A Mother’s Way to Help August 17, 2012

The recent flooding in Metro Manila is no joke and we have to change. It was said that this is no aberration and expect this to happen every year. It was also said that the situation was aggravated by the garbage problem in the cities – footage of plastic bags of garbage blocking the pathways of water or photos of plastic bags hanging on fences and trees are all over the internet. *yuck* It made me realize even more how important it is to reduce our consumption of plastics and I’m happy that a lot of young people realize this too. This is the time to take things seriously.

As a mother of 2 children still in their diapers, our consumption of disposable diapers is at 50% per child – only using diapers at night – which means 1 pack of 42 (more or less) per month per child. Yet, with all this flooding, I want to lessen our usage of disposables to 20 pieces of disposables in a month per child. Not only will this lessen our expense in the long run, I believe it will do our country good.

So how much will it cost me initially? Cloth diaper prices range from about Php 270 – 550. This normally includes the insert which you put inside the diaper to absorb the wetness.  You would need about 8 pieces if you intend to use it for daytime only – 4 a day and another 4 for alternate. For night time use, you would probably need6-8 more. Cloth diapers available here in the Philippines are of the pocket diaper type. See below:

Here is an updated list of online suppliers that I know sell these:

• The  Spoiled Girl: sells BabyLeaf Cloth diaper for Php 350 each, inserts for Php 150 each and wet bags

My favorite print from Baby Leaf – Pink Flamingo

• Choochoobaby: has 2 brands of cloth diaper. The Babyland solid colors diaper for Php350 and the Luvable Friends printed diaper for Php399. They have a wholesale promo for the Babyland diaper: buy 3 for php 1000;5pcs, get 1 free; buy 10pcs, get 3.

Another favorite print – Owls

• Baby Chic Boutique sells the following brands: Kawaii (Heavy Duty, Bamboo Minky, Happy Leak-free diaper cover, Goodnight Heavey Wetter,  Snazzy Minky), Sunbaby (size 1 and size 2), Baby Wizard (3D Leaking Guard Snap, Supreme velcro, Double row snaps, Three dots snap, Beauty Hook and Loop, Duo Wrap, Groovy Aplix, Bamboo inserts). Baby Wizard diapers cost Php 350 a piece and Php 1000 for 3 pcs. The Kawaii Goodnight Heavy Wetter is Php 450

This is the Double Row snap.
I absolutely love owl prints!

• Wholesale Washable diaper  sells Alvababy cloth diapers solids for Php 290, printed for Php 310, the double gusset for Php 380,Papoose and Babyland cloth diapers for Php 290. They also have bibs and wet bags

Alva baby cloth diaper in blue animal print. Thank goodness they have cuter prints from 2 years ago.

A Newborn baby’s needs… August 4, 2012

This puts into words all I want to share about my experience having 3 newborns in my life.

Remember these 3 things when your baby cries.

I must say, I did not learn it from the ‘elders’ or the yayas we employed. They would often say, “put the baby down, he/she will make a habit out of being carried” or “he/she is still at the breast??? maybe, you don’t have enough milk that’s why he/she’s taking sooo long”. After 3, I have enough experience (on newborns only) than most elders in my family and I can confidently (and with authority) dismiss their comments with a wave of my hand.

I learned this gradually and with a lot of reading. I would tell them “shush, what of it?” .

I learned that babies need to be just like they were in the womb – all snuggly and warm – and that’s why we swaddle them in receiving blankets or woombies. But I was never an expert in swaddling or the woombies were to expensive so I used myself. I would keep baby close to me and put her head in the crook of my neck, wrap my hands and arms around her tiny body, legs and feet, use my breath to warm her hands and cheeks. And I’m pretty sure it worked! My youngest was born late November and being a Catholic I did not want to miss midnight mass on Christmas eve. I brought her with me – all tiny, less than a month old. She was fine and sleeping peacefully because she was cuddled in mommy’s loving embrace. No infant seats, no strollers. Just mommy’s warmth.

I learned that there is no better food than food from the breast. Human milk is perfect for a human baby; just as cow’s milk is perfect for a cow baby.  It doesn’t take much really. You don’t need 1 oz of milk in her first feeding nor 3 oz of milk when she turns 2 months. Heck, you don’t even need 6 oz of milk when she’s 5 months. Those ‘requirements’ are for supplemental or artificial milk.With all that’s been said about the nutrients and antibodies of breastmilk, there is truth in all of it. The human milk produces just the right amount of antibodies to protect the baby depending on his/her age and exposure. Yet, do not expect it to have the same effects of supplemental milk – rapid growth, a fat baby, hyperactivity. Breastfed babies have a slower growth rate, leaner bodies and less restless. And for me that is perfectly alright!

I learned that security for baby’s mean being held by mommy… or daddy. It can be tiring, I know, and that is why there is an abundance of baby slings and carriers in the market nowadays. I was never confident with those cloth slings so I bought myself a structure carrier. It proved helpful in vacations and trips to the mall. I just hope that even when she’s bigger she will still accept it.When baby is older and goes to the mall or supermarket more frequently, she can be overwhelmed with all the people, sights and sounds. Mommy’s breast and the way mommy and baby cuddle when they breastfeed give her a sense of calm and peace.

There are a lot of moms-to-be out there who are turning to the internet for guidance and support and I hope this finds them. I hope they decide to breastfeed because it’s the best thing I’ve done as a mother.