Ibu Robin Lim Live in Manila!

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I am slowly moving to Wordpress to better suit the growing needs of this blog so kindly click on the link below for the details of this entry.  Enjoy!

https://multitaskingdoula.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/ibu-robin-lim-live-in-manila/

Hakab Na 2014: the Big Latch On

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Hakab Na 2014: the Big Latch On

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

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I am slowly moving to Wordpress to better suit the growing needs of this blog so kindly click on the link below for the details of this entry.  Enjoy!

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

Homebirthing in the Philippines : Gentle Birth Made Possible

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I am slowly moving to Wordpress to better suit the growing needs of this blog so kindly click on the link below for the details of this entry.  Enjoy!

Homebirthing in the Philippines : Gentle Birth Made Possible

Late Update: The Great Cloth Diaper Challenge 2014

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I am slowly moving to Wordpress to better suit the growing needs of this blog so kindly click on the link below for the details of this entry.  Enjoy!

Late Update: The Great Cloth Diaper Challenge 2014

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

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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.
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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.

At Villamore Airbase...relief efforts (Nov 17, 2013 and beyond)

A very very late posting...but still an important post. Read on my friends...

I have been busy with a lot of things but among all that I've done and I think this will count as a life-changing and notable factor in my mind. It's so engrained even as I write this...it will be noted as sign that what I am doing is all in a Higher Being's will.

Oh my…I'm getting ahead of myself...I think the best thing is to do a timeline instead.

November 06, 2013

By November 6, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) assigned the storm the local name Yolanda as it approached their area of responsibility.

[NOTE: Typhoon Haiyan, known as Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, was an exceptionally powerful tropical cyclone that devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, in early November 2013. It is the deadliest Philippine typhoon on record, killing at least 6,069 people in that country alone. Haiyan is also the strongest storm recorded at landfall, and unofficially the fourth strongest typhoon ever recorded in terms of wind speed.]

November 07, 2013

Typhoon Hailan (Yolanda) made landfall to Eastern Samar. Devastation started.

November 08, 2013

A weakened Haiyan, with its core disrupted by interaction with the Philippines, emerged over the South China Sea late on November 8 and left the Philippines.

November 11, 2013

The provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, Palawan, and Samar, were placed under a state of national calamity, allowing the government to use state funds for relief and rehabilitation and to control prices of basic goods. Manila weather was still decently favorable with some showers but definitely not a typhoon compared to what our Visayas area was experiencing.

November 12, 2013

I left for Hong Kong for a short trip. Little did I know that I would be working offshore as part of the Breast Feeding Pinay’s relief efforts.

November 14, 2013

A correspondent from the BBC reported Tacloban to be a "war zone," with tanks and armed military personnel entering the city. To ensure the safety of the citizens of Tacloban, families are being flown from affected areas to Villamor Airbase (VAB).  The first batch of these came that evening and a lot were asking for milk formula.

Doc Lei Alfonso came up with a system on how to process the situation because we have to protect these babies and formula is never the solution and especially in calamities. She got in touch with Mrs. Ona, head of the generals’ wives, who wanted to know how to feed the infants. This is where help was provided.  Volunteers from Breastfeeding Pinays (BFP) and Latch Philippines were immediately immobilized upon the confirmation that VAB will be the hub of arrival of Tacloban survivors via C130 cargo places.  Both groups, BFP and LATCH, joined forces to set up an area for mothers and babies/toddler (0-2 years old) that can be a place of refuge.  The volunteer moms of both groups would help survivor moms and babies on breastfeeding, health checks, nutrition, etc. There will be a trained expert on hand; in case, there is a need for intervention like teaching how to cup feed, latch, etc.

November 15, 2013

While I was still in HKG, I was coordinating that afternoon for diaper deliveries via a diaper agent/contact of ours. From ordering sizes and number of pieces to maximize the contribution budget to finding transporting to ensure the fastest delivery date/time we could do. I was on edge all afternoon and I remember “biting my nails” in ensuring that we can get the whole thing set-up ASAP. I was thankful that things did worked out in the end like contacts were able to get the orders done, delivery arranged by another BFP friend, CW, with the proper schedule, long distance connections worked out well and all done before my next appointment in Hong Kong. It was exhausting but definitely felt the urgency of the moment and all the other mother volunteers were ready to step-up-the-plate to lend support, logistics and knowledge.

Aside from the diaper donation, I sent a heads-up to my whole family that I hope they would support me with regards to anything that would be needed later for relief efforts. Later requests were as random as tarpaulins, hot pots, rechargeable lamps, water dispensers, mosquito repellants, beddings, pillows…you name it, we welcomed it with open arms!

