Lucky 13: My Breastfeeding Blessings

Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (December). For this month, we want to honor breastfeeding for having enriched our lives and blessed us, maybe even empowered us, in a way that only breastfeeding can. Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants.

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In this season of yule, I reflect on the many gifts I received this year. Along the way I realized that a lot of changes, influences and opportunities in my life happened because of breastfeeding.

Counting my breastfeeding blessings, there are thirteen (13) significant ones:

1. The blessing of a deeper and more meaningful friendship

I had a very hard start in my nursing career. In fact, I was crying and panicing for almost three (3) days because my son would always cry and everytime I will feel that I am a failure becuase I thought  could not satisfy my son's hunger.

During these three (3) crucial days, my boss sent me a text message. Since before my maternity leave we were actually talking about breastfeeding and my deepest desire to do so, she naturally asked me how am I doing. I poured my frustration and she patiently encouraged me to continue and she even said that she will not allow me to fail with my 1st baby as she did. She actually inspired me and gave me the gift of real friendship. Even if she is no longer my boss now, I try to make an effort to connect with her from time to time. We have lasting bond because of our nursing experiences we were able to pull thru because of our friendship.

2. The blessing of being a friend

Doing a good turn daily is part of a girl scouts' honor and being one, I try my best to help other friends, relatives and even acquaintances to their journey towards nursing their babies the way my boss did.

3. The blessing of friendship even if I haven't met personally

In my nursing journey, I had a lt of on line help. Somehow, I consider them as my friends because they share a piece of themselves in what they write and share to their readers. I came across fabulous mommies who have supported me --from bloggers, momtrepreneurs and baker of lactation treats!

4. The blessing of becoming a blessing to others

I have always wanted to donate blood to Red Cross but everytime there is an opportunity, my frail body is not ready.

Little did I know, my body was created to do better! I have excess milk that I donate to sick babies -even until now that my son is past 1 year old. I share milk to mommies as far as Palawan and Davao.

5. The blessing of deeper sisterhood

I am an only daugther and with that, I have thirst for a sister. Luckily, when I got married, my husband has a sister. We shared breastfeeding stories and parenting & wife role ''strategies''. This sharing opened doors for a more trusting sister relationship.

6. The blessing of a supportive mom

My mother has always wanted to be a control and makes sure that she gets what she wants. But becuase of this also, her determination to help me succeed in my nursing career, I was able again appreciate her character and how she believes that I can do it.

7. The blessing of better body

I have always been physically unappealling --tall, big hips, no butt and boobs. Luckily I don't easily get fat so I eat what I like.

When I learned that I was pregnant, I started eating right and avoiding my favorite things-starbucks frap, piattos cheese, chocolate ice cream, coke, fresh japanese dishes etc. I was discipline myself because of two(2) things:

     1) I don't want my son to be so big that I would have to be sliced to get him out!

     2) I am afraid to be soooo big postpartum 

         (I read that excess calories goes to arms and legs)

Reading about breastfeeding, I learned that I should eat healthy and basically continue my pregnant diet (except that I can already eat sushi!) --I followed this with my lola's advice of not taking cold drinks, I easily lost my preggy weight and got into my college jeans six (6) weeks after giving birth!

So thanks to breastfeeding, I have curves back and a chest nearly proportionate to my hips!

8. The blessing of having a ''lactationally-liberal-minded'' husband

My husband is probably the most conservative guy you'll ever meet but beastfeeding changed him. I think he already appreciates the main purpose of the mamary glands since he doesn't mind that I nurse in public --even in church!

9. The blessing of falling in love with my husband again

If Ninoy fell in love with Cory for many times, so do I with my husband. My husband's selflessness made sharing my body with my son effortless to the both of us. He also respects the moments that my son's prefer being with me when he wants to nurse.

10. The blessing of ''better'' and deeper mommy-hood

Indeed, moms who breastfeed and moms who choose to bottlefeed their babies love thier children equally. But in my case, I believe that breastfeeding allowed me to be attached to my son in a deeper manner and made me a better mommy for him. I think, if we were bottlefeeding, I would have deligated most activities with him to his caregiver and I would just went on enjoying my work. Also, breastfeeding removed the guilty feeling when I leave him for work. Pumping milk for him while I am at work is my way of being with him.

