Cebu Lactation

Day 2 today of the Philippine Society of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Inaugural Conference.

Attending virtually ☺️

Yesterday, Day 1, I felt so validated with Dr. Diane L. Spatz’ Masterclass talk. 😌

This is what I’ve been saying.

If you’re separated from baby at birth, you need to pump.

Hand expression is great at removing colostrum, but it doesn’t give as much prolactin response as pumping (this is what the research shows).

And when baby cannot latch or is separated from you, you need the pump to do the needed stimulation to ESTABLISH MILK SUPPLY.

And not just any pump. ❌

And no, wearables or hands free pumps won’t cut it. ❌

What’s even more interesting to me is how Diane said in her research, that even CS moms at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia had their milk “come to volume” much faster 🤯😮 than what the literature shows (cesarean section moms tend to have delayed Lactogenesis II) — so their milk usually “come in” on Day 4 or Day 5 postpartum, some even later.

That’s the power of early and frequent stimulation and expression. 🔥

That’s the pumping equivalent to “unli latch”. 🤱

Of course, if baby is roomed in, best to have baby directly breastfeed. 💕

But let’s be honest..

how many moms are usually separated from their babies because baby 👶 had to stay in the nursery or NICU?

Babies are being kept in the nursery because they need antibiotics & the hospital 🏥 didn’t have enough staff to room in baby with mom, when baby still needs regular antibiotics.

That’s what happened to me.

And I gave birth in one of top private hospitals in Cebu. 🥹

Not to mention, that babies who are born preterm..

And even late preterm (up to 36 weeks 6 days), and some early term (37-38 weeks AOG) babies.

You can’t rely on them to nurse efficiently. ❌ At least, not in the first couple of weeks.

So you need to pump or hand express to PROTECT MILK SUPPLY.

But the Philippines is soooo anti-pumping 🥲

So this CRITICAL info is lost among healthcare professionals. 🥺

And so we lose the CRITICAL WINDOW of establishing milk supply. 😭

Looking back, I can’t help but think..

Would my milk supply and breastfeeding journey would have been different if only I knew then what I know now? 🤔

How many mothers’ milk supply and breastfeeding journeys have been sabotaged because they missed 🤔

I’m excited to see where Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine is headed in the Philippines.

I hope these things become general knowledge among maternal and child healthcare professionals 🙏

So more moms can reach their breastfeeding goals. 💪

I love getting messages like this from my clients! 😍🤩

Seeing them sooo excited getting more milk 💕

The goal is NO PAIN at all while pumping but this is the closest one she’s got on hand to the size we measured during our virtual fl**ge sizing.

If you need help optimizing your pumping setup (routine, settings, fl**ge sizing), you can book a consult with me ☺️

I keep myself updated on the latest pumping research and evidence.

Just last year, I spent $500+ on Pumping education alone (pumping for lactation professionals course, fl**ge sizing, etc.)🤑

Moms deserve evidence-based pumping support. 💪

Studying 📚📖 to make sure all info I share in this upcoming workshop are all evidence-based. ☺️

Clogged Duct Rescue 🚨 launching soon 🚀

🔥WHY AM I CREATING THIS WORKSHOP❓

Sooo many myths and misinformation in social media. 🫩

Recent Mastitis research and protocols changed, but much of the advice given even by healthcare professionals are still very much outdated. 😩

I also noticed this in my consults.

Moms see me for “low milk supply”..

.only for me to find out they actually have a clogged duct and have mastitis symptoms.

A lot of pumping moms I see don’t have a “milk supply” problem.

They have a “milk removal” (milk transfer) problem.

Their pumps are NOT EFFICIENTLY removing the milk.. usually due to:

- poorly fitted fl**ges
- inefficient pumps
- “power pumping” with wearables
- trendy new pumps on the market promoted by influencers
- Wrong ❌ advice on when and how to measure your fl**ge size

That’s why, even if I’m pumping mom (used to pump when I was lactating), I still spent over $500+ last year just on Pumping education alone.

Moms deserve lactation consultants who are skilled and educated on evidence-based guidelines on Pumping.

Especially since most moms these days have pumped or plan to pump for when they go back to work.

Anyways, back to clogged ducts..

Did you know you can still get clogged ducts, milk blebs and mastitis EVEN IF you’re NOT pumping?

Yep.

