By Tatin Yang
Philippine Daily Inquirer
07/07/2010
Ditch the guesswork with these helpful online resources
MY MOM’S GUIDE TO raising us kids were an old, battered copy of Dr. Spock’s “Baby and Child Care” (the pediatrician, not the pointy-eared Star Trek commander), plus hand-me-down advice from her mom and other parents, the occasional article in Good Housekeeping or Redbook, even the example of TV moms in popular shows.
I was my mother’s guinea pig for various discipline techniques. I got spanked in the rump, which stopped when a more benevolent parenting style became popular in the early ’90s. I was asked to “stand in the corner and face the wall,” per the recommendation of one of her friends (this lasted all of five minutes, when she realized she needed me to run up the stairs to fetch her eyeglasses), and the grounding, no-telephone combo.
Nowadays, parenting has become another hot topic on the Web, and it’s easy for a new parent or a parent new to the Internet to become overwhelmed with all the information available.
Here are some helpful online resources parents should keep on their radar:
1. Real Simple
(www.realsimple.com)
Real Simple lives up to its name by keeping its material elegantly simple, sensible and, most of all, easy to live by. Get insights on family life, tips on how to handle finances, home organization, pet care and general guidelines on smart day-to-day living.
2. Ohdeedoh
(www.ohdeedoh.com)
Having children doesn’t mean having to live with messy, crayoned, stickered walls. You can have your kids and their trappings jive with your preferred aesthetic with the help of Ohdeedoh’s design-centric site. Learn how to brighten up your child’s room and decorate it in a way that appeals to your child’s whimsy, and yet will let him or her grow into it as a teen (read: more classic patterns, less Winnie the Pooh frolicking on the walls). Ohdeedoh also contains practical and timely entries on mixing technology with parenting, toys for tots and even nice DIY tips for a kid-friendly abode.
3. Motherlode: Adventures in Parenting
(http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com)
A blog run by New York Times contributing writer Lisa Belkin, this site contains articles on the hilarious side of parenting. Belkin offers anecdotes and tidbits of media found all over the Net, like a list of sentences a mother says often—to the tune of William Tell’s Overture. She also tackles topics such as teens being exposed to alcohol, teaching kids manners, breastfeeding in public and other empathetic stories any parent of any age can relate to.
4. Plugged in Parents
(http://pluggedinparents.com)
This online resource, run mostly by Dr. Hillary, a nurse practitioner, and her other team of experts, brush up on the practical side of parenting, covering a wide umbrella of topics ranging from nutrition, entertainment for kids, coping in school to child safety. Hillary’s background as pediatric nurse practitioner (a growing trend in American healthcare) is helpful as her tips are backed up by her professional expertise. You can even consult her on concerns that haven’t been addressed in her site, as well as connect to other blogs by moms.
5. Smart Parenting
(http://www.smartparenting.com.ph)
This homegrown online companion to Smart Parenting magazine is chock-full of topics young parents concern themselves with, from health issues brought about by pregnancy to child-rearing guides and tips. Reports on the latest kiddie products are also very helpful, as they cite mostly readily available local shopping sources and kid-friendly places and activities to try out in the metro.
You can also join and get in touch with other moms in Smart Parenting’s forum community, and get tips on how popular celebrity moms deal with motherhood.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
How raising children helps parents become more mature
By Marina Benipayo
Philippine Daily Inquirer04/21/2010
CHILDREN ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES who grow. Parents do, too.
Mark and I were talking one night about what he would want to take up in college. He started counting the years, paused and then asked, “Mamma, when you think of all these years that we’re together, how do you feel?”
I looked at him and said, “I’m proud, Mark. Proud of you and Joshua; not only because of what you both have grown to become, but because of what I have become because of you.” Mark smiled and said, “I love you, mom!” When he left the room, what just happened made me think of how, although we emphasize the value of the love we give our kids, we every so often overlook the fact that they are instrumental to our own maturity as well.
We have, in all our existence, known that our own experiences with our parents had an impact on how we have become adults. Whether it is filled with good and not-so-good memories, we will always see some parts of our parents in us. It could manifest in our behavior, gesture, the way we talk, walk, decide and live. On the same level as actions, a large factor comes from what our parents used to say to us. Even the way or manner in which a thought is said has long-term impact.
I have heard of some parents who, when asked a question by their children, would reply, “What kind of a question is that?” or “That’s a stupid question.” Some would even retort, “You don’t know?” These types of replies apparently would make the child think that he is either dumb or really ignorant. So do we want that to stay in their young minds?
