Ibu Robin Lim Live in Manila!

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Gentle Birth Philippines present Gentle Birth Forum with Ibu Robin Lim with guests

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HKG: Top 10 Kids' Bookstores: Favorite Reading Rooms

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Hong Kong: Order-In Food Delivery

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Milk Mama Diaries: Top 10 things to know about HIV and Breastfeeding

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Milk Mama Diaries present Guest Writer Lola Robin Lim: Human Rights: Infant Rights At Birth

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Milk Mommy Diaries: Guest Writer, 2011 CNN Hero Ibu Robin : Childbirth A Global Push

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Improving Maternal Lives Through Global Cooperation: a Milk Mama Diaries

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United Nations Millennium Development Goals: Our Global Mission

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United Nations Millennium Development Goals: Our Global Mission

Hakab Na 2014: the Big Latch On

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Hakab Na 2014: the Big Latch On

Breastfeeding Awareness Month 2014: Unang Yakap

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Breastfeeding Awareness Month 2014: Unang Yakap

Breastfeeding in HK: Sassy Mama's Top Breastfeeding Spots in HK

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Hakab Na 2014 for August 2 (Saturday)!!!

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Hakab Na 2014 for August 2 (Saturday)!!!

Babies + Drinking Water = ?? Is there a need? What happens if we give water to our baby?

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Homebirthing in the Philippines : Gentle Birth Made Possible

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Late Update: The Great Cloth Diaper Challenge 2014

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Featured : UNTV guesting #3 - Spinning Babies

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Featured: UNTV guesting #2 - Alternative Births

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I *heart* Being A Mom! Project 2014 Update

07 May 2014, Quezon City -- Mother's Day came a little early to 13 mothers of Nazareth House. Initially, what was thought up to be a simple mentoring and support visit, became something bigger. It was a baby shower party!

Have a look at the wonderful decor and food provided by our generous sponsors and donors!

Participation was a success and the mothers were all actively participating to each of the activities.

Newborn babies slept quietly while their mommies listened and had a wonderful time.

The program proper started with an opening welcome and introduction of Nazareth Home by Ms Cecile.

Some background about Nazareth Home:-

Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF) came into being in 1975 as a branch of Holt International Children’s Services, Inc. Holt was founded in 1955 by Harry and Bertha Holt in Eugene, Oregon, USA, as a child welfare organization whose mission is Christian inspired service – reaching out to different countries where children need help.  Harry Holt institutionalized Holt’s vision “Every child deserves a permanent loving family of his/her own”. In 1987, KBF created Nazareth Home in Project 4, Quezon City, to provide shelter for single pregnant mothers, which is also called “Bahay ni Maria". 
There were 13 "girls" that are living in Nazareth Home when we visited while about 5-6 mothers have already given birth.

Continuing on...a short prayer of thanks and blessing was done by Sister Joy, the one dressed in blue then a short baby shower game by Jennifer that got all of the mothers excited.

Speaker Mae (Nagtalon) gave relaxation techniques and shared experiences that helped a lot of mothers get relaxed after the fun game.

 

* I later got to bond and talk to Ms Mae since her daughter is in the same culinary school as where my sister-in-law is teaching. So nice to get to know her and her experiences more also!

Birth/Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Discussion by yours truly with much assistance and support by Sister Clarice. The discussion was new to me because it's the first time I had to do it in Filipino. I totally fumbled a few times but thank goodness for much assistance from Clarice and Denise so the conversation was flowing and we got a lot of questions of "breastfeeding myths", how to properly latch ("hakab"), etc. The discussion took longer than expected but definitely audience appreciation was felt all around.

Cloth Diaper expert and owner of Tickled Moms, Clarice introduced and discussed cloth diaper use with Ms Cecile. Tickled Moms donated cloth diapers to the home for all the mothers use. I love those fluffy minky diapers!

As a sign of thanks, the mothers prepared a song and dance number for us. It was a really thoughtful and fun gesture. I enjoyed it a lot! The pregnant mothers are the ones that were giving lamaze/spinning baby movies! Go twists!

 

After eating and the festivities, the blogger mommies were able to do some one-on-one talks with our assigned "girls". I was happy to have met Ms C and learned that although she had the option of giving up her baby for adaption, she decided to keep her baby and go back to work soon in Quezon. Her former employers were the one that stirred her to Nazareth Home and assisted her in every way that they can. They are still in touch and visited her and the baby a few days ago. What a lovely and supportive couple/family!

The loot bags provided was lovely...so healthy nice and I love the crafted tool basket by Wooden KidiKraft and King Sue!

After going through this experience and speaking to the "girls" of Nazareth Home, I am fully convinced of the following:-

1.) Every Child Deserves a Loving and Permanent Family!
2.) Women/Mothers can do amazing things, if they allow themselves to grow and develop
3.) No matter what happens, there is always help as long as we ask. God will send help and provide
4.) Always strive to be the best person you can be...someone who your parents and family will be proud of!