November 17-23, 2013
The Nanay Bayanihan was formed as a place of refuge for mothers and babies 0-2 years old with the assistance of LATCH, BFP, DOH, Villamore General Wives' Association, while waiting for the survivor's family members to pick them up, contact their relatives in Manila before pick-up or transit to another location. It provided food, shelter and relief goods to these families who have lost everything.

The below are some of the scenes between the 17^th to the 23^rd night shifts (10pm to about 3am to 4am) that I’ve done. I still can see some of the faces of those mothers and babies that just pinched my heart as I see how resilient they were and took everything in strides. Most of them were so shy that I had to be the ones to pull them over or I would go directly to the grandstands of Villamore Air Base.

We (BFP and Latch volunteers) instructed the habit that when the C130 planes landed, we would go directly to the grandstands, instead of having DSWD workers refer mothers/toddlers to us, directly ask them to come to the relief shelter/area. It was an effort but it was also a good thing because there were so many mothers who need to change their babies, get away from the crowds to rest, breastfeed in private, re-lactation, etc.

I have to say, I was in awe with the sheer volume of people but also of the huge cargo planes and the relief goods, people around the area.  Individual/Single, couple/families. Young and Old. Male and Female.  Poor / Middle Class, etc …disasters does not choose any type.

It was exciting most of the time but of course, there were nights where I was so tired from my day chores and ready to give up…but I would step back and think about what those arriving moms and babies went through was nothing to anything my day could have been...this helped motivate me to go up to the grandstands area for weary moms and babies that just needed a place of refuge for a few minutes, hours or days. I sought the help of the runners, DSWD marshals, announcers, etc to keep on telling everyone that there is a Nanay Bayanihan tent who offer mothers with babies 0-2 years old to rest and change their babies/toddlers.
Each group of people helping came and set-up their own tents like mushrooms! I wasn't able to take a photo of the 1st Nanay Bayanihan tent.

There were a few survivor moms who would reluctantly come and ask for formula, cloths, food and diapers.

Little is really advertised that UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) strongly urged all who are involved in funding, planning and implementing the emergency response in the Philippines to avoid unnecessary illness and death by promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding. Community leaders are called on to monitor and report any donations that may undermine breastfeeding.  This is targeted at infant formula distribution. Any formula milk or milk substitute donations are to be coursed through the Department of Health (DOH).  To add also, UN Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) also noted that “Non-breastfed infants are more likely to need hospital treatment and more likely to die from infectious disease post-flooding.”

One of those running restless nights, I was able to bump into a ex-colleague also MikeyB that totally caught me off-guard since I know he had a really tough day job (banker) and still he was able to help out with so much gusto that I couldn’t give being tired as a Stay-At-Home-Mom as an excuse not to give the same energy to the weary survivors. It really woke me up and re-direction to my purpose there.

I was fortunate to experience a few wet nursing opportunities and re-lactating assistance since the moms have one or another are not available, either mom was asleep, had gave up on breastfeeding and resorted to giving the bottle (re-lactating was being done at our tent), and those who were left orphaned.  I was having flashbacks on the Dr Newman seminars and the book club that BFP (including my past experiences) as I help re-lactate and assist in feeding these mother’s babies. Though I am sure I would forget their names, the faces I surely won’t.

The transfer back from Aguinaldo to VAB had quite a few glitches and laced with controversies and stress but somehow, God had His Plan all lined up for all of us. Things worked out well in the end with the help of Sen. PC who assisted us while our tents were being transported for the next day.

 

When God plans...He plans BIG! From a mere 3 connecting tent, to a huge "mansion"! 

Nanay Bayanihan continues on...

 

I will surely miss the:
(1) nightly updates between shifts and what happened during the day, etc;
(2) home-cooked food offered to volunteers by chefs in “truck style” operations;

(3) the families (mom and babies) that I met who shared stories one way or another;
(4) the cute foreigner volunteers from all over;
(5) the repacking of customized lootbags/relief goods per recipients – it was shopping on a per baby/toddler that came in. We really got some awesome donors with great fashion and practical sense.  Generosity was so evident.

All in all, the whole experience:-

1.)    Strengthen my faith to God, fellowmen – all in the goodness of the group of people around me and my family. There was never anything that wasn’t provided at His own time.

2.)    Reaffirmed my conviction in Breastfeeding and Babywearing. It is all for the betterment of future society and the ones that will be with my children.

3.)    Reinforced my knowledge with passing on Breastfeeding, Relactating, Baby Care information to mothers that need it most.

4.)    Enabled me to experience being a wet nurse and compare bottle-fed versus direct feeding babies.

5.)    Gave me the opportunity to meet, mingle and forge friendships/connections with some awesome wonderful people (doctors, wet nurses, fellow mothers, etc) in Arugaan, BFP and Latch Philippines!

These are friends for life!