Being a parent does not only give us the responsibility of giving our child his/her basic needs. We have to push and go far beyond what is expected of us. We nourish not only their stomachs and minds, but also their souls.
If you come to a point that you start asking yourself, “What about my own needs?” because you may happen to be either overly stressed, tired and left out from the rest of the world, look at your child or children now. I know it sounds cliché, but they are all you need. You may have forgotten, but despite their sometimes seemingly strange and outrageous personalities, they ARE your reasons for living. You work to make them live as comfortably as you could afford. When they’re happy, you become happy. When they tell you they have learned something new, it is because you have instilled openness in their minds, which allowed them to learn. Their achievements are your achievements, too. It goes back to you.
But of course with that openness, they also get to explore other new things which you had wished they never have found out. You enter into that “arena” with them, be with them, understand as well and explain to them in their own level of understanding why this or that would probably be generally wrong or morally off limits. Then listen to their thoughts.
Secret stuff
I have always told Mark and Joshua that as they grow up, they will be seeing more and more of the world which they thought was all perfect. If they hear or see or notice something of which they are curious to know, just let me know and we’ll talk about it. Anything from the absurdly simple thing to even the ones which they think I wouldn’t even know of. This so I could learn it with them. When they ask me why they need to tell me even the “secret stuff,” I’d answer, “It’s like going to battle knowing which weapons are available for you to use. As your mom, I don’t think I’d be comfortable sending you off to that battle without you knowing your gear. Let us look at the options. You choose.”
Let’s be brave enough to accept that although we cannot control our kids’ minds, the best we could do is continually remind them that we will always be there when they need us. For in as much as we help our kids build their character, we strengthen ours. And it could be exactly for that reason that our kids will decide to do what is right.
Let us take as much time as we could to cherish watching our kids grow into their own individual self. Hold their hands more than holding them back. Connect more than correct. Hug more than tug. Talk more than shout. Let us not take them for granted because they are just nearby. We have seen many movies and real-life stories about parents who fail to give their kids much attention in their younger years and have grown old only to realize they have missed living the essence of their lives. Their children grow up distant from them; not because of lack of love, but the ignorance of how it feels.
Give it all you’ve got while you can, and everything else in your life will follow smoothly. Test yourself even more and you learn to be more tolerant, more understanding, more learned. You will notice that even the most stressful things in your own life such as relationships, work, or the lack of income will encourage you more to persevere. There will also come a time when we won’t even think of what we do for our kids as responsibility, but a privilege as well. This is what Mark and Joshua have done for me.
Looking forward, when they have their own nests; and me with my empty one, I shall still expect myself to continue to grow more. Our growing doesn’t stop until we allow it to and it could be the best choice we could ever make.
Philippine Daily Inquirer04/21/2010
CHILDREN ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES who grow. Parents do, too.
Mark and I were talking one night about what he would want to take up in college. He started counting the years, paused and then asked, “Mamma, when you think of all these years that we’re together, how do you feel?”
I looked at him and said, “I’m proud, Mark. Proud of you and Joshua; not only because of what you both have grown to become, but because of what I have become because of you.” Mark smiled and said, “I love you, mom!” When he left the room, what just happened made me think of how, although we emphasize the value of the love we give our kids, we every so often overlook the fact that they are instrumental to our own maturity as well.
We have, in all our existence, known that our own experiences with our parents had an impact on how we have become adults. Whether it is filled with good and not-so-good memories, we will always see some parts of our parents in us. It could manifest in our behavior, gesture, the way we talk, walk, decide and live. On the same level as actions, a large factor comes from what our parents used to say to us. Even the way or manner in which a thought is said has long-term impact.
I have heard of some parents who, when asked a question by their children, would reply, “What kind of a question is that?” or “That’s a stupid question.” Some would even retort, “You don’t know?” These types of replies apparently would make the child think that he is either dumb or really ignorant. So do we want that to stay in their young minds?
Being a parent does not only give us the responsibility of giving our child his/her basic needs. We have to push and go far beyond what is expected of us. We nourish not only their stomachs and minds, but also their souls.
If you come to a point that you start asking yourself, “What about my own needs?” because you may happen to be either overly stressed, tired and left out from the rest of the world, look at your child or children now. I know it sounds cliché, but they are all you need. You may have forgotten, but despite their sometimes seemingly strange and outrageous personalities, they ARE your reasons for living. You work to make them live as comfortably as you could afford. When they’re happy, you become happy. When they tell you they have learned something new, it is because you have instilled openness in their minds, which allowed them to learn. Their achievements are your achievements, too. It goes back to you.
