Monday, October 11, 2010
God wants you to know that...
that every relationship rests on three legs: accepting, supporting and challenging. That's really it, isn't it? You want your relationships to be grounded on accepting each other as you are. On supporting each other through the inevitable ups and downs. On challengi...ng each other to become more, to grow, to flourish. Which one of these is the more difficult one for you, and how are you going to practice it in the next 24 hours?
6 habits that keep couples happy
By Kimberly Dawn Neumann
How is it that some couples seem to stay starry-eyed for years, and others let their sizzle, um… fizzle? Well, it appears that successful chemistry sustainers develop healthy coupled-up habits which allow them to keep their love alive and kicking. “People can have a lot of trouble staying close,” says Joyce Catlett, coauthor of Fear of Intimacy. “They get into relationships and think they’re automatically going to know how to make everything work, but figuring out how to stay passionate together is really a skill.” Luckily, they’re skills that anyone can learn. Here are six habits that you’d do well to adopt if you want your date to become your happily-ever-after mate.
Habit #1: Catch romance where you can
“You may start out with chocolates and roses, but the likelihood of being able to sustain that feeling with a busy schedule is pretty unlikely,” says JoAnn Magdoff, Ph.D., a New York City-based psychotherapist. Successful couples learn to build a bubble of romance at unexpected times — during their daily commute, while doing laundry — and in low-impact ways, whether that be a long, lingering smooch or just holding hands. In other words, the next time you hear yourself say “Oh, look, we’ve got 15 minutes to ourselves,” make use of it — that’s what keeps the spark alive
Habit #2: Fight fair
Believe it or not, learning to fight right is an important part of keeping chemistry alive. Why? Because if you are constantly cutting each other down, it’s hard to feel mutually amorous. “There is no such thing as a relationship without disagreements,” says David Wygant, author of Always Talk to Strangers. “But if there is an understanding that your partner can come to you with any dissension without being attacked, you will have an honest relationship comprised of ‘open discussions’ rather than ‘fights.’” Debra Tobias, who has been happily married for almost 10 years to her husband Steve, agrees. “Steve and I have learned to listen to each other when we’re upset and we admit when we’re wrong,” says Tobias. “We also make a rule of never, ever saying ‘I told you so’ no matter how much we might want to say it.” The result is that their chemistry doesn’t wane because they never let their arguments escalate to a personal level. Focus on the issue at hand instead of throwing verbal punches.
Habit #3: Nurture your separate selves
Going off to your book club when your sweetie’s out golfing isn’t a sign you two are drifting apart. On the contrary, developing individual interests allows for a richer life as a couple. By taking little “couple breaks,” you gain a greater appreciation of the gifts your partner brings to your life and you have more to offer as well. “It’s very attractive to be independent sometimes,” says Magdoff. “You feel better about yourself and you’re less demanding of your partner when you’re together.” After all, taking some personal responsibility for your own well-being relieves the other person of the pressure to “provide” happiness — so go ahead and nurture some solo adventures. That’ll also keep each of you stocked with plenty of adventures to chat about, which also builds your bond.
Habit #4: Take on a project together
Separate interests aside, exploring new ground together is also important since it strengthens your history of shared experiences. Jo Smith and her husband of four years found this out when they committed to running their first 10K together. “We were training together, carbo-loading and hydrating together, running the race together and ultimately succeeding together when we both finished,” says Smith. “It brought a whole new level of closeness to our relationship because of the time we spent learning as a duo during this endeavor.” Couples who take on adventures together get a sense of daring and accomplishment that can really kick up their chemistry!
Habit #5: Don’t let your physical attraction for each other dwindle
No doubt about it, couples with healthy libidos have no problem keeping chemistry cooking. (That whole “couples’ desire for each other naturally fades over time” excuse? Not true.) The trick to injecting more electricity into a lagging love life has to do with trying new things — sure, it can be easy to work on tricks and techniques when you first meet, but people’s preferences can, and do, change over time. “In interviewing people on the topic of physical intimacy, it became clear that the couples who were the most satisfied were also the ones who were open to some experimentation,” says Catlett. This isn’t to say you suddenly have to become a wild thing, though. Even returning to the basics you may have abandoned along the way — lots of kissing and eye contact, for example — can make the usual encounter feel very different… and much more intimate.
Habit #6: Engage in some mutual admiration
In order for chemistry between two people to thrive, there needs to be mutual respect. “It’s about putting yourself in the role of an observer of your partner,” says Magdoff. “Watch them ‘perform’ — I’m not saying they need to do a song and dance for you — just pay attention to the everyday things that remind you why you find them so special.” Then, make it a point to lob compliments their way. “A good exercise is to occasionally create a mental list of the qualities you dig about your partner, and to occasionally share one of your thoughts with the one you love,” says Wygant. Because the reality is, you’ll always want to be around someone who thinks you’re fantastic.
