Breastfeeding gets doctor's seal of approval
MANILA, Philippines - It can never be emphasized enough that breast milk is the best nutrition that mothers can give to their babies. Ob-gyne and infertility specialist Dr. Elnora Sancho-Macatangay not only tells her patients to breastfeed, she also leads by example.
Dr. Sancho-Macatangay is a breastfeeding advocate, and her two children had enjoyed the many benefits of breastfeeding since birth. “I will always remember my first time as a mother as a happy journey,” shares Dr. Sancho-Macatangay. “When I was pregnant, I would always take my vitamins regularly and make sure to eat the right kinds of food to give my baby the best of health even while he’s inside my tummy.”
For the doctor, breastfeeding has allowed her to form a deeper bond with her children. “There is that strong sense of connection between you and the baby each time you sit down and look into each other’s eyes as you breastfeed,” relates Dr. Sancho-Macatangay. “And you know, breastfed babies are healthier; they are less prone to have colds, colic or kabag, diarrhea and constipation.”
Even if she was a working mother, Dr. Sancho-Macatangay made sure that her baby got the best nutrition possible, her breast milk. “I was a hands-on mom to my children for the first few weeks after I gave birth; when I got back to work, I made sure that my children still got my breast milk with the help of breastfeeding aids from Philips Avent.”
The breast pump that Dr. Sancho-Macatangay used was, for her, very handy and easy to operate. “The feeding bottle fits right into the pump, and the tight seal cover ensures that there are no leaks when you express milk,” says Dr. Sancho-Macatangay. “I usually collect milk at work during break time and store it in the freezer. Then, during the travel back home, I’d put it in an insulated jug with ice packs to keep it cold.”
Having experienced first hand the joys of breastfeeding and the wonders inherent in breast milk, Dr. Sancho-Macatangay always encourages her patients to do as she did. “It is really part of the prenatal and post-partum care to educate mothers regarding all aspects of breastfeeding, from cleaning their nipples and areola, to eating foods that increase the production and quality of the milk they produce,” says Dr. Sancho-Macatangay. “As an obstetrician, it is my responsibility to educate my patients on the importance of breastfeeding — and of course, I want my patients to be healthy and happy so that they in turn will have healthy babies with sunshiny dispositions.”
While she makes sure that her patients get the right information on breastfeeding, Dr. Sancho-Macatangay acknowledges that overall awareness of breastfeeding in the country still needs reinforcement. “Mothers should always be reminded that breast milk is really the best milk, and that it is not just for full-time moms at home but can also be done by busy mothers since breastfeeding aids are now available,” stresses Dr. Sancho-Macatangay. “Breastfeeding provides the best nourishment for the newborn; and the close connection it develops between the mother and her baby, the fulfillment a mother feels seeing her baby enjoy the gift of love through her breast milk are incomparable.”