But of course with that openness, they also get to explore other new things which you had wished they never have found out. You enter into that “arena” with them, be with them, understand as well and explain to them in their own level of understanding why this or that would probably be generally wrong or morally off limits. Then listen to their thoughts.
Secret stuff
I have always told Mark and Joshua that as they grow up, they will be seeing more and more of the world which they thought was all perfect. If they hear or see or notice something of which they are curious to know, just let me know and we’ll talk about it. Anything from the absurdly simple thing to even the ones which they think I wouldn’t even know of. This so I could learn it with them. When they ask me why they need to tell me even the “secret stuff,” I’d answer, “It’s like going to battle knowing which weapons are available for you to use. As your mom, I don’t think I’d be comfortable sending you off to that battle without you knowing your gear. Let us look at the options. You choose.”
Let’s be brave enough to accept that although we cannot control our kids’ minds, the best we could do is continually remind them that we will always be there when they need us. For in as much as we help our kids build their character, we strengthen ours. And it could be exactly for that reason that our kids will decide to do what is right.
Let us take as much time as we could to cherish watching our kids grow into their own individual self. Hold their hands more than holding them back. Connect more than correct. Hug more than tug. Talk more than shout. Let us not take them for granted because they are just nearby. We have seen many movies and real-life stories about parents who fail to give their kids much attention in their younger years and have grown old only to realize they have missed living the essence of their lives. Their children grow up distant from them; not because of lack of love, but the ignorance of how it feels.
Give it all you’ve got while you can, and everything else in your life will follow smoothly. Test yourself even more and you learn to be more tolerant, more understanding, more learned. You will notice that even the most stressful things in your own life such as relationships, work, or the lack of income will encourage you more to persevere. There will also come a time when we won’t even think of what we do for our kids as responsibility, but a privilege as well. This is what Mark and Joshua have done for me.
Looking forward, when they have their own nests; and me with my empty one, I shall still expect myself to continue to grow more. Our growing doesn’t stop until we allow it to and it could be the best choice we could ever make.
Hainan Chicken
If you're looking for something unique to prepare for your weekend dinner, why not prepare this delicious Hainan Chicken?
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
1 whole fresh chicken (preferably fre range)
1 tbsp Chinese rice wine
1 tbsp light soy sauce
6 slices fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, slightly bruised
2 shallots, chopped in a few pieces
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups Carnation Evap
Chicken Stock
Water
For the Chicken Rice:
3 cups long grain rice
2 tbsp peanut oil
2 small ginger, grated
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
Salt (to taste)
3 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 pandan leaves (optional)
For the Chili Sauce:
10 fresh red chillies, seeds removed
1-2 cloves garlic
1/2 fresh ginger
2 tsp chicken stock
Salt to taste
For the Ginger Sauce:
75g ginger
6 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp lime juice
2 tbsp chicken stock (from the boiled chicken)
Procedure:
1. Bring a pot of water and Carnation Evap to a boil, the pot being large enough to fit the whole chicken.
2. While the water is heating, rub chicken inside with rice wine and soy sauce.
3. Roughly chop three pieces of ginger, garlic and one shallot and then blend in a food processor. Place mixture inside chicken.
4. When the water boils, turn heat off and place the chicken, remaining three pieces of ginger and shallot in the water. Leave the chicken to stand in the water for one hour.
5. After the first five minutes of standing, lift up the chicken, drain the water from the stomach cavity and put chicken back in the pot.
6. Repeat this process two or three times during the cooking period to make sure the chicken cooks inside as well as outside.
7. After 30 minutes, turn on the heat to bring the water back to almost boiling point, then turn heat off. The chicken, never being allowed to boil, will be very tender and juicy.
8. At the end of the hour, remove chicken and rub with remaining soy sauce combined with sesame oil and salt, and then cut into bite-sized pieces.
RECIPE AND PHOTO COURTESY OF MY FAVORITE RECIPES
Drink 12 to 15 glasses of water daily to flush out toxins
Drink 12 to 15 glasses of water daily to flush out toxins
By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
WE ALL HAVE A GREAT CAPACITY to exceed our own physical, mental and emotional limitations. God in His wisdom built into our system a perfect working order of cells that formed every masterpiece of an organ—each one performing a task that works in unison. It’s the perfect teamwork. But the key here is to try to maintain this synchronized movement and flow.
