Choosing books for your toddler

Hubby and I are hoping to encourage baby to love books! We say "encourage" because we really can't be pushy about making him love reading and books. All we can do is to nudge him in that direction.

[caption id="attachment_3082" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Now is the best time to lay down the foundation for his love for reading.[/caption]

We think having lots of books is the best step for him to love learning! We've purchased several...eerr ... so many books, already! But i think one can't really have enough books! So with a limited budget, we try to get him a lot of carefully selected books.

Books help kids learn basic concepts. There's a lot of baby books about shapes, colors,sounds, alphabets and numbers.  He does not seem attentive all the time, but with patience, he'll soon start to know and understand these concepts.

Books introduce our kids to the world of literature. By reading to him regularly,  we hope he'll start to appreciate simple stories. I do hope we lay the foundation for him to love reading novels and literary masterpieces later in life.

Here are some things to consider when choosing books for your toddler:

Simple but attractive

Don't get the book just by looking at the cover, browse through what's inside!

• Get simple stories  and familiar concepts.


• Get those with short sentences per page.


• Look for colorful images that will catch you kid's attention.

Choose board books

Board books are  hard bound, solid and sturdy! Toddlers have this habit of biting, throwing and,  in P's case, standing on anything they grab! Your books must be durable to survive such wear and tear. All our thin picture books are already tattered and worn out.

[caption id="attachment_2730" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Source of Photo: Adarna House[/caption]

Get the right size

Look for board books that can easily be handled by kids. This way, he can learn to turn the pages on his own.  The smallest board books we have are just 4 inches in height and 4 inches in length. They are just the right size of a toddler's hand.

We get most of our toddler books from:

Adarna House

We have all of their board books! I love how they have books catered for the Filipino  child. They have the song book Bahay Kubo and Sampung mga Daliri! Checkout their website here.

Books for Less

They have stalls in malls and some tables of books for sale in some offices. We got some books after our hospital visits! They have second hand books by Sandra Boyntoyn! I like the Snoozers: 7 Short Short Bedtime Stories for Lively Little Kids because it has several bed time short stories, perfect for short reading sessions before bedtime.

UP Shopping Center

We love the stall at the mezzanine in front of the fruit stand! We get most of P's Baby Einstein board books for just P85 per piece.

I hope you get an idea how to get books for the kiddos! Happy reading!

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A tale of three breast pumps

I'm kinda reminiscing on those times when i yield ounces and ounces of breast milk after a pump! Now, after 18 months of breastfeeding, i'm lucky to get 3 oz per pump. So give this mama some time to contemplate on her old breastfeeding buddy - the breast pump! Without the pump, i think i would not have lasted to nurse this long!

I had two breast pumps before i found that one true pump for me.

First was the First Years single manual pump.  

Hubby and i got this out of necessity, really! We bought it for around P1300 (i'm not sure about the exact price anymore). It was a good single manual breast pump for beginners. Yup beginners, because hubby bought it for me got it right after i gave birth.  I could imagine him looking for a breast pump in the baby section, asking the sales lady for a demo. Hehehe. He got this pump the next day after i gave birth.

My baby can't latch after birth and he was stuck in the NICU for one week. So we really really needed a pump, just to facilitate breast milk production.

[caption id="attachment_2537" align="aligncenter" width="242"] This pump was my breastfriend in my first weeks of breastfeeding.[/caption]

I was actually very masipag  to pump back then, i religiously pumped every 3 hours.  If i remember correctly, i got around 6 ounces per session using this manual pump. I was really pleased with my pumping output back then.

But my hand hurt after all those squeeze and release motion, i felt my fingers were about to fall off. Also, i wrecked the valve within 2 weeks! It was my own fault actually, because i brushed the insides of the valve. This was a no-no pala, since the pump should be kept "vacuum". When i brushed the insides of valve, the sides cracked, hence the "vacuum" was disturbed!

So we had to get extra spare parts right way.  Luckily, the department store also sells spare parts for this kind of pump!

So to the rescue naman si husband. We had an emergency trip to the mall to get a cheap electric pump.

Next was the Precious Moments single electric pump.

We got it for around P1700. Cheap diba? But so was the quality!  It was a single electric pump but you still have to squeeze and release to control the sucking motion. You have to learn the ropes to work with this pump. Kahit electric sya, you still have to press the release button when you need the pump to let go of your nipple. Ayyy.. it really sounds painful.After using this for two weeks , my  nipple bled. Thankfully, after several days, it healed.

