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Friday, July 31, 2015

Breastfeeding and Work, Let's Make It Work 2015

It's almost August and it's Breastfeeding Month once again. And because this year's theme is "Breastfeeding and Work, Let's Make It Work", I'll be sharing you a post related to it. 

2 years ago, I was still working out in a corporate world when baby was still less than 6 months old. I can't imagine how tiresome it was lugging around my cooler and pumping paraphernalia, commuting to and from Libis and Binondo everyday; worrying if my milk stash will be enough for baby and the hassle of sterilizing bottles and pumping gears, storing milk and all that when I got home from work. I took the courage to pump on my desk with cover as we don't have a lactation room in the office. All my colleagues even the boys knew that I was pumping because we were only in 1 common room. I didn't mind. I won't give up on breastfeeding because I know that it is what keeps my baby healthy.

One day, my preggy colleague asked me how much to avail a pump. I was using a Medela Swing Maxi and I didn't want to discourage her thus I kept the price to myself and told her that there were cheaper brands available in the market and Spectra was one of them. This conversation took place last April 2013 when suddenly I saw a post on BFP giving away pre-loved breast pump. 


I joined the contest and here was my entry:
When I was pregnant, I took time to attend various breastfeeding classes. Now I'm still able to exclusively breastfeed my 4.5 months old baby despite having to work away from home. Recently, my 4-month preggy colleague asked me on the cost of buying a pump. I recommended her the Spectra because it's the cheapest double electric pump that I know. And when I saw this giveaway, I immediately thought of winning this for her. I was overjoyed to hear that she have decided to breastfeed her baby as she was inspired to see me pumping in the office everyday. Her name is Ruby Libo-on, due on Sept. She works as a warehouse staff while her husband works as a security guard. Their combined salaries barely meet their monthly expenses for a family of 3. Not being able to breastfeed her first born really ate up a chunk of their income.

And surprisingly, my entry was chosen! I was so happy for my colleague Ruby. "Ask and you shall receive." When I informed her about the good news, she was so thankful and committed herself to breastfeed her second child.


Ms. Abie went to our office to hand over the breastpump to Ruby last July 2013.


Now that I've been away from the company for a year, I thought of interviewing how her breastfeeding journey went. Here's an interview with Ruby Libo-on.

Sally: Ilan taon na ang inyong anak na nagbbreastfeed? Hanggang kelan niyo balak magpasuso sa kanya at bakit? 

Ruby: 1 year and 10 months na siya ngayon. Hanggang gusto pa ng anak ko, hangga't may gatas pa ako kasi healthy si baby saka malaki din yung na save sa budget.

Sally: Base sa inyong sariling karanasan, ano ang nakita ninyong benepisyo sa batang napasuso ng gatas ng ina kumpara sa hindi? 

 Ruby: Mas healthy kasi si baby pag sa akin dumididi, hindi kagaya sa formula na sakitin gaya ng panganay ko dati, sakitin kasi formula siya.

Sally: Ano ang trabaho niyo at tuwing kelan ang pasok ninyo? 

Ruby: Inventory assistant, Monday to Friday yung pasok ko. 


Sally: May breastfeeding area ba ang inyong opisina? 

Ruby: Wala pero my area naman na pwede mag pump.

Sally: Paano ninyo nagawang ipagsabay ang trabaho at pagpapasuso sa inyong anak? 

Ruby: Pag sa bahay ako direct, tapos nag-iiwan ako ng gatas. Tapos pag sa trabaho naman, nag-ppump ako.


Image from Ruby.

Sally: Maari niyo bang ikwento ang pagsusubok na naranasan ninyo habang nasa trabaho at sabay ang pagpapasuso?

Ruby: Pag sa trabaho na ko binibigyan ko ng oras yung pag-ppump. Yung baby ko kasi naiwan sa bahay so nag-iiwan na lang ako ng milk para sa kanya. Umiinon talaga ako ng maraming tubig saka mga liquid na pamparami ng gatas. May time talaga na parang kumokonti yung milk ko, ininuman ko ng malunggay capsule.

  Sally: Anu-anong mga bagay ang nakatulong sa inyong pagtagumpay sa pagpapasuso?
  
   Ruby: Kumain at uminom ng pamparami ng gatas. Tiyaga sa pagdadala ng pump para my pasalubong na milk pag-uwi kay baby. Saka bigyan talaga ng oras yung pag-ppump para hindi mawawala yung gatas.

  Sally: Ano ang mensaheng maibabahagi ninyo sa kapwa nating nanay na nagdadalawang isip kung kakayanin bang magpasuso habang nagtatrabaho? 


Image from Ruby.
   Ruby: Tiyaga lang talaga sa mga nanay na gusto magbreastfeed. Bigyan talaga ng oras yung pagppump para may maiuwi na gatas para sa anak. Malaking tulong talaga magpabreastfeed kasi nakakatipid talaga. Saka isipin mo din yung health ng iyong baby.

So there. Hope you were inspired somehow to breastfeed even while working away from your baby. 

August 8, to be exact, marks my 32nd month or more than two and a half years of my breastfeeding journey. As a breastfeeding advocate I have written quite a number of post of my personal experiences which I would like to share them with you here.

2013

2014

2015

Before I end my post, let me invite you to join the most-awaited event during the month of August, Hakab Na 2015, now on its third year! 



For more details, pls. visit: http://hakabna.com/ or 
FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/384992915044541/

So excited for tomorrow! Long day ahead! Hope to see you there!

Mommy Sally

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