Kimberly Dawn Neumann is a New York City-based writer whose work has appeared in such publications as Cosmopolitan, Redbook, and Fitness.
by http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?articleid=9795&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=705664
How is it that some couples seem to stay starry-eyed for years, and others let their sizzle, um… fizzle? Well, it appears that successful chemistry sustainers develop healthy coupled-up habits which allow them to keep their love alive and kicking. “People can have a lot of trouble staying close,” says Joyce Catlett, coauthor of Fear of Intimacy. “They get into relationships and think they’re automatically going to know how to make everything work, but figuring out how to stay passionate together is really a skill.” Luckily, they’re skills that anyone can learn. Here are six habits that you’d do well to adopt if you want your date to become your happily-ever-after mate.
Habit #1: Catch romance where you can
“You may start out with chocolates and roses, but the likelihood of being able to sustain that feeling with a busy schedule is pretty unlikely,” says JoAnn Magdoff, Ph.D., a New York City-based psychotherapist. Successful couples learn to build a bubble of romance at unexpected times — during their daily commute, while doing laundry — and in low-impact ways, whether that be a long, lingering smooch or just holding hands. In other words, the next time you hear yourself say “Oh, look, we’ve got 15 minutes to ourselves,” make use of it — that’s what keeps the spark alive
Habit #2: Fight fair
Believe it or not, learning to fight right is an important part of keeping chemistry alive. Why? Because if you are constantly cutting each other down, it’s hard to feel mutually amorous. “There is no such thing as a relationship without disagreements,” says David Wygant, author of Always Talk to Strangers. “But if there is an understanding that your partner can come to you with any dissension without being attacked, you will have an honest relationship comprised of ‘open discussions’ rather than ‘fights.’” Debra Tobias, who has been happily married for almost 10 years to her husband Steve, agrees. “Steve and I have learned to listen to each other when we’re upset and we admit when we’re wrong,” says Tobias. “We also make a rule of never, ever saying ‘I told you so’ no matter how much we might want to say it.” The result is that their chemistry doesn’t wane because they never let their arguments escalate to a personal level. Focus on the issue at hand instead of throwing verbal punches.
Habit #3: Nurture your separate selves
Going off to your book club when your sweetie’s out golfing isn’t a sign you two are drifting apart. On the contrary, developing individual interests allows for a richer life as a couple. By taking little “couple breaks,” you gain a greater appreciation of the gifts your partner brings to your life and you have more to offer as well. “It’s very attractive to be independent sometimes,” says Magdoff. “You feel better about yourself and you’re less demanding of your partner when you’re together.” After all, taking some personal responsibility for your own well-being relieves the other person of the pressure to “provide” happiness — so go ahead and nurture some solo adventures. That’ll also keep each of you stocked with plenty of adventures to chat about, which also builds your bond.
Habit #4: Take on a project together
Separate interests aside, exploring new ground together is also important since it strengthens your history of shared experiences. Jo Smith and her husband of four years found this out when they committed to running their first 10K together. “We were training together, carbo-loading and hydrating together, running the race together and ultimately succeeding together when we both finished,” says Smith. “It brought a whole new level of closeness to our relationship because of the time we spent learning as a duo during this endeavor.” Couples who take on adventures together get a sense of daring and accomplishment that can really kick up their chemistry!
Habit #5: Don’t let your physical attraction for each other dwindle
No doubt about it, couples with healthy libidos have no problem keeping chemistry cooking. (That whole “couples’ desire for each other naturally fades over time” excuse? Not true.) The trick to injecting more electricity into a lagging love life has to do with trying new things — sure, it can be easy to work on tricks and techniques when you first meet, but people’s preferences can, and do, change over time. “In interviewing people on the topic of physical intimacy, it became clear that the couples who were the most satisfied were also the ones who were open to some experimentation,” says Catlett. This isn’t to say you suddenly have to become a wild thing, though. Even returning to the basics you may have abandoned along the way — lots of kissing and eye contact, for example — can make the usual encounter feel very different… and much more intimate.
Habit #6: Engage in some mutual admiration
In order for chemistry between two people to thrive, there needs to be mutual respect. “It’s about putting yourself in the role of an observer of your partner,” says Magdoff. “Watch them ‘perform’ — I’m not saying they need to do a song and dance for you — just pay attention to the everyday things that remind you why you find them so special.” Then, make it a point to lob compliments their way. “A good exercise is to occasionally create a mental list of the qualities you dig about your partner, and to occasionally share one of your thoughts with the one you love,” says Wygant. Because the reality is, you’ll always want to be around someone who thinks you’re fantastic.