Out of synch
Our prehistoric ancestors lived in a 100-percent organic world. They survived on wild fish and fowl, berries and plants. Rainwater was so clean one could drink the raindrops straight from the sky. But in today’s world, we are literally held hostage by pollution of land, sea and air. Even the food we eat is already contaminated. Chances are, our own blood is slowly poisoned by lead, mercury, etc.—all absorbed by our bodies. It’s a slow death and a silent one at that.
Tips for quick detox
1. Flush out toxins by hydrating with 12-15 glasses of water daily.
2. Eat vegetables and fruits—raw and uncooked.
3. Sweat it out daily. The skin needs to breathe. If the pores are clogged, it will not be able to do its job of expelling toxins.
4. Drink up on activated charcoal tablets. Any health food store should carry this or call Biosafe for your supply. Charcoal has the capacity to absorb heavy metals. (Call 411-9168.)
5. Have a charcoal bath. If it’s too messy, rub the activated charcoal on wet skin. You may look strange but your inner poisons will be sucked out.
Lightness of being
The immediate effect of a detox is lightness of being and feeling. For those who wish to take their detox program more seriously, 4-5 days at the farm in San Benito, Batangas, ought to be your choice. In just four days, immediate health benefits include weight loss of 5-6 lb, glowing complexion, energy levels raised.
Heart power
One of the best ways to feel an instant lift as though you were plugged into a live electrical socket is to include the amino acid L-Arginine in your daily regimen. Amino acids are the building blocks of cells. And if just one is deficient in our body, it affects the totality of what we are made of. There are 23 commonly known amino acids. And eight are called essential which cannot be manufactured by the human body and must be only obtained from food or special supplements. It is important to know that in order for the body to effectively use and properly synthesize protein, all the eight essential amino acids must be present. The next question is: How much protein do I need?
On the average, you need 45 g a day. That’s not very much—it’s like one chicken breast plus a serving of yoghurt. If you’re one of those protein addicts simply because you think carbohydrates are more fattening, take a look at this:
1 g protein > 4 calories
1 g carbohydrate > 4 calories
1 g fat > 9 calories
In other words, carbohydrates and protein give the same caloric count. If you truly want a boost the natural way:
1. Balance your carbohydrates and protein.
2. Supplement with a combination of Vitamins B6, B12, C, D, folic acid and L-Arginine, a powerful combination called Pro-Arginine by Synergy worldwide from Utah, USA.
Can a 13-year-old boy conquer Mt. Everest?
You may say no because his heart may not be as developed to withstand the pressures of climbing 29,000 feet in the Himalayas. But climb it he did. Jordon Romero became one of the youngest to scale this formidable mountain that claims one in 10 climbers. While climbers around them got sick and fell along the wayside, he remained strong. To prepare for the challenge, he took his regular dosage of Pro-Arginine drink daily and not once did he falter. (For info, call Synergy-KATA at 0918-9335404.)
Affirm now: “There is so much more good inside me!”
Love and light!
By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
WE ALL HAVE A GREAT CAPACITY to exceed our own physical, mental and emotional limitations. God in His wisdom built into our system a perfect working order of cells that formed every masterpiece of an organ—each one performing a task that works in unison. It’s the perfect teamwork. But the key here is to try to maintain this synchronized movement and flow.
Out of synch
Our prehistoric ancestors lived in a 100-percent organic world. They survived on wild fish and fowl, berries and plants. Rainwater was so clean one could drink the raindrops straight from the sky. But in today’s world, we are literally held hostage by pollution of land, sea and air. Even the food we eat is already contaminated. Chances are, our own blood is slowly poisoned by lead, mercury, etc.—all absorbed by our bodies. It’s a slow death and a silent one at that.
Tips for quick detox
1. Flush out toxins by hydrating with 12-15 glasses of water daily.
2. Eat vegetables and fruits—raw and uncooked.
3. Sweat it out daily. The skin needs to breathe. If the pores are clogged, it will not be able to do its job of expelling toxins.
4. Drink up on activated charcoal tablets. Any health food store should carry this or call Biosafe for your supply. Charcoal has the capacity to absorb heavy metals. (Call 411-9168.)
5. Have a charcoal bath. If it’s too messy, rub the activated charcoal on wet skin. You may look strange but your inner poisons will be sucked out.
Lightness of being
The immediate effect of a detox is lightness of being and feeling. For those who wish to take their detox program more seriously, 4-5 days at the farm in San Benito, Batangas, ought to be your choice. In just four days, immediate health benefits include weight loss of 5-6 lb, glowing complexion, energy levels raised.
