Jennica Uytingco's endorsement of a popular formula milk brand sparked a debate on Instagram.
Moms were surprised of Jennica's decision because she is a breastfeeding advocate.
The celebrity mom acknowledged the backlash in her next Instagram post, and explained the reason behind her endorsement.
Reiterating that she stands by her belief that "breastmilk is best," she pointed out that formula milk is not "as evil as how some see it."
She wrote, "I've counseled mothers who were raped and molested. The act of breastfeeding reminds them of their dark past.
"Who am I to keep insisting something that the mother is not comfortable doing?
"Yes, a mother can go to a hospital and ask for donated breastmilk, pero hindi ba minsan ay wala na rin mabigay ang ilang hospital?
"This makes me grateful to God that gone are the days when a can of full cream milk is diluted and fed to a newborn child. Because now, mothers have better options.
"Yes formula is not the best but still, it is a better option."
Jennica then underlined how this case of breastfeeding versus formula milk often lead to "mommy shaming."
She continued, "I want formula feeding mothers to be confident also with their choice. They need not to explain to anyone.
"Ngayon kasi pag ang Nanay tinanong, 'Breastfeeding ka ba?' Pag sumagot sila ng hindi. Nahihiya sabay may mahabang explanation kung bakit, kung gaano nila sinubukan. Kesyo they did not try enough and so on.
"Wala ako sa position para magsalita na sana tigilan na itong mommy shaming na laganap sa buong mundo kasi alam ko na may mas di hamak na mas influential pa sakin ang sumubok to get the word out pero ayokong humusga ng kapwa ko lalo na ang kagaya ko na nanay rin."
The mother of two also encouraged formula-feeding moms who—for some reason—can't breastfeed their babies to be "confident also with their choice."
The full post read: "Many are surprised that I am endorsing a milk brand. One person said: 'The way the Lord designed breastmilk to be is just amazing. It has antibodies that no formula milk could ever imitate.'
"This is what you (Jennica) said in your blog.
"Totoo naman. Breastmilk is best. Ang breastfeeding community sa Pilipinas ay masasabi kong malakas.
"Alam nila kung ano ang dapat sabihin para ipaalam sa buong mundo na pagpapasuso ang pinagkamagandang simula para sa isang sanggol. At agree ako doon.
"However, I do not see milk brands as evil as how some see it.
"I've counseled mothers who were raped and molested. The act of breastfeeding reminds them of their dark past.
"Who am I to keep insisting something that the mother is not comfortable doing?
"Yes, a mother can go to a hospital and ask for donated breastmilk pero hindi ba minsan ay wala na rin mabigay ang ilang hospital?
"This makes me grateful to God that gone are the days when a can of full cream milk is diluted and fed to a newborn child. Because now, mothers have better options.
"Yes formula is not the best but still, it is a better option.
"My heart goes to ALL mothers. Breastfeeding or otherwise & I am saying this not because I am now a milk brand endorser but because I want formula feeding mothers to be confident also with their choice.
"They need not to explain to anyone.
"Ngayon kasi pag ang Nanay tinanong, 'Breastfeeding ka ba?' Pag sumagot sila ng hindi. Nahihiya sabay may mahabang explaination kung bakit, kung gaano nila sinubukan. Kesyo they did not try enough and so on.
"Wala ako sa position para magsalita na sana tigilan na itong mommy shaming na laganap sa buong mundo kasi alam ko na may mas di hamak na mas influential pa sakin ang sumubok to get the word out pero ayokong humusga ng kapwa ko lalo na ang kagaya ko na nanay rin.
"Hindi ko sinasabing hinuhusgahan ako ng tao na nagpa-alala sa akin kung ano ang sinabi ko noon.
"Although this person reminded me of how I once wrote that I am in awe of Christ and how the Father made breastmilk so perfectly that no formula can imitate it that it also reminded of another important thing that I learned from the Lord and that is to love all and leave all judgement to Him."
BREASTFEEDING VS. FORMULA MILK
Dr. Claire McCarthy of Harvard Health once wrote in an article that people "shouldn't demonize formula feeding."
The pediatrician argued, "Exclusive breastfeeding is natural, but not always easy—and when there is a glitch like a delay in the milk supply coming in, inverted nipples, or inadequate milk supply, babies can run into trouble.
"It's also not always easy for mothers who don't have a lot of support from family and health care providers, especially first-time mothers who are feeling overwhelmed, who get sore nipples, who worry that their babies aren't getting enough to eat.
"Breastfeeding works best when mothers have a knowledgeable and nurturing community to help them work through the inevitable questions and problems, as well as a supportive work environment, but not every mother has this."
Dr. Jay Hoecker, an emeritus pediatrics specialist at Mayo Clinic, pointed this out as well, "Some mothers are able to combine breast-feeding and formula-feeding—especially after breast-feeding has been well-established.
"If you're considering formula-feeding, do your research so that you can make an informed decision. Then focus on nourishing and nurturing your baby—instead of dwelling on negative emotions.
"You might also share your feelings with your doctor, your baby's doctor or others in your support circle.
"Remember, parenting is an adventure that requires choices and compromises.
"What counts is doing the best you can as you face this new challenge."
In response to Jennica's Instagram post, celebrity moms Melissa Ricks and Helga Krapf expressed their support.
They shared their own journey and encouraged other moms not to shame themselves for failing to breastfeed their kids.
Melissa said, "I tried so hard ro breastfeed and did all remedies to try to increase my breast milk but my body just wouldnt supply as much as my daughter needed.
"I mix fed her because she was hungry and crying all the time because i couldnt give what she needed.
"im happy I had other options, and helped me and my daughter.
"It helped me give her what I wish I could have given her but just couldnt.
"we all LOVE our children and would do anything for them. Even if that means we need to give them formula.
"It doesnt make us less of a mother."
Helga added, "We can't breastfeed our kids forever, some have a long breastfeeding journey and some have short one's because EVERY BODY and BABY is different.
"I've breastfed for more than 3 years but I don't think I have the right to judge those who didn't do as I did because we are all different in one way or another. Stop Mommy shaming."