[caption id="attachment_2538" align="aligncenter" width="292"] This was the cheapest single electric breast pump in the mall.[/caption]

I think i did not have the knack to learn how the squeeze-release system for this pump works.  Actually, there's really a technique to breast pumping. Minsan, kahit naman hindi high-end na pump, it still works, moms just have to learn to get a hang of it.

Last was Medela Pump in Style Advanced double electric breast pump. 

When my nipple bled, that's when i really decided i need a good breast pump. This is precisely the reason why i recommend splurging on a pump!

We spent about P 13,000 for the Medela Pump in Style pump! Hubby bought it right after we got my maternity allowance check from SSS. He got this from an online seller  on EBAy. It was really expensive but i tell you, it was worth every centavo! So pikit mata na lang nung binili namin.

[caption id="attachment_2539" align="aligncenter" width="235"] We got the one with backpack. In hindsight, i should have gotten a shoulder bag type, para bagay naman sa kahit anong outfit![/caption]

What i love about this Medela pump is the 2-Phase Expression technology - wherein there's fast sucking motion  in the first two minutes. Then next na ung long sucking motions - ito na daw ung let down stage. According to Medela, this 2-phase expression mimics how direct nursing works. On first minutes, baby sucks to stimulate the breast flow. Then later, baby sucks longer and deeper to get more milk.

This technology is not present in other double electric pumps.  What you can do with other pumps is adjust the intensity or speed of suction, depending on your own let down. Well, who knew that longer and deeper suctions let out more milk than faster suctions!

Sana magamit ko pa ito for the next baby para todo sulit na!

Just some important notes:

Hand expressing is vital.

•  I can not underestimate this skill, especially during those days when you accidentally left behind some itty-bitty parts like the valves or membrane. On page 9 of this booklet from Unicef, there are tips on how to express breast milk by hand.

Direct nursing  is better than breast pumping.

• I still find breast pumping mechanical and such a job! Direct nursing is still the best way to feed baby. You can cuddle and hug the little bunch while you're at it. Plus, the baby's sucking empties the breasts more than any other pump.

Also worth reading:

• Get more milk from every pump


• Breastfeeding essentials and tipid alternatives

SAVE or SPLURGE? A New Mom’s Guide to Saving

Among my top goals for 2013 is to SAVE! Looking back at 2012,  I'm really shocked at how much we earned as a couple and where all that earnings went. Most of it went to our mad rush to the malls to buy clothes, toys and other baby stuff!

Over a period of one year, we’ve had some big purchases. Much later,  I’ve realized some items are worth splurging on, while some we could have definitely save on.

I think most new moms feel the need to BUY IT ALL for the baby.  But for families with a tight budget, being informed will help save a lot of bucks! This post is for those who want some info before buying such products.

Baby Food

[caption id="attachment_1574" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Instead of serving infant cereals, try preparing baby food made from local fruits and crops.[/caption]

• You may want to SAVE on baby food by making your own.


• Make home made foods for baby!  Each small jar of baby food can cost about P50.00. This amount can be costly, especially if you have an avid eater. Plus, serving homemade foods may help prevent a baby from becoming a picky eater.


• You can take some root crops, veggies and fruits from the family grocery. Just simmer and puree. Click here for some baby food recipes.

Breast Pump

[caption id="attachment_1575" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Expressing milk at work will be easier with a reliable breast pump.[/caption]

• SPLURGE on a good breast pump if you’re working and you intend to pump at work. A reliable breast pump will be your breastfeeding best friend!  A double electric pump will cut your pumping time in half.  Sure, you have to spend much more than a manual pump, but in the long run, your investment will pay off.


• Read this post on how to save on other breastfeeding supplies.

Nursing  Clothes

• Save on nursing clothes by using a plain shawl as cover up. I seldom bought breastfeeding blouses. I just used blouses with v necklines and those with front openings.


• One or two nursing bras will help you nurse in comfort. Before buying a nursing bra, keep in mind that your breasts will go back to their original size 3 to 6 months after giving birth.

