By Uyen T.
Editor’s Note: The film discussed in this article, East Meets West, was shown at La Leche League International Online Conference. If you missed the conference, you can still register and attend the sessions until April 2025 at the link above.
The film East Meets West traces the three-and-a-half month journey of Stefanie Rosin, an LLL Leader, IBCLC, and PhD in Health Sciences, as she makes her way from her hometown of Berlin in Germany towards Asia, including 12 countries: Israel, Jordan, Qatar, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Egypt. During her travels, she discovers and exchanges breastfeeding and lactation support experiences and ideas with her colleagues.
The documentary highlights the cultural characteristics and the persistent global fight to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. It reveals different approaches and traditions along her journey – from the levels and resources of breastfeeding advice in Germany to the deeply rooted cultural practices in Asia.
What is most impressive for Stefanie during the trip from Europe to Asia and throughout the documentary are the maternal and infant massages practiced in the East, which Stefanie describes as “so developed, holistic, and intense.” A special massage technique that she encounters can bring back milk production within a few hours or overnight for parents, who have already weaned. Such a massage is an effective strategy for providing disaster relief. At each of her stops, Stefanie taught Biological Nurturing, which represents her favorite practice for her home visits in Berlin. These lectures on Biological Nurturing were well-received by lactation professionals, midwives, and breastfeeding support group organisations.
In India, Stefanie learns about a traditional baby massage that can be given by a family member or a postpartum nurse from the second day after birth for 28 days. Moreover, there are Ayurvedic baby massages to correct malpositions of the head joint and improve latching and positioning, which are more gentle approaches than the chiropractic adjustments performed in Berlin. In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation provides support to the birthing parents, gives demonstrations on homemade complementary feeding, supplies nutrition counseling for parents and caregivers, and offers help with breastfeeding difficulties through counseling and Oketani breast massage.
In the Philippines, a movement to reclaim natural birth and natural food emerged in 1981, led by a group of nine young parents who were professionals as well as community leaders. They founded Arugaan, a breastfeeding support system for communities, and IBFAN, the International Baby Food Action Network, together with international colleagues. They believed breastmilk was the first food for humanity, but that it was endangered by predatory milk marketing. The organization was later supported by UNICEF and WHO to carry out projects in breastfeeding rescue to save lives of parents and babies in disaster areas following typhoons. For disaster relief, they organized community cooking, using traditional indigenous foods. Ines Fernandez, a member of this group, rediscovered massage as a traditional practice of folk healing that could also be used in the field of lactation. Most impressive of all, they developed their own version of a gentle but powerful lactation massage to achieve milk flow and to bring women who had weaned back to breastfeeding, even grandmothers! Stefanie left the Philippines carrying with her the message that “all of us who work with heart and soul are all healers, supporting families and connecting generations through expertise, skills, and empathy.”
In Malaysia, the concept of Chinese postpartum confinement is introduced to Stefanie. During this period, new mothers focus on physical recovery and healing after childbirth. Overexertion can lead to health issues in the future, whereas nourishing and replenishing foods with warm and healing properties play a crucial role during the confinement period. Postpartum massage is practiced during this period to help with relaxation and physical and body shape restoration.
In Singapore, Stefanie explores Traditional Chinese Medicine at Madam Partum Center. This involves the practice of acupressure, herbal preparation, Chinese dietary therapy, and massage to support milk production, overcome breastfeeding challenges, and encourage relaxation. Stefanie continued her journey to Cairo, Egypt, where she spoke at the Fourth World Breastfeeding Conference of IBFAN. There, the protection, promotion, and support for lactation topics were discussed on a global level.
Stefanie recommends integrated care for breastfeeding support, including pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and community healthcare. She states that the special needs of parents and babies should be taken into account and that healthcare should work together holistically to provide optimal support for families.
The documentary closes with a message describing breastfeeding as being more than just nutrition. “Breastfeeding ensures optimal health from the beginning, bonding, and communication. The culture of breastfeeding connects families and generations as a cornerstone and symbol for human relations and love in our society. Therefore, it is worth fighting for every mother, every child, and every family.”
You can contact Stefanie Rosin through her website about the film at stillberatung-rosin.de/english
Editor’s note: La Leche League International’s core book, The Art of Breastfeeding (9th Edition), formerly known as The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is available now. You can order your copy and learn more about the book here.