Kimberly Dawn Neumann is a New York City-based writer whose work has appeared in such publications as Cosmopolitan, Redbook, and Fitness.
by http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?articleid=9795&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=705664
Natural solutions to keep white sheets white
Of the many lessons gleaned from watching the Novogratz family in our home tour with the upcoming stars of Bravo series “9 by design”, one of the most interesting was that mom Cortney, despite juggling a rowdy clan of seven kids, swears by all-white bedding. Paradoxically, she says they’re the easiest to clean, simply by tossing them in the laundry with a bit of bleach. I too love an all-white bed though I rarely bleach my sheets, for fear of the chemicals weakening the fabric. I found a couple natural alternatives to bleach that work well though:
Lemon juice. It’s amazing how many things you can clean with lemon, white sheets among them. Add a quarter cup of lemon juice to your wash cycle with warm water—it really helps brighten your linens.
Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing. This stuff dates back to the 1800’s, which is kind of mind-blowing. It’s a non-toxic, biodegradable blue dye (all you need do is sprinkle a couple drops to your laundry load) that actually serves to make your whites look whiter.
* No matter which whitening method you prefer, resist the temptation to try them all at once, or risk getting some weird chemical reaction that ends up staining your bedding.
by http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/natural-solutions-to-keep-white-sheets-white-1264817/;_ylt=AtQ_0x6HJYXaexmrc9BEa.f0gqU5
How to wash down pillows
I'm in spring cleaning mode, and one of the things I'm doing as part of the process is laundering my down pillows. It's an easy enough ritual, and should be embarked upon annually to keep them fresh (though washing them any more than that can actually shorten their lifespan). You can do it right at home with your own washing machine, but it's a little bit more labor intensive than taking care of a regular load of clothes. Check out step-by-step instructions after the jump.
1. Inspect the fabric for any tears or rips—the last thing you want is a bunch of loose feathers clogging up your machine.
2. Treat any spots with your usual stain remover.
3. To keep things balanced, wash pillows two at a time. Use the delicate setting, with cold water and a small amount of mild detergent.
4. Give them a second rinse in the machine to make sure they're spic-and-span.
5. Gently wring out any excess water.
6. Put them in the dryer with a couple clean tennis balls (some people recommend using clean tennis shoes instead, though personally I'm wary of sneakers touching my pillows, even "clean" ones), which help them get nice and fluffy, and set the dryer on low heat.
7. Check on the pillows periodically and fluff them up with your hands, using your fingers to break up any clusters of feathers. Be prepared to wait—they can take a couple hours to dry.
by http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/how-to-wash-down-pillows-1240205/;_ylt=ApirTTAvHESPwgkX3sufyMH0gqU5
How often do you change your sheets?
This morning as I was stripping my bed to do a load of laundry I realized it had been a full two weeks since I’d last washed them—which had me wondering if there were adverse side effects to changing them at that rate. This also got me curious as to whether or not, relative to the rest of you out there, washing sheets every two weeks is considered slacking or standard.
According to examiner.com and ehow.com, the scientific consensus is it’s best to wash sheets weekly to ward of dust mites. Icky as it is to think about, we’re all shedding skin cells while in bed—which is apparently dust mites’ favorite snack food. Laundering bedding once every week, in hot water, helps avoid allergy issues.
Washing sheets every week is a fair amount of work though, especially once you start counting multiple beds/family members, so it’s no wonder a poll on AOL Health last year showed that only 40% of Americans are washing their bedding weekly, which makes me feel slightly better about my own every-other-week habit. What about you: how often do you change your sheets?
by http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets-1429466/;_ylt=ApgdQ34v9yOyrkfbCLQDe1z0gqU5?pg=2
6 habits that keep couples happy
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I'm a:
Seeking a:
Near ZIP code:
More on Match.com
A Chemically Failed Romance? »
Meet the right person online »
Love: What my kids taught me »
5 online dating misconceptions »
Ask Dave: Gay & lesbian love »
Tools & Resources
• Contact Match.com
• Article Index
• How Match Works
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6 habits that keep couples happy
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Sanitize your linens—and fight off a cold
We’re just at the beginning of cold and flu season, and now’s the time to put a little extra thought and effort into minimizing sickness-inducing germs and bacteria from spreading among your family members and throughout your home. And one of the simplest and most straightforward ways to do this is by keeping your linens spic-and-span.
Though how often you wash your sheets is clearly a personal decision, there are scientific arguments for washing your bedding weekly to benefit your health. According to ehow.com and examiner.com, laundering sheets weekly (in hot, 130-or-more degree water) gets rid of the dead skin cells (fodder for bacteria) and allergy-inducing dust mites that accumulate after a few nights’ sleep. If you or someone in your family is prone to sweating—or if you’ve got Fido cozying up with your in bed—consider washing every couple days to rinse out dirt and pet dander. Don’t ignore your mattress pad either—it’s a good idea to wash it bi-weekly or at least monthly.
Pillows are another consideration. To ensure you’re not resting your head on a big pile of germs—you should be washing your pillows at least every six months. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when washing them, though generally you should be able to clean them in your home washing machine, and with down ones in particular, it’s a good idea to throw in a couple clean tennis balls while drying which helps keep feathers fluffy. Investing in zippered pillow protectors is also key: they act as a barrier between your pillow and its case (the latter of which should be washed at least weekly) to keep the former nice and sanitary.
