Jennica Garcia On Breastfeeding: Hindi Ito Basehan ‘Sa Pagiging Isang Mabuting Ina’

• Actress and mom of two Jennica Garcia is a big breastfeeding advocate, but unlike a few mommy shamers, Jennica knows that each breastfeeding journey is different for each mom. Sometimes it’s easy. Sometimes. it’s difficult and painful. But, all are real and valid! 

  On Jennica’s Instagram last July 5, 2021, she posted a screenshot of a video where a woman is having difficulty  breastfeeding. The actress was annoyed over the hurtful reactions that the video got on Facebook. 

  “Mommy I know how painful it is. I know how difficult it is for first time Mamas to breastfeed! I was reminded when I saw this video on Facebook at nakakagigil ang ‘haha’ reacts sa totoo lang,” the mom wrote.

  Jennica didn’t become a breastfeeding advocate because it was easy for her. It was because she went through challenges because of it. 

  In the post, she acknowledges the things she had to do to keep breastfeeding her children, including getting help from a lactation consultant and special breastfeeding tools. “I used the [nipple] shield for 6 months. After 6 months, I managed to breastfeed without it already because the pain became bearable at naging manhid na ang nipple from the pain.”

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  Jennica adds, “If it weren’t for the shield, I wouldn’t have breastfed Mori for 3 straight years then tandem fed (meaning Mori breastfeeds on my left breast then Alessi on my right) on the 4th year kasi hindi ko talaga kaya yung pain.

  “So sad that Nurse @joyzrnmsnclcibclc already migrated because she is a Breastfeeding Angel! Siya ang nakatulong talaga sa breastfeeding journey ko. Her approach is non-judgemental and I felt safe around her.”

  All moms who chose to breastfeed their children have different experiences. And while there are tips, tricks, and lactation experts to help you out in your journey, it doesn’t guarantee the journey will be easy. 

  Imagine being sleep-deprived, waking up every few hours to breastfeed, having painful and sore nipples, and the anxiety that comes with not producing enough milk for your crying, maybe hungry baby. Wouldn’t that make any mom cry also?

  These challenges can lead to postpartum depression (PPD), which moms might dismiss as simply being emotional or tired. But Jennica affirms that the condition is real.

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  “It is REAL and very common regardless sa sinasabi ng iba na pag iinarte lang yun,” she writes.

  Being hard on yourself and calling yourself a failure for not having a smooth breastfeeding journey won’t make breastfeeding any easier. If you constantly do your best and have tried everything to breastfeed your children, then that’s more than enough.

  No matter what you do, you’ll run into mommy shamers and a lot of “MEMA” (short for may masabi lang) both from strangers on the Internet and sometimes, even from your own family!

  If you encounter breastfeeding shamers, Jennica offers sage advice: “’Wag mo pinagpapansin ang mga MEMA, di nila alam sinasabi nila dahil di naman nakaka-kabit sakanila ang breasts mo kaya wala silang alam. Magkaiba kayo ng pain tolerance.”

  Jennica also points out that a breastfeeding journey isn’t the measure of how good of a mom you are. She says, “In the event Mommy na you’ve tried my recommendation and still, hindi mo kinaya mag breastfeed… Hinga malalim. You tried your best.

  “Hindi basehan ang pagpapa suso sa pagiging isang mabuting ina. Hindi limited sa pagpapasuso ang paraan na maparamdam mo sa anak mo na you are giving your best.

  “Hayaan mo ang iba sa gusto nila sabihin kung mag formula feed ka, hindi naman nila pera pinambibili mo ng gatas!”

  

  Breastfeeding or not, mama, you’ll be okay. You’re no less of a mom just because it’s hard, or you chose to formula feed, or you chose to do both.

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  You’re still the best mom whether you choose to breastfeed for three months or three years, or just went right ahead with formula milk. All journeys are different, and it doesn’t make you the worst mom ever. It makes you real and you’re doing all you can because of your love for your child, and that is what’s important.

  Breastfeeding pain may be caused by an incorrect latch. Find out how to do a proper latch here.

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