Hakab Na! Laguna 2015 (Big Latch On)
Exclusive
breastfeeding for the first six months: My little Queen B and I did it!!!
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the
United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) recommend exclusive breastfeeding starting within one hour after birth
until the baby turns six months in age. It means the infant only receives
breastmilk as a source of nutrition without any additional food or drink, not
even water. I am very happy and proud to report that despite the challenges I
faced I was able to give the best source of nutrition for my little Queen B.
Coincidentally,
my first six month journey in breastfeeding ended just in time for the
celebration of the World Breastfeeding
Week and the National Breastfeeding
Awareness Month. As part of promoting awareness about breastfeeding, every
August 1 thousands of breastfeeding moms all over the world come together at
registered locations and with their babies latched on simultaneously. This
event is known as the Big Latch On
or Hakab Na here in the Philippines.
This year I am very glad to be part of this momentous occasion.
Here
in the Philippines, Hakab Na events are organized by Breastfeeding Pinays (BFP) and several of its offshoots group. BFP
is a Facebook group of breastfeeding moms who got members all over the
Philippines and even abroad. I joined the one held at the function room of the
city hall of my own hometown City of Santa Rosa, Laguna. Mommies Isay Jacinto-Dalisay, Gretch Sykes, and Karen Olmedilla initiated the first ever Hakab Na for Laguna-based
moms. They partnered with JCI Santa Rosa
Prima. Pre-registration and payment of the registration fee are required
for the event. The 150 Php fee is inclusive of the mom’s meal and a Hakab Na
shirt for the baby.
 |
| Happy to be at my first ever Hakab Na event! |
Upon
arrival, each mom was asked to sign at the registration table. For moms with
older kids, their children can play at the play area by Geeky Giraffe Learning Center or listen to some story telling by Montessori Children’s House of Brentville.
 |
| Older kids enjoying play acting at the Geeky Giraffe booth. Photos are from Geeky Giraffe Learning Center. |
Various
desserts and sweets are provided for all participating mommies by Candies and Sweets Love and RM Chocolate Addicts. J and I love the
blueberry cheesecake shots!
 |
| Sweet treats for all participating mommies and daddies too! |
Nursing Mommies PH, a nursing wear online seller, also
have their own booth where they are selling their affordable yet stylish
nursing blouses and dresses.
There
is also a photobooth by Picstacular
where all moms gamely posed with their little ones.
 |
| The Diaz Family picture with our little Queen B doing the look up pose. |
This
year’s National Breastfeeding Awareness Month theme is “Tama, Sapat, at Eksklusibo ang Pagpapasuso Kahit nasa Trabaho”. To
help working mothers and stay-at-home mothers as well (Hey, staying at home to take care of a baby while doing household
chores is also work!), the organizers invited Dr. Riza Hemedez-Gonzales and Nanay Lita Nery to share their
knowledge about breastfeeding, its challenges, and steps we can do to overcome
those challenges.
 |
| The Hakab Na Laguna 2015 Programme |
 |
| Dr. Riza Hemedez-Gonzalez explaining the ins and outs of breastfeeding. |
Sadly,
a lot of moms were unable to continue breastfeeding their babies once they
return to work after their two months of maternity leave. Working moms must
express their milk at regular intervals while at work if they want to sustain
their milk supply. They can either do hand expression or use a breast pump for
this. They have to bring a pump if using, breast milk storage containers, ice
packs, and an insulated bag every day. Doing this need extra effort from these
moms. I guess this is why some moms back out of continuing their breastfeeding
journey. Hopefully, the discussion will encourage all moms to continue their
breastfeeding journey despite any problem they might encounter.
At
exactly 10:30 AM, all moms latch on their babies at the same time for 1 minute.
My little Queen B latched but she also unlatched immediately. Georgina, my very
curious baby, just wanted to watch all the other nursing babies. I guess
feeding her 30 minutes earlier did not help my case. Still, I am happy to be
part of this event that intends to break the record of the previous year’s Big Latch
On.
 |
| I can't raise my hand because Georgina keep unlatching to look around her. |
 |
| Baby on Boob!!! |
All
mommies also received a loot bag that contains products and gift certificates
from the Hakab Na Laguna 2015 sponsors. I also won in the Bring Me Game and in
the raffle draw.
 |
| Contents of my loot bag with the prizes I won. |
I
really enjoyed my first ever Big Latch On experience. During the talk, I nursed
my little Queen B without the use of any nursing cover. I had breastfeed on
public a lot of times but I usually make use of my nursing cover. I admit I’m
using it because I am not that comfortable in nursing without a cover. It is
liberating to nurse without one. I am still going to use my nursing cover
because my Georgina easily distracts and the cover helps limit her view of her
surroundings but if she is no longer comfortable with one then I am so for
breastfeeding boldly!
 |
| Our little Queen B is also happy with her first Hakab Na experience! |
I am
grateful to my fellow moms Isay, Karen, and Gretch for their dedication to bring
this event closer to Laguna-based mothers. I am also thankful to all the
sponsors namely:
Nursing Mommies PH
RM Chocolate Addict
399
Alora’s Compound Sto. Niño, Biñan, Laguna
0932
845 5643
Candies and Sweets Love Event Styling
and Design
0917
420 7168
Picstacular Photobooth
0917
388 0777
Geeky Giraffe Learning Center
0949
343 1944
Montessori Children’s House of
Brentville
The
Village Front, Brentville International Community, Mamplasan, Biñan, Laguna
049
526 6911/ 0922 866 8849
Gymboree Sta.Rosa
049
576 0595
Fabskin Skin Care Products
0915
222 8228
Pristine Belles
F.Reyes
st., Balibago, Santa Rosa, Laguna
0925
811 5638/ 049 838 1955
Cheerful Chi Spa
F. Reyes
st., Balibago, Santa Rosa, Laguna
0906
245 3526
A.V.T. Dermaholics Skin Care Clinic
0917
535 4409/ 0998 223 5798
David’s Cut- Tagapo Branch
0915
626 6092
Ai-non Baby
Lactium Food Supplement
02
801 9312
Natalac Food Supplement
Indigo Baby
Thanks
also for the support of the City of Santa Rosa and its leaders.
Lastly,
I am appreciative of all my fellow breastfeeding moms. It is empowering to be
with other breastfeeding mothers. I am targeting to breastfeed Georgina until
she turns two years old or maybe even more.
 |
| Along with my fellow Laguna-based breastfeeding moms. |
This
month expect more posts about breastfeeding as my contribution in increasing
awareness about breastfeeding and why breast is best!
#xoxo
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