This Military Nurse Mom And Breastfeeding Advocate Stopped Nursing Her Child To Answer The Call of Duty

"The times are challenging

There’s a pandemic around

and mommy just cannot sit down

while everyone stood their ground..."

This is an excerpt from a poem written by Cindel Gatbonton Cabusora, a mom of four and a military nurse for over 15 years now.

In an exclusive interview with Smart Parenting, the 38-year-old mom shared her breastfeeding journey with her four children, particularly her third child, who had to wean from breastfeeding because Cindel had to be deployed at the World Trade Center at the height of the pandemic.

Call of duty

She recounts that she had been exclusively breastfeeding her third child for 18 months already, when the government declared the first enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in March 2020.

"April nag-open na kami. Sabay-sabay kasi yung deployment, quaratine facilities, swabbing centers, tapos within the AFP nagtayo din kami ng facilities."

She told Smart Parenting that her mom inspired her to breastfeed, but it was strengthened when she entered the medical field.

She also believes that it doesn't matter how long or short a mom's breastfeeding journey is. "Sa four kids ko, iba-iba ang breastfeeding journey nila. My eldest, who is now 10 years old, during maternity leave ko lang siya  napa-breastfeed exclusively, pero malaki pa rin yung naging positive effect sa kanya. So dati as a first-time mom, medyo struggle din sa breastfeeding, pero sinikap ko pa rin."

She added, "Yung gap nila ng second ko, 1 year lang. Malaking factor that time was bago palang ako sa service. Pag bago ka kasi, kami yung laging nadedeploy, so 2 months lang kaming exclusive breastfeeding."

Then after 6 years, she shared that they were blessed with a third child. "By that time, office-based na ako, napatagal ko ang breastfeeding journey namin ng 18 months, kasi talagang malapit lang ako sa bahay, lesser yung deployment. Yun nga lang, nagka-Covid 19 pandemic."

She is currently nursing her fourth child, who is almost five months old, and hopes they won't have to wean soon.

"Sa kanilang apat, iba-iba ng duration pero same lang yung experience na very mahirap, pero very worth it naman pag nakita mo yung effects sa kids," she said.

Breastfeeding advocate

She considers herself a breastfeeding advocate not only because she is a nurse but because she is a mom who witnessed first-hand the benefits of breastfeeding both to the mom and child. 

"Dun sa dalawang bunso, nakita ko na yung effects [ng breastfeeding] sa dalawa nilang ate. Very healthy sila, and yung bonding with me, kumbaga meron na kong basis kaya sa kanila, inistrive ko na mas mapatagal."

"Mga breastfed babies talaga healthier, malakas immune system nila kahit flu season, meron silang immunity, lesser yung na-ko-constipate, gastrointestinal problems because of breastfeeding," she said.  

Cindel shared her poem in the Smart Parenting Village, and parents salute her for her sacrifices - both for her children and our country. She wrote the poem on Mother's Day when she was quarantined during her deployment then.

"True enough kasi matagalan yung deployment, bukod sa duty may mandatory quarantine. Last na pala yun."

"The Last Time" by Cindel Gatbonton Cabusora

The last time I nursed you
It was a normal day like before
I had a little break from work
& you’re already waiting at the door

The last time I nursed you
Everything went so smoothly
Just like the past 18 months
of our breastfeeding journey

The last time I nursed you
You just snuggled comfortably
In my loving arms
Just how you used to be

The last time I nursed you
You still sweetly smiled
As I tickled and watched you
Like a small innocent child

But the last time I nursed you
My heart cried a lot
Because I knew it was the last time
And my son, you did not...

The last time I nursed you
I softly explained why we’re through
But you were too young to understand
What mommy has to do...

The times are challenging
There’s a pandemic around
and mommy just cannot sit down
while everyone stood their ground

Still I am thankful and glad
For the 18 long months we had
But now we have to stop
And the reason ain’t so bad

Someday you’ll grow and look back
Maybe with no memory of it
But this I tell you, until I could
I nursed you till the last minute...

So the last time I nursed you
I held you a bit longer and tighter
our breastfeeding journey might be over
but my love for you is
FOREVER...

May 9 2020
S/P WTC Covid Deployment
Quarantine Day 6/14

Message to breastfeeding moms

For moms who are struggling to breastfeed, Cindel has this to say. 

"Iba-iba ang journey natin with breastfeeding. Ang sure diyan is hindi talaga siya easy journey. It's a learning experience every day. Yung benefits niya, it will outweigh yung discomforts natin. It outweighs yung mga struggles natin, mga puyat, pain, mastitis, cracked nipples. Yung long-term benefits for the babies."

She added, "Normal mahirapan kasi minsan nakikita natin sa social media yung magagandang breastfeeding photos. But behind that is yung sacrifice ng isang mother, yun ang kalakip ng photos na yun. Yung benefits sa babies, makikita nila yun in the long run. Kaya go lang."

She also shared what helps her, "Right diet, hydration, and iba talaga yung support ng environment, ng husband, especially ng workplace."

This breastfeeding peer counselor said all moms can successfully breastfeed, especially if they can have the one thing they need. Read here.