Why go to a Pedia-Pulmo?

We recently took Ben to his pedia-pulmonologist.  He was due for a check-up and I heard him cough twice that day so it was good timing for a visit.  I like Ben's Pedia-Pulmo because he seems to be "hiyang" with him (knock on wood).  It was the pedia-pulmo who recommended we use the nebulizer when Ben was coughing so hard a few days before his birthday.  We eventually got one that's portable and rechargeable - totally worth it.  He is  asthma prone na pala because of our family history.Good thing he improved after a couple of days.  It was also him who suggested he give Ben something for his allergic rhinnitis when I got frustrated because his colds won't go away.  We also learned from him the proper use of nasal drops when Ben's nose was so congested he couldn't sleep well.And as an added bonus, Ben is comfortable with him, too. he's not fussy whenever the doctor checks him with the stetoscope.  This is important since it's hard to listen with the stetoscope when the baby's crying, and it was the best way to find out whether Ben's cough was a point of concern.

Ben and his buddy - Mr. Nebulizer

Anyway, so I'm grateful that Ben has a pedia-pulmonologist we can turn to.  At his age, he's still building up his immune system and trying to learn to express himself.  It's good that there's someone who knows what to look for and speak for him (Ben) before he feels worse.

Praying for everyone's good health.  Don't hesitate to see the doctor when needed.  Better to be safe than sorry

Why we bought our "super" coffee maker :)

For those who visited our home recently, you may have noticed our new coffee maker.  It's actually almost two months old now.  It's really cool.  It grinds the beans on its own and makes single serving drinks of black coffee or cappuccino.  We would usually say that we bought it because of Bry since he's the coffee drinker.  What most people don't know is one of the main reasons why we invested on it is because we love having visitors around.

The Latest Addition to the Tan Household :)

Simple enough reason, right? Almost everyone likes to have a cup of coffee and what better way to entertain visitors than to serve them a cup of a freshly brewed cappuccino?  But why do I love having visitors in the first place, well ... for one ... it means we get to spend time with our love ones without the stress of leaving the house.  Don't get me wrong, I love going out but you see, with a child around, leaving the house is not quite simple.  (Yes, even if you have a Yaya)  Our weekly Sunday breakfast which is about an hour usually takes as much time to prepare for.  There are a lot of things to consider every time we leave the house.  Where will Ben eat? How will he take his nap? Is the place we are going child-friendly? Do we need to bring toys or books? Does he have enough change of clothes? Will we bring yaya? If yes, how will yaya eat? What time will be we going home? ( For me, there are times when it is less stressful to bring yaya since I have to attend to her as well)  The list goes on and on and on .... whereas if we are at home, it's much simpler.  I know Ben can keep himself occupied in his playroom.  I know he naps better in our bed.  And as much as I know I can nurse him anywhere at anytime, I also know he is less distracted if we are in a quiet and familiar area.   Ok, so if going out with the little master is stressful, then why not leave him? Well, (1) we really don't want to leave him .. (2) We know family and friends want to see him and (3) Not bringing Ben = most probably bringing my pump - which is added luggage

Now with all those things in mind, being able to serve quality coffee  to love ones who decided to come to us to spare us the hassle of preparing to leave the house is the least we can do.  It's our way of showing our appreciation to those who made things a little easier for us.  Fellow mommies, you can somehow relate right? :)

Have a stress-free week ahead, everyone!

Breastfeeding when mommy is sick :(

It's finally August!!! HAPPY WORLD BREASTFEEDING MONTH!!!

I've been thinking about what to share as my first entry for the month and have decided to talk about my experiences breastfeeding while I wasn't feeling well.  Actually, I'm not yet 100% but am doing better thanks to the TLC of my boys.  Bry bought my medicines in the middle of the night and Ben was quite cooperative.   Anyway, here's hoping these tips might help.  Whenever I'm sick, I tell myself that better I'm the one and not Ben but lets face it, it's hard on the household regardless of whoever is "out of commission".

TIP # 1 Stay Calm
 We all get sick one time or another.  Even adult have the colds every now and then.  When we are calm and collected, we get to diagnose ourselves better and take a plan of action.  In my case, my weakness is my allergic rhinitis.  It's a bit funny because Ben has this too.  Knowing that my sniffles are due to my allergies help me figure out which treatment I can take while breastfeeding

TIP # 2 Yes, Nursing Moms, there are medicines that are safe for us
There are a lot of medicines that are safe for breastfeeding moms, especially in short-term dosages.  Paracetamol is one of them.  I learned this from fellow moms and eagerly shared this fact when I gave my breastfeeding testimonial at Medical City the other day.  The internet is a fairly good resource to find out if a certain medication is safe but of course, it is best to consult your doctor to be on the safe side.       