11. The blessing of my son's good health

Since he was born, my son was never sick in a major way. If he gets sick, he easily bounces back with barely any medicine. Even when he is sick, he is still jolly, playfull and active.

12. The blessing of achieving milestones ahead of his time

I learned that unlike formula, breastmilk can be treated like a bottomless drink --you can give it to baby as much as he wants without worrying about obesity.

Because of this, my son has always had a lean body --not too fat and not too thin. His weight is just right for his height so he was able to develop motor skills ahead of time --crawling at 5 months, walking at 10.5 months and running by his 11th month! His confidence on motor skills had a positive effect on his overall self confidence that he bravely feeds his curiousity on many things including his ability to speak! He started uttering 3 syllable words at 15 months -a bit ahead for a boy.

13. Lastly, experiencing the miracle of life-beyond giving birth.

John Mayer's song describes the female body as a wonderland--it carries a baby and can provide milk up to two (2) years and beyond!

Do take the time to check out all the posts in this month's carnival: 
Shaps- Beyond Being Thin 
Gretchen - Breastfeeding Gifts for Christmas 
Carol - The Gift of Miracle 
Jenny O.- The Gifts of Breastfeeding 
Anne - The Gift of Breastfeeding 
Nats - We Wish You Merry Nursing 
Jenny R. - If the Magi Were Queens 
Em - The "Breast" Gift 
Isis- Got Milk? 
Armi - Breastfeeding Gifts 
Liv - My Breastfeeding Journey 
Laya - Time in a Drop of Milk 
Mec - The Gift of a Changed Man 
Armi - http://the-newbie-wife.blogspot.com/2011/12/breastfeeding-gifts.html

Kalabasa Pancake!

My son is such a picky eater. Even if he likes the goof stuff -bread, malunggay, orange, apple, etc. and hates chocolate and candies, it is still a challenge to have him eat a variety of food. One breakfast & snack treat that he enjoy a lot are pancakes! I placed a nutritious twist into it by placing kalabasa (pumpkin). 

Here are the super easy and quick steps by step to Kalabasa Pancake:

1) Prepare the ingredients:

     1 1/2 cups kalabasa, sliced thinly 

     2 eggs

     2 tbsp melted butter or oil

     200 ml milk 

     1 pack of 200g hotcake mix

This is what I use. Have not tried the one step mix.

2) Boil the kalabasa into the milk until it is soft enough to mash.

kalabasa should be dipped in milk so it will soften faster

3) Mash the kalabasa. You can just use a fork.

mashed kalabasa

4) Add the pancake mix and then the eggs. Make sure that the mixture is not so hot before adding the egg. Mix well.

the batter!

5) Cook the pancakes in the pan. Serve and enjoy!

This is my 1st attempt to write a recipe. I hope I placed the details clear enough!

baby welcome kit

Most department stores will have a list of ''baby essentials''. I was lucky to receive the advice from a friend -not to follow the list since it is a marketing paraphernalia. That friend of mine was actually a ''victim'' since she bought everything on the list and she spent more than Php 30,000 just to complete the list. Also, I had my practical mom to guide me in my shopping.

Since a few of my friends are preggy and they are asking for advice on what to buy, I would like to share my own list of ''good'' baby stuff that worked for me:

1. Receiving blanket

Bought super cheap cotton ones from the department store. These can be bought also in divisoria or for those living in City of San Fernando, in your friendly palengke. They can be used as baby's towel, bed cover -especially if you are co-sleeping, blanket. Suggest to have at least 5 of this.

2. Diaper cloths

I use at least 2 of these each day. I put this on baby's head when he nurses so his head won't perspire as much. I also place it on top of the rubber sheet so that baby's skin will not directly touch the cold sheet. And for instances where the baby pees while changing diapers, you can cover it immediately so the urine it won't spill! I did not exactly buy these since we have old stuff that I just used but we also received some during the baptism and the best brand is Enfant.

3. Breast pump

What worked for me is a double electric pump by Medela since I am a working mom. I used pump in style advanced since I went back to work and until now that my baby is past 1 year old. 

