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[Editor's note: August 19] On August 18, 2018, Neri Naig and Chito Miranda called us out for a misleading headline and caption on Facebook for this story.
In our desire to have moms read Neri's inspiring story, our poor choice of words on Facebook had people wondering if we were pro-mom.
The fact that there was even a doubt makes us truly sorry to Neri and moms who have been affected.
The first time we shared this story on Facebook our caption was: Neri is lending her support to all the moms, no matter what feeding choices they make.
We should have stuck with that. The decision to breastfeed or formula-feed lies with the mom. And whatever that decision is, it is one Smart Parenting supports.You can read Neri's full blog here. Except for the headline above, our original story below is unedited.
Actress and entrepreneur Neri Naig-Miranda revealed in a blog post that she once thought of herself as a bad mother to her one-year-old son Miggy, when she couldn't produce enough breastmilk to feed him when he was a newborn.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW"Nagagalit ako sa idea na papainumin ng formula ang anak ko. Feeling ko, anong klase akong ina kapag papainumin ko ng formula? Kahit napakasakit, talagang sinubukan kong magpadede kay Miggy. Jusko! Para akong nanlalambot sa pakalatch ni Miggy. Para akong magkakasakit! Napakasakit! Gusto mo ng matapos na agad," she wrote.
The actress was a guest speaker at a Hakab Na event in Tagaytay a few days ago, in celebration of the Breastfeeding Awareness Month this August.
Neri, who suffered a miscarriage before she became pregnant with Miggy, recalled in her blog that nothing went according to plan from the way she wanted to give birth, to her feeding choices.
"Emergency CS ako, gusto ko normal delivery," she wrote, adding she lost almost a liter of blood during childbirth, which caused her blood pressure to drop.
"Gusto ko exclusively breastfed si Miggy. Pagkalabas ni Miggy, may UTI (urinary tract infection) na siya agad [so] kailangang mas maraming milk ang painumin kay Miggy para makaihi siya agad."
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowThis frustrated her because she was only able to produce a little amount of breastmilk, even if her breasts grew in size (a common belief, which is actually a myth). She admitted feeling envious of moms who have so much breastmilk.
What pacified the new mom was the assurance of her husband, Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda, whose encouragement and positive attitude changed Neri's perspective about motherhood.
"Sinabi sa akin ng asawa ko na, hindi nasusukat ang pagpapadede lang sa anak kung gaano ka kabuti bilang isang ina at kung gaano mo kamahal ang anak mo. Isang factor lang yan."
After a few failed attempts, Neri finally succeeded. "Pinilit ko talaga na magpa-breastfeed. Kahit mahirap at masakit."
The first-time mom says she is sharing her breastfeeding journey on her blog as a show of support for all the moms and the individual choices they make for their kids.
"[Hindi tama] 'Yung sisihin ko yung sarili ko.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW"Eh sa mahina ang milk ko that time eh at kailangang magpalakas para rin sa anak ko. Paano kung biglang bumagsak ulit yung blood pressure ko? Mas lalong hindi ako makakaproduce ng gatas at baka mas malala pa, hindi ko siya mapadede ng tuluyan," she wrote, highlighting the importance of self-care for new parents.
"Words of encouragement ang kailangan natin sa kapwa ina. Kase hindi rin natin alam kung ano ang pinagdadaanan nila. Maaring single parent siya o wala siyang support system, o nagkakaroon siya ng postpartum depression. Wag pa natin dagdagan yung hirap na dinadanas ng kapwa natin ina. Be compassionate."
Neri is happy and thankful that her firstborn is healthy, even without vitamins. She credits this to breastfeeding.
"Tandaan, don’t be hard on ourselves para di tayo mastress at mas maalagaan natin ang ating mga anak at syempre ang ating sarili," she ends her note.
