Thoughts on Moms and Breastfeeding

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I am writing this in response to a good friends' frantic text message last week.  I admire mothers who are able to breastfeed their babies.  Saludo ako sa inyo.  I really wanted to breastfeed the twins but was not able to do so after a month.  So whenever I see my friends and acquaintances breastfeeding, I always smile knowing that what they're doing is right.  And whenever I have friends who ask me about breastfeeding, I always encourage them to do.  I also incorporate breastfeeding in my Philosophy classes in the undergraduate level.  I honestly don't remember when I incorporate it and under what topic but I encourage my students to breastfeed once they have children.  This is how important breastfeeding is for me.  I may not have been able to breastfeed my twins after the 1 month mark, but I nevertheless want to advocate for it in my own little way.

However, I am also of the firm believer that it is not a mother's fault that she can't breastfeed.  There are medical reasons for that.  We cannot also blame a mother for not producing enough breastmilk.  The point is, I do not think we have the right to judge a mother if she cannot breastfeed.

I find it quite disheartening when parent's say that their children are better than ours because their children are breastfed ones.  I struggled with that idea when my kids were still young and it made me feel depressed.  My friend frantically texted me because one mother boasted that her children are intelligent because they were breastfed, and my friend had difficulty breastfeeding her child.  She had to text me because she was feeling really down because of it.  And I had to reassure her.  It's alright, it's not your fault and it's okay to not have been able to breastfeed.  

We try to breastfeed but if we can't, please don't blame us and please don't look down on us.  And please don't tell us that your children are better than our children because they breastfed when they were young.  Our children are our greatest blessing, no children therefore should be considered as better than another one.

And +Devi, inhale and exhale.  S loves you.  You are the best mom to S.  And God chose you to be the mother of S.  Hugs and kisses.

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