This Mom Struggled To Breastfeed, But Built A Care Center To Help

With the advent of hands-free breast pumps, nursing dresses, and pretty breastfeeding covers, many mothers feel more equipped and empowered to breastfeed their babies.

However, despite these tools, breastfeeding remains a challenge, particularly when emotional and mental support is lacking, or when mothers face issues like insufficient knowledge, mastitis, and low milk supply.

How one mom went from zero breastfeeding knowledge to building a breastfeeding care center

One mother who struggled with breastfeeding was Di Ann P. Mendoza from Baguio City. "When I gave birth to my daughter in 2015, I faced a challenging start to my breastfeeding journey. Hindi ako prepared. Ang pinaghandaan ko noon yung babayaran sa ospital eh. I didn't know how to breastfeed, and unfortunately, my daughter suffered from dehydration and had to be rushed to the hospital's intensive care unit. It was a traumatic experience that deeply affected me, but it also fueled my determination to learn everything I could about breastfeeding," she shared with Smart Parenting.

^{Mommy Di Anne and her daughter}

A teacher by profession, Mendoza started researching and learning about breastfeeding until she found an opportunity to become a breastfeeding peer counselor, despite not having a medical background. She became part of the first batch trained in Baguio City by Arugaan, one of the country's leading breastfeeding organizations.

After successfully breastfeeding her daughter for a year, she quit her teaching job and established a breastfeeding center in Baguio. "The training and experience ignited a passion in me to help other moms in their breastfeeding journeys. I collaborated with fellow breastfeeding moms who were also skilled massage therapists, and together, we created the first lactation spa and clinic in the north."

They started by going house to house, offering lactation massage and breastfeeding counseling services. They formalized their efforts into a social enterprise, where she employed moms who are members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. "Di ba pag inisip natin pag 4Ps, marami silang anak, poorest of the poor. Pero nabibigyan sila ng work na matawag na breastfeeding peer counselor. Tapos ngayon na nandito na kami sa Manila, open na kami for franchising."

"You are enough, what you're doing for your baby is enough, and that you are not alone in this journey." —Di Anne P. Mendoza, CEO, My Breastfriend

In May, Mendoza opened their first branch in Metro Manila at a mall in Quezon City, aptly named My Breastfriend Massage and Breastfeeding Care Center. "Our business offers a unique blend of therapeutic and lactation massage services designed to meet the needs of mothers and their entire families. We initially focused on lactation massage, but over time, we expanded our offerings to include various types of massages that cater to the specific needs of different family members," Mendoza shared.

^{My Breastfriend Massage and Breastfeeding Care Center is now open at SM North EDSA, Quezon City}

Empowering mothers to breastfeed their babies

"What makes us truly unique is that we’ve created a one-stop shop where breastfeeding moms and their families can receive the essential massage services they need, all in one place. This holistic approach ensures that everyone can find healing and relief tailored to their individual body needs," she added. 

More than their services, Mendoza said the real benefit that their mom clients are grateful for is the confidence and empowerment after a session. 

"Iba-iba tayo ng journey eh. Hindi naman lahat ng moms marami talagang pina-pump. Kaya lagi namin sinasabi, you're not measured in ounces." —Di Anne P. Mendoza, CEO, My Breastfriend

"We focus on addressing their unique needs and empowering them with the confidence they need for their breastfeeding journey. 'Yung sa amin is lactation massage and counseling para ma-empower ka, na mapa-dede yung anak mo na hindi ka nagwoworry sa supply. Parang sa amin laging empowering the mother that she can breastfeed her child and that the Lord made her body to produce what is needed."

^{My Breastfriend SM North EDSA team}

By choosing their services, their mom clients become part of a community that truly understands and supports their breastfeeding goals. "Kasi ngayon sa social media, nacocompare natin, 'Ay yung nanay na yun punong-puno yung milk stash, eh ako parang hindi man lang ako makapuno ng isang bote.' Eh iba-iba tayo ng journey eh. Hindi naman lahat ng moms oversupplier. Hindi naman lahat ng moms marami talagang pina-pump. Kaya lagi namin sinasabi, you're not measured in ounces. Your motherhood is always about you and your baby. Mahalaga yung counseling, hindi lang yung massage. Kaya lahat ng staff ko trained sila ng counseling." 

To moms: You are not alone in your breastfeeding journey

Mendoza envisions having one breastfeeding care center per city so more moms will have access to their services. "Walang money nakapalit yung feeling na naibalik mo sila sa breastfeeding. Kasi ang dami rin naming relactation cases eh. Nakabote na sila, naka-full formula na pero naibabalik namin sa breast, naibabalik namin yung supply ni mommy," she shared.

^{Mommy Di Anne Mendoza (sixth from left) and her partners} 

She continued, "Kaya pala ako pinadaan ni Lord dun sa sobrang hirap na nasa ICU yung anak ko, kasi nga ito pala yung purpose ko na makatulong din sa mga ibang moms," she added. In the span of six years in the breastfeeding advocacy, Mendoza estimates having empowered up to 5,000 mothers.

"Breastfeeding is a connection between you and your child, which is yung first 1,000 days niya kapag nakaka-connect siya sayo, they will have a better adult life. Kasi yun yung foundation ng buhay ng isang bata, yung first 1,000 days."

She reminds moms, "Never think of yourself as just a milk factory na nagpoproduce ng pagkain ng anak mo, but rather always keep on emphasizing that you are enough, what you're doing for your baby is enough, and that you are not alone in this journey."

"Marami tayong mga breastfeeding moms na pwede mong mahingan ng tulong for support, for guidance," she concluded.

My Breastfriend Massage and Breastfeeding Care Center is located at the 5th Floor, North Link Building, SM North EDSA, Quezon City. Follow its Facebook page here.

Find out the top online breastfeeding communities that you can join here.