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| My family during the Milk Code Forum last August 29, 2014. |
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| The seminar I attended when Shane was 2 weeks old at SM Bacolod. Taken last August 2013. |
August is World Breastfeeding Month. How poignant it is because this month also marks my second daughter Shane’s first birthday. That means that I had been breastfeeding her for one whole year already!
This little one has her quirks. For example, while side lying, she would suck on the right breast for a little while but she would stay on the left breast. She would sleep while latching, too, but her sleep her co-terminus to the latch. If I get up, she gets up, too. When in the car, she wants me to let both my breasts out so that she can alternate between sucking and fondling while standing up. So you can just imagine how I would look like to people in vehicles that are taller than ours because they could not see her–they can only see my exposed breasts. But I love her to bits and I love the fact that I was able to breastfeed her. I intend to do so until 24 months…or even more.
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| Shane and I at The Big Latch On — Hakab Na! Flanked by BMBC admins, Jireh (left) and Althea (right). |
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| All the moms who joined Hakab Na. |
This month of August, Shane and I celebrated the first year anniversary of our breastfeeding journey. We joined the Hakab Na or The Big Latch on 2014 for the World Breastfeeding Week on August 2, 2014 at the Santuario de La Salle, University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City. It is a worldwide event where breastfeeding moms gather at registered locations in order to simultaneously bring their little ones to the breast at 10:30am. The mechanics is that, the children will have to latch for an entire minute. And thankfully, Shane cooperated with the timed activity. hihi This event aims to promote breastfeeding and raise awareness on the importance of providing proper support to breastfeeding moms.
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| Participants of the Milk Code Forum. |
On August 29, 2014, my entire family came to the Milk Code Forum (E.O. 51) with guest speaker Dr. Anthony Calibo, Child Health Division OIC DOH-FHO and a breastfeeding champion. It was attended by close to 400 participants. After the forum was the formal launching of the photo exhibit of breastfeeding moms where Shane and I are also included.
“The MILK CODE or Executive Order 51 (EO 51) is a law that ensures safe and adequate nutrition for infants through the promotion of breastfeeding and the regulation of promotion, distribution, selling, advertising, product public relations, and information services on artificial milk formulas and other covered products.”
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| The breastfeeding photo exhibit by CM Fotografia. |
I am just so thankful that I was able to breastfeed Shane–a second chance actually, as I had not been successful with my eldest. I am thankful that there had been people who cared enough to help, which is the reason why the Bacolod Mom and Baby Club was set up. I am also thankful to old and new friends who have helped me in one way or the other with their prayers and advice. Most especially, I am thankful to a very supportive husband who had been instrumental in all these–the research and readings, the vitamins and supplements, the back rubs, the encouraging words, and the love.But most of all, I thank God because I was given another child and another chance to rear her differently.God bless all breastfeeding moms! 😀
Note: Where not credited, photos were taken for the Bacolod Mom and Baby Club fan page. 😀