Heart power
One of the best ways to feel an instant lift as though you were plugged into a live electrical socket is to include the amino acid L-Arginine in your daily regimen. Amino acids are the building blocks of cells. And if just one is deficient in our body, it affects the totality of what we are made of. There are 23 commonly known amino acids. And eight are called essential which cannot be manufactured by the human body and must be only obtained from food or special supplements. It is important to know that in order for the body to effectively use and properly synthesize protein, all the eight essential amino acids must be present. The next question is: How much protein do I need?
On the average, you need 45 g a day. That’s not very much—it’s like one chicken breast plus a serving of yoghurt. If you’re one of those protein addicts simply because you think carbohydrates are more fattening, take a look at this:
1 g protein > 4 calories
1 g carbohydrate > 4 calories
1 g fat > 9 calories
In other words, carbohydrates and protein give the same caloric count. If you truly want a boost the natural way:
1. Balance your carbohydrates and protein.
2. Supplement with a combination of Vitamins B6, B12, C, D, folic acid and L-Arginine, a powerful combination called Pro-Arginine by Synergy worldwide from Utah, USA.
Can a 13-year-old boy conquer Mt. Everest?
You may say no because his heart may not be as developed to withstand the pressures of climbing 29,000 feet in the Himalayas. But climb it he did. Jordon Romero became one of the youngest to scale this formidable mountain that claims one in 10 climbers. While climbers around them got sick and fell along the wayside, he remained strong. To prepare for the challenge, he took his regular dosage of Pro-Arginine drink daily and not once did he falter. (For info, call Synergy-KATA at 0918-9335404.)
Affirm now: “There is so much more good inside me!”
Love and light!
Baby’s Growth Spurts: Why They Happen and How to Handle Them
Babies seem to grow overnight. Find out why and how to handle your baby clothes shopping.
By Rowena Espiritu
Growth spurts or sudden changes in height and weight of babies and growing kids can be, to some extent, overwhelming for parents. It’s important, especially for first-time moms, to clearly understand different growth changes not only for the purpose of baby-stuff shopping but also to properly monitor ift heir children’s growing and development are on track
Real Moms and Their Growing Babies
“When I was six months pregnant, I got so excited when I learned I was having a baby girl; I bought varied sets of clothes, cute dresses, and shoes,” shares Clyde Reyes, mom to Althea Casey. But just like with many other first-time moms, Clyde’s excitement turned into somewhat of a frustration. “Almost all the dresses I bought for Althea were only used when she was 6 or 8 months old. Then after a month, she was already too big to fit into them,” she laments. She adds that the baby shoes and slippers she bought were used for only one to two months.
Clyde muses, “As a new mom, I was glad that my baby was growing fast at that time—gaining a kilo or more every check-up with her pediatrician. But had I known about these drastic growth changes and their effects, I would have been a smarter shopper for Althea’s clothes and shoes.”
Babies Grow Overnight: Fact Or Exaggeration?
Babies naturally go through many stages of development. In the early-year stages, they have growth spurts or sudden growth changes. According to Michelle Claudio-Bautista, M.D., a
pediatrician at the Friendly Care Clinic and Doc’s At Work, growth spurts for babies and young children are very irregular and don’t have a clear-cut pattern.
Dr. Claudio enumerates several reasons for babies’ growth spurts:
• Genetics
• The food baby eats
• Baby’s environment
Possible Signs of Babies' Growth Spurts
Although babies have different growth patterns, Dr. Claudio-Bautista suggests that parents, together with their pediatrician, should monitor some noticeable signs that may indicate babies’ growth spurts.
Some pediatric studies show that locomotion activities such as walking, running, or even standing may strain—and as a consequence inhibit the growth of—muscles responsible for these activities. “But since children have less physical activities during their first year, growth is not inhibited,” she explains, “the fastest and biggest growth spurts are experienced when a child is age 0 to 12 months.” She also says that there are numerous growth plates or soft areas near the edges of the bones that fully fuse or calcify only after a few months. Hence, the noticeable transformation from fragile newborn to hardy baby.
“Parents often ask in jest if babies grow overnight. Probably not overnight, but growth development is really faster and easier during infancy,” Dr. Claudio-Bautista stresses. Aside from having minimal locomotion activities, infants also go through numerous and vital nurturing: breastfeeding, intake of all sorts of vitamins, immunizations, plus regular check-ups with the pediatrician. All these also boost babies’ growth.