Special thanks to the following sponsors who without their support and donations, this project wouldn't be a success:-

• M Catering & Fine Foods
• Wooden Kidikraft
• Party Boosters
• Sisters' Sweetness
• Tickled Moms
• DigitalFilipino.com

Thank you, Nazareth Home also for welcoming all of us! Thank you, JLofied for the opportunity!

#IBM2014

IBM Project 2014: 12 Blogger Moms announced!

Names are out!!!
I am excited to be part of the upcoming I Love Being A Mom (IBM2014) Project this Mother's Month!
The project was launched by N@Wie sister - Jennifer Lopez Gana, wherein 12 blogger moms will be doing a mentoring session with 12 expecting mothers of Nazareth Homes (#126 J. P. Rizal St., Project 4 Quezon City) on May 7. It's surely going to be an afternoon of fun, learning and giving thanks for being granted a child.

The complete list of blogger mommies is listed below:-
1. Denise Rayala (http://www.bebengisms.com/)
2. Camile Aguila (http://www.lolliesandlipsticks.com/)
3. Nerissa Nunag (http://www.babyneosmama.blogspot.com/)
4. Leira Pagaspas (http://www.pagaspas.com/)
5. Joy Lojo (http://www.pinionsandplumageoflove.blogspot.com/)
6. Nadia de Leon (http://www.nanaystrip.wordpress.com/)
7. Clarice Avinante (http://www.tickledmoms.com/)
8. Cheryl Chan (http://www.themulti-tasking-mom.blogspot.com/)
9. Lani Lyutz (http://www.mommybloggersphilippines.com/)
10. Bedalyn Aguas (http://www.mamiandfamily.blogspot.com/)
11. Sella Goden (http://www.diskartengnanay.blogspot.com/)
12. Juliet Cruz (http://www.pinoyvision.net/)

I am happy to know that one of my good friends, Clarice (tickledmoms), will be doing it with me!

I know I still have a lot of mommy experience to go, but I hope that I would be able to help these new mommies-to-be avoid some of the mistakes that I've done in the past and also, let them know what worked for me when I was in their shoes.

Currently, there will be 13 Nazareth moms who will be doing this. Their profiles/stories have been recently shared to the above bloggers to know the types of women we will be mentoring. As I read through their profile, these women do need as much advise and assistance as I can. Their stories are quite diverse and surely an eye-opener for me. I'm hoping for an enlightening and enriching experience between both the mommy that I will be assigned to and will post how it went.

#IBM2014

EcoWaste Management Coalition: Protect Women & Babies against Harmful Chemicals

13 April 2014

The EcoWaste Coalition (a waste and pollution watchdog), Philippine Pediatric Society (a professional association of pediatricians) and Arugaan (a breastfeeding advocacy and support group) organized a “Science Talk” that drew over 50 participants from the healthcare sector, the government and the civil society, including community women, to discuss the importance of determining these toxins in pregnant women and how environmental bio-monitoring can provide a window to the maternal-fetal unit.

Dr Roy Roberto Gerona, a visiting Filipino scientist/clinical toxicologist (based at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California in San Francisco, USA) wanted to draw public attention to environmental chemicals that are finding their way to human bodies, especially among pregnant women who may pass these substances to their budding fetuses through the placenta.

Mommy Abi, me, Velvet, Jenny protesting to the media

____________________________________________________________
Taken from Ecowaste Site:

Among these environmental toxins are endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs, that are structurally similar to endocrine hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, insulin and thyroxine, and which can mimic and interfere with their normal functions, Dr. Gerona explained.

These EDCs comprise most consumer products as like bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate reusable drinking bottles, baby feeding bottles, carbonless thermal papers, rust-protection resins in canned drinks and foods; phthalates used as plasticizers in toys, medical devices, adhesives and glues, enteric coatings of capsules; perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in Teflon and Scotchgard; polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) used as flame retardants in polyurethane foams, electronics, furniture, and textiles. He added that these EDCs are also found in some pesticides such as glyphosate (Roundup), DDT, and atrazine.

“Endocrine hormones regulate the homeostatic (steady state) function of our bodies, including reproductive health, cardiovascular health and digestive and metabolic health, among others. Thus, chronic exposure to
EDCs disrupts hormone action and is associated with various clinical endpoints including higher predisposition to cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and metabolic syndrome,” he explained.

“Because the levels of hormones in our bodies are also quite low, low level exposures to EDCs affect their function,” he pointed out.

“Because the correct balance of hormone levels is crucial at specific time points in fetal development, the fetus is more vulnerable to the effects of EDCs,” he added.

“Pregnant women’s exposure to EDCs is transmitted to the developing fetuses in their wombs through the placenta. Some EDCs and their metabolites (breakdown products) cross the placenta,” he said.

Exposure of the fetus to EDCs during its development has been associated with immediate pathological effects such as crytorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias (delayed penile shaft opening) or long-term epigenetic effects manifested in higher predisposition to various clinical endpoints such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer later in life, Dr. Gerona said.

Environmental biomonitoring, Dr. Gerona said, is the process of determining the body burden of toxic substances and their metabolites in human samples such as blood, urine, breast milk, etc.

