It is still World Breastfeeding Month, and there have been some exciting things going on here in the Philippines that have helped further or promote the "cause" of breastfeeding. Two of these are L.A.T.C.H.'s celebration of Breastfeeding Month, and the launching of the "Breastfeeding Welcome Here" signs/program by the DOH Breastfeeding "Tsek" and Breastfeeding Philippines. I think these are wonderful initiatives to communicate how breastfeeding is something "normal," and should be considered a natural part of everyday activity. These activities will hopefully help communicate the importance of breastfeeding to more people.
I have written before about how I believe that "it takes a village to raise (and nurse) a child." Indeed, if I hadn't had the support of people around me during my breastfeeding journey, I don't think I would still be breastfeeding now (a total of almost 5 years, with a 6 month-break in between - I was pregnant with our 2nd child then). It helped that I was able to voice out my desire to breastfeed to my support system i.e. my family and friends, who, to me, are a crucial part of our breastfeeding "success story."
If you are a mom who is nursing her baby/toddler or are pregnant and planning to breastfeed, here are some tips on how YOU can communicate your intentions and goals to others around you, especially those who will be (or SHOULD be, hehe) supporting you:
1. It all starts in the mind (and in the heart).
If you want to breastfeed successfully, you must be committed to do so from the very beginning, i.e. when you first find out you are pregnant. Remember, "mind over matter" - you can do anything you put your mind to. This applies to most life situations, including breastfeeding.
It also helps if you realize that nursing your child is one of the BEST ways to show your love for him/her. It is God's way of letting mothers literally "give of themselves" to their kids! (Of course, I'm not saying that those who choose to formula-feed love their kids less. Each of us is entitled to his/her own parenting style and opinion).If you yourself are already committed and convinced to breastfeed, it will be much easier to get others to support you, especially if they know that you are in it for keeps.
2. Educate yourself and others.
As a first-time mom in the rather "underdeveloped" nation of Timor Leste, I was kind of clueless about breastfeeding, save for the few paragraphs about it in the pregnancy books that I had at the time. Access to internet during our first years on mission was very limited too, and I remember always asking my sister to do baby-related research for me online so she could send everything to me in long e-mails.
When it comes to nursing your child, education is key. You need to know how, why, and when to breastfeed. It would also help to know the scientific basis behind breastfeeding, and why it is considered "best for babies." Once you learn about these, share the information with others, especially your immediate support system. You may also want to read up on how to breastfeed in public, if you're uncomfortable about it.
If you have easily available internet access, then you are super-blessed! There are hundreds of good breastfeeding sites online, and you can find just about any answer to your breastfeeding-related questions just by Googling it!
 |
| L.A.T.C.H. seminar in progress (photo from L.A.T.C.H.'s website) |
3. Involve family members, friends and even co-workers.
During the early days of breastfeeding our first child in Timor, my husband and mother were my most supportive companions. Mama would come into our bedroom (we all stayed together in one mission house then) in the middle of the night to check on me, and bring me warm milk and cookies or soup. She taught me how to use pillows to support my arms (I had no breastfeeding pillows at the time!) and use gentian violet on my sore nipples. Hubby would take the baby from me, burp him and sing him to sleep if needed. He and Mama cheered me on during difficult days, and nursed me to good health during a bout with mastitis.
 |
| Nursing newborn Tim |
When you choose to breastfeed, think of ways you can involve the people around you. How can hubby help? Who else is in your household, and how can they help? For starters, share with them the benefits of breastfeeding, your goals and plans for nursing, and ask their support when needed. You can even include your younger children, if you have any, by showing them photos of them breastfeeding, and asking them to pitch in by giving you pillows or a book to read while nursing.
4. Don't be afraid to ask for help and reach out to others.
As someone who is a self-confessed "control freak" I found it hard at first to seek help during the first painful days of breastfeeding (which were due to my lack of knowledge of how good latch should be like!). I didn't realize then that the local hospital in Timor had midwives and nurses trained by UNICEF to assist nursing moms. (I only discovered how supportive and knowledgeable they were after our second child was born).
So when you're in doubt, ask for help. Talk to others who may be of assistance to you. Seek out a breastfeeding community (online or in the flesh) and communicate your concerns. Share your stories. Who knows, others may even be inspired or encouraged by your own breastfeeding experiences!
These tips are, pardon the pun, just the "tip of the iceberg." There are lots of other ways one can communicate to others about breastfeeding in general and your own nursing experiences (posting on Facebook and Twitter are some ways to start, hehe). Again, the key here is commitment. If you are committed to breastfeed and convinced about the goodness of breastfeeding, more likely than not, you will also want to share about it with others, and help other moms and families out.