It's N@W or Never: Breastfeed Your Child - A Photo Exhibit

In line with another breastfeeding month events around town that I was able and honored to join is a photo exhibit titled "It's N@W or Never! Breastfeed Your Child".  For more information about the exhibit, kindly read the below.

The Office of Senator Pia Cayetano , together with Newlyweds@Work, proudly present this breastfeeding exhibit entitled “It’s N@W or Never: Breastfeed your Child”. The entire month of August has been designated as Breastfeeding Awareness Month under Republic Act No. 10028, or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009. This year’s theme is "Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers."

Newlyweds@Work (or N@W) is an online community/support group for Filipino couples on marriage, pregnancy, parenting, family life home improvement. N@W has also become a lifeline for new moms, especially regarding breastfeeding. The exhibit showcases N@Wies who breastfeed their children and provide breastfeeding support to their fellow N@Wies. These photographs were originally intended as personal keepsakes of each mom on their breastfeeding journey. The N@W community is honored to share these to a wider audience.

Blogger Jenny Ong of Chronicles of a Nursing Mom shares how N@W patched her up with breastfeeding supporters that eventually led to a successful breastfeeding relationship with her firstborn. N@W co-founder Benz Co-Rana likewise achieved breastfeeding success with the help of several N@W breastfeeding counselors. Jenny and Benz are just two of the growing number of N@Wie moms who opt to breastfeed their children despite the 21st century challenges that come with it.

This project is a collaboration between Stanley Ong Photography and LIFE at Imagine Nation Photography. Since 2008, Stanley has taken yearly breastfeeding photographs in support of the breastfeeding advocacy and his breastfeeding photographs have been exhibited in several locations. Despite being a male photographer, he has photographed almost 100 breastfeeding mothers.

Imagine Nation Photography is a team of young and creative photographers in pursuit of excellence and perfection in their field
because of their huge love for Jesus. It has been a known brand in wedding photography for 10 years. For family celebrations, victories, and bite-sized milestones, the team brings LIFE– its fresh new name for family, portrait, and lifestyle photography.

More updates and photos soon! For now, please check out the poster and a sneak peek of the exhibit.

 

Poster Credit:  Oj of The Pretty Palette by OJ for our Poster Design;

Mec Arevalo for the title

Sneak Peek Credit:  Chronicles of a Nursing Mom

World Breastfeeding Week

August 1–7 is World Breastfeeding Week (based on the WHO website)!!! This is celebrated every year in more than 170 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration made by WHO and UNICEF policy-makers in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is six months old, and continued breastfeeding with the addition of nutritious complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.

I am a firm believer that breastfeeding is the most precious gift a mother can give to her child(ren). It is not a forever thing (as what some other critics around me say) but the benefits of this can be seen in the child's lifetime.  I breastfed my son for about 21 months only since I was pregnant with my second child. I wasn't educated well that I can still continue breastfeed even up to the 8th month of pregnancy. Please see KellyMom on this. I regretted not doing my research and had my OB decide when to totally stop cold-turkey my son's breastfeeding journey.  My initial target for C was to reach 2 years old. 
Now that I have given birth to our second child, S, I am more determined to reach this 2 years old mark and enjoy my breastfeeding lifestyle with the support of breastfeeding coach friends and supportees. With new-found determination and a strong support system behind me on this, there is totally nothing I won't be able to do!
Getting back to breastfeeding and being one of the many supporters, I tell friends and relatives that this takes a lot of sacrifice, commitment and conviction to do that only a mother can decide for herself.  My decision to breastfeed had made me the woman/mother/partner that I am today. I had to learn how to be stronger for my kids and provide a more vocal supporter to other mothers who are going through what I did.

August Breastfeeding Month has a full schedule of events in and around town can be found at Chronicles of a Nursing Mom here. The breastfeeding community is all excited to kick them off!

One of those activities that will be important to S and me since we will be there is the Breastfreeding MOB set in Manila on August 3, 2013 - 3pm at Rajah Sulayman Park, Roxas Boulevard Manila. This is the park beside the original Aristrocrat and Max's Fried Chicken. It is open to all, not only breastfeeding families but also supporters and everyone that would like to help raise awareness in breastfeeding.
Registration is requested since there will be buttons for the mothers who will be attending this event. Please make sure you register at the Eventbrite page here to get your personalized button.
To know more about the event, you can find it here at the BFP Event Page. I hope you come and introduce yourself to us if you do come. :)
Spread the word - let's make breastfeeding a norm and not a taboo!

The below are some wonderful posters from the WHO site that provides ways of promoting breastfeeding whether you are a parent, relative, co-worker, etc. I cannot wait to attend the other activities this August to promote Breastfeeding in the Philippines.
For now, happy Breastfeeding month to all my readers!