This entails measuring the levels of environmental chemicals using modern analytical instrumentation including gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry (LC-MS), he explained.

At the “Science Talk,” Dr. Gerona also spoke about “non-targeted analysis” of EDCs and how newer LC-MS technologies can help in understanding environmental toxins in pregnant women, including the identification of previously unmeasured chemicals that can be of concern to the nascent fetus.
____________________________________________________________
Lessons learned:

• avoid plastic bottles - go for glass bottles and containers
• avoid canned acidic foods - go for fresh/locally/ingenious fruits and vegetables
• changing our eating habits will enable our bodies to excrete out the toxins, given ample time and minimal to no toxins. we can be toxin-free, if we give our bodies time to "heal".

Not only did the talk got a wonderful response in the community, it also got a news worthy feature on the afternoon show, Balitanghali.

UNTV Rise and Shine: BFP and Water Birth

On 14 April 2014, Breastfeeding Pinays (BFP) was invited to be a guest at UNTV's Rise and Shine to discuss "Water Birthing", which resident BFP administrator/founder, Velvet Escario-Roxas is an expert of. She is the "first recorded case of Water Birth in the Philippines" and it was done at Alabang's Asian Hospital.

For family and friends, who weren't able to watch the UNTV Rise And Shine's Water Birth segment, you can watch it here!

Thank you all for your constant support and prayers on a successful promotion, protection and education of breastfeeding!

*************************
Rise and Shine is a daily morning program that  showcases a variety of topics from the most recent national issues to practical home solutions; cooking tips; livelihood ideas; family and parenting advice; Do-It-Yourself projects and fitness tips.

Rise & Shine is hosted by seasoned Broadcaster/Actress Louella de Cordova and print and commercial model Jenny Fajardo.

I love Being a Mom Project 2014: Mentoring Would-be Moms

MY MOMMY BACKGROUND
At first, becoming a SAHM was a huge adjustment for a corporate workaholic like me. The adjustment took longer than expected and I can still say that I'm still adjusting. I realized also that although it is NOT an easy job, it is the most rewarding one. No amount of promotion/money could ever equal the countless milestones, hugs, and kisses I get from my kids. And the way my son for example says his "thank you, Mom" and "I love you, Mommy", or how my daughter would come running over to me than her nanny since she decided she wants to direct feed than take it from a bottle. *bless her soul* Hands down, these are the moments that I will remember forever as a mother!

THIS MOTHER'S DAY
One of the things I've vowed to do this year is to be more active and volunteer in promoting breastfeeding, babywearing, and in "giving back" what I can. An opportunity has knocked on my door via my N@Wie sister - Jennifer Lopez Gana's call for volunteer mothers this year in the I Love Being a Mom project. You can read all about this project at JLofied's site. 

IBM PROJECT 2014

Through my self-discovery at home and being a mother in general, I encourage other mothers (full-time, part-time working moms or SAHM) to be a part of this great cause of supporting the moms to be from Nazareth Homes. You can either be a volunteer blogger or a sponsor to the cause.
Let these women know that it's great to be a mother and babies are blessings. To know more about it, please see the poster and support what you can!

#ibm2014

BLW: New Guidelines on Choking and Infant Resus (via BabyLedWeaning.com)

It is important to know the difference between Gagging and Choking especially when a parent starts BabyLedWeaning for the babies.
Article location is here.

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First of all, it goes without saying that if you’re doing BLW this is an area that you will have looked into already. (And if you haven’t… as they say on the adverts… just do it. Crazy not to.)

Personally, I think every parent should try to investigate some basic infant resus, because as those little blighters become more mobile and more curious they have a habit of picking more daft objects up to check if they are food or not. I cannot tell you how high we had to keep our first daughter’s brightly coloured school erasers in order to keep them away from our younger child.

From what I saw on our Facebook page this morning, it seems like this is a technique already advocated in the US and Australia, but for the benefit of the UK and anyone else who is interested, here is the latest video as featured in a Sky news report.

In fact, it differs only very slightly to the rather brilliant UK National Health Service video ‘How to help a choking child’

Can you see, in the NHS video the baby rests on the woman’s arm throughout much of her resus? Whereas St John Ambulance are now saying that there will be better support if the child is on the arm AND thigh? A tiny difference but if it’s best practice, let’s do it! (Might have been better if the St John uniform wasn’t so dark, eh? Can you even see those trousers?)


As an aside, it is also interesting to query the figures mentioned in the Sky News report, reproduced below. In a survey of parents of 1000 under-fives, 380 said they had seen their child choke, with only 50% knowing what to do in that event. There are two ways of looking at this… one, 190 children choked, and their parents didn’t know what to do but everyone (we assume, for Sky News would have looked for the goriest story possible) was okay. That’s encouraging (but still do your homework).

The other way of looking at it is that parents STILL don’t know the difference between choking and gagging and some of the chokes were mis-represented gags. It is worth knowing the difference as going straight for resus when they’re dealing with a gag can cause babies to aspirate food.

