An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) manages to keep her children close to her heart by sending them her breast milk all the way from Singapore.
In a report published by ABS-CBN, Felirose Bartolome, a Filipino medical technologist, has two children back home — a two-year-old child and a 6-month-old baby.
When her eldest was born in 2016, Bartolome took a leave to spend time with her child and breastfeed her. But when that did not suffice, she took her baby to Singapore to continue feeding her.
“I immediately processed my child’s passport because I want to breastfeed her for another month so I brought her to Singapore.” Felirose recalled.
She found it difficult to be away from home, even more to leave her babies.
“You know that bond as a mother and child, especially when she looks up at you while feeding, I don’t want to lose that, but I have to work because I am the breadwinner of the family,” explained the mom.
After one month, her baby had to go back. But she was in an impasse, she was still lactating.
“It would be a waste to stop because I had so much milk. Initially, I planned to breastfeed until three months but it was extended because I had plenty of supply. Then I thought, why not send my milk to the Philippines?,” the Filipino mother explained.
Despite her busy schedule, Felirose manages to find the time to pump milk even at work in Singapore. She stores her milk in 180ml bags in a two-door refrigerator.
Every time a friend is going to return to the country, she asks them to deliver the milk and secures 20 kilograms of extra baggage from the airlines.
“Actually, I hardly think of the expenses while sending my milk. I have a supportive husband so I just want to give myself to my children through my breastmilk, even just that since I am far away from them,” she said.
She also does her best to go home to the Philippines every month to personally give the milk. At times, Felirose’s mother fly her children to Singapore.
It takes about 14 hours to get on the flight, go to immigration, claim the baggage, and deliver it to her house in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
“The milk is still frozen when it arrives at my house. In the event that some milk is already liquefied, that is the first batch that my mommy gives to my baby.”
For a working mom like Felirose, her parents serve as her rock. She is grateful for having such parents.
“Thank you for the support you give, for the advice and wise words. Thank you for supporting my breastfeeding journey with my kids, you are even the one who encourage me to push through as long I have milk.” She tells to her mom.
Her mother believes that by feeding on breastmilk, the children will be active, smart and not prone to sickness.
Felirose expressed her gratitude not only for their support but for their love for her children. “Thank you for taking care of my children, for hugging them at night when they sleep. Even though I am away, I know they can feel the warmth of my embrace. I am thankful to God for blessing me with very loving and supportive parents,” the Filipina told ABS CBN News.
She supports this cause and encourages moms to look at their baby’s photos and videos as happy thoughts may dispense more milk.
