thing and its a breathable but not see through material :)
Gosh Moms! ;-) Am just replying to your comments now! haha. Talk about DELAYED! ;-) Anyway, MEC, I agree - I am not so fond of nursing covers! It's so hot talaga! Danielle and mom behind Apples and Dumplings - thanks for the comment. Yes, practice makes PERFECT! ;-)
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