Stories are powerful. The greatest speakers are mostly, if not all, great storytellers. Even Jesus used stories a lot to proclaim about the kingdom of God.
Stories help people, especially ordinary ones, understand even the most complex of concepts. Stories help establish connections between people that once were not there. Stories inspire, encourage, motivate and change lives.
That is why I chose to include a number of breastfeeding stories in my book BREASTFEEDING: A Journey Worth Taking. Aside from sharing my own breastfeeding story, I gathered moms from different walks of life to share their breastfeeding stories as well. I wanted moms who will read my book to find at least one story they can relate to... a story that will touch their hearts and make a difference in their breastfeeding journey and their family.
I believe that with just one story, the course of a life can be changed. With one man's story, humanity has been saved from their sins. With another man's story of bravery, a nation got the courage to rise against a dictator and staged a peaceful revolution.
As the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month comes to a close, I'd like to ask the readers of BREASTFEEDING: A Journey Worth Taking which breastfeeding story in the book moved, inspired or encouraged them the most and why it did so.
This will be my last blog giveaway in celebration of breastfeeding awareness month. I will choose 2 lucky winners via Rafflecopter who will win 1 box each of Obi tie-side and pajama set.
The first three (3) to join (leave a comment on this blog post) will win prizes from MomBabyFabric.
This giveaway is open to all Philippine residents who have read my breastfeeding book.
I will announce the winners next week. Join now!
UPDATE:
The winners for our MomBabyFabric items are the following:
Nappy Pouch - Darl Corral-Piquero
Bib and Clean up cloth - Nor Ann Balatbat
Madison Pouch - Yen Morales
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| The first to leave a comment/tell us which breastfeeding story moved her the most will get these prizes. |
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| The second to comment will get this prize. |
This giveaway is open to all Philippine residents who have read my breastfeeding book.
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| The third to comment will get this prize. |
UPDATE:
The winners for our MomBabyFabric items are the following:
Nappy Pouch - Darl Corral-Piquero
Bib and Clean up cloth - Nor Ann Balatbat
Madison Pouch - Yen Morales
The winners of our Obi tie-side and pajama sets are Mommy Que and Mommy Sigrid!
Congratulations to all our winners!
I can relate so much to Jasmine B. Barrios' From Frustration to Fulfillment story. It was like my story being told except of course for some details.
ReplyDeleteDue to ignorance and lack of support, I wasn't able to fully breastfed my eldest, now 3 years old. He suffered from atopic dermatitis and primary complex when he was younger, which could be prevented if only we hadn't given him formula milk. Fortunately, we crossed path with Arugaan Creche and learned a lot about breastfeeding and the dangers of formula milk. I've tried to re-lactate but my resolve wasn't that strong. Since my eldest is old enough to eat, we immediately stopped giving him formula milk and instead, feed him with nutritious food.
Now that we're expecting at 37 weeks, we equipped ourselves with as much information, and seek guidance and inspiration from breastfeeding support groups to be able to successfully and exclusively breastfeed my second child (and hopefully do tandem nursing with my kids).
Thanks for sharing, Darl! God bless your next breastfeeding adventure!
DeleteThanks, Teresa! I'll make sure I'm successful this time! I'll let you know. :)
DeleteI'm pregnant to my second baby and i'm due on October. I decided to breastfed my eldest son until he reach the age of 2yrs old because i do believe milk that comes from the mom is the most important nutrients that a baby should get because the baby will give more antibodies in protecting him from sick and for the daily dose of nutrients. I love my son very much so i want to give the best for him.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Mommy Cessie! Please tell us which breastfeeding story from the book inspired you the most aside from the one mentioned by Darl. Thanks!
DeleteYeah, I can also relate to Ms. Jasmine Barrios of her first journey to motherhood. Very memorable to me, as I was reading it I remembered my first time breastfeeding my daughter. really nostalgic.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining, Wilma! Please elaborate by telling us which experience/breastfeeding difficulty of Mommy Jasmine can you relate with the most. Thanks!
DeleteThe story i can relate most is from Vanessa Gabaza "Breastfeeding Against All Odds". Because just like her as a newbie mom, i've experienced a lot of difficulties on breastfeeding my daughter. Although she was CS, i gave birth naturally but being a first time mom, the moment i gave birth i was on antibiotics and a lot of meds so i didn't experienced the Unang Yakap moment right away. I got to feed my daugther the 2nd day, and since i don't know yet how to properly breastfeed, i've got a lot of sores and bleeding nipples just like Vanessa. But from doing researches and some helpful mommy tips, i've come to master the proper way to latch. and just like any other mommies, low milk supply was also my problem but our old landlady told me to always eat malunggay soup, my supply will be enough. it's a good thing i've followed her advice. And just like Vanessa said about the advertisement she saw, "Nourish with Love", our breastmilk is the best nourishment for our babies and no other formula milk can compare to it.