Pre-Shopping Ideas
Growth spurts are rapid and unpredictable during the infant and toddler years. “We cannot pinpoint the exact months of growth changes,” Dr. Claudio-Bautista says. “Development, whether physical or mental, is very different from one baby to another.” So when shopping for baby and toddler stuff, stick to essentials first. It would be a waste if that pricey designer baby frock spent all but five minutes on your child because she found it too itchy, not to mention or was fully outgrown after just a few months.
Sources:
• Michelle Elaine Claudio-Bautista, M.D., D.P.P.S., pediatrician in Doc’s At Work (Mandaluyong) and Friendly Care Clinic (Cubao and Shaw Blvd.)
• Growth and Development by Edward M. Santos, M.D.
• Websites: scribd.com, health.dailynewscentral.com, emory.edu, theparentreport.com, pediatrics.about.com
by http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/baby/development-child-care/baby-s-growth-spurts-why-they-happen-and-how-to-handle-them/page/2
By Rowena Espiritu
Real Moms and Their Growing Babies
“When I was six months pregnant, I got so excited when I learned I was having a baby girl; I bought varied sets of clothes, cute dresses, and shoes,” shares Clyde Reyes, mom to Althea Casey. But just like with many other first-time moms, Clyde’s excitement turned into somewhat of a frustration. “Almost all the dresses I bought for Althea were only used when she was 6 or 8 months old. Then after a month, she was already too big to fit into them,” she laments. She adds that the baby shoes and slippers she bought were used for only one to two months.
Clyde muses, “As a new mom, I was glad that my baby was growing fast at that time—gaining a kilo or more every check-up with her pediatrician. But had I known about these drastic growth changes and their effects, I would have been a smarter shopper for Althea’s clothes and shoes.”
Babies Grow Overnight: Fact Or Exaggeration?
Babies naturally go through many stages of development. In the early-year stages, they have growth spurts or sudden growth changes. According to Michelle Claudio-Bautista, M.D., a
pediatrician at the Friendly Care Clinic and Doc’s At Work, growth spurts for babies and young children are very irregular and don’t have a clear-cut pattern.
Dr. Claudio enumerates several reasons for babies’ growth spurts:
• Genetics
• The food baby eats
• Baby’s environment
Possible Signs of Babies' Growth Spurts
Although babies have different growth patterns, Dr. Claudio-Bautista suggests that parents, together with their pediatrician, should monitor some noticeable signs that may indicate babies’ growth spurts.
Some pediatric studies show that locomotion activities such as walking, running, or even standing may strain—and as a consequence inhibit the growth of—muscles responsible for these activities. “But since children have less physical activities during their first year, growth is not inhibited,” she explains, “the fastest and biggest growth spurts are experienced when a child is age 0 to 12 months.” She also says that there are numerous growth plates or soft areas near the edges of the bones that fully fuse or calcify only after a few months. Hence, the noticeable transformation from fragile newborn to hardy baby.
“Parents often ask in jest if babies grow overnight. Probably not overnight, but growth development is really faster and easier during infancy,” Dr. Claudio-Bautista stresses. Aside from having minimal locomotion activities, infants also go through numerous and vital nurturing: breastfeeding, intake of all sorts of vitamins, immunizations, plus regular check-ups with the pediatrician. All these also boost babies’ growth.
Pre-Shopping Ideas
Growth spurts are rapid and unpredictable during the infant and toddler years. “We cannot pinpoint the exact months of growth changes,” Dr. Claudio-Bautista says. “Development, whether physical or mental, is very different from one baby to another.” So when shopping for baby and toddler stuff, stick to essentials first. It would be a waste if that pricey designer baby frock spent all but five minutes on your child because she found it too itchy, not to mention or was fully outgrown after just a few months.
Sources:
• Michelle Elaine Claudio-Bautista, M.D., D.P.P.S., pediatrician in Doc’s At Work (Mandaluyong) and Friendly Care Clinic (Cubao and Shaw Blvd.)
• Growth and Development by Edward M. Santos, M.D.
• Websites: scribd.com, health.dailynewscentral.com, emory.edu, theparentreport.com, pediatrics.about.com
by http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/baby/development-child-care/baby-s-growth-spurts-why-they-happen-and-how-to-handle-them/page/2
How much breast milk should I store before I go back to work?
23 Jun 2010
Mom, contributor and certified lactation counselor Abbie Yabot shares how a breastfeeding mom can prepare to go back to work and store enough breast milk for baby.