Comforters and blankets need proper maintenance as well. Your comforter should we washed monthly (and your duvet weekly). Read the care instructions on the label, since chances are you’re going to need a front loading commercial size washer to accomplish this. Make sure it’s dried properly to avoid mold and fungus from growing. Blankets should also be washed or dry cleaned monthly.
Towels, as we previously discussed, also need TLC—with washcloths and hand towels, in particular (since they’re actually used to wipe off the dirt and oils off your skin), there’s a real risk of spreading staph infections and pinkeye. It's also a good idea because bathrooms are warm, humid breeding grounds for bacteria to begin with. Washing bath towels weekly, and smaller, more frequently used towels even more often that that, is the best way to tackle the germ problem.
Related: How often do you wash your towels?; How often do you change your sheets?; 5 tricks to keep towels soft and fluffy; How to wash down pillows
Sources: ehow.com; globalhealingcenter.org; tips.become.com; ehso.com; healthnewsdigest.com
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/sanitize-your-linens-and-fight-off-a-cold-2396276/
How often do you wash your towels?
I recently interviewed an interior designer on the subject of bathroom décor, and when talk turned to the number of towel sets one should have, her take is we should all have at least four sets per person in your household. Which to me seems really excessive. The argument for this number is that it’s good to have sufficient towels so that at any given time you could have one in the hamper, one in the wash, and one hanging on your towel bar (plus a spare for good measure)—which I suppose makes sense if you’re someone who washes your towel after every use. Which I, for one, do not.
This also got me thinking and researching whether or not, from a germs perspective, I ought to be washing my towels more than my usual 5-7 days. According to Discovery Health, bathrooms—which are generally warm and humid—make an excellent breeding ground for bacteria when coupled with the dirt, oils, and dead cells from your skin. Washcloths are especially risky territory, since they’re actually used to cleanse your face and body, making it easier to transfer staph infections, pinkeye, and even mold. So if you’re someone who uses a washcloth, or a hand towel for that matter, you should probably be throwing it in the laundry more frequently than you do your bath towels—at least every three or four days, if not more often. And you’ll probably want to stockpile more of these smaller size towels accordingly.
But in terms of bath towels, the verdict’s still out on whether or not 5-7 days is sufficient. No matter how long you wait to wash, though, you should always try to spread out wet towels on your towel bar as wide as possible, which makes it easier for air to circulate around them so they dry faster. Color-coding linens according to family member is helpful too, since sharing towels ups the chances for bacteria. And be careful not to let wet bath mats fester on the floor for very long either—if possible, hang those up to dry too.
So now it’s your turn: how often do you wash your towels?
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/how-often-do-you-wash-your-towels-2395986/;_ylt=ArKRw862mLxaELTrPczcYqb0gqU5
5 tricks to keep towels soft and fluffy
Being enveloped in a soft, plush bath towel after a hot shower is one of life’s little luxuries. The problem, though, is that even the softest, plushest among them tend to stiffen after multiple washings—which is actually a function of the chemical detergents most of us use, which coat fabrics and build up on towels in particular (they’re designed to absorb, after all), and over time, you wind up with that icky scratchy feeling. There are some tricks you can employ, however, to stave off hitting the rough patch. Here’s how, courtesy of howtodothings.com and ehow.com:
Add a bit of white vinegar to your rinse cycle, which strips away past detergent build-up. Vinegar also gets rid of any lingering odors clinging to the fabric.
Wash new towels in hot water with baking soda to remove any lingering residue from the manufacturer.
This is counterintuitive, but don’t use fabric softener.
Throw some clean tennis balls in the dryer—they help fluff as they’re bouncing around your dryer.
Fill the washer halfway with water, add half the amount of detergent you might normally use, and set the machine to agitate before dropping in your towels. This prevents the detergent from soaking into the towels before they’re washed.
by http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/5-tricks-to-keep-towels-soft-and-fluffy-1362287/;_ylt=AjPtC.4z2GRoP3EGuZ69din0gqU5?pg=2
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Five parenting websites every parent should bookmark
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.
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.
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-
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Do I still need to give my baby vitamins even if I’m exclusively breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is best for your child’s nutrition. However, does that mean that you shouldn’t give your baby vitamins? Get the answer from our expert.
Q: Do I still need to give my baby vitamins even if I'm exclusively breastfeeding?
A: Breastfeeding is the only nutritionally complete source of nutrition for baby's first six months. Hence, even without vitamins, breastfeeding assures the completeness of all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that they will need. In fact, to be very strict about it, when we say exclusive breastfeeding for six months, we really mean NO water, NO formula and NO vitamins. However, for those who give their babies vitamins before their sixth month, there are no contraindications too.
by http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/mom-dad/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-basics/Do-I-still-need-to-give-my-baby-vitamins-even-if-I-m-exclusively-breastfeeding-
Photo from sxc.hu
Q: Do I still need to give my baby vitamins even if I'm exclusively breastfeeding?