Gagging is actually a safety response to food travelling too far back into the mouth so when we see our babies gagging they are actually handling the problem and it’s best just to keep calm (or at least look calm) and wait until it passes. Choking, you will know about. The baby looks panicked, no or very little sound can come out, and lips may actually start turning blue. Be smart, educate yourself and know how to act quickly.

So all in all, it’s good news for the BLW crew, in that each and every one of us should already have considered choking, and how we will respond should it happen. (For the record, it happened once with my first child… dratted raw apple, and this below was her a minute later, after she had gotten over it and was onto a rice cake. It just never happened with my second.)


FROM SKY NEWS TODAY

“New first aid advice on how to help a choking baby has been issued to parents.

St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross and St Andrew’s First Aid have updated their advice after research suggested that many parents did not know what action to take.

The new advice is to place the baby face down along the thigh while an adult strikes the child’s back.
First aid experts say this gives the baby more support compared with the previous advice, which was to place the baby along the adult’s arm.

A survey of 1,000 parents of under-fives found 38% had seen their child choke.

Half of the parents said they did not know the correct way to help their child or how to clear the obstruction.
Nearly half said they avoided giving their child certain foods in case they choked.

Clive James, training officer at St John Ambulance, said: ‘If an infant is choking then, in the first instance, they should be laid face down along your thigh and supported by your arm, give them five back blows between the shoulder blades with your heel of your hand.

“Previously this was done along the arm but the leg is felt to be more secure and provide more support.

“Check their mouth for any obstruction. If there is still a blockage then turn the infant onto their back and give up to five chest thrusts.

“Use two fingers, push inwards and upwards against their breastbone.

“If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts, call for an ambulance and continue until help arrives.”

Breastfeeding: Block Feeding for Overactive Let-Down?

I've been reading in the BFP forums that there are some concerns about newborn or fairly new babies having trouble coping with her fast milk flow. During feedings, these babies would sputter, cough and then pull themselves off the breast crying. Mothers of these normally assume that she has an overactive let-down (OALD) and would, on my occasions, start using a “block feeding" strategy.

Before I get ahead of myself again...I better explain better and with proper research.

What is Block Feeding?

Block feeding involves restricting baby to one breast for 3-hour or longer blocks of time before giving the other breast. It is very effective at bringing down milk production when a mother is making way too much milk. Allowing the breasts to stay full for a set period of time sends the signal to slow milk production.

Occasionally if the baby is nursing in a very, very frequent pattern - meaning that the baby is nursing hourly or even closer than hourly and experiencing marked fussiness and perhaps has consistently green stools - a loose block pattern may be suggested as well.  It is good to note that frequent nursing - meaning about every 2 hrs from start of one feeding to start of next feeding - is totally normal.

This is totally different in normal breastfeeding patterns wherein breastfeeding experts recommend "baby led" or "feed-on-demand" nursing patterns. Baby should be allowed to finish the first breast, before burping and offering second side. This may mean baby will nurse, for example, 20-ish minutes on first side, burps, then may or may not be interested in the second side.

**Note: Time of the breast, doesn't mean that the baby is effectively feeding.  You have to still observe the baby on the breast, wherein the following conditions are met: (1) long gulping is done - "long pause", (2) proper weight gain is observed but compared via exclusively breastfeed babies chart, and (3) baby is happy and thriving.

Block Feeding DO's and DON'Ts

DO Consult with a breastfeeding expert, such as a board-certified lactation consultant. An expert in breastfeeding management can assess the situation and help mom determine if she might benefit from using a block nursing pattern, and if so, what type of pattern to use. Most experts recommend starting out with smaller blocks of time and increasing them if needed after a couple weeks.

DO Use this strategy especially in some cases where oversupply (aka “hyperlactation” or “overabundant milk production”) can decrease the quality of life for both mother and baby. For a mother, the drawbacks include regularly full and uncomfortable breasts and recurring plugged ducts. For the baby, oversupply can cause a very fast milk flow that can be hard to manage. In this case, block feeding used for no longer than 1 week would be good for both mother and baby.

DON'T What seems to be more and more common, though, is the assumption that any struggle with milk flow is due to OALD or oversupply when there is usually another cause. As a result, some mothers bring down their milk production with block feeding when their supply is actually at a healthy level, leading to other problems, such as slow weight gain.

Remember that it takes practice and maturity for babies to learn to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing during breastfeeding. Some episodes of milk flow struggles and pulling away are completely normal and are not necessarily signs of OALD or oversupply.

How to Know if Block Feeding Will Help?

The most reliable gauge of whether block feeding may be helpful is baby’s weight gain. If breastfeeding is going well, during the first 3 months, most babies gain on average about 2 lb/mo. (0.90 kg/mo.). If baby’s weight gain is double this or more, block feeding for no longer than 1 week makes sense.
If baby’s weight gain isn’t this high, it is likely that block feeding will cause more problems than it solves.

