Breastfeeding Support Groups and Resources

One of the essential things for successful breastfeeding is support, not only from your family, but from knowledgeable counsellors and consultants. When I started breastfeeding, I didn't know any better and experienced a myriad of problems. I met with several lactation consultants (with one even giving me formula samples) and researched on my own before finally establishing a good breastfeeding relationship with my daughter.

I earlier thought that there was limited support for breastfeeding moms in the Philippines. But as I became more active in various activities, I realized that there are several groups who provide counseling and assistance to breastfeeding moms. Here's a list which I hope will help moms in the Philippines looking for breastfeeding support and resources:

L.A.T.C.H (Lactation, Attachment, Training, Counselling, Help)
Email
Buding Dee 09178920195
Jen CC Tan 09175325643
L.A.T.C.H. is a hospital-based group of trained peer counsellors who conduct breastfeeding workshops, breastfeeding support and hospital/home visits, among others. I recently started training to be certified as a peer counsellor with L.A.T.C.H. This group is based in The Medical City, Pasig City.

The Breastfeeding Club
Abbie V. Yabot
0922-9225553
Abbie does hospital visits in Makati Med to help moms in the early days. She also does home consultations. Abbie helped me in the early days when I was having problems with Naima's latch. Abbie also conducts classes, Breastfeeding 101, 202 and 303 and maintains the Breastfriends Yahoo group.

La Leche League Philippines/Best Friends in Breastfeeding
Cris Nicandro Rosenthal - U.S. Certified Doula (Birthing/Labor Coach)Breastfeeding Advocate and La Leche League Leader
(0917)894-1099 / 725-0776 / 721-9388
Meetings are held every second Saturday from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Venue: Parish Hall, Mary the Queen Church, Madison Street, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila (right across from Xavier School) Meetings are now at The Podium Mall, 11am, 2nd floor, right in front of Baby & Co and Bestsellers.
This group also includes Abbie Yabot and Dr. Patricia Malay-Kho (IBCLC).
Update - 6/7/2010 - La Leche League now has meetings in Makati - Rustan's Department Store, 3/F Children's Play Area -- Hurrah for South-based moms like me! :D Meetings are usually at the 3rd Saturday of the month at 1030am. Contact Abbie Yabot for details.

Moms, Milk & More (MoMiMor)
Chiqui Brosas-Hahn
+63917-88BIRTH or Email
MoMiMor "gives regular monthly classes that are usually held in Gymboree" Chiqui is a "US Trained Childbirth Educator and Certified Bradley Instructor who gives "Prepared Childbirth Classes" in Pulse Yoga studio all year round.

Arugaan
Nanay Ines Fernandez OR
Velvet C. Escario-Roxas - +63-915-7741614
Counseling service for breastfeeding, infant nutrition and mother-baby friendly alternatives.#2 Starlight cor. Vista St., SSS Village, Marikina CityTel: +632-4905452 or 4263918

Bosom Buddy
Pam Yap-Magallon
656-4993 or 0916-6363593
Email here OR here
28 Stoney Creek cor. Marble Lane
Vista Verde Country Homes
Cainta, Rizal,Philippines
The Bosom Buddy website is packed with information - from pregnancy preparation, labor and delivery to breastfeeding. They also have information on proper diet and healthy eating.

Breastfeeding Philippines
Dr. Elvira Henares-Esguerra and Nona Andaya-Castillo
The Breastfeeding Clinic, TESDA Women’s Center
East Service Road, South Super Highway, Taguig, Metro Manila
7014429-30 or 0919839-5555
Email
Runs the Philippine Lactation Resource and Training Center, based at the TESDA Women’s Center, focusing on breastfeeding support and parenting classes. Information on their training programs is available here.


*Update: New contact details of Dr. Esguerra, as provided in the comment box in this post. 
Dr. Esguerra's new clinic in Makati Medical Center is at Tower B Room 135.  Clinic hours are Mon, Tues, Thurs from 10am to 4pm or Wed/Fri/Sat by appointment only.  Call 8888999 loc. 7135 on M/T/Th from 10am-4pm to ensure an appointment.  

Breastfeeding Pinay

Website created by Pinays who used to and continue to breastfeed. Compiles information about breastfeeding, where to get help and how to continue to breastfeed despite going back to work. Has an excellent article about establishing a lactation support program in your workplace.

Medela Moms
29 1st St., New Manila
725-3723, 738-6272; 0917-5614366
Maricel Cua and Beng Feliciano
Maricel and Beng are the official Philippine distributors of Medela products. They recently opened their showroom and plan to make it a complete haven for breastfeeding moms by stocking it with reference books and conducting classes/workshops there.

Mom Massage
Tel. Nos. 412-9003, 374-5062
E-mail
Offers Prenatal Massage, Post-partum Massage, Lactation Massage(Home-service)

Ima Lactation
Lita Nery
Contact Nos. (049) 5335597 / 09185557565
Breastfeeding counselor, massage therapist for pregnant nursing mothers.  Nanay Lita also conducts classes, counseling for moms who give birth at Chinese General Hospital.

Mommy Sense (Davao City)
Lyn Buyco-Tan
0916-5400280 or 09326955435
c/o The Oak & Acorn Learning Toy Shop
(also carries breastfeeding/maternity items)
Plaza Del Carmen
Loyola St. Bo. Obrero, Davao City
Telephone number: 2865449
For Davao-based mommies, Lyn is a great breastfeeding resource person. Her group organized Portraits of Love, a photo exhibit of breastfeeding moms in Davao.

St. Luke's Global City Lactation Support Unit
http://www.stlukesmedicalcenter.com.ph/lactation.php

The Medical City Lactation Center
http://bernardoclinic.com/the-medical-city-lactation-center/

Mommy Bright Side - Breastfeeding Support Group in Cagayan de Oro
supported by Dr. Jessamine Sareno (a neonatologist)

Breastfeeding Marikenyas - Breastfeeding Support Group in Marikina

La Leche League Cebu Breastfeeding Club, supported by Abbie Yabot, LLLI Leader.

Mother Nurture - breastfeeding support group AND relactation clinic with breastfeeding rehabilitation in Antipolo (live-in with baby).

*I'm hoping to make this list as current as possible. Please leave a comment if you find the contact details erroneous so I can obtain the correct numbers and update this post. Please also leave a comment if you have other support groups to recommend.

*Information updated as of 24 April 2013. If you'd like to copy the information and share, you are welcome to do so BUT please do credit this blog. I take time to check, confirm and update the information so please respect my efforts and intellectual property. Thank you.