Rica Peralejo holds baby Manu, with son Philip and husband Joseph Bonifacio. Image: Instagram/@jamiemapaguphoto
Rica Peralejo proves that breastfeeding can be done anywhere, anytime, especially when the people around you are accommodating of your situation.
The actress shared via Instagram on Monday, Aug. 5, how she was able to get her teeth cleaned while her baby Manu breastfed at the same time. She and her husband, Joseph Bonifacio, welcomed their second child last June.
During her visit to the dentist, Peralejo recounted that she needed to nurse her baby. Her dentist was willing to let her feed on a couch, but Peralejo chose instead to do it simultaneously with the cleaning to save time.
“I refused because it would delay us further and that would mean affecting baby’s night sleep and rest,” she explained in the post. “He will surely get overtired from staying too long and late outside of the house so I chose to breastfeed while Dra. Pritzi was finishing my cleaning.”
She said her dentist adjusted her techniques so as not to disturb the baby. “She offered no lights, higher angle for the chair, and manual instead of noisy and messy electric cleaning instead!”
Peralejo said she was able to breastfeed her first child, Philip, while doing other activities too, such as doing her makeup, relaxing at a nail spa or getting a massage. “As long as baby is content, we are good. If fussy, of course we stop and move away and get into a more comfortable position if we have to!”
She also thanked people and establishments who provide an environment conducive to breastfeeding. “And I say thank you to all establishments and groups of people who do everything to make it easy for a nursing mom. The success of breastfeeding is not dependent on mom alone but includes the entire society around her, as they express support and compassion and sensitivity to our situation. It surely isn’t easy, so every person who tries to help truly counts!!!”
Peralejo is among celebrity moms who advocate breastfeeding, including Marian Rivera, LJ Reyes and Nadine Samonte. /ra
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