How Long Does It Take?
Block nursing is not an "instant fix" for oversupply, but it almost always helps if given enough time to help. In mild cases of oversupply, it may only take a few days to a couple weeks to see good results. In more severe cases, it may take several weeks to a couple months to see good results; although almost always mom will see improvements in the situation within just a few days of implementing the use of the block pattern.

Do I Need To Continue Using the Block Pattern, Once Supply Adjusts?
No, one doesn't need to continue using a block pattern once the situation is resolved. Mom can go back to using a "normal" nursing pattern of offering first breast until baby is finished, then burp and offer second side. If things continue to go well, there isn't a need to do any additional adjustments. If the symptoms of oversupply begin to return, she can resume a block nursing pattern once more for a while longer, and then later on can see if a "normal" nursing pattern will work.

As suggested above, it is recommended that mom locate a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) to assess each individual situation, provide assistance, information and support.

Alternatives When Baby Struggles with Milk Flow

What can you do if your baby’s weight gain is average but she is struggling with milk flow during breastfeeding? The best strategy is to use feeding positions that give the baby more control overflow. The most difficult feeding positions for babies from a milk-flow standpoint are those in which milk is flowing downhill into their throats, such as all those in which mothers sit upright.

I find either the Australian Laid-back (infant to toddler) or the Japanese Sitting positions worked well for controlled milk flow.

Australian Laid-back position

Japanese Sitting Position

Other positions can be found here.

If baby continues to have consistent problems with milk flow, it's time to see a lactation professional to check for anatomy, swallowing, and breathing issues.

References

Caroline, G.A. and van Veldhuizen-Staas, C. G. Overabundant milk supply: An alternative way to intervene by full drainage and block feeding. International Breastfeeding Journal 2007; 2:11.

Product Review (Pt 2) : Activity in a Box - KaHone

I was fortunate enough to product test another Activity in a Box aside from ExploreSandbox that might of interest to you. It's call KaHone Art - Discover the World in a Box.

The box that I got for this month. The theme is Space. I got excited about this since it is something new for C and I'm sure he would be interested to know what is up in the sky and beyond. The activities are:

1. Alien Headband
2. Build a Rocketship
3. Make Day and Night Happen
4. Bonus Activity - Power of the Sun

On first impression, before even getting the box - there was already a problem with its transport/delivery to me. My friend, Jenny, had to be very careful with its transport since it was a very thin box that would surely be flattened if she asked a messengerial service to send it over to us.

1.) The first among the activities that we did was the ALIEN HEADBAND.

Rave: I like this simple DIY activity. It got him excited though a bit puzzled with the raw materials laid out with him initially. He love the fuzzy twisty stick that he tried following me when he saw me do one side.

Rant: none for the activity. It might be a bit kiddie like for older kids but heck, C loved his headgear!

2.) The next is the BUILD A ROCKETSHIP. This I was curious...and a bit excited. I have a good feeling about it.

Rave: C enjoyed coloring the rocketship template. I think he did a pretty good job! He got excited when he finally found out what the heck mom was deciphering with regards to the instructions in making the rocket fly. We got excited with doing it (blowing) when we all know what to do.

Rant: I don't know if it was me or what but I got so confused with the instructions on how to roll the rectangular paper. I'm sorry but I was overwhelmed? I didn't for the life-of-me know what to do aside from rolling it. The instructions could be better made or worded.  I gave up after a few minutes since C was getting restless already. Daddy had to step in and save-the-day.


3.) Next activity was MAKE DAY AND NIGHT HAPPEN.

Rave: This was an interesting concept with regards to teaching kids light and day - via the shadow and obstructions. C enjoyed making land masses on the "balloon earth". It made him practice his hand coordination. I also got to correct his grip on the scissors.

Rant: The balloon was easy to blow up...it is the tying it to secure the balloon was the tough on. I guess we can't be balloon twisters! Actually, a lot in this activity was done by the adults than C, which left C sometimes bored since it was bit more technical and higher level of comprehension from a 3 year old.

4.) For the POWER OF THE SUN...we had to defer this experiment since it would require the sun out and at its full heat. Its has been pretty gloomy these days so we still need to do the bonus activity Power Of The Sun. But I am sure it's an interesting one but not for C's level yet.


VERDICT?
a.) Packaging is not as sturdy for transport or delivery compared to ExploreSandbox. The box is thin and is a bit on a delicate side thus I had to just pick up my box from my friend's home so she would not have the trouble of having to repackage our KaHone. Tedious but I do like the appealing graphics of the box and their mascot - the Cow.

b.) The activities are easily bought or downloadable, in my opinion on the web. Materials can be store bought and assembled, which isn't very creative. It seems that for a SAHM (Stay-At-Home Mom) like me, I can simply do it and get the materials at the bookstore or department store.

c.) I did enjoy the activities that made him color, use his motor skills and understand blowing unto a straw. It was something that C's school would do and so the activity was smooth and he followed instructions well. But if this was for an older child, maybe some of the activities might not be suited for him like the Alien Headband.

d.) The price of a KaHone is cheaper by around Php250 compared to ExploreSandbox. Based on the activities and for the suitability for C, I would choose ExploreSandbox from the way we did the activities.

