The Importance of Breastfeeding In Emergencies (+ Win a Copy of the Book, “Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking”)

If you’re a regular reader of my blog or see my Facebook posts and tweets, you probably already know that I am pro-breastfeeding. I don’t know if I can call myself a true “advocate” because I think I do a lot less to “advance the cause” of breastfeeding, compared to what other breastfeeding advocates I know do. However, I do try my best to promote, protect and support breastfeeding whenever and however I can, even if it’s just in small, seemingly insignificant ways.

That’s why, a few months ago, I considered myself blessed to be part of a book project by Full Life Cube Publishing and Events Services. The book, titled Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking, was written by my friend and fellow homeschooling, work-at-home mom Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag, or “Mommy TG” in the blogosphere. Teresa asked me to help her look for sponsors for her project, and I also edited a few chapters of her book. Our partnership was a fruitful one, to say the least, and it just showed how “empowering” mommy power really is! (Right, Teresa? *winks*)

Anyway, as the title of this post says, I just wanted to emphasize again the importance of breastfeeding, especially during emergencies. I realized this again while reading through Teresa’s book (I got my autographed copy from her at the WAHMderful Weekend, yey!). In light of what’s been happening to our country — especially all the calamities — we need to, as Teresa says in her book, “inspire and empower other moms that — though breastfeeding can be challenging — it’s definitely a journey worth taking.”

If you aren’t aware of the reasons why breastfeeding and supporting mothers who are breastfeeding and not breastfeeding or mixed feeding during emergencies is critical for both mother and child, I suggest you read Jenny of Chronicles of a Nursing Mom’s posts related to Typhoon Yolanda and . I need not “reinvent the wheel” as Jenny and Dra. Zeka’s posts are well-written and explain everything very thoroughly. 

Going back to Teresa’s book, I just have to share about why I like how it was written (and I am not being biased here, OK?). Teresa chronicles her breastfeeding journey in detail, and also shares the lessons she learned along the way. She also gathered success stories from breastfeeding moms with different “statuses” — stay-at-home moms, work-at-home moms, moms working outside the home and mompreneurs.

What I liked most about the book though is how Teresa points out that it is God who “created” breastfeeding and breast milk in the first place, because it is He who created us women. He created our breasts for a purpose — to nourish our babies — and so it is also He who will help us during the difficult parts of our breastfeeding journey.

I believe now, more than ever, is the time to proclaim the message that Teresa shares in her book, especially to the moms who have been affected by all the disasters here in the Philippines: You were created by God for a special purpose. You were chosen to be your child’s mother for a special purpose.

You can breastfeed your child, even under stress or if you lack adequate nutrition. (Read this article for more information.)

You can go back to breastfeeding even if you’ve already started mixed feeding your baby (or stopped breastfeeding altogether).

You can breastfeed even if everyone around you says you can’t.

Breastfeeding — especially during emergencies — has its own set of challenges. But as Teresa says in her book, it’s definitely a journey worth taking.

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And now… on to the giveaway!

BREASTFEEDING: A JOURNEY WORTH TAKING BOOK GIVEAWAY

Teresa is generously giving away a copy of her book to one blessed reader! Here are the mechanics:

1. Required steps:

• “Like” the “
• “Like”
• Post about the giveaway on Facebook, tagging “Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking” and “Truly Rich Mom/Teachermama Tina” PLUS 5 or more of your friends

2. For additional entries:

• Follow Teresa on Twitter
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet about the giveaway
• Leave a blog post comment

The giveaway will run for two weeks and is open to anyone with a Philippine shipping address. The winner will be notified via email and announced on Facebook. For easy entry, please click on the link below to use the Rafflecopter widget:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can also join the giveaway through my Facebook page.

P.S. If you’re interested to know more about Teresa’s book, or want to order a copy, you may email her at or send her a message through her book’s .

*Breastfeeding photo c/o papaija2008 on FreeDigitalPhotos.net here.

**This is a sponsored post.