A: Breastfeeding is the only nutritionally complete source of nutrition for baby's first six months. Hence, even without vitamins, breastfeeding assures the completeness of all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that they will need. In fact, to be very strict about it, when we say exclusive breastfeeding for six months, we really mean NO water, NO formula and NO vitamins. However, for those who give their babies vitamins before their sixth month, there are no contraindications too.
by http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/mom-dad/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-basics/Do-I-still-need-to-give-my-baby-vitamins-even-if-I-m-exclusively-breastfeeding-
Photo from sxc.hu
The Joy of Breastfeeding
Television host, TV producer, former magazine editor and restorer of antique jewelry Daphne Osena-Paez shares the joys and challenges of breastfeeding.
I’ve spent the past eight years, either being pregnant, having babies or breastfeeding. I now have three daughters – Sophia is 7, Lily is 4 and Stella just turned 1—all were breastfed for at least 12 months. I’m still breastfeeding the youngest. That’s a long time to be giving up one’s body for the sake of her children. But it hasn’t felt that way at all. These eight years have been the most beautiful and powerful time of my life.
“I exclusively breastfed all three girls for the first 6 months despite the demanding work schedule.”
It’s not like all I did was drown in domestic bliss either. I continued to work throughout pregnancy, motherhood and nursing. These years have been the most productive for me – independently producing and hosting a TV show, discovering a new talent for designing jewelry and building a brand of home products. Unlike most working mothers, I did not have maternity leaves. With Sophia, I was back at work after 4 weeks. With Lily, I shot a TV commercial on the 10th day after giving birth. With Stella, I had 5 weeks before shooting a commercial and going back to work. I exclusively breastfed all three girls for the first 6 months despite the demanding work schedule.
“I was just doing what for me was the most normal and natural.”
Whenever I share this glory, I get “oohs” and “aahs” like I deserve a medal for being a breastfeeding mom. I don’t know why it impresses people. I was just doing what, for me, was the most normal and natural. It all went hand in hand – pregnancy, motherhood, breastfeeding. It was just a matter of being organized. I wish my situation is more the rule rather than the exception. But in this country only 34% of mothers exclusively breastfeed their children in the first 6 months.
“Breastfeeding is a choice and a commitment.”
People always ask me how I did it – work and breastfeed. I wish I could say it’s as easy as bringing a breast pump and expressing milk every 3-4 hours. I mean it is, but it also takes more than that. Breastfeeding is a choice and a commitment. Yes I brought a manual breast pump with me everywhere I went. I also carried an insulated cooler-type lunch box to keep the milk refrigerated while in transit. I pumped in the car, in mall fitting rooms and in the makeup room. I had established a system of refrigeration and freezing. I did all that, but not all by myself.
As much as I’d like to take credit for successfully breastfeeding all three kids, I couldn’t have done it without the help of people around me.”
The success of my breastfeeding relied heavily on the support of my husband, the entire household, my doctors, my work colleagues and friends. Everyone I knew I was a breastfeeding mama. I made it known to them – so that they could help me. My friends knew I had to pump every now and then. We stayed away from smoky and polluted places. The shop girls at the mall knew I had to borrow their dressing rooms when I had to pump. My house staff knew how to store and thaw the milk. My husband was supportive and proud, and he massaged my back whenever I needed relief. More importantly, he took on the job of burping the babies after a long feed. That was his bonding time with the baby. Even my older kids participated. They were in charge of making sure the pillow on my back stayed in place. The people at work during shoots, knew I had to take occasional breaks in order to express. They sometimes stood as my human fitting room, holding up my shawl to help cover me up. As much as I’d like to take credit for successfully breastfeeding all three kids, I couldn’t have done it without the help of people around me.
I don’t even remember why I wanted to breastfeed. I don’t think I gave myself a choice. Like I said, it was just natural. I never once considered giving my newborns infant formula. During my first pregnancy, I developed a blood clot in my uterus on the 3rd month and this threatened the survival of my baby. I was on complete bed-rest for almost two months. I had a lot of time to read and research on breastfeeding. We also took birthing classes. Before giving birth I told my OB-Gyn and pediatrician that I plan to breastfeed. I had normal deliveries for all three. And all three babies were put on my chest the moment they were born. All latched on within minutes. None of them have developed any allergies or asthma. They never got diarrhea or caught infections when they were babies.
“Breastfeeding was the most convenient thing – no bottles, no snacks, no powdered milk, only the comfort of being on my breast.”
I will tell you that breastfeeding is the most natural and normal part of motherhood. But it is also a learned skill. It isn’t the easiest at first, and it can be painful in the start, but once you establish a rhythm, it is the most convenient and beautiful process. All three kids have traveled on long-haul flights with us when they were infants and toddlers. Breastfeeding was the most convenient thing – no bottles, no snacks, no powdered milk, only the comfort of being on my breast.