For more information about KaHone Art, please visit their Facebook page.

Product Review (Pt. 1 of 2): Boxed Acitivities - ExploreSandbox

This is Part 1 of 2 parts since I recently was given the opportunity to try two types of Activity in a Box from two different suppliers of these in Manila.

The first one is Explore Sandbox. As per the site: "Explore Sandbox is a monthly themed subscription box, targeted for kids ages 3 to 7, that is delivered straight to your doorstep. Themes vary on a month-to-month basis. We do all the research, preparation and sourcing for you, leaving you to focus on connecting with your child."

Activities in a box like these has grown in popularity in recent years as a way for working, busy parents to still provide educational and at the same time, memorable experiences with their children. The concept is be able to take the children away from just being in front of a television set or a gadget and get back to the basics of exploration and discovery through experiments and doing. It can be done alone or with adult supervision. The activities deal can be from sensory play, arts and crafts, to simple experiments and more. The box would contain 4 to 5 activities that revolve around a common theme assigned for the month, and would vary from toys, materials and guidelines, which is included in the box.
 
This month's (February 2014) activity set is Colors and Shapes. There were: (1) Wooden Tops, (2) Accessories Making, (3) Geoboard and (4) Colored Balls.

I suggest you review the box before giving it to your kids to start playing unless they are meticulous in reading instructions and is a bit more organized. In my case, I made sure I was at home to get the box and review what is needed for what activity.  It looked so impressive upon opening! Check out below.

(1) WOODEN TOPS: dealt with Primary and Secondary Colors, hand coordination in spinning the tops

Instructions: color wooden tops and use one color per section. When finished, spin and see how the color changes as the top gains speed.

I would have wanted C to take a bit more effort in coloring the tops so he could see the color changes from Primary to Secondary colors when he spun the tops but I think at this age, he was more interested in the game than the color changes.

(2) ACCESSORIES MAKING: Fine motor skills and patience in getting the bead through the string

Instructions: String together a combination of shapes and colors and when completed, tie the ends together.

I know this is one of the popular exercises in C's school and so he knew what to do immediately. The only difference is that this exercise, it became a necklace to wear.

(3) GEOBOARD: recreation of shapes, promote fine motor and math skills

Instructions: Use the rubber bands to make different shapes on the Geoboard.
Note: the Geoboard is a math manipulative that can be used by older children to understand math concepts like perimeter, area, angle, measurement and polygons. It can also practice and promote fine motor skills to create letters and numbers.

After showing C what to do, he quickly took an interest to this activity. C has been interested in shapes and colors and this was was his "cup of tea". He enjoyed the tactile feel of the board and the interesting shapes he was making just by placing the right rubber bands to the right pegs. He experimented on a lot of types of shapes by stretching and pulling the rubber bands on the board. It also gave him a sense of imagination. He kept overlapping rubber bands to make shapes.
I liked the fact that this can be reused for future educational teaching tools as stated.

(4) COLORED BALLS: chemical changes and observations

Instruction: Mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water and pour into container. Choose one colored ball and place in bowl then squirt solution to container. Observe the color change in the solution. See the surprise inside.

I was more excited of this than C, since he was more interested in squirting water unto the container than observe the chemical reaction. Some of the balls arrived crumbled already so I'm wondering if better transport container should be done since some came in half already so "the surprise" can be seen or the ball disintegrated even before we started. Also, the solution might need more strength since I remember using almost the whole bottle for one ball and it wouldn't dissolve the ball to reveal the surprise. You also have to notice the solution well since we only got partial disintegration.
Nonetheless, C enjoyed the chemical reaction and even smelled the solution after, where I had to explain to him what it was since he couldn't find the right words to describe the "sour" smell.

RAVES: 
(1) Being a busy mom with two kids, who is also busy with household chores and kids activities in school, this box really is a life-saver and gives parents like me the chance to do some home-schooling like classes, even if it's within an hour or so at our own leisure. It is allows parents to start activities with their children together without having to plan days in advance for research tools and materials.

(2) I like how the makers of Explore Sandbox thought of the packaging since it came in a very sturdy box for transportation/delivery easy.

(3) Since this box is on a monthly basis, this type of subscription based item provides both, parents and children, an excitement that is very similar to opening a Christmas present though on a monthly basis, while at the same time tackling on the world of discovery and experiments. I loved how they addressed it to my son. It made him realize that the box is for him when he first saw it.

RANTS:
(1) The crumbled color balls was a bit of a disappointment. It sort of lost it's "mystery factor" regarding what is inside since 2 out of the 3 balls had already cracked and I didn't see much color change in the solution till the 3rd (last ball) since it was intact and had better colors to show my son what the solution colors were. Plus the prize inside was basically the same but different colors. I think it might appeal to girls since since boys wouldn't really know what those are. Maybe a small plastic toy or something would have been better.

(2) The sets per activity wasn't packaged as a package. It was laid out all together, though it really looked good in the box, it took a bit of organizing and reading the instructions to make sure the proper item was for the said activity. Not a really huge deal but it would be a good idea if the materials per activity would be individually packaged.


