Ryza Cenon Swears By This One Thing For Breastfeeding Success, 'Lalabas Din 'Yung Milk Niyo'

It has been almost three years since Ryza Cenon stopped breastfeeding her son, but she remembers vividly how she felt when she couldn't produce milk.

In an exclusive interview with Smart Parenting, the actress and mom of one opened up about her breastfeeding journey, including feeling useless.

Ryza Cenon on breastfeeding struggles

Ryza revealed she was surprised to know she was pregnant in April 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns. She considers Night "a miracle baby," her first and only child with her partner, Miguel Antonio Cruz. 

 "Inverted po yung ano ko, uterus. So, nagulat ako na nabuntis ako. Nagpa-fight scene pa ako. Nalaman ko lang siya nung pandemic na, na ilang weeks na pala ako na eight weeks na pala ako, hindi ko alam," Ryza said, who is among the actors of the new VivaOne series, Kung Hindi Lang Tayo Sumuko, together with fellow mom and breastfeeding advocate, Coleen Garcia.

Ryza gave birth on October 31, but like most first-time moms, breastfeeding didn't come easy.

"And yung time na pinapa-breastfeed ko siya, yung first, first ha, as in yung pagkahawak ko, kailangan ko siya pakainin. Umiiyak siya talaga kasi wala," she recounts.

"As in, pati ako na iiyak kasi, parang feeling ko, bilang first[-time] mom, na wala, parang di ko na ibibigay yung kailangan ng anak ko. And yung pa yung pinaka-importante, yung breastmilk pa. So, parang, 'Meron pa ba akong maitutulong?' Parang ang useless ko," Ryza told Smart Parenting.

She then sought help from her fellow actress Chariz Solomon, who had also given birth around that time, "Nakiusap ako sa kanya kung pwede humingi, kung may siya kasi wala talagang lumalabas."

Ryza was grateful because aside from the breastmilk that Chariz shared with her, she also gave her some breastfeeding tips.

"Huwag kayong mag-give up. At pinaka-importante po, ang support system natin." —Ryza Cenon

"Sabi niya, basta mag-pump or ipa-[latch] mo lang kay night para lumabas 'yang milk mo. And then, bigla siyang lumabas," she recalled.

"Pero hindi kasing lakas nung kay Cha, pero meron. So, meron ako na ibigay. Hanggang 8 months ko siyang pina-breastfeed," Ryza said.

Study: What first-time moms need for breastfeeding success

In a series paper published in February by Prof. Rafael Perez Escamilla, PhD of Yale University, insufficient milk remains one of the most common reasons for introducing formula milk and stopping breastfeeding. Some mothers, especially in lower middle-income countries, opt to give their babies prelacteal feeds, such as rice water or am in the first three days of life. 

The paper concludes that this can generally be prevented or addressed successfully with appropriate support.

For middle-income countries like the Philippines, here are some of the proposed interventions for moms to breastfeed successfully:

• fully paid maternity leave in facilitating breastfeeding prevalence and duration
• equitable working conditions for breastfeeding mothers
• maternity benefits through cash transfers and other benefits
• baby-friendly hospital initiative

The study emphasizes that "an approach by the whole of society is needed for mothers to be able to meet their breastfeeding goals."

Message to first-time moms who are struggling to breastfeed

Having a strong support system is key to breastfeeding success, according to Ryza.

"Ang advice ko sa mga first-time mommies natin na nag-struggle din, kagaya ko, na kumapit lang kayo mga mommies. Huwag kayong mag-give up. Ipa-latch niyo lang 'yan sa ating mga babies. At mag-pump lang kayo na mag-pump. At lalabas din ‘yung milk ninyo."

She also highlighted the importance of caring for the mom, "And syempre, lagi po kayong uminom at kumain ng mga masustansyang pagkain na makakatulong para dumami ‘yung milk ninyo."

"At pinaka-importante po, ang support system natin. Syempre, kapag nandyan ang mga mga ka-mommies natin, kagaya ko, like ako, si Chariz, tinulungan niya talaga ako during nag-struggle ako sa breastfeeding. Talagang shinare niya sa akin yung breast milk niya. So, yung mga ganon klaseng support system, talagang malaking tulong yun para mabigyan lalo ng masustansyang gatas yung mga anak natin."

She added, "And syempre, sa partner ko, and sa mga tao dito sa bahay na talagang sinuportahan ako, sana meron din kayong ganung support system."

Join us at the Smart Parenting Village, a community of moms and dads, who can help you in your breastfeeding and parenting journey.