Baby Walker

[caption id="attachment_1578" align="aligncenter" width="233"] Invest in a sturdy baby walker, your baby's safety depends on it.
(Source of Photo:cpsc.gov)[/caption]

• SPLURGE!  Using a baby walker seems to be a norm in most Filipino household when training baby to walk.  Splurge on this one because cheap baby walkers lack safety features. Read this post on what to look for when buying a walker.

Baby Clothes

[caption id="attachment_1576" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Unless you have enough bucks for a fashionista baby, you may want to save on baby clothes! (Source of Photo: nyc.gov)[/caption]

• You can definitely SAVE on baby clothes!  Avoid buying too many tie side shirts and pajamas – the kind that weeks-old babies use.  I got by with just 5 to 7 sets of these. Babies grow, at a much faster pace than  we think.


• It might be a good idea to choose the next bigger size when buying clothes for your little one. This way, baby can wear them longer!

So there, I do hope you get some insights before spending!

ALSO WORTH READING:

• SAVE or SPLURGE? A New Mom’s Guide to Saving (PART 2) 

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A Working Mom's Guide on Thawing and Serving Breast Milk

Most of the thawing and the bottle feeding is actually done by my MIL, my trusted caregiver. I'm away for about 8 hours daily for work, so i make it a point that i personally thaw and prepare his breast milk for the day.

How to thaw breastmilk

• Heat in warm (not boiling) water in pan. To speed up thawing put milk container in pan with warm water, gradually add hot water to speed up melting.


• To slowly defrost milk transfer it to the ref the night before you need it. Milk usually thaws in the refrigerator for 12 hours.


• When thawing don’t  submerge the container in water. This prevents water from seeping into the container


• Never leave frozen milk to thaw at room temperature because this will promote rapid growth of bacteria


• The US FDA warns against using the microwave to thaw milk. The agency says microwaves can cause dangerous hot spots that could burn you or baby.


• Don't boil breast milk. This will destroy the antibodies and other nutrients present in human milk.

Note: You can also serve breast milk cold. I have given baby cold breast milk on several occasions.

Time limits of thawed breast milk

• La Leche League says breast milk at room temperature stays good  for 4 to 6 hours.  During summer in a tropical country like the Philippines, this period is should be shortened. High temperature increases risk of spoilage.  I follow a three hour-rule for breast milk at room temp. The key here is to follow a lower limit, especially for preemies and newborn.


• Thawed breast milk  should be as consumed within 24 hours.


• Breast milk that has completely melted should not be refrozen.

Reusing breast milk

• There are times when baby doesn't  finish the entire contents of the bottle. So moms ask, can i reuse  breastmilk? Actually there are conflicting recommendations on reusing breast milk. Read Kellymom's discussion here.


• As for me, i reuse leftover breast milk. It will be a total waste if i don't! I refrigerate it as soon as baby refuses the milk. Then i just warm it for the next feeding. If he does not finish this, then that's when i throw out the milk.

Preparing baby bottles

• Number your child's breast milk bottles. This is useful if you serve both thawed and cold milk. If you're serving thawed and frozen breast milk during the day, you have to serve the thawed milk first.  Thawed fresh milk has shorter shelf life than refrigerated milk.

• Double wrap the milk in the refrigerator so it won't absorb odors from other stuff in your ref.

[caption id="attachment_3263" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Here's how i put labels on my ebm containers. This is a must so your helper knows which bottles to serve first.[/caption]

 

On BM containers

• Choose breast milk storage that can double as feeding bottles.

• To lessen milk wastage, store in containers that double as feeding bottles. Transferring milk from one container to another encourage milk wastage. I use Avent storage bottles, when serving i just snap off the sealing disc then replace with nipples.

Serving breast milk

• More often, your caretaker will be the one serving the BM so you should leave clear instructions. Let them know about the proper handling milk. Examine EBM before serving.Breast milk could sometimes smell slightly sweet or soapy, depending on mom's diet. Discard milk that smells foul or sour.

[caption id="attachment_3264" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My breast milk: the creamy stuff rises to the bottle's edge. Color and consistency of breast milk varies depending on your diet.[/caption]

 

• Breast milk is not processed like cow's milk. Some cream can separate from the rest of the milk after days of refrigeration. The cream rises near the rim of the container. Just swirl the container to mix the cream and the rest of the milk.


• Always check the milk's temperature. It should not be too hot for risk of burning.

So,  that's how i'm thawing and serving expressed milk to our baby! Hope you find the tips useful!!

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