TIP # 3 Take precautions for your little one
If you have the sniffles, consider wearing a face mask.  Wash your hands before nursing.  This is also the reason why the earlier you treat your symptoms, the better. 

TIP # 4 Delegate your non-breastfeeding duties so you can rest
While I was sick, Bry was a superdad.  He played with Ben, bathe him  and took him to school.  I did my best to rest and save my energy for his feeding time.  Please take note that YOUR MILK SUPPLY IS AFFECTED WHEN YOU ARE SICK BUT IT WILL RETURN ONCE YOU FEEL BETTER so if you decide to pump and let someone else feed while you rest, do not be surprised if your yield is a little lower.

TIP # 5 Prevention is the best cure
Take vitamins, drink lots of fluids and watch what you eat.  Don't let yourself go outside on a rainy day without a jacket or umbrella.  Take Care of yourself the way you would take care of the rest of your family.  A healthy mom is a happy mom and a happy mom - a happy home.:)








 

Why shop at S & R?

I seldom go to S & R but just the other day, I went there with my mom and Ben for some shopping.  I tried to limit myself to buying things which are hard to find in other groceries so that I can somehow stick with our monthly budget.  Here are three of our family’s favorite things can easily be found at the said store.

For Me – Lindt Lindor Balls

Yes, I am a chocoholic!  I took away coffee in my diet every since I got pregnant until now that I am still breastfeeding, but I need my choco fix every now and then.  Lindt Lindor Balls are my personal favorite since they have the right sweetness and creaminess.  The red ones are milk chocolate but they have other varieties that tastes just as good.  Even their dark chocolate isn’t that bitter.  I recently found out that my brother likes them, too! He thought they were only available abroad but good thing S & R sells them here so my mom and I wouldn’t feel guilty for consuming his stash, hehe.

For Bry – Del Monte Original Orange 100 Juice

Bry is very particular with his juice, and this is one of the few brands that we both like.  I think he likes them because it is not too sweet so it tastes fresh compared to other brands.  It probably reminds him of his parents home, too since his mom would serve this drink over there.

For Ben – Huggies Disposable Swim Diapers

Is it just me or it hard to find swim diapers here in Manila? I ordered IPlay reusable swim diapers online but it is nice to have disposable ones as well.  Good thing my mother and sister in law found some in S&R, just in time for Ben’s swimming lessons.  They sell them in two sizes, medium and large.

So that’s it for our S & R shopping list.  Just wanted to share just in case you guys are also looking for these items, hehe :)

Happy Weekend!

Spreading the Word on Breastfeeding

"Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (July). For this month, we join the National Nutrition Council - Department of Health in celebrating Nutrition Month with the theme "Isulong ang Breastfeeding - Tama, Sapat at EKsklusibo!" Participants will share their experiences in promoting breastfeeding or their tips on how breastfeeding should be promoted. Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants."

Ever since I had Ben, I've been trying my best to promote breastfeeding to the people around me. It's a challenge to be passionate about a certain cause but at the same time, not be too pushy. Here are some of the things I've been trying to do to make my family and friends more informed about the benefits of breastfeeding.


To see is to believe!
For me, the best way for others to see how breastfeeding is advantageous to both mom and baby is to actually observe it themselves. Ben is a generally healthy kid and I give credit to breastfeeding for that. My aunts appreciate the fact that it's quite convenient for us to bring along in our impromptu shopping trips since I can nurse Ben anytime anywhere. My best friend gave me a dress with nursing access for my birthday because she knows it has became part of my wardrobe. I like showing how the choice to breastfeed can be made easy and fun.


Make you husband your ally
Bry and I knew nothing about breastfeeding before we had Ben, but I am happy to say that we're more informed now. Even so, there's still a lot to be learned about its benefits. I do my best to share with my husband whenever I find new trivia about the power of breast milk. Hopefully he'll spread the word to his fellow dads as well.


Be encouraging to fellow moms
I remember meeting a high school batch mate after so many years at a party. I noticed she was wearing a nursing top and I felt an instant connection with her. Corny, huh? But there's something about the experience of nursing that bonds moms, and who can best cheer you on during your breastfeeding blues than someone who has been there. I wouldn't be breastfeeding until now if it weren't for my mommy friends who were there to answer my calls and text 24/7 especially when Ben was still a newborn. This is why I get excited and feel honored whenever there is an opportunity for me to pay it forward. I do my best to be there for my love ones who are new moms and dads. I also had the chance to share my experiences with a group of soon-to-be parents and made sure I mention where to get the support they need. I really believe that having someone you can talk to really helps sustain breastfeeding.