By Abigail L. Vernida-Yabot
Q: I'm planning to go back to work two months after I give birth? How much breast milk should I store? And how soon should I start storing breast milk?
A: Breast milk should be the only nutrition of a child up to six months old. And even if mom will return to work, this is still possible. It's all about preparation.
Generally, it is recommended to directly feed the baby for the first six weeks of life as this is the time the body needs to master the timing and amount of breast milk a baby needs. On about the seventh week, mom can start expressing her milk, using her hand or a breast pump so that she can store milk for her baby. Mommy should start pumping every two hours in between feedings and not mind the amount of milk she produces. Whenever it reaches two ounces, she can then put it in a storage container and freeze it for future use.
Books say that moms should have two weeks’ worth of supply for babies when they get back to work. That should be about 80 ounces or 40 containers of 2-ounce breast milk. Realistically though, because of all the pressure and strain a new mom has, five to seven days’ worth of supply is ideal enough (40-56 ounces). Some moms are successful even below this amount. However, baby may undergo growth spurts which will lead to baby tending to nurse more often. Hence, it is really better to have at least five days’ worth of stock just in case a baby has an increased demand for milk (due to growth spurt) for about two to four days.
Mom, contributor and certified lactation counselor Abbie Yabot shares how a breastfeeding mom can prepare to go back to work and store enough breast milk for baby.
By Abigail L. Vernida-Yabot
Q: I'm planning to go back to work two months after I give birth? How much breast milk should I store? And how soon should I start storing breast milk?
A: Breast milk should be the only nutrition of a child up to six months old. And even if mom will return to work, this is still possible. It's all about preparation.
Generally, it is recommended to directly feed the baby for the first six weeks of life as this is the time the body needs to master the timing and amount of breast milk a baby needs. On about the seventh week, mom can start expressing her milk, using her hand or a breast pump so that she can store milk for her baby. Mommy should start pumping every two hours in between feedings and not mind the amount of milk she produces. Whenever it reaches two ounces, she can then put it in a storage container and freeze it for future use.
Books say that moms should have two weeks’ worth of supply for babies when they get back to work. That should be about 80 ounces or 40 containers of 2-ounce breast milk. Realistically though, because of all the pressure and strain a new mom has, five to seven days’ worth of supply is ideal enough (40-56 ounces). Some moms are successful even below this amount. However, baby may undergo growth spurts which will lead to baby tending to nurse more often. Hence, it is really better to have at least five days’ worth of stock just in case a baby has an increased demand for milk (due to growth spurt) for about two to four days.
If my milk dries out, what can I substitute to feed my baby?
Find out what our expert has to say.
By Gidget Ortiz, M.D.
Q: My baby had been purely breast-fed from birth until her seventh month when we introduced her to the bottle (since I had to work). She resented it.
I tried different nipple brands and different kinds of milk, but still, she wouldn’t feed from the bottle. So we just give her solid food, fresh juice, and water during the day. When I arrive from work at 5 p.m., that’s the only time she gets milk again from me. Is my baby getting enough nutrition this way?
If my milk dries out, what can I feed her so she can get the right amount of nutrition?
—Floresa May Verdejo
A: Yes, the baby is getting enough nutrition from this strategy provided that she is taking an adequate amount of solid foods. You see, you have breast-fed your baby for seven months and this is considered adequate (exclusive breast-feeding is recommended for four to six months). Nutritional requirements are fully met at this age by breast milk alone. At six months, it is good to start the baby on solid foods, which you have done. If she takes breast milk after your work hours, this is just fine.
If she really does not like any other milk except yours, express your milk at other times and store it in sterilized containers.
It usually keeps for 24 hours inside the ref or three months inside the freezer. Just thaw it before you give it to her, and make sure you don’t re-freeze and re-thaw.
At one year old, she can have ordinary cow’s milk with her solids.
Baby can have the following food at these ages:
7-10 months: strained or mashed fruits and vegetables, egg yolk, finely cut and chopped meat or poultry
9-12 months: casseroles, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, yogurt, cheese, beans
12-18 months: (end of transition from all breast milk or formula to regular food with breast milk or formula or regular milk):
whole milk—16 to 24 ounces
fruits and vegetables—four to eight tablespoons
breads and cereals—four servings (one serving equals 1/4 slice of bread or two tablespoons of rice or pasta)
meat, poultry, fish, eggs—two servings (one serving equals one tablespoon)
SOURCE:
American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child’s Nutrition
About the Author: Gidget Ortiz, M.D. is a registered nutritionist and teaches nutrition at UP College of Home Economics
By Gidget Ortiz, M.D.