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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Posted: March 11, 2025 by Yael Breimer
East Meets West
By Uyen T.
Editor’s Note: The film discussed in this article, East Meets West, was shown at La Leche League International Online Conference. If you missed the conference, you can still register and attend the sessions until April 2025 at the link above.
The film East Meets West traces the three-and-a-half month journey of Stefanie Rosin, an LLL Leader, IBCLC, and PhD in Health Sciences, as she makes her way from her hometown of Berlin in Germany towards Asia, including 12 countries: Israel, Jordan, Qatar, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Egypt. During her travels, she discovers and exchanges breastfeeding and lactation support experiences and ideas with her colleagues.
The documentary highlights the cultural characteristics and the persistent global fight to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. It reveals different approaches and traditions along her journey – from the levels and resources of breastfeeding advice in Germany to the deeply rooted cultural practices in Asia.
What is most impressive for Stefanie during the trip from Europe to Asia and throughout the documentary are the maternal and infant massages practiced in the East, which Stefanie describes as “so developed, holistic, and intense.” A special massage technique that she encounters can bring back milk production within a few hours or overnight for parents, who have already weaned. Such a massage is an effective strategy for providing disaster relief. At each of her stops, Stefanie taught Biological Nurturing, which represents her favorite practice for her home visits in Berlin. These lectures on Biological Nurturing were well-received by lactation professionals, midwives, and breastfeeding support group organisations.
In India, Stefanie learns about a traditional baby massage that can be given by a family member or a postpartum nurse from the second day after birth for 28 days. Moreover, there are Ayurvedic baby massages to correct malpositions of the head joint and improve latching and positioning, which are more gentle approaches than the chiropractic adjustments performed in Berlin. In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation provides support to the birthing parents, gives demonstrations on homemade complementary feeding, supplies nutrition counseling for parents and caregivers, and offers help with breastfeeding difficulties through counseling and Oketani breast massage.
In the Philippines, a movement to reclaim natural birth and natural food emerged in 1981, led by a group of nine young parents who were professionals as well as community leaders. They founded Arugaan, a breastfeeding support system for communities, and IBFAN, the International Baby Food Action Network, together with international colleagues. They believed breastmilk was the first food for humanity, but that it was endangered by predatory milk marketing. The organization was later supported by UNICEF and WHO to carry out projects in breastfeeding rescue to save lives of parents and babies in disaster areas following typhoons. For disaster relief, they organized community cooking, using traditional indigenous foods. Ines Fernandez, a member of this group, rediscovered massage as a traditional practice of folk healing that could also be used in the field of lactation. Most impressive of all, they developed their own version of a gentle but powerful lactation massage to achieve milk flow and to bring women who had weaned back to breastfeeding, even grandmothers! Stefanie left the Philippines carrying with her the message that “all of us who work with heart and soul are all healers, supporting families and connecting generations through expertise, skills, and empathy.”
In Malaysia, the concept of Chinese postpartum confinement is introduced to Stefanie. During this period, new mothers focus on physical recovery and healing after childbirth. Overexertion can lead to health issues in the future, whereas nourishing and replenishing foods with warm and healing properties play a crucial role during the confinement period. Postpartum massage is practiced during this period to help with relaxation and physical and body shape restoration.
In Singapore, Stefanie explores Traditional Chinese Medicine at Madam Partum Center. This involves the practice of acupressure, herbal preparation, Chinese dietary therapy, and massage to support milk production, overcome breastfeeding challenges, and encourage relaxation. Stefanie continued her journey to Cairo, Egypt, where she spoke at the Fourth World Breastfeeding Conference of IBFAN. There, the protection, promotion, and support for lactation topics were discussed on a global level.
Stefanie recommends integrated care for breastfeeding support, including pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and community healthcare. She states that the special needs of parents and babies should be taken into account and that healthcare should work together holistically to provide optimal support for families.
The documentary closes with a message describing breastfeeding as being more than just nutrition. “Breastfeeding ensures optimal health from the beginning, bonding, and communication. The culture of breastfeeding connects families and generations as a cornerstone and symbol for human relations and love in our society. Therefore, it is worth fighting for every mother, every child, and every family.”
You can contact Stefanie Rosin through her website about the film at stillberatung-rosin.de/english
Editor’s note: La Leche League International’s core book, The Art of Breastfeeding (9th Edition), formerly known as The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is available now. You can order your copy and learn more about the book here.
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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