The new mom, who gave birth on November 14 in Delaware, U.S.A., opened up about her struggles as a first-time breastfeeding mom in a video call with her husband Robin Padilla.
In the clip, which Robin shared on his Instagram account, Mariel laments her low breastfeeding supply.
“I don’t have enough milk. She’s so hungry and she gets no milk,” said a visibly emotional Mariel, adding that she has been left with no choice but to feed her daughter formula.
‘Imagine if I didn’t give her formula, she’d be hungry for five days! Can I do that to her? I want to just have more milk.’
“I searched for this, it’s organic, but it’s still formula. I really didn’t want to give her formula,” explained Mariel, adding that she knows her milk supply will eventually improve. “For now, I have to feed my child, and if formula is the only way my child can eat, then I will have to feed my child formula.”
“Imagine, the milk came on the fifth day,” she added. “Imagine if I didn’t give her formula, she’d be hungry for five days! Can I do that to her? I want to just have more milk.”
Robin emphasized the importance of breastfeeding, specifically during the first six months of life…
In the accompanying caption, Robin emphasized the importance of breastfeeding, specifically during the first six months of life.
“Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria,” explained Robin, who sadly had to stay behind in the Philippines due to his inability to obtain a U.S. Visa. “Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of having asthma or allergies.Plus babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first six months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhea.”
Five days after giving birth, the overjoyed mom shared a photo of her baby Isabella for the first time. Though it was partially cropped, the sentiment remains intact.
“(I) love you so much my angel Isabella…the kind of love i never knew existed,” wrote Mariel in the caption.
Struggling with undersupply is something a lot of moms go through.
Glynis Ratcliffe emphasized in an article on Romper that the important thing to remember is to make sure your baby is fed. She also enumerates ways in which moms can help increase their milk supply, such as herbal supplements, pumping, and even medication. She stresses, however, not to pressure oneself because this does not work for all moms.
She also suggests looking into local Milk Banks that can help you while you get your supply up; moms can go through both oversupply and undersupply. The most important thing is not to see low milk supply to mean that you’re failing as a mom, the important thing is your commitment to nourish your child no matter what.
WATCH: Mariel Padilla gives birth to a baby girl!