Hello Mommies!
Olivia is my 2nd child and I've mentioned before that it felt like the first time three years after having my first. I totally, completely forgotten all the how to's and need to's in taking care of a new born baby. Now that it's been a year, I listed down all those things to remember when taking care of the newest family member. Definitely not because I am planning on having another one, but just to help other new young moms out there.
With Maria Olivia, I initially decided on going natural parenting but it didn't go as planned. However, things are still pretty well and I think I did a good job because my baby girl is growing healthy. Thank God we never ever had a trip to a hospital in her first year. We only had maybe 2 or 3 trips to a clinic just for check-ups. And me as a mom, sanity is still intact! Haha.
First topic: Breastfeeding.
I know that this is a hot topic but what to feed your baby is a no-brainer. Everyone knows that BREASTFEEDING IS BEST FOR BABIES. Even formula manufacturers know that. Naturally, Mommies want the best for their child, pero bakit may mga Nanay parin who are hesitant in breastfeeding their babies?
No supply after delivery is one of the most common reasons why moms chose to formula feed their babies. Here's what you have to remember if you are delivering soon... ALL MOMS...I repeat.. ALL MOMS CAN BREASTFEED. ALL ARE CAPABLE OF BREASTFEEDING. Want to know why it is the best for you babies? Read it HERE.
Minsan yung bagong Nanay, they worry na magugutom si baby dahil di pa lumalabas yung gatas nila... What can you do?
When I was still pregnant with Olivia, may lumalabas ng milk sakin. However, when I gave birth to her, my supply is not enough. In fact, isa sa mga rason why we were delayed at the hospital was because her sugar is so low. She needs to be fed enough para tumaas ang sugar niya. What I did was I asked other moms if they can breastfeed her. Thank God din because Mommies are naturally generous especially pag baby ang pinag-uusapan. And I continued to latch and latch kahit wala masyadong lumalabas. It can stimulate your breasts so eventually lumabas din yung milk ko after 2 days.
"Nasa lying-in ako nanganak and wala akong mahihingan ng tulong to breastfeed my baby..."
Before turning to formula as an option para maibsan ang gutom ni baby, use your lifeline first. "ASK A FRIEND." Medyo maswerte tayo sa generation natin today.. we have all means... Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Let's take advantage of it. Never underestimate the power of social media. You can join mommy groups in Facebook!
Join Breastfeeding Pinays, Dawow Moms, Breastfeeding Nanays, Expressers Pumping Moms... and many more.
Join Breastfeeding Pinays, Dawow Moms, Breastfeeding Nanays, Expressers Pumping Moms... and many more.
"I'm a single mom and I have to get back to work immediately so I can support my kid/s... wala akong time to breastfeed."
When I first had a child, yan din ang dilemma ko. I didn't bother to research din kasi I thought it's okay. So I only breastfed Lucas for 6 months. He never had a major health problem naman. He has a nonthreatening asthma and just that, thank God. But it could have been better if I had known that it's possible to feed him breast milk exclusively while working.
If you're not around to breastfeed your baby kasi you have to go to work, then try pumping. You can buy a manual pump or an electric pump so you can stash breast milk for your baby. If you don't know this yet, lactating mothers are allowed to have a third break from work just to pump. There will be challenges though... but if you do it right, you can get through it. In my case (with Olivia), I am as stay-at-home-mom. I tried pumping but it did not work out kasi kahit nasa bahay ako, lagi akong puyat. Kaya I can't express much milk.
Olivia just turned a year and a month today. She was born a preemie. She needed my breast milk more than any other babies when she was born kasi she was so small. And I fought every circumstance just to continue breastfeeding her. Grabe, God knows ilang beses kong naisip to turn to formula. But what always stop me are the benefits my baby would miss if I stop nursing her.
With enough rest, good food, and right friends. you will survive the odds of breastfeeding too.
I'd like to thank Lactomom, Mother Nurture -Main, Mom's Basket, Little Cocoy, Kaypee Baby, Inay Moments, and Li'l Kash Mom and Baby Boutique for being so generous with me and supporting me in my breastfeeding journey. If you are going all the way, then you must check out these shops! Will post a review of these shops soon.
I'd like to thank Lactomom, Mother Nurture -Main, Mom's Basket, Little Cocoy, Kaypee Baby, Inay Moments, and Li'l Kash Mom and Baby Boutique for being so generous with me and supporting me in my breastfeeding journey. If you are going all the way, then you must check out these shops! Will post a review of these shops soon.
This post is nothing against mommies who chose to formula feed their babies, of course it wouldn't make you less of a mom.
This post maybe another breastfeeding post you read a million times already, I am posting those for those like me the first time I became a mom -lost. I swear I regretted not digging more about it before. It would have brought me closer to my son than how we are now. It would have been better if I bumped into something like this before. Thank you for reading!
XOXO,