Overall Review: I liked it! I also think C appreciated the change in bonding activity instead of just reading a book, writing practice or watching TV (gasp!) after dinner.
There was much thought for the activities that you couldn't get in a store. I.e. Colored Balls and Geoboard. I do appreciate the further thought that some of the items can be played again and again like the Accessories Making and Geoboard and can later be used for other purpose - whether for play or education.

If you want more information, pricing or would like to order ExploreSandbox you can, email your queries to ExploreSandbox at gmail dot com or via mobile at +63.917.6955.

Breastfeeding: Inverted Nipples - how do you know you have it and what do you do?

Now you know if you have a inverted or flat nipple…what do you do?

Well, first and foremost it to:-

1.)    Knowing what a proper latch looks like. I have searched online and always refer to the Breastfeeding Guro of Dr Jack Newman. He has a video posted on Youtube that can help describe what the good latch is all about.
Proper Latch:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj9tLgYn-bA
Asymetric:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHs2Ql5Kylo
Latch with a Lactation Aid:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezGIkIkhC_o
More videos are here: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jack+newman+breastfeeding

During your initial feedings, your baby may be able to open his mouth wide enough and suck vigorously enough to draw the nipple far into his mouth and close his gums on the areola, so the flat or inverted nipple may not present a major problem. Having someone to help you with latch on and positioning can be very helpful.

You will want to nurse as soon as possible after birth, and every 2-3 hours after that. You want to avoid engorgement, because breast swelling can cause the nipples to flatten out, making them more difficult to grasp. (See article on Engorgement for tips on how to avoid this problem).

For initial learning period of breastfeeding, try to avoid the use of any artificial nipples. Supplement with alternative feeding methods, because the baby who is learning how to nurse, especially on a nipple that isn’t the ideal shape for nursing, is more likely to become nipple confused. See article Introducing Bottles and Pacifiers to the Breastfed Baby to get more detailed information on alternate feeding methods.

If feedings become stressful, stop and comfort your baby. Try rocking, swaddling, walking, giving him your finger to suck, or offer him some expressed milk or water or until he settles down. You want him to associate feedings with positive feedback, not negative.

2.)    What is an inverted/flat nipple?

A) The nipple below is what a nipple is normally shaped. 

 

B) The nipple below is an example of what an inverted nipple looks like. 

C) A simple "pinch test" will show you whether your nipple is inverted: Using your thumb and index finger, gently squeeze the areola about 1 inch behind the nipple. This technique will make a normal nipple protrude.

 D) The pinch test will make an inverted nipple pull inward.

3.)    What if you DO HAVE an INVERTED NIPPLE? It’s not the end of the world. It is helpful if you have help from a Lactation Consultant, if possible during the first feedings, as these are likely to present the most problems.

Many mothers with flat or inverted nipples experience some degree of nipple soreness. You may experience soreness as the nipple is drawn into the baby’s mouth, and the adhesions are stretched or broken. If the nipple draws back into the baby’s mouth during or immediately after feedings, moisture may become trapped and contribute to soreness. Try patting the nipples dry after feedings and apply a thin coating of lanolin or olive oil.
Here are some of consolidating tested techniques in getting them out and easy for your baby to latch on:-

a.       Hoffman Technique.
Doing this technique several times a day may help loosen the adhesions at the base of the nipple. To employ this technique: place a thumb on each side of the base of the nipple - directly at the base of the nipple, not at the edge of the areola. Push in firmly against your breast tissue while at the same time pulling your thumbs away from each other. By doing this you will be stretching out the nipple and loosening the tightness at the base which will make the nipple move up and outward. This exercise should be repeated 5 times a day, moving the thumbs in a clockwise fashion around the nipple. It can be used during pregnancy and after baby begins breastfeeding.

b.      Nipple stimulation.
After birth (unless the nipples retracts completely), if the nipple can be grasped, a mother can roll her nipple between her thumb and index finger for a 30 seconds to a minute or two and then quickly touch the nipple with a moist, cold cloth or ice wrapped in cloth, immediately before offering it to your baby. A disposable nursing pad that is dampened and put in the freezer makes a great ice pack can also to help the nipple evert immediately before nursing.

NOTE: Avoid prolonged use of ice as it can inhibit the letdown reflex and numb the nipple too much

c.       Pulling back on the breast tissue/areola before you latch the baby on.
As you support your breast for latch-on with thumb on top and four fingers underneath and way back against the chest wall, pull slightly back on the breast tissue toward the chest wall to help the nipple protrude.

d.      Nipple Shield.
WARNING: Nipple shields should only be used when a lactation professional recommends them and supervises their use, they can be helpful in certain situations.
This is a thin, flexible silicone nipple with holes in the end that fits over your nipple during feedings. Nipple shields, in the past, were made out of thick rubber that caused a significant decrease in the mother’s milk supply. They were handed out freely to new mothers in order to ‘reduce nipple soreness’ or to get babies to nurse at the breast. Under these circumstances, they created more problems than they solved. Modern nipple shields are made from a clear, thin layer of silicone, which means that more stimulation reaches the areola, and the reduction of milk volume is minimized.