4. Breastmilk containers

Aside from the 4 medela bottles that comes with my pump, I have 8 pcs of evenflo 4oz breastmilk storage bottles. Milk is kept in here for the rest of the workweek and the excess is being stored in the freezer.

I freeze milk using 8oz playtex milk liners and I follow the freezeing tips of one of the pumping moms.

5. Feeding bottles

Ideally, breastfed babies should be cupfed if the mother is away. However, no one in our family knows how to and is brave enough to try. So, we just opted to give breasmilk thru a bottle and just took the precautions to avoid baby rejecting mommy. Here is the list:

-For more than a year now, I just used and have 4 pcs of 9oz bottles of avent but we just use 2 on weekdays and none on weekends and holidays. I have a strict policy of: NO BOTTLE WHEN MOMMY IS NOT WORKING.

-nipple used is slow flow, 1 whole nipples until age 1. Principle behind it is: If the bottle is slow, breast will be preferred

-started giving bottle on the 7th week or 2 weeks before going back to work and it was introduced slowly. Half-day for the 7th week  and full work hours on the 8th. Suggest that you delay giving bottle for a longer period if you have longer maternity leave. It will be hard to give bottle for breastfed babies at the start but they will learn to take it. Just practice them with their caregiver and be really out of the house.

6. Baby clothes

Don't buy a lot of these since babies grow up so fast. The number should follow your laundry schedule with 1 extra set. I was lucky to get hand me downs and among those given to my son, the brand disney baby is the most durable and ''cottony'' of all--fit for the Philippine weather.

7. Socks and mittens

Have at least 5 sets of these. These are essentials in keeping baby warm especially at night.

8. Wash cloths, bath shampoo and soap

For new borns, some would use cotton pads to clean baby. But my mom suggested that we use wash cloths. They are soft enough for baby and you can save on shampoo and soap since it help create ''bubbles''. 

For soap and shampoo, these are the only ones I use since my son was born. Chicco might look expensive but since you only nead a very small amout each bath time, the biggest pump bottle was consumed for more than a year. Lactacyd is just used for his body for his first few months.

9. Nail cutter

This is one product that I love! So easy to use and you don't even need the lens to use it.

10. Cotton

Used this to clean him when he change his diaper. Instead of buying cotton balls, we just make them and placed inside clean and airtight containers.

11. Kidney basin

We got ours in the hospital take-home kit. This is where I place water when it is time to change diapers. If you don't have this, a small plastic bowl will do.

12. Cotton buds

Helps is cleaning his eyes and ear. Best brand so far is baby flow.

13. Petroleum jelly

I place a small amout in his but and sides before placing his diaper. Becuase of this, I can use cheap diapers in the morning.

14. Alcohol with moisturizer and spray bottle

Alcohol is a must supply especially when you have a new born. You will not use this on baby but on you and on anyone who wants to carry him has to sanitize their hands first.

Transfer the alcohol in a spray bottle so you won't spill and use too much when you sanitize.

15. Baby wipes

I only use this when we travel. Baby wipes causes diaper rash. It is still best to clean baby with water and cotton.

16. Automatic sterilizer or microwave container sterilizer

These are so convenient and the timed system ensures that you don't ''overcook'' your bottles and pump parts

17. Gun thermometer

We have the ear thermomether by safety first. Very easy to use and it gets temperature fast. You don't need to wait for a minute or 2 to check if baby has a fever. But there is a better version with a laser pointer option which can also be used to check water temperature during bath time.

18. Baby pillow

Used this to ''mold'' baby's head. But note that you still have to switch baby's side even if you have this pillow.

19. Hotdog pillows

This is ideal when you are co sleeping--to have a buffer between mommy and baby. I love the cheap ones or the ones you can buy at the palengke becuase they are not to stiff and not packed with too much cotton inside.

2O. Rubber Sheet

A must have for every diaper changing time. Just make sure it is not placed at the upper back of baby and not to directly placed on baby. Put a flded diaper cloth on top of it before placing baby.

Tipid tip: if you have friends and family members who are giving you their old baby clothes and stuff which are still in good condition, accept them for the following reasons:

-babies grow fast so most clothes that they wear will be for a maximum of 4 months;

-my lola said that babies who are used to hand me down clothes will value and take care of their things ---yes, an old wives tale that won't hurt if we follow; and

-most of all-SAVINGS!