I nursed my babies everywhere – in malls, restaurants, airports, cars, parks. I do not own a fancy cover-up bib. I simply used a shawl in places where I felt I required discretion. People are still not comfortable seeing mothers nurse in public. But it was comforting to get smiles and approving nods from other mothers (and fathers) who were going through the same thing as I was. It was like we had a secret code of approval and support. I wish to have a better culture of breastfeeding in this country.
I am far from being an expert on breastfeeding. I’ve read up on it, had a few sessions from experts, and the rest I’ve learned from just doing it. But all babies are different. With my second child I encountered some difficulty because I was doing things wrong. I fell into a trap. I thought an electric pump would increase my milk production, but instead I ended up with an infection. After three weeks of medication, I went back to breastfeeding again, got rid of my electric pump and stuck to my manual pump for when I was working. By the time I had my third baby, I learned how to hand express during the first month when everything was sensitive.
In a few months or maybe even weeks, my youngest daughter will start to wean herself. I can see the signs. She’s distracted. She’s got 8 teeth. She’s walking on her won. I’ve fed all three babies on demand. And I can tell that that with her newly-found independence, she is demanding less milk from me. I take cues from my kids and let the weaning process happen naturally. No pills, no medication. We go through it together.
It has been eight years of being a dedicated and hands-on mother. But this, obviously, is not the end. Mothering never ends. I know I can’t breastfeed them forever. With each weaning I felt extremely emotional. I had enjoyed every moment of being their source of nutrition and love. It may have been the first language of love between my kids and me, but, of course, there are many. Now we are all armed with a strong sense of security and an even stronger bond. And I know, in my heart, that I gave them the best start in life.
Daphne Osena-Paez is a television host, TV producer, former magazine editor and restorer of antique jewelry. She was tapped to join UNICEF as a Special Advocate for Children early this 2010.
Photos by Real Kids Photography
by http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/mom-dad/breastfeeding/sharing-milk-stories/the-joy-of-breastfeeding/page/3
I’ve spent the past eight years, either being pregnant, having babies or breastfeeding. I now have three daughters – Sophia is 7, Lily is 4 and Stella just turned 1—all were breastfed for at least 12 months. I’m still breastfeeding the youngest. That’s a long time to be giving up one’s body for the sake of her children. But it hasn’t felt that way at all. These eight years have been the most beautiful and powerful time of my life.
“I exclusively breastfed all three girls for the first 6 months despite the demanding work schedule.”
It’s not like all I did was drown in domestic bliss either. I continued to work throughout pregnancy, motherhood and nursing. These years have been the most productive for me – independently producing and hosting a TV show, discovering a new talent for designing jewelry and building a brand of home products. Unlike most working mothers, I did not have maternity leaves. With Sophia, I was back at work after 4 weeks. With Lily, I shot a TV commercial on the 10th day after giving birth. With Stella, I had 5 weeks before shooting a commercial and going back to work. I exclusively breastfed all three girls for the first 6 months despite the demanding work schedule.
“I was just doing what for me was the most normal and natural.”
Whenever I share this glory, I get “oohs” and “aahs” like I deserve a medal for being a breastfeeding mom. I don’t know why it impresses people. I was just doing what, for me, was the most normal and natural. It all went hand in hand – pregnancy, motherhood, breastfeeding. It was just a matter of being organized. I wish my situation is more the rule rather than the exception. But in this country only 34% of mothers exclusively breastfeed their children in the first 6 months.
“Breastfeeding is a choice and a commitment.”
People always ask me how I did it – work and breastfeed. I wish I could say it’s as easy as bringing a breast pump and expressing milk every 3-4 hours. I mean it is, but it also takes more than that. Breastfeeding is a choice and a commitment. Yes I brought a manual breast pump with me everywhere I went. I also carried an insulated cooler-type lunch box to keep the milk refrigerated while in transit. I pumped in the car, in mall fitting rooms and in the makeup room. I had established a system of refrigeration and freezing. I did all that, but not all by myself.
As much as I’d like to take credit for successfully breastfeeding all three kids, I couldn’t have done it without the help of people around me.”
The success of my breastfeeding relied heavily on the support of my husband, the entire household, my doctors, my work colleagues and friends. Everyone I knew I was a breastfeeding mama. I made it known to them – so that they could help me. My friends knew I had to pump every now and then. We stayed away from smoky and polluted places. The shop girls at the mall knew I had to borrow their dressing rooms when I had to pump. My house staff knew how to store and thaw the milk. My husband was supportive and proud, and he massaged my back whenever I needed relief. More importantly, he took on the job of burping the babies after a long feed. That was his bonding time with the baby. Even my older kids participated. They were in charge of making sure the pillow on my back stayed in place. The people at work during shoots, knew I had to take occasional breaks in order to express. They sometimes stood as my human fitting room, holding up my shawl to help cover me up. As much as I’d like to take credit for successfully breastfeeding all three kids, I couldn’t have done it without the help of people around me.