So what are you waiting for? As the World Alliance for Breastfeeding in Action tells us this year, TALK TO ME! Talk to others. Share about the God-given goodness of breastfeeding! ;-)
Check out the other blog carnival entries below: (to be updated throughout the day)
DaintyMom's Creating a Pro-Breastfeeding Culture in the Family (Facebook and Twitter: @Dainty_Mom)
Wifely Steps' On Breastfeeding: Say It, Claim It, Get Support! (Facebook and Twitter: @macaronigirl)Truly Rich Mom's How To Get Others to Support You in Breastfeeding (Facebook and Twitter: @tinasrodriguez)
EthanMama's My Best Breastfeeding Support System - My Husband (Twitter: @ethanmama)
Raising Baby Lia's A Shoutout to my Breastfeeding Buddies
Jen CC Tan's I'm Breastfeeding, and That's That! (Facebook and Twitter: @next9baby)
Project Blog by Kate's Talk and Make it Happen (Facebook and Twitter: @kate_demetrio)
My Mommy Kwentos' How I Recruited my Top Breastfeeding Buddies (Facebook)
Apples & Dumplings Communicating and First Time Breastfeeders (Twitter: @apple_dumplings)
I'm a Newbie Wife's How I Taught My Family to Breastfeed
TouringKitty's Communication Through Breastfeeding (Twitter: @Touringkitty)
Mec as Mom's Pre-Natal Pediatric Consultations Are Necessary
Escie's World's Ready, Get Set, Go! for Breastfeeding (Twitter: @Escielicious)
Nanaystrip's BreasTALK : Text, Retweet, Share your Knowledge and Experiences (Twitter: @bunsonimaestro)
Superwomom's A-S-Ks (on breastfeeding questions, help, support)
Go Help Yourself's “6 persuasion tips for breastfeeding moms and advocates”
Legally Mom's Breastfeeding Talk Between Me and My Formula Fed Daughter (Facebook and Twitter: @legallymomPH
Handy Mommy's Couple's Communication and Decision: Key to Successful Breastfeeding
Chronicles of a Nursing Mom's Effective Communication Bucket List (Facebook and Twitter: @mamababylove)
9 comments:
Learning/education means change... and when we're changed, I think it becomes a little easier getting those who love us in the same page as we're on...
and it's really great that it's easier to reach out to the world now...
@ Mec - I know right?! Isn't it wonderful?! Technology can be a blessing to so many people if used in the right way! ;-)
Thanks for this encouragement! I really need a good support system. I also hope the nursing stuff like bra and wear aren't so expensive.
Wow! 5 taon na breastfeeding! Kahanga-hanga ang iyong commitment lalo na para sa bagong nanay na tulad ko. Isa kang inspirasyon.
Masaya akong makasama ka sa Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (August).
Nice Post, Mommy Tina! Your article reminded me to take a breastfeeding photo .. I've been meaning to but keep on forgetting. It will be a great souvenir and a teaching tool for Ben when he has a future sibling. Hopefully, it's not too late :)
commitment is indeed key! you know, sometimes i think those midwives in the "underdeveloped nation" know more than the ones in the developed countries. parang i noticed, formula comes with the "development"
that "don't be afraid to ask for help" is a great tip! I remember being surrounded by unbelievers in the beginning so i thought (wrongly) that what I was doing was right (eh mali.). so now, that's one thing i remember always. and that's what i tell people i counsel. ask ask ask and research research research. =)
@ Ceemee: You need not buy expensive nursing wear - up to now I only use the nursing bras from Soen yata yun.. then I don't have ANY nursing tops at all. hehe. I just use a lot of tops made of stretchy material, or a tank top underneath. ;-) My friend, Martine of Dainty Mom has some tips for breastfeeding fashion here: http://daintymom.com/2011/07/how-to-not-be-a-frumpy-breastfeeding-mom/, and so does Ethanmama: http://www.ethanmama.com/2011/05/nursing-must-haves-and-cheaper-alternatives-110/. ;-)
@ nanaystrip - Hindi ko yun magagawa kung wala akong suporta galing sa iba.. ;-) Hehe. I honestly am having a hard time typing in Tagalog - hahaha! Blame it on my growing up in Brunei! hehe. Salamat sa suporta sis! Kaya mo din yan!
@ Nats - I only wish I had MORE breastfeeding photos.. na NICE! ;-) Like those taken by STANLEY ONG! ;-) hehe. It's never too late - snap away! ;-)
@ Jenny - I know right? ;-) The nurses in the NICU (Rysse was hospitalized after birth) were the ones who kept encouraging me to nurse her even if she had a hard time latching (although, it would have helped if they had TAUGHT me how to get her to latch on even if she could hardly open her mouth! hehe). They also advised me to hand express my milk and give it to her via teaspoon or dropper. ;-)We should push for more breastfeeding-friendly training among health workers! ;-)
@ Jen - I know right?! Asking for help really does wonders! ;-) Plus loads and loads of research!
Great post! I agree with all those four tips. It starts talaga with conviction. If you're truly convinced you can do it, it's easy to influence and get the support of others. :) I got your email by the way! Will reply in awhile ;)
Post a Comment
Please feel free to leave your comments or email me at kristina.s.rodriguez@gmail.com :) God bless us all as we strive to be TRULY RICH in His eyes! :)