The Breast is Best

Breastfeeding has always been the best option for babies since life was created by God. 

It's not just because it's natural and saves us from formula milk expenses, it's the healthiest option giving our babies the needed antibodies to combat diseases. 

Breastfed babies are also known to be healthier and it's also the best bond between a mother and child.

For moms (like me) who are working full time, as much as we would want to breastfeed our babies the entire day, we simply can't. 

For Them Little Boys

I never had a hard time buying stuff for my little girl as there are A LOT of choices. The hard part was keeping myself from buying! 

But when it comes to baby boys, there aren't so many choices specifically when it comes to clothing.

I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a cute multiply shop which I've recently just revisited. 

MYOH 2010!

I wasn't able to attend the previous events because I was usually working and didn't have the strength anymore to go through a big crowd of Havaianas enthusiasts.

But I do love Havaianas! They're the most comfy flipflops and I never had any allergies using them. I usually get allergies from rubber flip flops, but these are special. 

I have 5 solid pairs and 1 printed pair, a mix of slim and top designs. 

My daughter recently got the hand of wearing flip flops so she now has 2 pairs. ☺

Sossy Siopao! :)

Well, it's actually affordable! But the fact that they offer so many flavors aside from your usual Bola-bola and Asado makes GOURMET PAO so great!

Brainchild of Mikaela Martinez, who is a mom of 2 but still an active model (you won't even know she's already a mom!)

They have several flavors to choose from but my daughter and I's favorite is Bacon and Cheese! :) 

Support Group - LATCH INC.

I'm happy that my pedia, Dr. Cris Bernardo supports breastfeeding and even helps plan out a feeding plan. She's quite nice and do HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER TO ALL MOMS and DADS still in search for a pediatrician.

I'll post her details soon here on another blog post.

When I moved back to Manila, I was no longer breastfeeding. But I did plan to join this wonderful group because I have vowed to breastfeed again once I have another baby.

 

They are a great support group who charges only minimal fees from Breastfeeding workshops, Hospital or Home visits, Phone/Text/Email support, Pre and Post Partum One on One classes and other tools to help you breastfeed and bond with your baby with ease!

Check out LATCH's counselor profiles HERE

You may also contact them HERE

SO WHY BREASTFEED?

Below are great resources you can read:

Breastmilk Jump-Starts Baby's Immune System

Breastfeeding might Reduce Risk of Developing Diabetes

Fewer Allergies 

Check out the rest of the resources at http://www.breastfeeding.com

Are you a working mom and need the right tools?  read my previous blog entry HERE

:) 

Breast Feeding for the Working Mom

Since I decided to stick to my plan of really breastfeeding, I didn't care to buy bottles just yet until I remembered that I would need to go back to work after 2 months.

It's heartbreaking!

I took a year off to make sure my eldest was properly taken cared off and I was able to breastfeed for 6 months.

I'm hoping I could do the same for my little boy, who I'll meet next month! (So excited).

So thankful that there are already a lot of products available here for on the go moms like me, I've created a list of the things I saw online (most of which I'm wanting to buy soon):
 

Feeding Bottles

I'm looking at the ones which will resemble natural feeding of course. Babies can be quite choosy.

Top of my list:

1. Tommee Tippee

Their Closer to Nature Bottles are not only cute but also have the following features:

• Nipple mimics natural feel, flex and movement of breastfeeding
• Allows for easy transition between breast and bottle
• Wide neck nipple for easier latch on
• Anti-colic, anti-gas, advanced easi-vent™ valve
• BPA & Phthalate Free
• Graduations in mls and ounces
• Hygiene Cap seals the nipple for travel

Although they can be quite pricey at almost $8 each or around Php300+ each for a 5 oz bottle. But here it's Php449 aty SM Baby Co.

I'm planning to get 2 and try for my little one. If he "approves", then I'll get more.

QUICK SAVING TIP: Remember mommies, you don't need to buy everything all at the same time! Buy in pairs or three's first for these types of things to avoid spending too much on things you might not be able to use later on.

2. Adiri Natural Nurser

The design is quite nice as well plus it has unique Fill, Twist and Feed System. :)

"The Adiri™ Natural Nurser™ Ultimate Baby Bottle is soft, safe and simple. With an easy to use and dishwasher safe Fill, Twist and Feed™ system, the only nipple truly shaped like a mother's breast, soft polycarbonate-free and bisphenol-A free materials, and a unique Petal™ vent that helps reduce colic, the Adiri Natural Nurser enables the ultimate safe bottle feeding experience."

I haven't seen these in malls yet (or maybe some specialty shops have them already). I have encountered online sellers though selling these for Php2,980 (3 pack, multi stage nursers).  Pretty expensive than your normal bottles but if it's going to last longer and make it easier to keep baby nursing from the breast and bottle (and vice versa), then it's worth the investment.

3. Nuby Natural Touch Softflex

Another option I'm looking at is Nuby

Polypropylene Bottle With Slow Flow Silicone Teats

• SLOW FLOW teats, perfect for newborns
• BPA FREE 100% Bisphenol A free and keeping your baby safe

Price at Php319.75, from Youjiandme.com (they also have other cool baby items specifically from abroad made available in various retail outlets here in the Philippines).

4. Milk Trays by Sensible Lines via Indigo baby

Since I already have my Pigeon electric breast pump, all I need to do is look great storage for the milk I'll be leaving for my little one. 

I don't like storing them in bottles or regular plastic disposable zips (Yey for the environment!)

I found this from indigomanila.multiply.com 

Php1365 for a set of 2 trays 

Milk trays are made from flexible Bisphenol-A FREE plastic and durable enough for the freezer. Notable attributes of the Milk Trays:

-Bisphenol- A FREE
-Sixteen 1 oz. cavities
-1 oz. frozen Milk Sticks will fit through ALL bottle openings (even if it is 4 oz., 9 oz., narrow, wide-mouth, or bent-neck bottle)
-A lid to block out freezer burn and eliminate smells from other items in the freezer
-Reusable - stop continously spending money on nurser bags!
-Slim in size to fit any freezer to ensure ample room for other frozen foods

Milk Trays are not ice cube trays with lids. They are a better choice for freezing breastmilk

-Patented design specifically for breast milk
-Exact measurement of 1 oz. Milk Sticks
-Versatile shape - fit through all bottle openings
-Very flexible and absolutely reusable

Milk Trays (breast milk storage trays) are used to freeze expressed breast milk, not actually store breast milk. Breastfeeding/pumping mothers will pump their breast milk into the bottles that come with the breast pumps and then pour that expressed breast milk into their Milk Trays. This will then freeze it into the one-ounce servings and patented shape that will fit into any bottle opening in just a few short hours. Once frozen mothers will then "pop out" their one-ounce Milk Sticks and store them in freezer safe zip lock bags (easily found in every kitchen) until ready to use. Now the trays can be reused for the next round(s) of pumping.

Freezing expressed breast milk this way allows for more room in the freezer by allowing mothers to place as many ounces as they want (usually over a two week span) into one bag. Since the one-ounce Milk Sticks are already frozen they remain separated in the bag allowing mothers to remove only the ounces needed for that bottle at that time. Also in one-ounce servings breast milk freezes faster minimizing the amount of nutrients lost during the freezing process. Freezer safe zip lock bags are safe to hold frozen food products like breast milk remember the milk is already frozen! It is safe to touch the frozen breast milk as long as hands are washed prior to touching the milk.

Let’s face it, breast pumping is hard! Babies know how to get feed better than we can pump. However since women make up over 46% of the work force, mothers wanting to continue working and breast feeding have to pump and store their breast milk. Breast pumping requires dedication and patience not to mention staying hydrated and well rested! What mother can achieve all that?

Since mothers don’t want to have hundreds of barely filled nurser bags in their freezer they tend to pour four to eight ounces into each bag. The entire bag must be thawed and since breast milk cannot be refrozen once thawed (even warming then cooling then warming again is also a "no-no" because of early spoiling and even more destruction of valuable nutrients) usually several ounces get thrown away. Think about that for a moment - several ounces thrown away - that can really add up over time.

As recommended by many notable organizations, the bext way of freezing and storing expressed breastmilk:

-At room temperature between 4-6 hours in an air-tight container
-In a refrigerator between 4-8 days in an air-tight container
-In a separate freezer 6-12 months in a feezer-safe container
-Hard sided plastic containers with well-fitting tops
-Recommended to freeze in small quantities (1-2 oz.)

Made in the USA

Invented by breastfeeding working mothers.

Milk Trays can handle all the problems that working/breastfeeding mothers face while staying true to the environment.

Visit www.sensiblelines.com

5. Lansinoh HPA Lanolin

If you're a first time mom, don't give up when it get painful to breastfeed. There are always solutions and aids to help you. Remember that you are not doing it to save on formula (but really, you do SAVE on formula) but it gives your child all the antibodies he/she needs to fight off diseases!

Lanolin Soothes sore nipples from regular breastfeeding and Lansinoh has a great product which is safe to use as well!

• Soothes, heals and protects sore cracked nipples
• Does not need to be removed prior to breastfeeding
• Patented refining process means Lansinoh HPA Lanolin is the world's purest lanolin
• Contains no preservatives or additives of any kind
• #1 selling nipple cream in the US

I'm not sure if local department store have these but I got mine from the states through a great friend. But I've seen several multiply and ebay sellers offer this. Usually it goes around for Php500-650.

6. Bottle Warmer

I've got no particular brand in mind as of yet. But thinking that I'll be leaving breastmilk stored and frozen, I'm not too keen on microwaving the bottles or melting them in another container (to avoid contamination). 

So while I was surfing, I was thinking of getting a bottle warmer to warm up the breastmilk sticks (if I decide to use the milk trays) plus I'm assured the temp will be just right.

To name a few I've seen brands like Chicco, Avent/Philips, The First Years to name a few. Prices usually start off at Php2,000 going up to Php4,000.

Yes, pricey, I know. So if you're getting this, might as well make the most of it by using it to warm baby food too. :)

 
 Tommee Teppee from SM Baby Co at Php3,400+ (Food and Bottle Warmer)

Note:

- Make sure products are BPA-FREE (It pays to be safe!)

- If buying from abroad or from online sellers, check that any electronic items are 220v otherwise, buy a transformer first (Check out your local hardware store - they start at Php300+ each for 110V-220V conversion)

:)

Crib Update

I'm so excited! 

My dad will get the crib for the baby on the week of the 18th and the maker assured us it would look exactly like this with a few adjustments I made with the railing.

I wanted the front railing to fold into 2 so I can just have one height for the mattress base (more secure for me as I'll be using this as a day-bed or toddler bed later on)

Made from solid wood with natural finish same as in the picture.

I can't wait! 

All I need to do is buy a 52 x 28 mattress at the department store and the bedding set as well.

I've already bought cute fabric so I can make fitted sheets and bumpers (Yes, I will attempt to be crafty once more!)

Will post pics as soon as it arrives!

New Toy For a Busy Mom

After waiting for a month or so I was finally able to get my new toy!

First off, I was highly satisfied with my HTC Touch Viva, being able to surf via WIFI and GPRS, email here and there. But having to run after a 3-year-old or lug stuff around and text using a touch screen all at the same time was a little bit harder. 

When the QWERTY phone revolution came in, I was immediately interested. 

First, I bought a dual sim card capable unit  which was Blackberry like china phone to house my corporate and business numbers so I won't have to carry 3 phones in total. It was pretty sleek and for the features and price, all was worth it (It had Wifi too).

Then my supplier told me that she'll be having 2 limited edition Blackberry Curve 8520s in White. I was so excited. So finally, I gave in and reserved the unit and sold my HTC phone (as I've said, I'm practical, there's no use in keeping too many phones).

Then finally, I got it, I was so happy!

I was opting or a BB 9700 but I found it too bulky and seriously executive like. I just really wanted the features and the mobility and since I don't rely on the phone's camera, I decided to stick with the Curve.

Upon getting the gadget, I phoned Globe immediately and inquired about their BB plans. I initially just wanted to get the 700 plan on top of my current subscription but accounting that it's quite limited and for an additional 500 a month for the Supersurf Unlimited Plan, I opted to try the 1200 first.

Globe Supersurf for BB Plans:

700 - has 6 month lock-in period

1200 - no lock-in period, cancel and re-activated any time

• Rate will be on top of your existing plan
• You must be able to have your plan + add-on services within your given credit limit (default is usually 2500 for plans 800 and up and 1500 for plan 500). 
• If you go over the credit limit you need to request for a credit limit upgrade and present the following:
• 1 Valid ID
• 1 month Payslip or Copy of front and back of your Credit Card with at least 20k limit
• Letter of stating details of your plan (account number, mobile number), current limit and new credit limit request (how much you want to apply for)
• You can fax, email or bring the requirements to any globe business center (I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU GO TO A BUSINESS CENTER!)

Initially, I thought the process will be quite easy, but it turned out to be a complete nightmare dealing with customer reps over the phone having to state your information over and over again plus the emails that you have to reply to over and over again as well! (note: 80% of the customer reps were quite helpful, I guess it was their system)

So after 3 days of no service update, I went to Globe in Glorietta and asked for after sales assistance.

It turns out that my plan 1200+499 (superduo)+1200 (bb supersurf) exceeded the default credit limit I had of Php2,500. So I had to submit documents which I actually did via Fax and Email 3 days before I went there and was the root of all the frustration that made me drag myself (my big pregnant self) to Glorietta because that establishment has NEVER failed me (except for the guard on duty who gives wrong number allocations for the wrong departments! Sorry manong but you had me wait for am hour!)

So once I go to talk to the after sales rep, I explained my frustration and she checked on my account. No buts, ifs, waiting time and in less than 5 minutes, she handed me a paper to sign and activated my subscription. She even saw all the emails and fax details I sent and didn't ask me to give copies of my requirements!

My Blackberry Supersurf Plan was activated within an hour! Awesome! 

So a very very BIG THANKS to Ms. Joanne Garcia of Globe Glorietta Business center, YOU ROCK!

So after getting my service up I registered at http://globe.blackberry.com and placed in my 2 main emails and will be placing in my work email as soon as I get the settings next week from our IT. I think you can place as many as 10.

I activated my BB messenger and instantly connected with friends here and abroad. So convenient, you're not only getting unlimited internet access which a breeze to use and pretty much better than regular phone browsers with the BB's built in browser or Opera Mini, you get unlimited messaging capabilities via BBM, YM, MSN, GTalk, etc.

Tweet all you want via UberTwitter or Twixtreme.

Download free applications via Blackberry Apps or other third party providers. I downloaded the BB Bible and My Tube, Flickr and Mini Paint.

You can read MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel Files too. I'm still searching for a PDF reader.

I was able to download a cute Hello Kitty theme with Zebra background. Pretty chic and my daughter loves it.

Got a free screen protectr and clear jelly case from my supplier too and my pink Halo pouch. Now I'm all set and my phone is childproof! hehe

The camera's pretty nice and the screen's resolution is quite ok, despite reviews you see that it's not as good as the other BB phones in terms of screen resolution, I think it's pretty sharp compared to other phones.

The trackpad is so much better than a trackball and the fact that my BB is white makes it smudges and fingerprints less obvious!

Over-all, if you are looking at added mobility without toting a laptop around all the time, get a blackberry. :)

If you already have one and want to chat about parenting, gadgets, shopping and reviews, add me up on twitter: mommygtm or BBM 21A79F4E