I don’t even remember why I wanted to breastfeed. I don’t think I gave myself a choice. Like I said, it was just natural. I never once considered giving my newborns infant formula. During my first pregnancy, I developed a blood clot in my uterus on the 3rd month and this threatened the survival of my baby. I was on complete bed-rest for almost two months. I had a lot of time to read and research on breastfeeding. We also took birthing classes. Before giving birth I told my OB-Gyn and pediatrician that I plan to breastfeed. I had normal deliveries for all three. And all three babies were put on my chest the moment they were born. All latched on within minutes. None of them have developed any allergies or asthma. They never got diarrhea or caught infections when they were babies.
“Breastfeeding was the most convenient thing – no bottles, no snacks, no powdered milk, only the comfort of being on my breast.”
I will tell you that breastfeeding is the most natural and normal part of motherhood. But it is also a learned skill. It isn’t the easiest at first, and it can be painful in the start, but once you establish a rhythm, it is the most convenient and beautiful process. All three kids have traveled on long-haul flights with us when they were infants and toddlers. Breastfeeding was the most convenient thing – no bottles, no snacks, no powdered milk, only the comfort of being on my breast.
I nursed my babies everywhere – in malls, restaurants, airports, cars, parks. I do not own a fancy cover-up bib. I simply used a shawl in places where I felt I required discretion. People are still not comfortable seeing mothers nurse in public. But it was comforting to get smiles and approving nods from other mothers (and fathers) who were going through the same thing as I was. It was like we had a secret code of approval and support. I wish to have a better culture of breastfeeding in this country.
I am far from being an expert on breastfeeding. I’ve read up on it, had a few sessions from experts, and the rest I’ve learned from just doing it. But all babies are different. With my second child I encountered some difficulty because I was doing things wrong. I fell into a trap. I thought an electric pump would increase my milk production, but instead I ended up with an infection. After three weeks of medication, I went back to breastfeeding again, got rid of my electric pump and stuck to my manual pump for when I was working. By the time I had my third baby, I learned how to hand express during the first month when everything was sensitive.
In a few months or maybe even weeks, my youngest daughter will start to wean herself. I can see the signs. She’s distracted. She’s got 8 teeth. She’s walking on her won. I’ve fed all three babies on demand. And I can tell that that with her newly-found independence, she is demanding less milk from me. I take cues from my kids and let the weaning process happen naturally. No pills, no medication. We go through it together.
It has been eight years of being a dedicated and hands-on mother. But this, obviously, is not the end. Mothering never ends. I know I can’t breastfeed them forever. With each weaning I felt extremely emotional. I had enjoyed every moment of being their source of nutrition and love. It may have been the first language of love between my kids and me, but, of course, there are many. Now we are all armed with a strong sense of security and an even stronger bond. And I know, in my heart, that I gave them the best start in life.
Daphne Osena-Paez is a television host, TV producer, former magazine editor and restorer of antique jewelry. She was tapped to join UNICEF as a Special Advocate for Children early this 2010.
Photos by Real Kids Photography
by http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/mom-dad/breastfeeding/sharing-milk-stories/the-joy-of-breastfeeding/page/3
10 Tips for Breastfeeding Success
Try these 10 tips from the World Health Organization and the Department of Health to help you learn, adjust to, and properly plan successful breastfeeding.
While newborn babies nurse instinctively, it often takes new moms a little longer to get the hang of breastfeeding. Most lactation experts agree that attitude, planning, and technique are crucial to successful breastfeeding.
Get informed. Breastfeeding is best for you and your baby. Allow yourself to be aware of the benefits to provide you the “I can do it” attitude to start and continue breastfeeding. Ask a supportive health professional who can guide you through the how tos of breastfeeding and discuss other related concerns.
Advise your caregiver. Inform your doctor and the nursery staff that you want to breastfeed so that you and your baby will have skin to skin contact immediately after delivery or within the first hour. Make arrangements for regular visits to the nursery for breastfeeding or request that the baby rooms in with you.
Enlist your partner’s support. A child’s nutrition is a shared responsibility. Getting your husband, and even your family, to be supportive of breastfeeding allows you to be motivated to do it. There are breastfeeding meetings that couples can attend that offer practical ideas on how the fathers can contribute in nursing.
Know your breasts. Regardless of shape and size, almost all women can breastfeed. If your nipples are inverted or you had previous breast surgery, go to a doctor for consultation to allow you to discuss ways to still make breastfeeding possible.
Nurse within the first hour after birth. Breast feed your baby soon after birth when your baby is wide awake and sucking instinct is very strong. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that babies who are nursed within the first hour of birth are more likely to become successful breastfeeders.
Nurse often. Frequent nursing in the early days helps you and your baby to get comfortable with breastfeeding and allows you to establish your milk supply. Learn to interpret your child’s hunger cues like being alert, putting hand near mouth, and whimpering.
