'Halaan, Tahong, Malunggay Soup,' Many Ways Trina Legaspi Achieved Exclusive Breastfeeding

After Trina Legaspi gave birth to her and her husband Ryan Jarina's first child in March 2023, the actress's life has never been as unpredictable and exciting. For starters, she already missed being pregnant just a few days into becoming a mom to Kaela, thus relishing her so-called fourth trimester.

"Sa loob ng isang buwan, I’ve experienced a whirlwind of emotions," Trina said in a recent Instagram post showing snaps from Kaela's first month celebration. "Ilang beses ako umiyak. Akala ko 'nung una wala akong masyadong milk."

The first-time mom went on sharing how she struggled with breastfeeding, which caused her to experience postpartum blues, and eventually achieving her goal of giving her baby only her milk.

"Sobrang blessed ko dahil maraming tumutulong at nakakaintindi ng nararamdaman ko," she pointed out. "I’m thankful for the endless support and reassurance from my family."

By family, Trina meant her parents and siblings, as well as her husband ("sa pag-iintindi sa akin") and a cousin ("sa pag-recommend ng mga dapat gawin").

"Sabi nga nila, it takes a village to raise a child," said the former child star also known as Hopia, the name of her character in the teleserye Hiram (2004-2005) that she also used when she was cast in the kiddie gag show Goin' Bulilit (2005-2007).

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

Isang post na ibinahagi ni Trina “Hopia” Legaspi (@trinalegaspi)

In thanking more people, Trina also revealed some of the things that helped her increase her milk production:

1. Eating soupy dishes with shellfish (halaan, tahong) and leafy greens (malunggay)

2. Enlisting the help of a lactation consultant

3. Consuming lactation drinks, cookies, and brownies

4. Taking malunggay supplements

"Yes, lahat ng pwedeng gawin ginawa ko," Trina admitted. "Lots of patience and determination talaga!"

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

Isang post na ibinahagi ni Trina “Hopia” Legaspi (@trinalegaspi)

By succeeding at exclusive breastfeeding, Trina didn't only make herself proud and her baby healthy by gaining weight, but also her husband happy: "Kasi nakakatipid kaya bumabawi siya in other ways, siya naman ang naghehele at nagpapatulog kay baby. Hehe!"

More breastfeeding tips

1. Latch baby when you can. As Bubble Gang actress Arny Ross discovered, "Unli latch talaga is the key."

2. Express milk regularly when you are away. (Moms with full-time onsite work share their success stories here.)

3. Get a lactation massage, or hilot,  just like what GMA-7 actress Yasmien Kurdi and singer Sitti Navarro.

4. To help ease the breastfeeding pain you feel, you can try actress-entrepreneur Sam Pinto's tactic and also some advice from moms here.

5. Get breast milk effectively with these breast pump tips here.