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!

Another Layout and A Greeting

My head hurts the other day after finishing this layout for my sister. I saw the sun rising before I was finally able to close my eyes. I'm so glad that Jack Jack didn't bother me much that morning. The next day was June 12 (Independence Day - a regular holiday in the Philippines) so I called the printing office to verify if they are open. I was lucky enough to talk to one of them saying that they're closed for today but that he can wait for me. I think I stayed there for a good 30 minutes and the tarpaulin was done! Pretty fast, isn't it!

Oh, the tarpaulin is actually for her birthday. So, happy birthday to my bestest sister! I'm so excited for her to see this...

I miss digiscrapping. It eats a lot of time so I don't do it anymore unless I really need to. Like in Jack Jack's birthday.

Just a quick question, why does my kid like hitting me with anything and pulling my hair?

Another Walker

This is another walker used by Jack Jack only this time he can't be lazy and sit around while walking. He sometimes stumbles on it but he enjoys pushing it around. He can also ride on it. He sure will learn to drive soon!



Notice how he can almost walk on his own.

Jack Jack on Car Seat

I've been meaning to post this since 2 or 3 months ago that we changed his car seat. This is another car seat MIL sent for Jack Jack. He doesn't fit on the other one anymore as he is growing up so fast.

Jack Jack can sometimes sleep on his own while sitting on his chair. Unlike before, he sits at the back of the car now because he'd be blocking the right side mirror should he sit in front.

Bellyfest 2009

Despite the rain, the Bellyfest 2009 pushed through last Sunday. After all, the show must go on. No, I didn't join the recital. Not only do I not have enough money for it, I do not have enough time as well. It would require at least 2 hours of rehearsal every week which is just not possible.

Anyways, I'm happy to say that this year, I was able to watch the show. Unlike the last two years (2007 and 2008) of which I couldn't go.

We both enjoyed the show. Not to mention some of the steps were taught during the class so my Mom and I knew some of them.


Here's me and Jack Jack.


Here's my Mom and Jack Jack.


Check out my glitter tat!



A shot of Jack Jack wearing pants.

Jai Ho!

Another Look-A-Like Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

The other meter is here. Looks like Jack Jack's starting to look like me! Tee-hee!

The images were taken when we recently went to Tagaytay.

Driving Lessons

Car Sick

The other day, I took Portia and Rocky to the vet. This is the second time they went to the vet together. The first time was three weeks ago. We just got Rocky the night before and I wanted him checked and vaccinated. I took Portia along to have her checked also and her vaccines are about the expire as well but I was surprised to find out that Rocky's healthier than she is. While they gave Rocky his shots, Portia was prescribed with antibiotics and vitamins.

This recent visit to the vet, both were healthy and the shots we're given to them. I should take them back there after two weeks. My only problem is that Rocky's got motion sickness. I wasn't aware of that being possible with dogs but then Rocky is car sick. My heart was breaking on our way to the vet since he kept on salivating and crying at the backseat. He kept on making his way in front of the car but I just don't want him there as I am driving. I was thankful we got there safely and without any traffic incident but I was covered in Rocky's breakfast that morning.

Anyways, the way back home was better - except Portia who was dying of jealousy inside her carrier. Rocky layed on my lap while I was driving - still salivating - with his head on my left arm. He fell asleep on the later part of the trip. Awww...

Where Am I?

Breastfeeding vs. Lola

My Mom wanted to borrow Jack Jack overnight the other week. The problem was that there was not enough expressed milk that I could leave with her. Here goes our conversation:

Mama: Iwan mo na lang dito si Jack Jack. Babalik ka naman bukas, e.

Me: E, paano kapag nagutom sya?

Mama: Bibigyan ko na lang sya ng gatas ng kalabaw.

Me: "Hindi hayop ang anak ko." - (An excerpt from the Filipino breastfeeding commercial)

Was able to return home with Jack Jack. (*wink! wink!)

Fridge To Go

I wish, I wish! This I've added to my wish list. It's your cooler on the run. You just freeze the bag and you should be ready to use it when you leave the house. Stays cold up to 12 hours!

Playtex and Pigeon has one like this but it's too small for me. I know, I know. I don't leave the house so much but the other day I went to get my nails done, I was so engorged I needed to pump. So I did. And there I was, getting my nails done with the pump and bottle next to me (I was done pumping then). Afraid the milk will spoil if left in the car.