Express milk regularly. Most mothers find that they are able to produce plenty of milk and their breasts easily get engorged. Express milk manually or with a pump to relieve your breasts from fullness and to keep up your milk supply. You may use the expressed milk for your baby’s next feeding or store it for future use. Breastmilk is good for 24 hours in room temperature, up to 1 week in the refrigerator, 2 weeks in your freezer, and can be stored for 6 months to 1 year in a deep freezer.
Hold off the pacifier. Introducing a pacifier can cause nipple confusion. Hold off its use until your breastfeeding routine is going well and your milk supply is well established, which is usually three to four weeks after delivery.
Encourage your baby to latch on. Stroke your baby’s cheek or lower lip to stimulate latching. To determine if the baby is latched on correctly, make sure your areola and nipple are both in the baby’s mouth and positioned above his tongue. The baby’s lower lips shouldn’t be drawn into his mouth and his chin is touching your breast.
Do not be discouraged when your baby has difficulty latching on. It does take practice for both mother and child.
Get comfortable. When breastfeeding, find a quiet spot to nurse. Sit in a comfortable chair or listen to soothing music. Studies show, and as most nursing moms share, that a calm mind, body, and surrounding allows for a more pleasant breastfeeding experience.
There are a lot of books and manuals on how to make breastfeeding a successful experience. Some new moms usually seek the help of family or friends who have breastfed. There are also breastfeeding support groups who meet regularly and can help you get started and continue breastfeeding.
For more information about breastfeeding, log on to www.breastfeedingpinay.com.
SOURCE: Flyer from a collaborative project by the Department of Health (DOH), the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with SM Supermalls.
http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/mom-dad/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-basics/10-tips-for-breastfeeding-success
While newborn babies nurse instinctively, it often takes new moms a little longer to get the hang of breastfeeding. Most lactation experts agree that attitude, planning, and technique are crucial to successful breastfeeding.
Get informed. Breastfeeding is best for you and your baby. Allow yourself to be aware of the benefits to provide you the “I can do it” attitude to start and continue breastfeeding. Ask a supportive health professional who can guide you through the how tos of breastfeeding and discuss other related concerns.
Advise your caregiver. Inform your doctor and the nursery staff that you want to breastfeed so that you and your baby will have skin to skin contact immediately after delivery or within the first hour. Make arrangements for regular visits to the nursery for breastfeeding or request that the baby rooms in with you.
Enlist your partner’s support. A child’s nutrition is a shared responsibility. Getting your husband, and even your family, to be supportive of breastfeeding allows you to be motivated to do it. There are breastfeeding meetings that couples can attend that offer practical ideas on how the fathers can contribute in nursing.
Know your breasts. Regardless of shape and size, almost all women can breastfeed. If your nipples are inverted or you had previous breast surgery, go to a doctor for consultation to allow you to discuss ways to still make breastfeeding possible.
Nurse within the first hour after birth. Breast feed your baby soon after birth when your baby is wide awake and sucking instinct is very strong. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that babies who are nursed within the first hour of birth are more likely to become successful breastfeeders.
Nurse often. Frequent nursing in the early days helps you and your baby to get comfortable with breastfeeding and allows you to establish your milk supply. Learn to interpret your child’s hunger cues like being alert, putting hand near mouth, and whimpering.
Express milk regularly. Most mothers find that they are able to produce plenty of milk and their breasts easily get engorged. Express milk manually or with a pump to relieve your breasts from fullness and to keep up your milk supply. You may use the expressed milk for your baby’s next feeding or store it for future use. Breastmilk is good for 24 hours in room temperature, up to 1 week in the refrigerator, 2 weeks in your freezer, and can be stored for 6 months to 1 year in a deep freezer.
Hold off the pacifier. Introducing a pacifier can cause nipple confusion. Hold off its use until your breastfeeding routine is going well and your milk supply is well established, which is usually three to four weeks after delivery.
Encourage your baby to latch on. Stroke your baby’s cheek or lower lip to stimulate latching. To determine if the baby is latched on correctly, make sure your areola and nipple are both in the baby’s mouth and positioned above his tongue. The baby’s lower lips shouldn’t be drawn into his mouth and his chin is touching your breast.
Do not be discouraged when your baby has difficulty latching on. It does take practice for both mother and child.
Get comfortable. When breastfeeding, find a quiet spot to nurse. Sit in a comfortable chair or listen to soothing music. Studies show, and as most nursing moms share, that a calm mind, body, and surrounding allows for a more pleasant breastfeeding experience.
There are a lot of books and manuals on how to make breastfeeding a successful experience. Some new moms usually seek the help of family or friends who have breastfed. There are also breastfeeding support groups who meet regularly and can help you get started and continue breastfeeding.
For more information about breastfeeding, log on to www.breastfeedingpinay.com.
SOURCE: Flyer from a collaborative project by the Department of Health (DOH), the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with SM Supermalls.
http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/mom-dad/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-basics/10-tips-for-breastfeeding-success
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