The below is from Dr Jack Newman’s account regarding Nipple Shields on his Facebook account.

One of the situations in which a nipple shield can be useful is in helping an infant latch on to a severely inverted or flat nipple, especially when other measures described above have failed. Mothers who use the shield should be instructed on how to wean the baby off the shield as soon as possible, and should weigh their baby frequently to assure adequate milk intake.

For many mothers, use of a shield is the first step in getting her baby to nurse at the breast, and may mean the difference between continuing to nurse or weaning. The mother’s ability to feel her baby sucking at her breast may encourage her to continue nursing after other attempts have failed. She needs to be encouraged to periodically put her baby on the breast without the shield until she is able to discontinue its use entirely. If the baby will take one breast without the shield, she should nurse him on that breast at each feeding, and use the shield only if the baby won’t take the other breast without it. While some babies move quickly from nursing with the shield to nursing without it (sometimes after only one or two feedings) other babies have to be weaned from it gradually. My niece, who had one normal nipple, and one that was severely inverted, used the shield on and off for several months. She monitored her baby’s weight gain carefully, and he is now happily nursing (without the shield) at the age of 18 months. Considering the severity of her inversion, I am not sure that her baby would have ever been able to nurse on that breast without the use of the shield.

***UPDATE!!! (Source International Breastfeeding Center)

MYTH: Women with flat or inverted nipples cannot breastfeed.

ANSWER: Not true! Babies do not breastfeed on nipples, they breastfeed on the breast. Though it may be easier for a baby to latch on to a breast with a prominent nipple, it is not necessary for nipples to stick out. A proper start will usually prevent problems and mothers with any shaped nipples can breastfeed perfectly adequately. In the past, a nipple shield was frequently suggested to get the baby to take the breast.
THIS GADGET SHOULD NOT BE USED, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS!
Though it may seem a solution, its use can result in poor feeding and severe weight loss, and makes it even more difficult to get the baby to take the breast. (See Finger and Cup Feeding). If the baby does not take the breast at first, with proper help, he will often take the breast later. Breasts also change in the first few weeks, and as long as the mother maintains a good milk supply, the baby will usually latch on by 8 weeks of age no matter what, but get help and the baby may latch on before. See When a Baby Does not yet Latch.

e.       High Quality Pump.
If the soreness lasts for more than a week or two, you may need to use a high quality pump (See article Pumping and Storing Breastmilk) to help maintain your milk supply. When a nipple is severely inverted, the baby may compress the nipple buried inside the tissue, rather than the milk sinuses underneath the areola. The sucking action of the pump pulls out the center of the nipple uniformly, rather than compressing the areola. This can help gradually break the underlying adhesions.

If both nipples are severely inverted (which is not usually the case) you may need to double pump every 2-3 hours and feed your baby with an alternative method until the adhesions are broken and the nipples protrude. This is a situation in which renting a pump may really be worth it. In some extremely rare cases, the baby never successfully goes on the breast and you may need to continue pumping and feeding your expressed breastmilk by bottle. (See article Introducing Bottles and Pacifiers to the Breastfed Baby) for information on using bottles as well as alternative feeding methods.)

Usually, only one nipple is inverted and one breast is easier for the baby to grasp. In this case, you may want to feed on the ‘good side’ while you pump the other breast until the adhesions are loosened. You can feed the baby the milk you expressed on the inverted side after nursing on the other breast.

Some mothers can draw their inverted nipples out with just one pumping session. Others may need to continue pumping for days, weeks, or even months, depending on the degree of inversion and the baby’s sucking patterns. If the nipple inverts again during pauses in the baby’s feeding, you may need to stop and pump again for a few minutes and then put him back on the breast. In almost all cases, the adhesions will loosen and the baby will be able to nurse effectively as he grows bigger and stronger and becomes more efficient at nursing.

4.)     Other Resources:

a.       Breastfeeding Canada Inc
http://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-WBD

b.      Dr Jack Newman on FB with a relevant posting:- https://www.facebook.com/DrJackNewman/posts/213653845452336

In almost all cases, the adhesions will loosen and the baby will be able to nurse effectively as he grows bigger and stronger and becomes more efficient at nursing, whether you invest in gadgets or not. Remember that the baby doesn’t ‘nipple feed’, instead the baby BREASTFEEDS. Once he is able to draw the nipple into his mouth, the shape of it doesn’t matter much at all.

Babies grow unbelievably fast, and his tiny mouth will ‘grow into a large/ flat/ or inverted nipple before you know it. Once the nipple inverts consistently, it seldom inverts again. Also, inverted nipples are much less common with second babies. Their older siblings seem to have paved the way, and pulled out the nipples for their baby brother or sister and making everyone in the family much happier!

**Need more info? Visit AlphaParent for All Breasts Can Breastfeed for more detailed discussion with regards breasts that were reduced, enhanced, etc. I find it all empowering!