Q: My baby had been purely breast-fed from birth until her seventh month when we introduced her to the bottle (since I had to work). She resented it.
I tried different nipple brands and different kinds of milk, but still, she wouldn’t feed from the bottle. So we just give her solid food, fresh juice, and water during the day. When I arrive from work at 5 p.m., that’s the only time she gets milk again from me. Is my baby getting enough nutrition this way?
If my milk dries out, what can I feed her so she can get the right amount of nutrition?
—Floresa May Verdejo
A: Yes, the baby is getting enough nutrition from this strategy provided that she is taking an adequate amount of solid foods. You see, you have breast-fed your baby for seven months and this is considered adequate (exclusive breast-feeding is recommended for four to six months). Nutritional requirements are fully met at this age by breast milk alone. At six months, it is good to start the baby on solid foods, which you have done. If she takes breast milk after your work hours, this is just fine.
If she really does not like any other milk except yours, express your milk at other times and store it in sterilized containers.
It usually keeps for 24 hours inside the ref or three months inside the freezer. Just thaw it before you give it to her, and make sure you don’t re-freeze and re-thaw.
At one year old, she can have ordinary cow’s milk with her solids.
Baby can have the following food at these ages:
7-10 months: strained or mashed fruits and vegetables, egg yolk, finely cut and chopped meat or poultry
9-12 months: casseroles, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, yogurt, cheese, beans
12-18 months: (end of transition from all breast milk or formula to regular food with breast milk or formula or regular milk):
whole milk—16 to 24 ounces
fruits and vegetables—four to eight tablespoons
breads and cereals—four servings (one serving equals 1/4 slice of bread or two tablespoons of rice or pasta)
meat, poultry, fish, eggs—two servings (one serving equals one tablespoon)
SOURCE:
American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child’s Nutrition
About the Author: Gidget Ortiz, M.D. is a registered nutritionist and teaches nutrition at UP College of Home Economics
Is it okay to breastfeed my baby while I’m sick?
Mom, contributor and certified lactation counselor Abbie Yabot sheds light on whether a mom should continue breastfeeding through an illness or not.
By Abigail Vernida-Yabot
Q: I recently had cough, colds and fever. Is it okay to still breastfeed my baby? She is 6 months old and is exclusively breastfed.
A: Breast milk contains antibodies that increase the immunity of infants and protect them from getting sick. If a mom stops breastfeeding when she is sick, she increases the chances of her child getting her virus too as she stops giving the antibodies to her baby.
Apart from this, a mother’s milk supply may get affected if she stops nursing as she may have a harder time expressing milk (where she has to prepare so much materials) versus nursing (just lying down and offering her breasts to her baby). It’s important for a mom to stay healthy and get her much needed rest due to the demands of having a child. So, if mom is sick or was sick, she should definitely continue nursing to provide her baby with the antibodies to protect him from that sickness. If the mom needs medicine, she can ask her doctor for breastfeeding safe medicines. Check the internet or call a lactation specialist if in doubt. However, other baby responsibilities should be turned over to another caregiver to allow the mom to rest more and recuperate.
by http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/mom-dad/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-basics/Is-it-okay-to-breastfeed-my-baby-while-I-m-sick-
By Abigail Vernida-Yabot
Q: I recently had cough, colds and fever. Is it okay to still breastfeed my baby? She is 6 months old and is exclusively breastfed.
A: Breast milk contains antibodies that increase the immunity of infants and protect them from getting sick. If a mom stops breastfeeding when she is sick, she increases the chances of her child getting her virus too as she stops giving the antibodies to her baby.
Apart from this, a mother’s milk supply may get affected if she stops nursing as she may have a harder time expressing milk (where she has to prepare so much materials) versus nursing (just lying down and offering her breasts to her baby). It’s important for a mom to stay healthy and get her much needed rest due to the demands of having a child. So, if mom is sick or was sick, she should definitely continue nursing to provide her baby with the antibodies to protect him from that sickness. If the mom needs medicine, she can ask her doctor for breastfeeding safe medicines. Check the internet or call a lactation specialist if in doubt. However, other baby responsibilities should be turned over to another caregiver to allow the mom to rest more and recuperate.
by http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/mom-dad/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-basics/Is-it-okay-to-breastfeed-my-baby-while-I-m-sick-
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)