ReplyDeleteYM
yenmorales1981@yahoo.com
Thanks for sharing your story, Yen!
DeleteHi, I am a first time mom and I attended seminars through your friend Joyce Martinez. I was so inspired to have breastfeed.At first, I was so worried that I don't have enought milk or it would be that painful. Good thing she introduce me with your book BREASTFEEDING: A Journey Worth Taking.
ReplyDeleteI can relate on Ms. Jasmine B. Barrios - I, as a product of formula milk, I am not that healthy, I have atopic dermititis too and asthma when I am younger. I was frequently visited the pedia because I am sick. Unlike my younger brother who is a breastfed, he is healthier than me. For 25 years, I think he just got sick for 5 times. Normally, just cough and colds.
Now, as 29 weeks, I am active in attending Breastfeeding seminar for me to be more equipped and to learn more about the Breastfeeding. I joined Breastfeeding advocate groups and pages in Facebook so i can relate and share my stories with them.
I want to have that special bonding with my son through breastfeeding. No other formula milk can beat the benefits and nutrients of the Mother's milk. This is the best for the mothers and their babies.
That's great! May God give you abundant milk supply!
DeleteThanks! i keep praying for that too! :)
DeleteEach story is unique on their own way but Vanessa Gabaza's "Breastfeeding Against All Odds" stand out to me more. Just like her, I was new to this parenting/ breastfeeding journey. Breastfeeding is not an easy task but with the help and support from family and friends, the journey will surely be a great one. And I'm very blessed and thankful for that.
ReplyDeleteThis book is a great way to spread the word. The first hand experiences is a great help to show moms that it is possible.
Thanks for briefly sharing your breastfeeding story here, Mommy Que!
DeleteHi, Yna! Yes, you can choose my breastfeeding story, too. :)
ReplyDeletei can totally relate to mommy maia nuguid's story of 'sacrificial love, will power and breast pump power combined'. i am a working mom and in my 1st breastfeeding journey, i was challenged by 1) lack of knowledge; 2) time; and 3) stress. since it was my first time to be a mom, i didnt know what to do. all i knew is that i will try to breastfeed because i heard of that thing from other mom friends. during the first few weeks my nipples got sore and the pain is really killing me that everytime my baby latches on, i can't help crying. but like mommy maia i tried to arm myself with knowledge because when i tried breastfeeding i felt that id love to continue feeding my baby with my milk as long as he's a toddler. so i browsed the internet about breastfeeding, read books and attended seminars as well. my second challenge was time and third was stress. i work more than 8 hours a day and i have a very demanding job. most of the time, my pumping sessions almost cannot fit it the busy work sched due to meetings and other urgent matters at work. but i tried to direct feed as much as i can whenever im with my baby to increase my supply. lactation aids helped. but relaxation and determination helped me succeed. whenever my milk supply decreases i take an off from work for a few days and do power pump. and these all helped. :-)
ReplyDeleteI salute you, Mommy Sigrid! It's truly a sacrifice. But it's worth it!
Deleteim not a mother , mom , but im a husband and a first time dad too ... when my wife got pregnant , im so nervous i dont know what to do , when she got give birth to our first child which is Boy .... so many advice from my won mom and my in-laws, kung ano maganda gawin at kung ano dapat gawin .. sinunod lang namiing mag-asawa mga payo sa amin , breastfeeding ang aming anak , tinutulungan ko pa misis ko kung need nya pag pump ng milk at lalo na kung madami masyadong milk na lumalabas ... sarap pala ng pakiramdam kung nakakatulong ka sa asawa mo , lalo na kung para sa sarili mong anak ... breastfeeding is still the best for newborn and up.. kita naman sa baby namin lobo as in mataba , hindi lang yun bibo , at hindi naman sa pagyayabang smart at straight magsalita ang 2 years old baby ko in english pa po yun ... marunong na rin sya mag identify ng mga letters at magbilang hanggang 15 ....
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you and your wife! I'm very happy for you. Breastfeeding truly has a lot of benefits!
DeleteThank you very much to everyone who joined this blog giveaway! Thank you very much also to our blog giveaway sponsors -- MomBaby Fabric and Obi! Please do subscribe to this blog so you won't miss any updates in the future. Happy Monday!
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