Jack Jack's Night Out

- October 23, 2008

Nursing in Public 2

In continuation of my post the other day, I'd like to post about where it is most "safe" to breastfeed while you are in public. I'm not saying you'd be shot out of breastfeeding but I'd like to say safe to have your boobies out own privacy even if you're away from home. It's difficult for me to nurse when I don't feel confident about myself or if I feel that somebody's watching and I'm pretty sure most mothers feel the same way too. I've heard several horror stories on public breastfeeding in the US and I'm so glad there's none of which here in Manila. Technically, nursing in public in other countries poses indecency issues with their law making it hard for breastfeeding mothers to go out without offering expressed milk in a bottle.

Nursing stations in malls. All SM Malls have nursing stations. I haven't been into any one of them so I couldn't really compare. I've only been to Rustan's Makati and it's fabulosity! The place was so cozy. I've heard that it's the best though. (*wink!)

Fitting rooms. Technically, you can ask the sales assistants in malls for this even if you're not buying. I haven't encountered anyone who refused me of this. One of them actually brought me a chair. Apparently, she was also a breastfeeding mom!

Restaurants. This is my favorite place. At least both me and Jack Jack get to eat! Yum!

Car. During Jack Jack's first few months, this is the only option I can think of on where to go should I need to nurse outside. It works so well for me since I always bring a car with me when I'm with Jack Jack. At least now I've got other options should I be commuting. I feel pretty much confident when in the car since I can have the privacy I want. The funny thing is when the car is moving. There's this tugging feeling ofcourse unless Jack Jack is in a sling.

Nursing in a Bus. Pretty cool, huh? Well, I haven't tried that but I've tried nursing in a car (see above). I'm pretty sure it's the same in any moving vehicle.

Now, don't be scared to nurse in public. Just be confident. They won't even know you're doing it unless you tell them you are. I am still on the verge of trying to breastfeed in a sling while walking. I'm just curious how it would feel. The problem is that Jack Jack is now hating anything on his face while nursing. Danger, danger!

Oooohh... I soo love breastfeeding. No bottles, no formula, no hot water to bring. Not to mention I'm 100% sure the milk is melamine free!

Milk Blister

I thought our breastfeeding challenges are over when I passed Jack Jack's 2 months. The other night I noticed that the half part of my right breast is as hard as a rock. I call them "yema". I massaged, nursed, hot showered, hot compressed, pumped and prayed but it never softened. It hurt so much that I couldn't burp Jack Jack in the upright position cause it felt like he was kicking my chest. Massaging it was even worse than my birth contractions (mind you that I have this really high pain tolerance!). Also, this isn't the normal breastfeeding pain.

I thought about asking help from The Breastfeeding Club but I said I would do my research first. My last resort would be to contact a lactation consultant which is a little bit of a challenge here in Manila. A breastfeeding advocate online asked me if I can see white spots. It looked pretty much like this. And no, that's not me in the picture! From there, I researched on milk blister. Some of the treatment includes using a needle which scared me. I tried the first treatment to have a hot compress and nurse the baby.

After having a hot shower, I brought Jack Jack in the room, dim the lights and propped up my pillows to nurse. The nursing hurt so much it feels like a vacuum cleaner is sucking it out of me! Sorry for the bluntness but it really felt that way. I'm happy to say after 5 minutes of gruelling pain, the lump is gone! Whew!

From now on, I would always carry my pump around so I would never miss emptying my breast.

Nursing In Public

With 5 1/2 months exclusively breastfeeding, I can't say exactly that I'm the expert when nursing in public. And really, I would prefer the privacy of my own home than doing it in public. But do I have a choice when we're out? Do I have to compromise Jack Jack's health by giving him formula when we're out? Or lock myself indoors until he weans? Hell no!

When it comes to breastfeeding, shame isn't in my dictionary. No, I don't flash my boobies ala Mardigras. I do cover myself up. I think hubby's the one who's more conscious when I do this in public. He's the one who would try to put layers and layers of fabric on me. He actually thinks the sling is a genius! Jack Jack doesn't like this though. He doesn't like anything on his face - feeding or not.

Truth is, nobody knows exactly what you're doing until you start being conscious. When I nurse in public, I try my best not to look at anybody else around me. Ofcourse, if someone takes the front row seats watching the show, I'd be charging!

