Addressing breastfeeding problems

DAVAO. Nanay Wilma helps out a mom how to do hand expression. She says this is safer than pumps. (Ara Casas-Tumuran)
DAVAO. Nanay Wilma helps out a mom how to do hand expression. She says this is safer than pumps. (Ara Casas-Tumuran)

I WAS recently invited to attend a mommy date organized by one of Davao City’s trained breastfeeding peer counselors, and a lactation consultant: therapist and acupuncturist Mommy Tere.

Mommy Tere has been part of my lactation journey. She helped me when I felt engorged just because I failed to pump and express milk while I was still working on a graveyard shift. My breasts were as hard as rock and I was in deep pain.

But with Mommy Tere’s lactation massage, I felt better. I was also impressed to see my milk as she taught me how to hand express.

During her recent mommy date, she invited Dr. Leo Dizon to talk about tongue and lip ties, and Nanay Wilma of Arugaan, which is a Manila-based non-government organization for women and infants that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. Mostly first-time moms took the time to ask several questions and consult problems they encounter.

Among the frequently asked questions were:

1. How do I address engorged boobs (yung parang bato na?)

Nanay Wilma: Do warm compress for five minutes first before touching an engorged breast. Massage the breast gently and slowly that the mom won't get hurt. Hand express, then latch the baby.

2. What are the signs of lip tie and tongue tie?

Nanay Wilma: It's painful every time you breastfeed. The baby stops feeding from time to time and is having a reflux. The mom always experiences clogged ducts because the baby can't latch properly. The baby has a slower weight gain since he can't get enough due to the lip or tongue tie.

3. How do I address low milk supply?

Nanay Wilma: Just unlilatch your baby. Do not think that you have a low supply or the baby can't get enough. Milk production is 90 percent from the mind or how you think. Just eat soupy food and drink more water.

Each breastfeeding mom has wonderful stories to tell about their lactation journey. However, it could also give us anxiety especially at times when we could not understand what went wrong.

If you have more questions or concerns about your breastfeeding journey, follow, or send private messages to the Facebook pages of “Arugaan” and “Dabaw INAS.” Lactation peer counselors are ready to answer moms’ queries and help them out with their problems.

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[The writer appreciates story suggestions. Follow her on Instagram at @mommyaracasastumuran. Subscribe to her Youtube channel www.youtube.com/c/AraCasasTumuran.]

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