An Ode to my Nanay...

It's mother's day once again, but this year's different for our family.

I'm so glad that we approach this day and our Nanay is still with us today.  You see, just last November, our mom had the biggest health scare - she was diagnosed with coronary heart disease. She needed heart surgery ASAP.

The whole family was devastated but we rallied behind her.
Now, five months after her operation, she's thriving again! It's as if nothing happened to her. We are truly glad that she survived and we have her here with us this mom's day.

The Art of Saying "Nooooh!"

My son is a big talker now! Wooohhoooo...

He's been naming several basic body parts in English and in Filipino!
He's been repeating most word's we've been teaching him, like a parrot!
He's talking to us too! He's replying to almost all our questions in one to two syllables! We hardly understand what he means, but at least he's babbling!

We can't be any prouder.

But my oh my...... i did not expect these:

Mommy: "Anak,Ligo na?"
P: "No!"

Mommy: "Baby, wanna read?"
P: "No!"(with head shaking)

Mommy:"Anak, tulog na."
P: "Hindi" (Halos mabali na ang leeg sa pag-iling)

How do you spend your weekends?

My family lives in QC so we’re lucky we have lots of fun choices! We have two of the biggest malls – Trinoma and SM North EDSA. They’re just a few rides away from our place. In malls we go window shopping, bargain hunting or just plain lurking! The weekend market in Eton Centris is also a destination. You can go on food trips or scout for organic produce. You can even buy plants or pets there.
QC has lots of green patches!  These include Quezon Memorial Circle and the La Mesa Ecopark.  But the green patch we visit most is the UP Diliman Campus. Even as a a college student, i fell in love with this place. On weekends, especially Sunday, UP becomes a haven for runners, bikers and us – walkers!

Single mom and loving it!

I admire single moms. I think it takes a certain kind of character to be one and to actually survive being one.  A single mama needs to work doubly hard to support her child.  She needs act both as mother and father to guide her kid. Gosh, i have a partner and it's still a big challenge  for us to raise a son, how much more for solo parents ?

My sister became is a single mom  at age 20. And i see how tough being one is.  I see all the struggle she has to face and i share in here little triumphs as a solo parent.  I think every single mama needs strong family support to thrive.

Breast Talk

Hmmmm.

I'm going to talk about my boobies now, a bit TMI for most.

But still, i'm still talking about them.

Breasts and my body image

I have always been self conscious about my breasts. When i hit puberty, my peers often teased me about how my breasts were getting bigger.  Let's just say that i was among those kids who needed to grow up earlier than most, because of my developing body. I've avoided playing skip ropes, chinese garters and those games that require jumping and running when i was 10 years old.  I guess much of it involves how uncomfortable i was about carrying a heavy front load.

I was teased all the more during my high school days! I even resented wearing body-hugging shirts and blouses because i did not feel comfortable about my body image.

When i was in college, that's when i started appreciating my built. It was then i've accepted my God-given big boobies!  It was not like i flaunted them, but i've accepted them as part of being me. My barkada would often call me "Busty" but i didn't care much about that. I just laughed off my nickname. I guess every girl have a body issue - some being flat chested. And then there are girls like me, who's issue was their full bust.

Of  course, let's not underestimate the power of the breast. Admittedly, "the girls"  helped me snag a husband....  to a limited degree... somehow... wahahaha... 

When i got pregnant the big boobies got even bigger. This was to prepare my body for its ultimate function. I was a milk machine in the works!  And boy, am i ever so proud raising an exclusively breastfed baby! He was slightly underweight as a newborn  and with my milk,  he grew up healthy and strong!

[caption id="attachment_3259" align="aligncenter" width="253"] Body changes takes a backseat, my boy's health comes first.[/caption]

Breast changes after giving birth nursing

Now after 18 months of breastfeeding, i really feel and see changes with my breasts! First - the size, they got smaller.  I'm now a cup size smaller than before i got pregnant!  Second - the shape. They're not as round and perky anymore.  I also feel "empty" breasts especially now since i'm not oozing with BM anymore. Last, they sagged.  I noticed that they drooped a bit - like down to my tummy. But I can't blame gravity for this right?  Sagging or drooping is more noticeable for women with big boobs, to begin with.

But I'm not really sure if i should attribute these boob changes to breastfeeding.  Kellymom , citing a study published by the  National Center for Biotechnology Information, says breastfeeding is not the cause of breast sagging or breast ptosis, which is its technical term.  The study  listed these risk factors to be possible and more apparent causes of breast sagging -

• age (as we age, our skin becomes less tight, hence possible wrinkles) 


• 
  

  history of significant (>50 lbs) weight loss - preggy women  have rapid weight loss on d-day... yehey!!!!

  
  


• higher body mass index - being overweight puts women at risk to breast ptosis?


• 
  

  larger bra cup size - hmmm i fall under this category

  
  


• number of pregnancies - what???   but i'm still on baby number 1! 


• 
  

  smoking history - hmmmm... attention smokers... this is another good reason to quit... right now!

  
  

Ayun naman pala!  So the sagging  is not directly caused by breastfeeding. According to this WebMD article,  the stretched out look may be due to the shrinking of milk-making structures in the breasts. These milk-making structures go on overdrive as your near delivery to trigger breast milk production. They then shrink after pregnancy.  The good news is, saggy breasts, is more often not a medical concern.

When i became a mom, I understood the higher purpose of my breasts! No, they're not not just for aesthetics, or for the pleasure of my husband!  These are for nourishing my offspring.  As mammals,  we are equipped with the machinery to care for our babies. Breastfeeding  is the most natural  way to nourish our young.

Possible sagging or drooping should take the back seat when moms are weighing in on breastfeeding! Undeniably, breastfeeding and being a mom, has taken a toll in my looks.  The saggy breasts, along with the stretch marks, i shall wear them proudly as battle scars of motherhood. Why should i waste time over this when the reward is much much more precious - it's the special bond my boy and i  had developed through nursing!  I'll just get me some more push up bras!

I'm not really THAT bothered by the sagging issue, thankfully, so is my husband.  Sabi nya, superficial lang kung ang dahilan nang hindi pagpapasuso ay dahil sa pag-sag ng boobs. Para naman  sa akin, kahit umabot pa lampas ng tuhod ang dede ko, magpapasuso pa rin ako!

Also worth reading: 

• Top 10 reasons why Breast is best 


• Alarming facts about breastfeeding in the Philippines 

 

Happy Father's Day, hands on dad!

Daddy, thanks for being such a supportive husband and the best dad to our baby!

[caption id="attachment_2477" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My two boys[/caption]

Motherhood won't be half as fun without YOU!

***

My bucketlist for the next pregnancy

Ehem... No, i'm not pregnant! I know it's still too early to contemplate on this because we plan have the baby at least two years from now. But since it's my birthday, i have a loooong wish list for my second pregnancy.

Exactly two years ago, the hubby and I were clueless schmucks waiting in line to have our very first visit with the OB.  Learning that i was pregnant was actually the best birthday gift i ever received! From that day forth, every pregnancy-related issue we encountered we dealt with utmost care and caution.

Since the first time is always trial and error time, i hope my next pregnancy can go on more smoothly and much more enjoyable!

Here are  my "points for improvement" for next time.

VBAC! 

•  I had C-section on my first pregnancy because of placenta previa. This is why i'm aiming to give birth the natural way the next time around.  I just hope VBAC will be possible in my case.  We need to discuss this with the OB.   Most of the moms i know who had CS on their first also had CS on their second!  Actually i don't know anyone who had vaginal birth after cesarean. 

More control over the delivery process

• I know, delivering a baby is a medical procedure but moms should also play active participation. In my first i was just very passive, it was really like i don't know what's going on. I guess second timers will know more about the birthing process and they can probably ask  "more intelligent" questions. For my second, i'll definite assert that baby be latched right away.

[caption id="attachment_2329" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I'd love to experience breast crawl, which i did not get to do the first time!
Source: Unang Yakap's Facebook page[/caption]

• I got to touch my baby only after 3 days, imagine that? By the way, did you know that a sign that your hospital is baby-friendly is if they facilitate breast crawl? I'm just not sure how it is for other hospitals or clinics, but when i was pregnant i totally did not know about breast crawl, that first close contact between mom and newborn right after birth. Our Department of Health says Unang Yakap is essential for the well being of both newborns and moms! I'll definitely discuss this with my OB and the pedia for the next time around.

To check out with newborn in tow

• When i was discharged, my baby was left in the nursery for 5 more days! His birth weight was very low and very very mild pneumonia. We patiently waited for the go signal from Doc until our newborn was well enough to come home with us. So it's my earnest wish for my next baby to be healthy so we'll be able to go home on the same day!

Photos galore! 

• I did not have decent pregnancy pictures! Actually i was camera shy back then. I was actually taking photos of my growing belly week-on-week through the What to Expect app during my first trimester. But i got impatient and stopped taking pictures later.  We did not have pics of the baby in the delivery room. On d-day we were in panic mode and we forgot about the camera! I can vividly recall the OB asking for the camera in the delivery room. If i was not given anesthesia, i'd probably get up and get my camera just to capture that special moment!

[caption id="attachment_2320" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I would love a fab shot of my belly!
Source of photo: virginia.gov[/caption]

• Now i'm relishing the thought of having a photo session - as in full on pregnancy  and breastfeeding pictorials!  I love to have some fab photos of my mommy journey.  And I'll definitely insist on bringing that darn camera in the delivery room! I would love to have photos so that we can have a cherished memento of his first day out.  

Fabulous maternity wardrobe

• I was penny pinching during  first pregnancy. I think i bought just 5 or 6 sets of wardrobes that time.

[caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Who would not want to have nice clothes during such a special occasion?
Source of photos:eden.com.ph[/caption]

• Now i realized it will be worth the investment, if i get dual purpose wardrobe - as in clothes for both maternity and nursing. Here and here are some of the nursing wear i'm currently drooling for.  

They say every pregnancy is different but we can try new things to get better the next time around. We always learn from the mishaps from our previous pregnancy!

How did you first pregnancy fare to your second? Were you able "to do better" the next time around?

Also worth reading:

• Learnings from an emergency cesarean section

***

The Dilemma of a Working Mama

Yes, I’m among the millions of moms who, sadly, have to her child behind every day to “earn a living”! Being a working mom is the norm nowadays but I can’t help but be sad as I leave my son at home.  I always think that every day that passes while I’m at work is time with my son lost!

I'm also among the millions of moms who agonize daily about entrusting the welfare of her son to caregivers. I'm one of those who multitask at work.  On one hand, i juggle the daily requirement of the job and on the other hand, i also cater to the daily needs of my child.

I'm among the moms who shed a tear upon hearing the voice of  "disgruntled" child over the phone, probably asking, "Mommy, what time ka uwi?" 

Working from home or being a housewife is out of the question! My job is important for us! Needless to say, the household can’t run on a single income so this mama just gotta shut up and deal with being a working mama!

I've been a working mama for just a year now, this is still work in progress, but here are some ways that can help make this setup work!

Make the most out or your weekends!

Since you can’t be with the baby 24/7, make it a point to spend weekends with the family! You don’t have to spend much, just being together and enjoying a simple meal can make the time spent worthwhile!

[caption id="attachment_3079" align="aligncenter" width="300"] We have the kid in tow even on weekend errands![/caption]

Be a hands-on mom at home.

• I make it a point to cook for my child and feed him as often as I can!  Since I’m out of the house 1 pm to 9pm, I make sure that the remainder of my waking hours are spent taking care of the family.  This way, my child won't see me as an absentee mom! Before leaving for work, i also prepare his bottles of milk and food so that the caregivers will just reheat it.  At least i have an idea what's he's eating while i'm away.

Deal with separation anxiety positively.        

• I’m not really sure if this is the right way to deal with separation anxiety, but I don’t say goodbye to my kid when I leave for the office. Sometimes he throws a fit seeing me leave. Sometimes he does not seem to bother when i leave.  I guess when he gets older, he should be told  why mommy leaves him every day.  I need to communicate with my son better so he'll understand the importance of my work.

Leave work in the office!

• Avoid bringing work at home, unless absolutely necessary.  When i was single i used to bring files and files of office work at home. That's the procrastinator in me.  But now that i'm a mama, i make sure that 100% of my family time is spent with the family.  Although my line of work calls for being "on call" all the time, i make sure there's a clear line separating work and home affairs.  Mommies must manage time efficiently in the office so you won't have to bring your work home.

Have trustworthy caregivers!

• This is my secret weapon how I’m still able to work and leave my kid  at home. I have reliable and trustworthy partners at home - my mother-in-law and father-in-law plus the help. I'm at peace knowing that my son doesn't go astray while i'm away. I have my mother-in-law who oversees taking care of baby.  Our help is very efficient and very masipag.  That's why my son  doesn’t go hungry, dirty or unattended! At least that's the silver lining in all this.  I really am thankful that i'm leaving my son in good hands.

These are  just some ways to keep this system going.  How about you, how do you deal with being a working mama?

***

Saving Up for Baby's College Fund

Providing the best possible future for one's child is every parent's dream.  This is high up there in my life list of to do's! So much of giving him the best future depends on whether he goes and finishes college.  Putting a child through college is such an achievement and i really admire parents who did just this for their children. I have such high respect for parents who prioritize the education of their child and i do hope that when our time to spend on education comes, we can and will be able to afford it!

[caption id="attachment_2080" align="aligncenter" width="214"] Putting a child through college is a life feat we're willing to face head on! Source of photo: alabama.gov[/caption]

So this early, i have started to stash part of my meager salary to start saving for baby's college fund! Starting to save for the future (for me, that's 15 years years from now), will give me more headroom to gather my nerves in facing the daunting task of investing in education.

I've also contacted Leah Angela Limon-Mendania, a financial advisor, to guide me in financing this life goal!  According to her saving for baby's education can never be too early. "With tuition fees increasing every year coupled with the rising cost of goods and services, nothing could be wiser but to keep up and start saving", Leah explains.   She also  shared are some  helpful points to guide us in drafting a  savings plan solely for your child's college:

Start as early as you can.

The earlier you start saving, the less will be the amount you need to save regularly. For example, you need 500,000 for your baby's college education when he/she is about 19 years old. If you start saving while your child is still a baby, you need to save about Php 930 monthly. As opposed to when you start saving when your child is about 7, then you will need to save about Php 2,030 monthly.

Save as much and as regular as you can.

The more you save now, the more interest you will earn and the more money will be compounded through the years. For example, saving Php 500 monthly for 19 years will yield Php 268,572 if your investment earns 8% interest. While saving Php 1,000 monthly for 19 years will yield 537,144 at 8% interest.

Choose the appropriate investment vehicle to save your money in.

In determining the appropriate financial product to invest in, think about your purpose. If your saving for something that you need within a year or two, then your only investing for the short-term so a financial product with guaranteed returns is more appropriate like a savings account. On the other hand, if you're saving for something you need in three or more years, then you may choose more aggressive financial products which will give higher but not guaranteed returns like unit investment trust funds, mutual funds and even variable universal life insurance.

Choose the right company where you will invest your money.

In choosing the right company, credit worthiness is a primary consideration. You may check a financial institution's credit rating online. The higher the rating a company has means they are more credit worthy and financially stable than those with lower ratings.

Choose a financial product which will give you higher returns.

The higher the interest rate that your money will earn, the less money you will need to save and the shorter the time frame will be towards achieving your goal. Each company's investment performance record is always available for the client's reference. However, please take note that this consideration is only secondary to choosing the right company.

Leah Angela Limon-Mendania is  a Certified Public Accountant by profession. She worked for an auditing firm for 4 years. She works as a financial advisor and shares her shares her knowledge and skills to educate Filipinos financially. Her passion for food and desserts in particular led her to put up her own  cakes and pastries business,  she's  now currently supplying to a concessionaire of a hotel in Manila. 

Here are Leah's contact details if you want to learn more about personal finance.

Email: lavlimon@yahoo.com

Mobile: 0917-8605059

Landline (duo): 975-4992

Coming to Terms with Low Milk Supply

Not giving enough breast milk for one’s baby is among the worst nightmares of a new mom!  For a mom who has early on decided to nurse, not producing enough milk is major cause of stress!   My previous guest post is about a mom’s struggle with her milk supply and how she was able to move on.

If you’re among those moms who struggle with very low milk supply, read on for some points to keep in mind.

For moms who just gave birth, these are some ways to start producing breast milk:

Directly breastfeed your newborn as frequently as possible.

During his first weeks, he may need to nurse every three to four hours. If for some reason,  baby can't directly nurse, pump pump pump! This is what happened to us. Baby got held up in the NICU for almost a week so i pumped like there's no tomorrow during the time he spent there.

Consume lots of malunggay products.

They come in the form of capsules, powder, tea, cookies or chips. Malunggay or moringa is a well known milk supply booster.

Eat a lot! I really noticed that when I eat more, I get more milk when pumping at the office. Dieting right away after giving birth may not be advisable for moms who want to breastfeed.

Think twice about supplementing.

Supplement may come in the form of  breast milk donations or formula.  I dare say that supplementing should be a last resort, especially for those with newborns. Direct breast feeding triggers milk production. So if you feed baby through the bottle (with breast milk or formula), you decrease baby’s time at your breast.  During the first weeks, direct nursing prompts your brain to produce more milk.  Also avoid giving pacifiers. All his sucking should be on the breast.

When you feel your supply is not enough

Seek medical advice to check if your milk supply is genuinely not enough. We can’t measure the amount milk your baby drinks when he’s directly breastfed.  So you must look for other telling  signs that he’s getting enough. Among the tell tale signs that your baby is getting enough is he's not gaining enough weight and if he's not regularly passing stools and urine. Consult a breastfeeding-friendly pediatrician for the correct diagnosis. Read here for signs to watch out for when choosing a nursing-friendly doctor.

Be informed!

Do your homework even before D-day. In the Philippines, where formula feeding is the norm, getting sound advice from other moms, or peers or even doctors can be a challenge. In the US, they even have La Leche Leauge hotlines for moms  having trouble with breastfeeding.  Try to get in touch with breastfeeding advocates like Latch and Breastfeeding Philippines.  I've tried emailing Latch once about my nursing issue and they responded so kudos to them! The internet offers a wide variety of breastfeeding sites that are a gold mine of good information about nursing, among the best is Chronicles of a Nursing Mom.

[caption id="attachment_1934" align="aligncenter" width="220"] Even nursing mother dogs need some prodding from caretakers during the first days post partum!                   Source of Photo: austintexas.gov[/caption]

Below are some good suggestions for moms having problems with low milk supply:

Have a nursing goal.

Set your nursing goal early on and assess this goal regularly. Decide until when you want to nurse, until baby’s 6^th month? Or do you have plan to nurse until his toddler years? For moms will ultra low milk supply, being able to nurse until the 6^th month can be quite a feat.  While those with rich supply might not think of weaning until baby’s first year! Really ask yourself if long-term breastfeeding is  for you.  By setting that target, you can manage your expectations.  Most moms will be happy knowing that they've achieve the nursing goal she set.

Avoid comparison.

Never compare your own situation with other nursing moms. Keep in mind that every body is wired differently. Some moms have abundant milk supply, even able to donate milk by the liters. And for some lucky ones, nursing comes naturally. Don't ever dare to pity yourself for not doing so.

Learn to accept

Come to terms your own nursing situation! When you’ve tried virtually everything and that supply still won’t come up, acceptance is the next best step. Be at peace, knowing that you tried your best to breastfeed your child!

Breastfeeding isn't the end-all and be all of being a mom. Nursing is just one of the million or more skills we must master to raise the little one! But it would not hurt if you try to nurse for as long as you possibly can!

Also worth reading:

• How you could be wasting breast milk

***

Guest Post: Tales from a "Nursing Failure"

Our latest guest post is from mom Kristen Hurst. In her post Kristen shares her struggles with low milk supply and how she initially wanted to breastfeed exclusively for six months but was able to do so only until her baby's four month. Although she considers her nursing career a "failure", I consider it a success because i felt she tried everything to make nursing relationship last. Low breast milk  supply is still better no breast milk at all! 

[caption id="attachment_1901" align="aligncenter" width="265"] Not all moms are wired the same way. Some struggle with breastfeeding, while for others, nursing comes naturally.                                 Source of Photo: nih.gov[/caption]

I remember before my son was born, I just assumed all babies naturally latched onto their mothers, just like a nursling fawn to its mother doe, mother nature at her finest hour; no fuss, fretting or worrying about such things like sore nipples, mastitis and a feeble milk production.   Yes, indeed, I got a crash course in nursing, taught to me exclusively by my newborn!

Not only did my son not latch, he screamed and reared his head back, refusing to nurse, at all. No matter how hard I cajoled, rocked and bathed him and enticed him to try, over and over again, it was to no avail and now we were both in tears. In my exhausted and hormonal state, I began to break down my nursing allegiance and eye that forbidden baby bottle.  I did call the La Leche hotline one night, out of options and basically a giant emotional mess, where they calmly told me to put the bottle down, and walked me through the whole nursing process.    For my son and I, it ended up being months of pumping, but I did get the breast milk down him, just not the way I had ideally envisioned.  I never did manage to produce much milk, even with all my incessant pumping, which made me feel like a failure.  After all, shouldn’t my body have continued caring for my child even after birth?

I had this image of my child and I bonding and connecting, that final little piece of the parenting puzzle, where it wouldn’t matter if there was a devastating natural disaster, I could rise above any dangerous floodwaters or devastating ashes.  Just my newborn and my lactating lifeline who would thrive with all my maternal glory.  Yep, didn’t quite happen that way, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t try.

If this sounds at all like your breastfeeding experience, then I’ve got a few tried and true tips to heed and hopefully help you through the stressful first days of nursing.

• Breast milk versus formula: Let’s break down the differences so that as your child’s mother, you can make that best choice for them.  Breast milk is of course, designed as the perfect food for your child, it is balanced with gentle enzymes for ease of digestion, it has immunity boosting factors that can never be reproduced in a store-bought formula.  If you were like me, then you probably already know all about the unique qualities that breast milk has over commercially manufactured products, as a result I decided to supplement my meager breast milk with a couple bottles of formula.  As a fretful parent there is nothing more alarming than those weight charts, especially when your little’s ones weight has dipped into the ‘below’ average range.  My perfect medium became, pump, feed and then supplement.  And we went through this routine until I eventually dried up and he became strictly formula fed.


• Have a nursing plan: Like many pregnant mothers, I daydreamed of the day, when I held that tiny bundle, when he and I would find a cozy little spot to cuddle up together, just a blissful moment of feeding and nurturing.  So was the plan, and I had every intention of following up on it until of course, reality set in and thwarted all of my nursing dreams.  Fortunately, I was able to persevere and move forward and most importantly, care for my son with everything I had available.


• Support System: I can’t really complain here as I had great support, I remember my husband giving our son a tiny ‘cup’ of precious colostrum at three-o-clock in the morning, a miniscule portion I had painstakingly pumped out for him, as I knew that colostrum is an essential component for growing and developing newborns. My own mother came to visit and worked endlessly with the whole latching process, but at the end of the day, it just didn’t click!  Even appointments and consultations at the hospital and La Leche League failed to get the nursing going.  I had decided (sagely) that parenting was never going to be a perfect science for me.  It was time to go to a new plan, which meant ‘whatever works’.

Yes, parenting is an adventure and it starts right from the get go.  Don’t forget that what works for you and your family may not work as well for someone else.  I felt guilty at times when my son and I would meet for my ‘mommy/baby’ classes and I was the only one with a bottle.  I felt at times, they looked down upon me as somehowI lacked the same parenting philosophies or status that they all shared.   Of course, what they didn’t know was nursing had always been upfront and most important in my nurturing mind and my difficult decision to stop breastfeeding certainly wasn’t for lack of trying.

Many years later, my mother shared with me that her own mother had a lot of issues with breastfeeding and she fretted constantly about her own lack of milk and nursing prowess.  It all made sense to me, perhaps due to genetics and conditions out of my control, I truly couldn’t produce the same amounts of milk like some of my more successful nursing peers.

The good news? He turned out fine, but like I said about parenting, it’s never a ‘one-size fits all’ process, it’s a learn as you grow, one.

How about you moms, how do you measure breastfeeding success? 

Kristen is a stay at home mother of three who enjoys blogging.  She received her bachelor's degree in fashion marketing, and writes often maternity wear.  When she's not trying to juggle the lives of Casey, Austin and Ben, she enjoys painting and catching up with a great Jane Austen novel.

Also worth reading:

• Coming to terms with low milk supply


• How you could be wasting breast milk 

***

This Mommy's New Year's Resolution

It’s 2013 and I’m a proud mommy of a toddler! I'm glad that the pressures from P's birthday party are done and gone, sa wakas! I could not be happier, having such an active and healthy son.  I do hope it stays that way.

I have a few targets for the coming year, all for being a better mommy. So  I’m  sharing my resolutions this 2013!

Start saving for P’s education

• In a few years, tuition dues will come knocking on my door so best to start saving right now! A painless way to do this is to automate savings. I plan to have a no-touch account for him and ask my bank to automatically deduct a portion of my salary and transfer that to the no-touch account. This way, I won’t be “aware” of the deposits I’m making to that account since all that’s left in my ATM is salary minus my son’s “education fund”.


• I’ll be scouting for more investments since I’ve noticed a huge, huge hike in tuition! Imagine, when I was in high school an entire school year costs just P8,000. When I went to our high school recently i saw that tuition is P48,000! Just how much would that be my son enters high school?

Start saving for my retirement

• Yes, aside from my son’s schooling, I’m really concerned about my retirement.  I would not want to be old, toothless and penniless!  I have hard working parents who emphasized the value of every centavo they earn and how it’s important to prepare for old age.  In short, huwag daw gawing retirement plan ang pag-asang aalagaan ka ng anak mo pagtanda mo. Let’s face it, by the time i’m about 60 and retired (hopefully), my son will be busy earning for his own child’s future. So best to set aside a portion of your current income for that.


• I'm keeping a coin box on my work station for all my loose change. I'll open a savings account just for this. When it grows big enough i shall transfer the fund to higher earning investments like mutual funds or stocks. This may be loose change, but i gotta start somewhere, right?

[caption id="attachment_1561" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The iconic piggy bank should be always in sight so you'll be reminded of your financial goals.[/caption]

Cook more

• In 2012 i was swamped with lots of food deliveries and eat-outs. May be because the doting mother in me would not want to be away from the baby to cook. We were even introduced to eat-all-you-can restaurants lately! Well, this can be a culprit why i'm having such a hard time saving. So for this coming year,  i vow to cook more!. This way i get to cut back on those expensive meals. Besides, my toddler is starting to taste real foods and i would love to have my son taste my cooking, too!

Be more organized

• Clutter has been permanent in my life. Even when i was still single and living with my dorm mates, i really had that stash of junk that i can't seem to put away.  Now, baby's accumulating a lot of clothes and toys, which occupy a lot of space in our already cramped up room. So for next year, i vow to rid my space of all my junk to give way for his stuff.  It's time to make our space more baby-friendly.


• The diaper bag has also been a cause for concern. It's becoming heavier and harder to lug that around so i'm planning to simplify my life by bringing only the basic necessities. Here's  What to Expect's shortlist of the stuff to put in that bag.

Breastfeed longer

• That little toddler has been more up and about, eager to explore his surroundings but at the end of the day, he still looks for his mommy for that last minute meals... and i'm more than glad to indulge him. After a year of nursing, i'm still excited about it!  Although some can say that it's time to wean baby, i would rather not, not at this time. I guess it's me who’s not yet ready to say good bye to breastfeeding. So for next year I plan to sustain my dwindling milk supply.  No matter how disheartening it is to see how little my pumping output has been lately, I still continue to pump.  There’s really no better way to get more milk than to pump more frequently and to nurse directly whenever possible. I was inspired by this post on how beneficial extended breastfeeding is.

A new year marks the beginning of  another chapter in our lives... so it's never too late to start over and be better. Happy New Year, folks!

***

Lessons Learned After my Baby Got Sick

Baby recently got hospitalized and confined in the hospital for a few days! I really pitied him as he cringed in pain as the needle is pierced in his small baby hands as the IV was being placed. I shed some tears knowing that he is still too young to feel such pain! And as the heartbreak song asks, "Where did i go wrong?". Surely any working mom would have some guilt not being able to be with baby 24/7 and hopefully guard his every move to reduce chances of him catching any virus or germs.

Aside from the IV, he was pierced once again to collect a small amount of blood for CBC. Hayy... awang awa talaga ako. But what can i do? His fever has been on the 38 level for more that 3 days.  The pedia also suggested that he stay in the hospital for observation.  I obliged since i know he'll be  better taken care of there.

At first baby had cough, then the next day he was sneezing more frequently. This was followed by colds and a bad case of stuffy nose. We gave him Disudrin for this.  On the 5th day, i think, he had high fever. The fever did not come down even if we gave him paracetamol (Tempra). We then gave him a paracetamol in suppository form. Husband and i agreed that if the fever, which was at 39 centrigrade at this point, does not come down, we'll take him to the ER. The fever came down a bit so the next day we opted to have him checked up the next day.

[caption id="attachment_3271" align="aligncenter" width="300"] No one ever wants for a baby to get sick. I was really crushed as my baby was pinched for the IV. On times like this all moms and dads is just to stay strong and hope everything clears up.[/caption]

The doctor immediately said he should be admitted since he seemed to be catching his breath. She said the warning sign, if you would check his breathing was when his breathing is so deep you can see the outline ribs and if he seems to be inhaling and exhaling faster than usual.

After the xray and the blood test, the diagnosis was pneumonia, viral lang so he would not be given antibiotics.  Thank god it's not dengue or any other worse disease. He had to stay in the hospital where his meds (Salbutamol) was given through the nebulizer + Disudrin drops.  His fluids was also constantly replenished through the IV. The doctor says he might have caught the virus from his caregivers. That was my suspicion, too since the house is seemed to be plagued with coughs and colds.  It's flu season and family members caught the virus.

So after 3 days he was up and about so i'm happy. He shed some pounds but at least we know he's clear of any disease. Now he's slowly gaining weight.

Here's what hubby and i learned and relearned after baby got sick:

Baby's immune system is still developing. 

Remember that even if he's still getting the vaccine almost every month, he'll still catch some type of disease. Shots can only prevent a number of diseases.

Avoid going to crowded places where he's most likely be in contact with sick people. So, noted. We'll limit his trips to the malls! Since convergence ang mall ng napakaraming tao, pati na rin mga virus.

We've been having colder nights since the end of October. For chilly nights, since Amihan kicked in, keep baby in thicker clothes so he won't get too cold.

Health starts at home. 

Sa bahay, since hindi naman maiiwasan magkasakit, i''ll have take take vitamins. Next flu season, i'll insist na talaga that they do get the shots. As my pedia said, having baby vaccinated against flu will be useless if the rest of the household won't get the shot too.

To prevent or at least limit the spread of diseases within the house, always wash hands when handling baby. Use baby's own utensils when feeding him. Avoid face to face contact if you feel you're developing a cold. Never sneeze around the baby.

Keep breastfeeding!!! 

It's the best way to comfort the baby. His appetite was down and limited. It was quite hard to breastfeed him while lying down since he had colds. Moms will need to nurse with baby in upright position to keep milk from backing up. Limit nursing in the side lying position. Baby might lose his appetite for nursing, but be sure to keep that skin to skin contact to reassure him that you're always there for him. After nursing, place a pillow under his back to elevate his lungs.

[caption id="attachment_3273" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This was our position for almost the entire time my baby was in the hospital. A mental note for moms with sick babies: Give more hugs![/caption]

Aside from nourishment, babies  get solace knowing that he'll be hugged by his mommy for the rest of the time he's sick.  The only silver lining was that during the period when he was sick, we got to cuddle and hug most of the time. He just laid on top of me... and i secretly enjoyed.

So there, take good care of the precious little prune!!!

Also worth reading:

• Nice-to-have items for the medicine kit

***

Guest Post: Tips for Staying Healthy During Pregnancy

This article was written by our first ever guest blogger, Katie Moore.  A mom of one. Katie says the best thing about being a mom is continuing to watch her daughter grow and develop into a little person, along with the joy and happiness she brings to her life every day.  She started blogging as an outlet to write and research and to connect to other moms and women online... and that's how she found my site!  

Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche.

In this guest post, she shares tips for staying healthy during pregnancy. Once again, thanks for these tips, Katie.  

Not surprisingly, pregnant women should pay special attention to their bodies and health during pregnancy in order to provide an optimal environment for the baby to develop in.  By taking advantage of these tips, a mom-to-be can ensure she’s starting her pregnancy off on the right, and healthy, foot.

[caption id="attachment_406" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Source of photo: ods.od.nih.gov[/caption]

Keep doctor appointments

When a woman realizes she is pregnant, the first thing she needs to do is make an appointment with her ob-gyn, to check how far along she is and to monitor her health and the baby’s health. Throughout pregnancy mom’s doctor will be essential in helping plan for her delivery; there are many choices that should be discussed and made in advance, such as what type of birthing process she would like, what pain medicines to use and other optional procedures like cord blood banking and circumcision.

Eat a healthy diet

Many women think that it’s okay to eat whatever they want when they are pregnant. While it’s okay to occasionally indulge in sweets, pregnant women should eat a mostly nutritious diet. They should consume 300 extra calories a day to give their babies the nutrition they need. A pregnant woman should eat a diet filled with lean meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. They should stay away from raw foods, processed meats, certain fish and soft cheeses. A pregnant woman should also drink plenty of water. Water can help keep a pregnant woman hydrated and prevent constipation.

Get plenty of rest

Pregnant women feel more tired than usual, so it is important for them to get plenty of rest. As a woman’s stomach grows bigger, it will be difficult for her to sleep in certain positions. A pregnant woman should sleep on her side with her knees bent to ensure comfort. Lying on her side can also prevent hemorrhoids, veins and swelling.

Exercise regularly

Even though it is more difficult to exercise while pregnant, women should make the effort to work out regularly. They should get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. They could do yoga, go for walks outside and swim. Exercising during pregnancy can increase energy, improve sleep, prevent extra weight gain and reduce pain and swelling.

Avoid alcohol and nicotine

Women need to stay away from alcohol and nicotine while they are pregnant. Alcohol and nicotine can cause birth defects, low birth weight, stillbirth and asthma.

Take prenatal vitamins

Even if a woman eats a very health diet during pregnancy, she can still not consume enough vital nutrients. That is why she needs to take prenatal vitamins during her pregnancy. Taking prenatal vitamins every day can help prevent neural tube defects, reduce the risk of low birth weight and promote strong bones and teeth.

[caption id="attachment_418" align="aligncenter" width="201"] Source of Photo: chfs.ky.gov[/caption]

With all of the above health tips taken into consideration, as well as any special recommendations for her a doctor, a woman will be doing her best to stay healthy throughout, and even after her pregnancy.

***

If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26. A copy of  this post is also published at http://tiffskinnyjeans.blogspot.com

Breastfeeding Tips for Husbands and Daddies

SUPPORT is key in successful breastfeeding. Let's face it,moms. Without the support from the mister, breastfeeding will be very much harder. Just like any other aspect of marriage, breastfeeding should be a partnership between mommy and daddy.

I am very lucky, my husband has been supporting breastfeeding from the start.  This is primarily because he was a breastfed baby. He tasted the goodness of breast milk. It was not hard for me because we both knew that formula was not an option for the both of us. Breastfeeding is not all about the mom and the baby. Family support play a key role, too!

[caption id="attachment_1810" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Don't feel left out because of mother-baby nursing. Maximize daddy-baby bonding buy cuddling as much as you can![/caption]

For daddies and daddies-to-be, here are some tips to make your nursing wife's life easier.

Loooonng string of patience

Postpartum moms are highly emotional. Add to that the pressure of producing milk for an infant who can't seem to be satisfied and you'll have a weepy and wrecked wife. No, you won't get pogi points by just being silent and doing nothing. Get involved. Ask the wife what she needs and try to give him that.

I remember during my first week, i was an emotional mommy, too. Baby was stuck in the NICU and i had to pump to initiate breastfeeding.  So i pumped like crazy, to the point that i broke the manual pump. Tears rushed down as i showed my husband what it did. Instead of blaming me, he just listened and offered to accompany me to the mall to buy new part.

Spoil the wife.

Working nursing moms will need breastfeeding supplies like breast pump, milk containers, nursing bra, nursing cover, malunggay supplements, etc. Mommies enjoy shopping for these stuff, too!

[caption id="attachment_1286" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Spoil the wife by giving her the free hand and the budget, of course to get these supplies.[/caption]

Do your breastfeeding research. 

Sometimes dads feel left out in the mom-baby bonding. But breastfeeding know-how need not be the mom's sole responsibility. My husband was in to breastfeeding as i am. Months before i gave birth, he bought magazines about breastfeeding and taking care of baby.

Dads need to learn about nursing as well.  It's a sign that you care. Besides, knowing about breastfeeding will be great. Whenever she bugs you about buying a "better"  set of breast pump or extra milk storage bottles or a separate freezer for the stash, you'll be able to give an educated disapproval.

Be a knight-in-shining armor. 

When mom and baby are on a breastfeeding marathon, be the gentleman that you are and offer to help. Prop a pillow on her arm or neck, prolonged latching does strain your muscles.  Offer her something to eat or drink.  Take a a more cavalier step and spoon feed your starving wife.  This way she won't need to unlatch while eating.  Do you know how hard it is to get that perfect latch?

Take that extra effort. Whether they admit it or not, such kind gestures bring "kilig" to the nursing wife.

Do the housework. 

Mommies recovering from a delivery, whether normal or cesarian need to rest.  Rest and relaxation will encourage milk production.  You can help her by doing simple things like keeping your room tidy, cooking  or by  cleaning the breast pump.  All these little gestures much appreciated by a new mom. That's moral support put into actions.

Have an open mind. 

If mama wants to nurse in public, try not to be queasy about it.  Feeding baby is a normal act. If you're concerned that she'll just flash her boobs, that's what the nursing covers are for. Some moms, like me,  think that nursing in public is the best way to promote breastfeeding.

Offer words of encouragement.

Choose your words wisely, words are like swords. They do hurt a lot especially to a mommy who's just about to build that EBM stash. So instead of commenting on how little milk she make, try to be a positive influence by smiling and saying, "Ok lang yan,  dear. Pump lang ng pump. Dadami din yan."

Hearing such encouraging words is like music to mama's ear. Make her feel that you're beside her all through out your breastfeeding journey.

Breastfeeding is a decision both moms and dads should take. So, BOTH  must takes steps towards successful nursing.

Thanks, Daddy for being my number one breastfeeding fan!!!

***

I Did Not Expect This!

I recently received a package from What to Expect. It took a long time waiting but it's finally here. It's the entire basic pregnancy and baby books! I'm actually very thrilled to receive such a package from the  esteemed author of  What to Expect. I got it through this blog and i'd just like to thank the WTE group for this.

[caption id="attachment_1244" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Salamat, What to Expect. Please continue guiding parents and parents-t0-be in nurturing babies into healthy and happy children![/caption]

When i was pregnant, i bought the latest edition of What to Expect When You're Expecting. It was such a fun and informative read! I would read this to my sleep.  I like how the book has separate chapters about month-on-month development of the baby inside me.  It also lists what happens during every prenatal checkup.

There's also a chapter for complicated pregnancies, which was very useful for me. I had placenta previa when i was pregnant and i did read the book and it kept me busy during those dreadful "bed rest" days.

I like how the book answers seemingly no-brainer pregnancy questions like "When can hubby and i have sex?" or "Can i drink coffee?" or "Can i climb upstairs while pregnant?"  Such are the questions you probably are too shy to ask the obstetrician. It does make an expectant mom confident in facing every day without the fear of making a mistake.

Now my baby's almost 10 months and i'm reading What to Expect: The First Year.  I'm really relieved by how dummy-friendly the book is. As usual, it has comprehensive chapters on the monthly development of babies. It also has a chapter on buying for baby, which details the pros and cons of purchasing a certain baby gear. It also provides a list of safety features to look for when buying, say a walker, a stroller, toys?

I love that they included a chapter on first aids for babies and toddlers. This is such a great help for a panicky mom like me.  My favorite part is the section on baby food recipes. I love how WTE provided me with ideas in making cheap but healthy home made baby food!

Up next, i'll be reading What to Expect: The Second Year. I know it will help me a lot in raising a thriving toddler.

Now that i'm a blogger mom, you can expect to read more mommy tips, which are probably based on what i read from the What to Expect Series.

For more information online, click the What to Expect like on the lower right portion of my blog. You'll learn a whole lot about the basics of preconception, pregnancy and mothering a baby and a toddler!

You can purchase the books here and here.

Oh, they also have an Android applications for preggy and babies! So do download the apps on your ahone.

Again, Thank you very much, What to Expect!!!

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