Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking was written by Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag, an inspirational author and speaker, breastfeeding advocate and a mom who successfully breastfed her two sons for more than two years each. Aside from sharing in this book her own story of triumph over numerous breastfeeding challenges, the author also featured other moms from different walks of life who triumphed over their unique breastfeeding challenges — stay-at-home moms, work-at-home moms, moms working outside the home and mompreneurs. She also discussed breastfeeding basics like the benefits of breastfeeding to both the mother and child, breastfeeding positions, what breastfeeding mothers should invest on, tips on how to triumph over breastfeeding challenges and so much more. This breastfeeding book was written by the author to inspire and empower moms who choose to embark on this worthwhile journey. It’s a simple and easy-to-read guide to get moms started whether they are first-time moms or not.
It was extraordinary from the breastfeeding books I’ve read as most are technical — always focused on the ‘how to and what not’ principles. Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking by Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag has a holistic view. More than the basic principles, it is a spiritually-driven breastfeeding book! She draws inspiration from her spiritual belief and to me that is a salient ingredient for the success of most nursing mothers. I salute her for passing the culture of success from one mom to another through this book!
– Joyce Ann Martinez, RN, MSN, CLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking is definitely a book that is worth reading for any breastfeeding or expectant mother. Teresa inspires readers with her own breastfeeding journey: her perseverance, strong faith and unwavering love for her children made her overcome the challenges she encountered. She imparts helpful and practical tips from breastfeeding positions to nursing wear and even collaborated with other mothers to share their own breastfeeding stories. All breastfeeding mothers can certainly relate to this book. I’ve already kept a copy in my clinic for all my patients to read.
– Jamie Isip-Cumpas, M.D., IBCLC (Pediatrician and Lactation Specialist)
Pinoy moms will find this book on breastfeeding relatable and essential.
Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking is deliberately formatted to make reading easier for busy moms. The third part of the book is arranged in such a way that moms can easily find ‘role models’ in breastfeeding, regardless of whether they’re a stay-at-home mom, work-at-home mom, a mom working outside the home, or a mompreneur.
– Tina Santiago-Rodriguez, Contributing Writer, Smart Parenting Online
As its title suggests, this is not just a typical “Breastfeeding 101” book. It gives the readers more than the ABC’s; it makes readers understand that breastfeeding is much more than lactating; it shares the reasons why like every decision we make in our lives, breastfeeding is a journey that we must travel with purpose, with resolve and our hopes bright and high.
– Amihan Mabalay-Cornista, Contributing Writer, Philippine Online Chronicles
I am thankful that Teresa thought of writing this book. It is just pure inspiration for moms who really plan to breastfeed for the first year/s of their child’s life. I recall turning to Google for answers that I needed when it came to breastfeeding, but with this book, you get so much more. You get to read not only the technicalities and the straight-forward facts, but you also get a glimpse into the life of REAL women; women who have experienced the same situations and problems. They share not only facts, but even what they felt during these experiences.
– Mommy Ginger, Blogger, Serial Mompreneur and breastfed her daughter
I love how she connected God with her journey and it made me realize that being able to breastfeed is a blessing. This inspired me even more to breastfeed and share what I have with my baby.
– Daniel Kaity Bato, Blogger and breastfeeding mom
Maricar Cerrero –
It was April 2015 when I got hold of the Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking book. I was 5 months pregnant during that time. The book is so easy to read and indeed inspired and empowered me in my breastfeeding journey. It covers important areas of breastfeeding: the basics, the challenges, how to triumph and the benefits for moms and babies. It also includes inspiring stories of ‘real moms’ (working, stay-at-home and entrepreneur) that prove that the sacrifices and efforts were all worth it. The book prepared me in facing the hurdles with confidence and equipped me in winning over them. After reading the book, my husband and I made a firm decision to breastfeed our child until he self-wean and we are victorious, because my child, who will be turning 3 years old, is still breastfeeding. Thank you Ms. Teresa for heeding God’s call to write this amazing book. You are truly a blessing to us moms.
Nichelle Andrea Sanico –
Very informative, motivational and inspiring book most of all for working moms who wants to breastfeed their baby. God bless!
Nichelle Andrea Sanico –
After reading this book it helped me to prepare myself with my breastfeeding journey before giving birth to my first baby. It is very informative and motivational that it somehow showed me a glimpse of how the whole journey would be in reality. True that there’s a lot of ups and downs along the way but, everything is worth it and doable if we want to give the best milk for our child. The testimonials from other working moms like me in this book inspired me to do these same for my baby. If they can make it, surely I also can. Now she’s 2 years old and still breastfeeding. I can say that I am happy with the output of my decision to breastfeed her until 24 months and counting. Thank you Teresa for the inspiration that I got from this book 2 years ago it was such a blessing. God bless!
Sherry Coo –
Even if I teach mothers breastfeeding, i believe experiencing one of life’s greatest moments should be experienced first hand. This book is very appropriate for first time moms and not so first time moms as well. Very enlightening 🙂
Cherie Castillo –
With the help of this book, I’m still breastfeeding my son. My son is already 2 years old. This book was a big help during my breastfeeding journey.
I was able to donate my milk to those mothers in need.
Thank you so much Teresa for this book. I hope you will inspire more mothers like me.
God bless you and your family.
Marvin Baloaloa –
My wife and I were determined to breastfeed our baby even before he was born. We attended several training and seminars that will prepare us for this journey. However, it was after reading this book that we were inspired more to pursue this journey. Despite the hardships and obstacles along the way, the experience of other moms helped us to embrace breastfeeding for our family.
To date, our 1 year old boy is still exclusively breastfeeding and we hope and pray to continue for more years to come. We hope and pray that we could also inspire other people to do the same through sharing this book to others. Thank you Teresa for leading us to this noble advocacy.
Marites –
I got a copy of this book when it was offered for free during the breastfeeding week in August 2014. My daughter was around 10 months back then. I am a working mom and pushing through breastfeeding my daughter until she turned two was a steep climb for me due to work loads. I am away 12hrs everyday from my daughter and I work 6 days a week. It’s exhausting to think I still had 1year and 2 months more to hit the target. But after reading through stories of other Filipina moms who work and travel but keeps on trying their best to give LO breastmilk, I was also inspired to give LO only the best milk. Facts about breastmilk is all over the internet. But the struggle to breastfeed is real. And being able to read stories from fellow moms who went through the same ordeal is a reassurance that it’s going to be okay. It is hard, but my toddler loves our bonding when she breastfeeds. She’s now 2 years and 9 months and she still loves to breastfeed. I am glad that Teresa has been really kind to share her experience and inspire other moms as well.