Upcoming Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Trainings

It all started with a private message on Facebook.  In 2012, the very first Arugaan peer counsellor training for mothers was held and organised in my home city of Davao.  Since then, Arugaan has trained several more peer counsellors, including my office's Peer Mom group - in Metro Manila and Cebu.

Although 2013 - with WABA theme - Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers - is ending, Arugaan is busy in the first quarter of the year conducting peer counsellor trainings in Davao City, Cagayan de Oro and Bacolod City.

Christmas Baskets: Sharing our Blessings

I have never spent Christmas in Manila. Even as a student here, I have always spent it at home, in Davao, with my family. And when Stan and I got married, we would just shuttle between Cebu and Davao. Though we are not around, we always make sure that we prepare a noche buena pack for the people in our condo --- the security guards, janitors, gardeners and administration personnel who help maintain our amenities. They do make our lives easier so Christmas is a chance to make them feel special and let them know how thankful we are for their services. This is what we put into the pack:

mini grocery bag

Rubella and Breastfeeding

Sorry I haven't been posting as much.  We're leaving for the holidays and I am in a packing frenzy.

This is just a quick post to reply to a message sent to me via my Facebook page.

 Query: I've been breastfeeding my five month baby girl. Unfortunately yesterday i found out that i have german measles. I immediately called my pedia regarding breastfeeding her. She said that i have to stop until I'm fully well.

My answer: Baby is already past newborn stage. Rubella is not a contraindication to breastfeeding

Sources:
http://www.mother-2-mother.com/mh2.htm#Measles, Rubella
http://www.llli.org/docs/550.pdf

I advised mom to get a 2nd opinion from another pediatrician and she said that the second pediatrician said the same thing as her first pediatrician.  I have to clarify.  She should get the opinion of a pediatrician who is well-versed in breastfeeding.  

Again, no pediatrician will tell you that s/he is not breastfeeding-friendly or pro-breastfeeding.  It is up to you to do your research.  This is just one of the instances where you can truly "test" whether your pediatrician is breastfeeding-friendly or not.