This is not just a pumping problem. 🤷‍♀️

Any lactating woman can get it. 🥹

✅ If you want to know the difference between engorgement, clogged duct or plugged ducts, milk blebs, and inflammatory or infectious mastitis
✅ how to MANAGE them at home, and
✅ When to see your doctor

This workshop is for you.

Comment CLOG to be notified when it launches. 😊

March 4 is IBCLC Day! 🥳

Today, a client greeted me with
“Belated happy IBCLC day. Thank you 🥹🙏💜”

Told her I’m not yet an IBCLC — I will be taking the exam this April 🙏

And she followed up with this heartwarming message 🥰

Some days, it’s tough.
But getting messages from clients.. knowing how I helped them reach their breastfeeding goals..
Made their journey somewhat easier..

These are the things that keeps me going 💪

A consult client told me the other day “ikaw lang ata gumagawa nito dito sa Pinas, Ms. Gie”

Yes, konti nga lang mga lactation consultants dito sa Pinas 😅

A Lactation consultant skilled in pumping? 🤔

Mas lalo 🥲

Pumping moms hold a special place in my heart since I was once a pumping mom.

And back then, I couldn’t find evidence-based, skilled lactation support to help me with pumping.

So I became one myself. 😊

This week, I started working again with Glory Reborn Organization ☺️

Officially part of their team as a Lactation Specialist! 🙌 🥳

For Cebu-based moms who need breastfeeding support, I’m there ONCE A WEEK on Mondays 10am-5pm.

Except the first week of the month — they have Baby Party (for Glory Reborn patients) which is the FIRST SATURDAY of each month.

If you’re not a patient of Glory Reborn, I highly recommend going there on a Monday morning as the afternoon can get busy with postpartum checkups.

🚨 Clogged Ducts ≠ “Just massage it out.” ⚠️

Kung naranasan mo na yung bukol-bukol, tender, masakit na part ng b**b habang breastfeeding or pumping, malamang ito rin ang mga advice na nakita mo online:
🔥 Warm compress
💪 Massage para "malabas yung clog"
⏰ pump to "empty"
🧂 Epsom salt hack

Ginawa mo lahat—kasi gusto mo lang gumaling.

But here’s the truth:
👉 A lot of clogged duct advice online is outdated, oversimplified, or flat-out wrong. ❌
👉 Some “popular tips” can actually worsen inflammation and increase the risk of mastitis.

As a lactation nurse working with breastfeeding & pumping moms, I keep seeing the same pattern:
😟 Moms were doing everything they were told—but still ending up in pain.
😫 Moms pumping to INCREASE milk supply but ended up getting lumps and clogs.
😢 Moms in pain they stopped breastfeeding.

With soooo many myths and misinformation online, moms DESERVE evidence-based care from a lactation professional.

📌 That's why I created 🌟 Clogged Duct Rescue 🫶

I combined my training as a lactation specialist with the clinical data I see with my own clients.

This workshop is about:
✅ Separating myths from evidence-based care
✅ Understanding what clogged ducts really are (hint: it’s not thick milk “stuck” in a pipe)
✅ Learning how to calm inflammation without hurting your supply or your body
✅ Knowing when to self-manage—and when to call a doctor

If you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or afraid when a clogged duct shows up…
This workshop was made for you. 💙

📅 Clogged Duct Rescue – coming soon
💬 Comment CLOG if you want to be updated when the workshop is finally live ☺️

PS: This infographic right here is a preview of what you can expect from the workshop.

Cebu mommies, see you later! ☺️

This mommy meetup is hosted by Cebu Mommy/Woman Support Group and Cebu’s own IBCLC, Doc Marini of Titadocmom Pediatrics and Lactation: Dr Marini T Esguerra.

See you later at the Mommying Meet Up at the Happy Playcafe at 5-6pm SM JMALL.

If you need breastfeeding counselling I'm there too.

Just order at the counter then join me. :)

Re: the recent formula recalls.

Sharing this for healthcare professionals but if you’re a mom who wants to know the nitty gritty, you might wanna join too.

🚨 New Food Safety Webinar from IBFAN this Wednesday, featuring Nestlé whistleblower Yasmine Motarjemi! This important webinar comes on the heels of two major infant formula contaminations: one by US-based ByHeart in November, and a 60+ country recall of infant formulas from Nestlé in January.

