Images of Breastfeeding

Two weeks ago, I got into a discussion with a colleague about the Philippine Daily Inquirer headline below showing breastfeeding moms at Fabella hospital with the caption "Too Many Mouths to Feed".

She was quite bothered by how the images of breastfeeding in the Philippines was always linked with poverty. It was ironic how that banner photo was matched with a headline on the controversial RH bill. I typed "breastfeeding" and "philippines" in the image search of Google and check out the photos I got. Most were actually photos of mothers at Fabella Children's Memorial Hospital, such as the photo below of a nursing mom taken on 24 September 2008.

L.A.T.C.H. is currently working on a project to change the image of breastfeeding. Meanwhile, I came across this project by the United States Breastfeeding Committee. They have been contracted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "to create a library of images of how communities across the U.S. support breastfeeding mothers and babies." Once completed, I think this will be an excellent resource for images for breastfeeding promotion.

I've never thought about the images of breastfeeding in the Philippines. I have always encouraged my husband (who takes maternity/newborn/children's photographs) to always ask his breastfeeding clients if they'd like a breastfeeding shots. I feel that getting this shot is a excellent memento of each mom's breastfeeding relationship with her child. But most of these photos are private - although L.A.T.C.H. has used some photos in our projects (with permission of course).

How do you think breastfeeding has been portrayed in the Philippines? Would you or do you have a breastfeeding photo of you and your nursling?

Nursing Pads/ Breast Pads review

I've been breastfeeding for 16months and still leak on one side whenever Naima feeds on the other. So nursing pads have been a great help to me. I've used several brands, both reusable and disposable, with the following comments:

1. Lansinoh Disposable Pads - I chose to use this initially because it is the cheapest disposable pads I could find. but they are thin and paper-like. It feels like there's paper stuck to your boobs especially when it gets wet. I wouldn't recommend it if you're a heavy leaker. But this is discreet.

2. Gerber Ultra-Thin Nursing Pads - This is cottony soft but it doesn't have tape that you can use to stick to your bra. I really like it but it's not available locally.

3. Medela Disposable Pads - This is like the Lansinoh Pads, paper-like and sticks to the nipple when it gets wet and dries up. This is more expensive than the Lansinoh and I just used this because I was given a box by my friend :) This is also discreet - but expensive. Locally, this is available from Maricel Cua, email her here or here.
*caveat: the medela i used is made in the US. Maricel sells Medela pads made in Switzerland, which are of a different quality. I haven't had the chance to use the Swiss-made pads yet.

4. Pigeon Disposable Pads - This is the best I like from the above. It stays on my bra and it's soft inside. But it is bulky. My sister-in-law from HK sends me my Pigeon pads and they are thinner than the locally available ones. But still, if you wear a fitted shirt it will show, especially if you're using a non-padded nursing bra.

5. Baby and Co. washable pads - Bad bad bad! this is cheap and it's very thin!! Leaks bad. Stan and my mom bought a box for me and I've never used them again!

6. Lansinoh Washable Pads - This is made by Milk Diapers. It has a pie-shape wedge that is thicker than the rest of the pad. When you position it properly it absorbs a lot and you won't leak. However, as with all washables, it doesn't have tape you can use to stick to your bra. And it also shows when you use a non-padded nursing bra and wear a fitted tee.

7. Gerber reusable nursing pads - This doesn't have a groove or contour and it looks like baby & co.'s washable pads. But its thicker and the milk kinda spreads when you leak. Plus the outer cover acts like a barrier so the leak won't spread to your shirt. But when the wet pad dries up, it also sticks to your nipples. Locally, I bought this from Aileen Herrera - email her or text 09178150711

8. Mothercare disposable pads - Very cheap! comes in packs of 100 from mothercare store (shangrila and trinoma). It's about 400php for 100 pieces. I currently use it during the night. However, it's not individually wrapped and unlike other disposables, it does not have an adhesive tape which you can stick to your bra/nursing sleep wear. So I need to wear a nursing bra if I sleep in my loose shirts.

the search for the perfect nursing pad continues.....