AS A breastfeeding mom, I love joining campaigns and events that advocate breastfeeding. These events are open to the public so even if I don’t get direct or personal invites from the organizers, I still participate because I want to be part of the campaign in encouraging moms to breastfeed their babies.
Yanna and I attended the Global Latch On which was separately held at San Pedro Hospital and Southern Philippines Medical Center on August 2 and 3, respectively.
I made a vlog about this and uploaded on my YouTube channel. It was nice to see familiar faces at the events. Some of them are my friends that I did not expect to be passionate about breastfeeding.
The most exciting part is the simultaneous latch of all the attendees. It is usually done at exactly 10:30 a.m. This always gives me goosebumps. I always get emotional joining other moms because I know we all have beautiful stories to share about our breastfeeding journey. We had sacrifices and heartbreaking memories, but these have made our journey fulfilling.
Personally, a lot of circumstances have challenged our breastfeeding journey. As a working mom before, I would patiently pump breastmilk at the workplace (during news coverage or even at the office) just to make sure I could bring home enough stash of milk. I would always bring my cooler everywhere (even during presidential coverage). When I come home, I would make sure that Yanna would directly latch on me.
The biggest challenge I had was when a staff of an international airline refused to allow me to hand-carry my cooler filled with frozen breastmilk. The staff insisted it must be checked-in. Paying the baggage fee was never an issue. I felt that my right to safe-keep my pumped breastmilk for my child was violated. On the other hand, an international airport in Luzon had no breastfeeding room. I had to pump at the lobby, using my jacket to cover myself up.
Despite all that had happened along our journey, I could really tell that a mother’s love is immeasurable. A mother’s love can move mountains.
To other breastfeeding moms, I salute you for all your sacrifices! To our very supportive family, friends, and co-workers, we feel the love.
Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Month!
[The writer appreciates story suggestions. Follow her on Instagram at @mommyaracasastumuran. Subscribe to her Youtube channel www.youtube.com/c/AraCasasTumuran.]