Anyways, here are some tools you can use when nursing in public:

* Sling or nursing bib. I prefer the sling because it has many uses. I can carry the baby with it.
* Nursing Top. I have one and it seems helpful because it is built for nursing. Very expensive though.
* Tube top. I have 8 of this I guess. I put them inside any top you want. When nursing time comes, your stomach and the skin below your breasts would be covered. Any top can be a nursing top!
* Nursing Bra. Before giving birth, I only have 2 because I thought I wouldn't be able to use it. Currently, I have 6. I don't really like wearing them because it limits me to use tops that wouldn't show the bra strap. I don't have access to nursing bras that have slimmer straps, strapless or transparent straps. Urgh!



Images from Baby Blues.

Favorite Links

A tag from tracy.

Just copy paste THIS and everything below.I thought it would be cool to have a meme where we post links. We can post up to five. Then we tell five more people to share their links. If we all share who tagged us, our links are sure to be seen!They can be business links, favorite sites, affiliate links, whatever you want…

There are Five Rules:
1. MUST be clean. No R rated sites.
2. Only FIVE links.
3. MUST tell 5 people.
4. A link back to the person who tagged you
5. Lara's Place is the meme originator.

Five of my favorite Links:

1. GirlTALK - where most of my "great" ideas come from.
2. Kellymom: Breastfeeding and Parenting - I'm a first time breastfeeding mom so I get most breastfeeding facts here.
3. Clutter Control Freak - I'm a lazy person. Being organized keeps me up to my feet even with my laziness.
4. Baby Center - Need I say more?
5. Better Homes and Gardens - I'm an addict for home interior designs.

The rules for this are:
1. put a link to the person who tagged you ( see above )
2. mention the rules to each person you tag
3. mention 6 things about you
4. tag 6 other people and provide links to their blogs
5. leave comments on these peoples blogs to tell them they have been tagged :

6 things about me are:
1. I'm a SAHM.
2. I love traveling.
3. I love gadgets.
4. I'm a sucker for organization and yet it kills me that it doesn't always happen.
5. I can make babies fat.
6. I belly dance for fun.

Jack Jack's First Out Of Town Trip

Yep! We did it. An out of town trip with Jack Jack. I was so scared to forget his things and yet I am very careful not to overpack. It wasn't much of a hassle packing his things since I woud be directly breastfeeding him. No bottles needed here. My Mom wanted to go to Tagaytay so we tagged along to breath-in some fresh non-polluted high altitude air of Cavite. Looks like Jack Jack likes the cold weather up there:



We stopped by Ilog Maria for some self-pampering items. Then at Leslie's for dinner. The next day we went to Bag of Beans, Caleruega (to hear mass) and Sonya's Garden. I have created some slides of our pictures:

Here's our latest family picture:

The New Seating

One of the things hubby and I enjoy most is traveling. For me, that includes driving around. Well, I don't just drive around going nowhere. I meant to say that I kind of enjoy driving. Before Jack Jack, I wouldn't care where anybody would sit. And I would count the number of passengers to be 5. Now, I can only drive for 4 persons if Jack Jack is coming along. 2 with Jack Jack and Portia and 1 with hubby, Jack Jack and Portia.

Remember Jack Jack's seat? I moved him to seat up front. This makes him more accessible to me when I'm driving. Hubby sits at the back of Jack Jack's new seat - making us both able to reach for him when he needs something. Actually, the best part of the new seat is Papa's old massager. I never got to remove it from the pickup since I do not have anywhere to move it to. Now, when we're out and about, I put Jack Jack on this seat, turn on the massager and voila! He'd be sleeping in a jiffy!



What a wonderful thing! Maybe we should go for a ride when he doesn't feel like sleeping at night?

How Do I Drive?

Your Driving Is is: 75% Male, 25% Female

According to studies, you generally drive like a typical male. You're confident in your driving skills, and hardly any situation gets the better of you. And while you may have a few tickets under your belt, you're still a very good driver.

Do You Drive Like a Guy or a Girl?

My Rear View Mirror

Two weeks after giving birth, I was already driving. Not that I couldn't stay at home for long but I needed to do some errands at the time. I noticed something different about my driving since then - it was slower. Goodbye Nascar! I also noticed that rear view mirrors are useless in cars (remember cargo truck drivers doesn't have them?) - except for this.



I can't be sure if it is anything helpful in checking Jack Jack's condition at the back because I find it is distracting my driving. Maybe I should just move the car seat in front?

Oh well, here's another picture of Jack Jack sleeping and holding up his shoes in his car seat on our way to Tagaytay last weekend.



Baby, the shoes aren't going anywhere without you!