You don't have to be a parent to be informed and involved
One doesn't have to be a parent to appreciate breastfeeding. Ben's yaya is now an advocate after being able to understand how it's like to take care of an exclusively breastfed baby. I also get to chat about it with the teachers and yayas from Ben's school. Whenever my single friends ask me about breastfeeding, I give them tidbits on how it's beneficial even for toddler and share them about my experience with my lactation consultant. Chances are they might know remember a thing or two when they have their own children or share what they know with someone who does.


You do not need to go very far to promote breastfeeding. The best place to start is with the people you interact with everyday. Personally, there are a lot of things that I can still be doing but more importantly, I'm hoping to become even more equipped with the proper information so that I can be a good resource. Aside from the various references I find online, I'm hoping to get proper training so that I'll be qualified to support moms. Wish me luck!!!

Do check out these entries from fellow bloggers :)

Three Ways I Promote Breastfeeding by Example by Dainty Mom

A Simple Breastfeeding Campaign by The Lazy Mama

I Am A Breastfeeding Mom by The Painter’s Wife

Why I Don’t Nurse in Breastfeeding Rooms by Legally Mom

The Low-Milk-Supply Mommy Did It! by The Odyssey of Dinna

Breastfeeding Promotion Tips from a Formula Feeder (Yes, you read that correctly…) by The Fearless Formula Feeder

On Promoting Breastfeeding by ImPerfectly Created

Milk Mama Diaries 3 by Mimma Benz

Breastfeeding Mama by canDIshhh

I *heart* Breastfeeding by The Mum Side

A Breastfeeding Formula-Fed Mother by Soprano Mom

Breastfeeding: Promoting It Even If I Didn’t Get Lucky The First Time Around by Glamma Momma

Taking Breastfeeding Further by Mec as a Mom

I am your breastfeeding friend by Changing Nappies in High Heels

"Thoughts of a LactatING Counselor: Breastfeeding is More of Psychology!  by Handy Mommy

Breastfeeding promotion - a view from a UK doctor by Good Enough Mom

More on Breastfeeding Promotion plus a Guest Post   by Chronicles of a Nursing Mom

W-u-r-r-w-u-r-r-w-u-r-r by Martha de Lusong hosted by Jen CC Tan's MomExchange (@next9baby)
Celebrating my Magic Milk by Denise Gonzales
Breastfeeding Sisters by Isis Evasco 

Ben at Explorations - An update

It has been a month since Ben started school and I’m quite glad that he and his cute classmates are settling well into their 2 hour schedule. Interested in what keeps the toddler busy? Here’s an idea of what their classes are like:

* Playing Outdoors – 25 minutes

* Wash-Up – 5 minutes

* Quiet Time / Nap time – 5 minutes ( believe me, getting 6 toddlers to sit still for even 5 seconds is no easy task)

* Work / Play Time (Painting, Building, Playing Pretend) – 45 minutes

* Circle Time (Greeting / Action Songs) - 5 minutes

* Preparation for Snack Time (Praying and Washing Up) - 5 minutes

* Snacktime - 20 minutes

* Storytime / Goodbye Song – 10 Minutes

It’s really nice how the kids are becoming more familiar with the routine. I enjoy seeing the things like praying and washing hands before eating. Ben has been spending a lot of time playing with the toy oven, pot and pans. Then there was one time, he got a baby doll and brought it to my chest (for me to nurse, I guess, haha!). He’s been quite rough with his girl classmates though, hmmm …. We’ve been trying to tell him to be gentle with your hands. Hopefully, he’ll do better in the coming months.

Battling Separation Anxiety

As Ben adjusts to going to school on his own, we still have to reach a point where I can leave him with his teachers and classmates for the whole session. Though we are in no rush, our goal is that he eventually becomes comfortable enough that he doesn't look for me during class time. Here are some tips I got from his school's newsletter that may help other parents as well. Good job, Explorations!

Make Goodbyes Short and Sweet
Be consistent, firm and loving when you say goodbye to your little one. Stay calm. As tempting it is may seem, don't rush back at the first sound of protest. Children will feel confident with the new adults if you show them that they are to be trusted by not checking up on them every few minutes.

Let them bring along something that reminds them of home
If allowed by the school, try having your child bring his/her favorite toy during the adjustment phase or have him carry along a family photo inside his pocket. Having something familiar in a new environment might give her/her a sense of comfort and become less cranky.

Help the new adult relate to your child
Provide "insider information" as to what your child likes might help those in school reach out to him/her. Are there certain keywords or signs that can help the teacher communicate to your child better? Maybe having the teacher read a familiar story might break the ice.


Thanks Teachers Giselle and Jinky for the insights :) Wish us luck with Ben at school tomorrow :)