My Journey Towards Becoming a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

My Breastfeeding Journey

Last Sept. 2014, I attended the first batch of BFP Peer Counselors Training and one of the requirements is to submit a one-page story of my own experience in breastfeeding my child. Today, I thought of sharing it to everyone here and hoping to inspire co-mommies to breastfeed.

Within a few minutes after giving birth to my baby girl last Dec. 8, 2012, she was brought to me to latch to stimulate my breasts. That time, I can’t see any drop of milk yet but I’m not disheartened because I was fully aware of the do’s and don’ts of breastfeeding which I learned from the classes that I had been attending when I was still pregnant. My baby was immediately roomed-in with me after all the initial check-up. That first night we hired a resident mid-wife to help us get through the night since we didn’t know how to handle a newborn. She also assisted me in bringing baby to latch on while I was half asleep. I grew up from a non-breastfeeding family thus it is not surprising to hear members of my family advising me to supplement baby with formula milk while waiting for my milk to come, even the pedia prescribed us formula milk. I was glad my informed hubby was there to support and back me up. We were able to bring home baby on the second night and that was the start of my sleepless night. My mature milk came out on the third day. My breasts got engorged and thankfully I have many mommy friends to consult and ask for help. I also consulted Ms. Abbie Yabot’s help which she visited me on the 5^th day to check my latch and show me different breastfeeding positions. I didn’t invest on any lactation supplements instead I just constantly let my baby feed on demand. I even followed ge-lai rituals during the first month. She was exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months (no water, no vitamins, etc.) and then complemented with regular solid food starting 6 months until now. As soon as I returned to work after my 2-month maternity leave, I let baby feed on bottle, with my stored milk, when I'm out. Then I experienced nipple confusion when baby was still 4 months old. Luckily, with my persistence and determination to succeed, I was able to bring her back to my breast. From then on, I decided to stay at home most of the time so that I can continue direct feeding her and to ensure a successful breastfeeding journey. Despite having a flat nipple, I was able to overcome and feed on both breasts. I'm also proud to say that I rarely give her frozen milk since I'm aware that refrigerated milk is better than frozen one. And I'm happy to have a stable milk supply, producing just enough milk for my baby. Until now that she's 21 months old, I don't have any plans of weaning her yet. Thanks to Breastfeeding Pinays for giving the right support to all breastfeeding moms.

Pictorial at The Ruffles Studio

Happy New Year to my dear readers!

First of all, I would like to apologize for the super late post on baby's 1st birthday suppliers. Let me recall and share them with you so that you will have an option if ever you will need them someday.

Last October 28, 2013, a declared special non-working holiday due to barangay elections, we had our pictorial at The Ruffles Studio's place in Fairview. For the first time, we were not able to exercise our right to vote. I know the studio was very far from our place but why did I still choose them?

I have done my research on numerous baby photographers. I have even inquired from the famous ones such as The Stork Studio, Luxe Photography, Stanley Ong Photography, Leny Cruzado, Jo Lim Portraits, Baby Love Studio just so I have an idea of the standard rates but unfortunately the rates didn't fit my budget as they are all beyond P3,000. My hubby doesn't like doing pictorial sessions that's why I did the decision and planning by myself. I just told hubby to block off the date and just go with me which he did.

Here's the link to The Ruffles Studio's rates as of 2013: https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-ruffles-studio/studio-rates-2012/242219279175312

We got Package C: Pre-Birthday Session with a "Smash the Cake" theme at P3,000 and here are the inclusions:
- rate applies to studio sessions
- photographer's time and  talent for up to two hours
- 35 hi-res files, all enhanced/edited, stored in a CD (selected by the photographer)
- 3 set-ups or outfit changes for portraits
- 1 set-up for the smash the cake theme
- 3 8x10 prints (to be chosen by the photographer)
- cake should be provided by the client

If I want to get all the good unedited shots approximately 200 shots, they are offering a buy-out option at an additional P1,500 only which I didn't since I don't want to increase my expenses anymore. Good thing is that they will be archiving the unedited shots for 12 months so I can still purchase them if I want it next time.

Their studio is located in Cielito Homes, ten minutes away from SM Fairview. The Ruffles Studio is operated by Ms. Mary Clutario who is the mommy photographer with the help of her husband Mr. Mario. Her husband waited us at SM Fairview in a taxi and we convoyed going to their studio.


Here's a photo of the studio from the outside view. The middle entrance is the studio.

They have lots of props, tutus, headbands, necklaces to choose from.

Here is The Ruffles Studio couple Mario and Mary Clutario.

Picture picture while they set-up the backdrop.

1st set-up: all red. I said I want a family portrait and so here it is.

This is part of the 1st set-up since same outfit. I requested to have a solo shot of baby.

2nd set-up: white dress.

I also used this in baby's 1st birthday invitation card. I'm glad they've captured baby's beautiful smiles.





3rd set-up: floral dress. They have lots of backdrops/wallpapers to choose from.



4th set-up: smash the cake in pink dress. Their wallpaper can also be used as flooring. Cake by Sisters' Sweetness.

Overall, their service was good. The couple was able to entertain baby and got to capture her smiling pose. They even allowed my baby to take a nap in the middle of the pictorial and waited for her to wake up before they continued the photo session. We actually spent more than the allotted 2 hours which they didn't mind. They really value customer satisfaction and professionalism. I was also quite impressed on how they set-up the backdrop with the use of the Playmobil minifigures that I brought as props, indeed they have an eye for creativity. I am also very thankful for granting my request to waive the delivery fee of P50 for the prints/CD and also for adding 10 edited photos to the standard 35 making it a total of 45. They were able to deliver the prints in less than 3 weeks as promised. 

That being said, I would like to invite you to check out their Facebook page at The Ruffles Studio or reach them through the contact details below. You may look for Ms. Mary Clutario. And if you are a supplier for headbands, dress, props or anything that you think they would need in their studio, you might want to partner with them instead.



The Ruffles Studio's calling card.

If you are interested with the cake supplier, you may read my previous post here.

Preserve your youthfulness, enjoy your pictorials!

Before I end, I would like to extend my big appreciation to my sister for lending us a car and driver that day which allowed my hubby to relax during the long trip. I would also like to thank my SIL for the red dress, for my 6th grand uncle for the white dress, for Sam & Mike for the green dress during my baby shower and Beth for the pink dress, also during my baby shower. Hopefully next time we could also have a chance to try the other well-known baby photographers because I love pictorials so much.

Note: Baby was 10 months going 11 months at the time of pictorial.

Mommy Sally