Ruxpin - A First Look

I got into babywearing with N quite late - she was already about 18 months old.  During this time, Buding's new product - Saya - was introduced and I lined up to be one of the first customers.  I purchased the SSK Brown Floral, replaced my existing pouch and happily wore N until my back couldn't take it anymore.  Now that E is a little bigger, I have started using the Saya for him and E is loving it the same way his Achi did!

Update to the March 31 Babywearing Event

We are overwhelmed with the number of people who signed up for Babywearing 4!!  The form has been temporarily shut down since we have long passed the maximum number of people. The Painter's Wife will be sending email confirmations within this week. As much as we want to accommodate everyone, the venue is not huge so we have to shut down the sign-up sheet for now.  Do monitor it within this week as we may be able to put it up again when we receive cancellations. So if you have signed up for the event but can't make it, please do cancel to give space to other interested persons.

View Larger Map
Let's get down to business.  Pay parking is available in the middle of the Renaissance complex.  The Function Rooms are in Tower B of Renaissance 3000 building.  Please note that the event is not in a mall so there is nothing to keep your older kids entertained.  Since you are attending to learn how to babywear, it is important that you bring the child you will be carrying but preferably, not your older kids so you can focus on the task at hand.  Also, this is a private residential building so if the older kids get rowdy, security may step in and ask them to leave.  There will be URC products (foods and drinks) available for purchase at the Function Room.  If you have strollers, we ask that you leave them in your car as we expect the place to be packed.  Let me emphasize again - we have limited space - so if possible, please leave lola, aunty, uncle behind if they will not be learning to babywear anyway.  

Now for the fun stuff!  We are happy to have so many vendors participate in the event, including 2 new local carrier brands!  Participating vendors include Next9 Baby, Saya, Ruxpin, IndigoBaby, Bosom Buddy, Tickled Moms, Numa (Boba and Sleepy Wrap) and Mamaway.  Plus we have raffle prizes galore - certificates and products from Next9 Baby, Mamaway, Blissful Babes, Roots and Wings Trading, Eden, Mothering Earthlings, Manila Baby Shop, Bailey Wrap, Indigo Baby, Numa, Googoo&Gaga, TickledMoms, Thrifty Mama, Celestina & Co. and Caleb's Closet. 

Are you excited yet? I am!! See you on Saturday! I definitely will be babywearing E!

Please watch this space or The Painter's Wife for more updates within this week. 

Concerns of a Milk Donor Mom

I write this post because I have been receiving requests for milk or inquiries where to get breastmilk.  I understand that some moms need milk for their sick or premature children but having been the receiving end of rude queries and emails, I want to emphasize some things to moms who are asking for milk.  I previously wrote a post about responsible milk sharing and I'd like to reiterate a comment I made there:

Granted, there are emergencies that lead moms to request for donor's milk but it must be emphasized that requests for donor's milk should only be made one time and is really not a sustainable practice.  Moms need to learn that they are responsible for their own babies' consumption and not too rely on other moms' milk.

Happy Three Months to Baby E!

How time flies!! Little E is no longer a newborn!

Get ready for a FAB event!

Guess what's coming up on the last day of March?

Milk Delivery Services Within Metro Manila

Two days ago, Mi'ann of Babymama and I were chatting about the usability of a milk delivery service within Metro Manila.  Mi'ann has been in touch with Candy of Pedala Messengers to set-up a delivery service where the milk recipients need not pick up milk from the donors themselves.  Mi'Ann posted this note in Facebook but I am reposting it here for the benefit of those without Facebook access and because Facebook notes tend to be buried under new notes or posts.  Great job Babymama!

Why milk product donations shouldn't be allowed during disasters

In the 23 February 2012 edition of the Inquirer, a letter to the editor was sent by Corazon del Mundo, chair of Women Involved in Nation-Building, directing the readers' attention to the Sendong disaster and listing down reasons why donations of milk products should be allowed and be coursed through government agencies.  This letter was in response to the column by Rina Jimenez-David on milk and malnutrition where she wrote about the perils of donations of powdered formula or milk.   

This brings us to the problem of donations of powdered formula or milk, which are among the first and most common items sent in response to disasters. “In the confusion that surrounds emergencies, these products are often distributed in an uncontrolled way and used by mothers who would otherwise breastfeed their babies,” says Unicef, adding that indiscriminate use of donated milk “results in unnecessary illness and death for infants.”

Delectable Lactation Brownies from Mommy Treats!

It has been more than 1 year since Paola Loot of Mommy Treats launched her lactation goodies especially made for nursing moms.  Since then she has developed new flavors for her lactation cookies and muffins.  Her oven has been groaning, her mixer has conked out and business has been growing!  
Paola and I often see each other during La Leche League meetings.  I really admire how she is able to maintain a personal touch with her clients despite how much her business has grown.  Paola also regularly reviews comments from her clients, allowing her to develop new flavors and adjust her current menu to suit the mommies' tastes. 

Guest Post: Breastfeeding is Compatible with Surgery

Today's guest post is written by Christine Yusingco-Zubiri, a fellow N@Wie.  She shared her experience about continuing to breastfeeding despite undergoing breast surgery and I asked her to share it as a guest post in this blog.  I do admire her determination and hope that her experience will inspire pregnant moms or moms who are having difficulties during the early days of breastfeeding to continue to breastfeed. 

=========

Christine is a mother of two, who has had had her share of breastfeeding issues, from low milk supply, cracked nipples, mastitis, to latching problems. She is a working mother and her pump has been her bestfriend for quite some time. It was so hard to find information on mothers who had to have breast surgery while breastfeeding that she decided to share her experience.

-----------

I had this lump on my left breast since I was around 20 years old. At that time it was still small and pretty much moveable and palpable. My mom brought me to a surgeon who said that it’s common for young women  to have lumpy breasts. A few years later I  consulted with an OB GYN who, after doing a clinical breast exam, concluded that it is most probably a fibroadenoma. I didnt bother to have it checked again but continued to do a self breast exam every month or so.  

Win the use of an Ameda Elite for your office for 1 year!

Today is my first day back to work and what better way to commemorate it by holding a blog contest especially for working and pumping moms!
======================
As a working and pumping mom when N was a nursling, the Ameda Elite was my best friend at work.  The Elite is a powerful multi-user pump and I really loved it!  You can read my review of the Elite here.  After I graduated from pumping, the Elite went to my sister as she went to pump milk for her preemie baby who is now 2 years old!  I sent the Elite pump to Babymama (the authorized Ameda dealer in the Philippines) for cleaning, restoration and refurbishing and it is now as good as new!  Since I now have 3 new pumps (Unimom Forte, Freestyle and Hygeia), I have decided to share my Ameda Elite to another group of moms who will benefit most with it.