 

For all hygine stuff, I make sure that what we use for my son are separated --even the containers of the consumables (i.e. cotton, shampoo, etc).

For all pasticwares that will be used to give milk or ''harvest'' baby's milk, make sure that they are BPA free.

This list was actually patterned after my work schedule and what worked with my baby. I suggest you do your own research before going baby shopping becuase what worked for me and my baby might not work for you. 

Lastly, this is not a paid ad...all brands mentioned here are actually what we use for our baby. :D

As long as he wants, I can

"Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (November). For this month, participants share their experiences on extended breastfeeding.  This includes tips to moms with young babies, as well as barriers and myths which discourage extended nursing. Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants."


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Deciding to breastfeed my son was easy. In fact, I knew that I will breastfeed even before I had a boyfriend. Breastfeeding is normal in my family (and is really is for all humans! :D).


But I have not thought about until when I will nurse. I asked myself this question when he reached past 1 year old- not because I got tired of dragging the pump everywhere I go or I no longer want to. I was actually transferred to another group in the office handling a different business line that will require me travels to the province and more time since the product that I will handle is entirely different from my former post.  I fear, that with the pressure of the transition, I might have difficulties in producing enough milk for him...and honestly, at some point, it was tempting to wean my son already.

But I said to myself, I had a hard start and I was able to do it, so why quit now? My new office is on top of the mall and during my first day, I explored for possible nursing areas but I found nothing suitable within the office. So, I tried the nursing station in the mall. It is very comfy and relaxing! But it is a 10 minute walk from the office so it is not a viable option.

Luckily, a friend suggested that I pump in my cube instead. Yes, you read it right--inside my cube and this is how I do it.

This is my office and I have allocated portion of it as my ''milking area'' (please see marked area in photo).

I put my milk and pump parts in the cooler that is kept cool by gel packs.

When it is time to pump, I put on a poncho or a jacket and shawl to cover myself. I ''gear-up'' facing the wall and I turn on my pump while I read emails or surf the net.

As they say, ''kapag gusto maraming paraan, kapag ayaw maraming dahilan.''

Aside from the will to continue nursing, there are also two (2) events that has  helped me go on.


The first one is when my son cut his first tooth. It was so hard for him that he became a picky eater. There are also days when all he wants is mommy's milk and immediately asks for me to nurse him when I get home from work. Most often, he is not really feeding, he is just nursing for comfort.


Second, a few weeks ago, my son had very high fever. We actually had a "dengue scare" and for the entire time, he rejected solids, all he wants to do is nurse. Somehow, my worry on his nutrition was not as much since he was getting milk from me. I know that he needed more, but the comfort of giving better than animal's milk helped me. 

For both cases, I worry about my son's nutrition. I hope that many will make nutrition their priority and in turn breastfeed their babies.

Other posts for this months' carnival: J and the Three Boys - No more "de-de"
My Mommyology - My Extended Breastfeeding Experience
Mommyluscious - Breastfeeding for Two Beyond Two
Truly Rich Mom - On Extended Breastfeeding (a perfectly normal thing to do)
Life of a Babywearing and Breastfeeding Mommy - Still breastfeeding after 2 years
Got To Believe - Breastfeeding Room Story

Apples and Dumplings - My Constant Challenge with Extending Breastfeeding

Mommy Kuwentos - Challenges and Rewards of Extended Breastfeeding

The Odyssey of Dinna - Nurturing Rafael: Extended Breastfeeding, Stretching Some More Lovin'

Legally Mom - Breastfeeding Beyond 1 Year: Barriers and Issues

Homeschooling Mommy - Yes, I've Got Milk

SOlovelyN - As long as he wants, I can
Touring Kitty - Extended Breastfeeding is Possible
SassyBiatcheMom's World - 1.4 and still breastfeeding

Mec as Mom - Shooting for the Benefits, Extending the Love
Chronicles of a Nursing Mom - Barriers/Myths vs. Extended Breastfeeding

I received the best. I am giving my best.

I wrote this when my son was a little over 6 months --he is now 15 months and is still breastfed.