🗓️ 21 January 2026
⏰ 11.00 -12.30 CET (10-11.30 GMT)

Registration details in the comments below! ⬇️

Description of the webinar from IBFAN:
In November, a new US company called ByHeart recalled its Powdered Infant Formulas (PIF) in the USA because of risk of Clostridium botulinum contamination. This was followed in January with a recall in 60+ countries of Nestlé’s infant, follow-on, pre-term, and specialised formulas. Austria’s Health Ministry has said that the recall is the largest in the company’s history, affecting more than 800 products from over 10 Nestlé factories. Contamination outbreaks are especially problematic in the Global South and settings where the risks of using formula are greater, diagnosis is restricted, and access to treatment is reduced. The global online promotion and sale exacerbates the risks, idealising products and encouraging unquestioning trust.

One of our key speakers will be Yasmine Motarjemi, WHO’s Food Safety Senior Officer from 1990-2000 and Global Director of Food Safety at Nestlé and Assistant Vice-President (2000 to 2010). Yasmine will explain how she was forced to leave her job after repeatedly raising concerns about Nestlé’s mismanagementof food safety. All the time she was in post at Nestlé, her department of food quality, the cockpit of the Company,was never inspected by government authorities, not even when food incidents occurred. She refused to be silenced and became a whistleblower. Her new book Ce que l’empire Nestlé vous cache(What the Nestlé empire is hiding from you) was published in 2025 Bernard Nicolas, Yasmine Motarjemi.

So, I started the New Year unsure whether to take the IBCLC exam this April or wait until September (the IBCLC exam is only offered TWICE a year). 🤔

Told myself, I'll try one more Practice Exam (simulated like the actual exam) and if I get 90%+ then I'll take the exam this April.

So I got Salty's Exam Mastery course and Practice Exam.

It's really helpful getting into the mindset needed to take the exam.

I didn't really review since I got so busy during the holidays, spending time with family & juggling that with online lactation consults.

I took her Practice Exam and got 92%. Yay! 💪

So I immediately applied to take the IBCLC exam.

And my application got approved! 🥳

Now, my study & review begins..

I just spent $150 (for Margaret Salty's Exam prep) + $420 for the IBCLC exam!! 🤑🤑

Good thing, I won't have to travel since Prometric has a testing center here in Cebu.

The path to becoming a lactation consultant takes a LOT of money 🥲💰

Not to mention all the lactation continuing ed. courses &webinars I bought last year (mostly pumping-related 😆) — I probably spent close to $1,000 or even more 💸

So when I sell workshops that are 399, 449, 599 pesos..

This is me, in my own way, trying to get skilled pumping and lactation support as accessible as possible to Filipino moms.

I have BIG plans for 2026! 🔥

To help even MORE moms access evidence-based pumping and breastfeeding support 💪

Stay tuned! ☺️

PS: Please pray for me that I may pass the IBCLC exam this April 🙏

🔥Mock IBCLC Exam 🌟

Today, I blocked a 4-hour period to take the Mock Practice Exam (part of the IBCLC Exam Prep pack I bought from GOLD).

Spent 1 hour and 20 minutes.

.and I failed‼️🥹

Ayan kasi..

Puro ako pumping, fl**ge sizing at low milk supply this year! 🫠

I’ve forgotten about the Cranial Nerves, infant growth & development..

how to breastfeed in infants with conditions like Down Syndrome, GERD and other diseases. 🫣

I’ve forgotten how many calories in colostrum, transitional, and mature..

Breastmilk composition in the different stages.. 😵‍💫

This year, I focused on helping the moms I feel are underserved (at least, here in the Philippines) — moms who pump or plan to pump…

Moms who are returning back to work and still want to give breastmilk.

Moms who think they have low milk supply because they can only get 1-3oz from pumping.

But pumping is just a very tiny fraction of the IBCLC exam.

Cguro 5 questions lang out of the 175 ang pumping 😅

I have a LOT of studying to do 💪

The IBCLC exam costs $420! (around 25,000 pesos) 🤑

If I don’t feel prepared by January, I’ll probably take the Sep 2026 exam nalang instead of the April 2026 one. 😅

International board exam kaya to, di pwede petiks lang 🥲

I should treat this like taking an NCLEX exam. 💪

Pray for me 🙏
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**IBCLC stands for International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant