Breastfeeding Tips

I missed blogging about breastfeeding. Since a friend has just given birth and 4 more are on the way, I'm dedicating this post to them. If you have a problem with nudity, don't bother watching the videos.



- If you wish to unlatch, you can either use your smallest finger to push his jaw down to break the suction or cover his nose with one finger. Do not pull the baby as this will result to sore nipples.

- Cleaning your nipples once a day or taking a bath should be enough. Cleaning your nipples more than this would dry it resulting to sore nipples. Nipples has its natural oils that moisturizes the nipple area. Thus, cleaning will strip this oils away.



- If you're building a milk supply before you go back to work, you can also pump your other breast while the baby is nursing. Your let down would be much faster since the baby is suckling on your other breast.

- Relax or look at your baby's picture or video while pumping away from baby. This will help you with the let-down.

The additional tips above are from personal and friend's experiences that I never get to read online or on books. For more information on breastfeeding, visit the kellymom website.

UPDATE: There's now 5 on the way!!! Congratulations!

The A(H1N1) scare

Who's not scared anyways? Currently, this has been the talk of the town since the flu has spread exponentially here in the Philippines. It's not even a month since they found one who got sick from it and look at how many people infected already.

You will think how it has spread so fast in so little time but I guess just like in any situation information is your best weapon. Thus, with my online best friend, Google, I searched for something that has the complete information.

I found a booklet over at The D Spot which appears complete to me without my ears or nose bleeding from any medical jargons. The booklet originally came from UN and it's like the A(H1N1) for Dummies book. Hehe!

I'm scared for Jack Jack if any of us in the house would be infected by the flu. Lately, we've stocked on vitamins and I went back to taking my Natalac capsules. Mind you that Natalac is not only for lactation purposes but for stocking up on Iron as well. You can download the booklet from clicking the image above.

If you are encountering errors from the download, just let me know.

Regular Poop

Here's our new boss...



Actually, I would normally give Jack Jack a massage when he misses a scheduled poop. He would usually poop once or twice a day. I do not enjoy diaper changing like before but if he misses one, it isn't really a good sign. The massage would be on his stomach using my thumb in a clockwise direction.

Another way to encourage bowel movement for him is to exercise his legs. With Jack Jack lying on his back, I would raise his legs alternately - like he is riding a bicycle.

If none of these work, I would give him prune juice. I hate how this tastes that's why it is the last thing I try.

Recently, I do not have any problems with his BM except that he would usually wake me up in the morning sitting on my face with a funny smell. Guess what that means?

Medela Freestyle

If I would name one thing in the world that I am most proud about, that would be my breastfeeding Jack Jack. It isn't easy at first but once you get the hang of it, it will be just like a walk in the park. It always gets better.

It will be much, much better though if I can get my hands on the best breastpump available. For me, it's the Freestyle. I love gadgets especially when it makes your life soooo easy. I haven't tried it (though I'd love to) so I couldn't give a hands-on review on it. Here's the most detailed hands-on review I found over the internet.

I keep on saying that I want this pump but it's just not feasible for my situation. Firstly, I work part-time at home and most of the time I'm a Mom. Since I spend most of my time at home, Jack Jack is usually available to nurse directly from me. I still pump at home when I need to store milk. I am currently using the Medela Swing Breastpump which is pretty much the best (for me) single electric breastpump. However, when I go out and I need to express milk, using a single breastpump takes too long to empty my breasts. Not to mention that I have to drag along 4 AA batteries for the pump - it's kind of heavy.

The pump, of course, costs a lot if you would compare it with other pumps. Thus, if I were to buy this pump, I'd need to save all of my earnings.

Or maybe I'd buy this in another life, perhaps. Darn...

Top 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Jack Jack

During my pregnancy, I read anything and everything about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, childcare and parenting. I am very thankful that I have been blessed to have access of the internet and came to know people from GirlTalk. Not only that I have real people to ask questions to but also ask support from and not just books that will dictate every information. With that said, I thought I knew everything. Now, that he's a year old, I've listed the top 10 things I wish I knew before I had Jack Jack:

10. That I will never be able to have a straight 12 hours of sleep. Remember my birthday wish last year? Well, I guess it's never going to happen now. This is even worst than having 4 presentations in one day back in college. Although this time, the reward is better than a 1.0 grade.

9. That it hurts to pee and it's scary to poop for the first time after a normal delivery. Need I say more?

8. How to burp a baby. Believe it or not, I'm still not sure whether I'm doing the right thing when it comes to burping. I am just thankful that that phase has been done and over with.

7. That you need to moisturize every part of your body that expands during pregnancy. I used Tummy Honey on my tummy to prevent the stretchies since it says tummy. But after giving birth, I had stretchies on my hips. And yes it's really true! Prevention is better than cure. Huhuhu!

6. That a double electric breastpump would be much better for me even if I'd be SAHM. I thought I wouldn't have any milk (the usual mistake especially that I am flat chested) so I initially bought the Playtex Manual pump. Then after giving birth, I ordered the Medela Swing Breastpump which is another mistake. I should have bought PISA. Freestyle wasn't out in the market yet. Sorry for talking giberish.

5. That I'd feel completely miserable if Jack Jack does not sleep beside me for one night. I was so glad when my Mom agreed that Jack Jack would sleepover their house. Later on, I wanted to change my mind but I can't. Leaving me and hubby feeling terrible having a completely quiet room that night.

4. That there is no such thing as a Super Mom. I can never be around Jack Jack 24/7. Yes, I spend most of my time in the house but I still need to take a bath, right?

3. The house will never be squeaky clean without help. I used to tell hubby that we do not need help since it's just us and I can definitely do housework but then read #4 above. Then the househelp left us when Jack Jack reached his third month. If it's difficult to take a bath, what housework can I do?

2. That going out wouldn't be a breeze. Before I gave birth, I can easily jump in the shower and go out. Now, I have to prepare Jack Jack as well. And it's not only bathing, his bag, which would be bigger than yours will need to be packed. As in packed completely. If you can leave the house without a comb, you cannot leave the house without a change of clothing, diapers, diaper cream, wipes, etc.

And lastly,

1. That there is another person on earth that would make you cry. I rarely cry. Maybe my eyes are dry but there are just so few instances that I cry. Sometimes even in funerals, I do not cry. But with Jack Jack, he just woke up the other night calling me (Mama) and my eyes are watery.

I'm pretty sure Mom's out there would have a thing or two to add. Feel free to let me know.

Eating Habits

Jack Jack's first food is still breastmilk. On top of that, he's learning to eat solid foods (banana, potato, carrots and sweet potato). I give him water after that. At, 8 kg., he's growing up really fast! He can even pass as a 1 year old with his size!