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My Ima with my son

My grandmother, Elena ''Eleng'' Sitchon, is turning 86 on May 3. Last February 17, 2011 my mother turned 59 and I will be turning 31 in June. My son, Azlan Lione, is the first apo and apo sa tuhod.

This means that my lola Elena has been a mom for 59 years, a grandma for almost 31 years and greatgrandma for 6 months and 17 days!

Last Sunday, my Ima Eleng showed me how blessed she is by being able to carry Lione in her arms. I secretly shed a happy tear witnessing a blessing not too many people were able to experience.



As a way to thank this one great woman in my life, I would like to share to everyone how I was able to EXCLUSIVELY breastfeed (EBF) my son during his 1st 6 months and counting.

Why breastfeeding of all topics? Well, my lola had 9 children-7 of which she had breastfed. And I surmise that because of that my mom also breastfed me and my brother Louie.

So here are my "Breastfeeding Survival Tips":

•Yes, I actually used the word survival because breastfeeding is NOT easy. You have to keep in mind that it requires discipline (because what you eat is what your mammary glands produce), patience (baby feeds anyTIME and anyWHERE) and lot of hard work. You have to prepare yourself for the hardest workout of your life.

•Breastfeeding makes you SEXY so WORK IT! As your body produces breastmilk, you also shed off calories. I read that you loose about 500 calories per day. So eat when you are hungry. Breastmilk production follows the law of supply and demand. If your body senses that there is a higher demand it produces more -meaning more calories burned!

I have actually experienced this "miracle" myself. I was able to wear my college pants 3 months after giving birth!

•Determination is the key! I believe that the sucess of breastfeeding lies on the willingness of the mother to give the best to her child. My mom motivated me to breastfeed even before I got pregnant. I had a VERY rocky start. If I my heart was not into it, my son would have been formula fed on his 3rd day.

•Be prepared. Read about it before the baby comes out. This is something that I was not able to do. Reading will help you understand you and your baby. It will prepare you mentally for the challenges ahead. Here are my favorite sites:

www.kellymom.com
www.fabnaima.blogspot.com

•Mighty malunggay! Malunggay has been part of my diet since I was 7 months pregnant. Initially, I want all natural since my mom concoct soups and placed malunggay leaves during my maternity leave. But I ran out of creativity and time to prepare soups when I went back to work. So now I take malunggay capsules everyday. I tried Natalac and Pro Lacta both worked but for me the best brand is Sun Angel, which I order thru their webpage.

•Healthy diet is a must. Aside from malunggay, my diet includes:

o a dose of seafood soup (the real one and not the artificial in a pack) at least once a week
o oatmeal drink or cookies everyday
o peanuts and peanut butter
o avoid cold drinks, coffee, tea, sodas

•Don't drink cold water after giving birth. Ğet something hot. Best to have seafood soup with malunggay. Some may not believe in this but I actually do because my milk flow lessened when I asked for iced cold water while I was at the hospital.

•Don't panic if you don't have milk after giving birth; your baby does not need much anyway.

•Always take a hot bath. It relaxes your body and stimulates milk production. Clean your nipples with a wash cloth.

•During the first 2 months, pump before or after baby nurses. But don't give it to baby.

•Establish supply first before giving baby your milk in a bottle. It took a month of being with baby 24/7 and nursing him every 2-3 hours. At the early stages, there are instances that baby asks for milk every hour. Don't worry, you body can take this. You are stronger than what you think.

•If you are going back to work, simulate work and pumping schedule a month before. Ask your caregiver to practice the baby with bottle. Baby will definitely reject it at first but once he tastes it and he is hungry, he will eat it.

•When you are at work, don’t worry about taking lactation breaks. The breastfeeding acts requires all companies to allow lactating moms to be on lactation breaks aside from their regular beaks.

•Don’t skip a pump at work. To be able to do this, I keep in mind that this is my only way to be with my baby while I am at work.

•Have a support system. For me, it was my mom who really helped me do this.

•Get your strength from that one person who you love dearly –aside from your baby. In truth, if my husband did not drop everything to be with me during the days that I am having problems with my milk supply, I would have stopped trying to feed my baby with my best.