Mommy Ginger
Let's talk about Business, Beauty and Babies!

On Breastfeeding and Post Partum Depression

I’ve been posting a lot on social media — just some daily updates after giving birth to this cute little baby.

Baby Yani

I recently mentioned in one of my posts that I’m glad that I have documented a lot of stuff during my pregnancy with Zeeka and also created some post partum blog posts after. Weirdly, my blog has been my own personal resource during these times that I’ve given birth again. Some posts that I read again were the ones about breastfeeding.

Motherhood and My Breastfeeding Challenge
A Day of Learning: Maintaining Breast Milk Supply

I’ve been stressing about my output recently, but knowing that I went through the same things with Zeeka 8 years ago gives me comfort that I can actually do this again (because I’ve done it successfully before).

Breastfeeding Mommy here!

I don’t know if it’s because of my age that I feel that I’m having a hard time waking up most hours of the day. I feel so tired and so drained. To top it all, I’ve been experiencing post partum depression. I didn’t have this before, but with this pregnancy, I’ve been feeling a lot of emotions and I know these are the hormones acting up. I would suddenly cry and feel sorry for myself. Thoughts would occupy my mind — like how my body isn’t mine anymore. I would feel so sad and alone. I would just cry out of the blue.

It was hard. I thought I was going crazy (really).

It’s a good thing that I have EJ, Zeeka and our kasambahay, Ate Len to help out around the house. EJ has been really supportive when I have my bouts of sadness. He would hug me and just be there, and that makes me feel better. Just having someone by my side who’s just willing to listen helped me feel better. Zeeka was also so cute to hug me and say that she’s “filling my bucket”. She says that all of us have buckets that need filling up with love, kindness and generosity from other people. I was touched and her hugs were truly appreciated, like I was doing something right as a mom.

I mentioned what I was feeling to my doctor, Dra. Sarmiento, too. I’m the type who wants to know what’s going on with my body, so I knew that talking to my doctor was a good idea. It was nice that she reassured me that this is normal.

I also mentioned what I was going through to my friend, Frances. She mentioned that she had undergone the same thing with her pregnancies. One thing that she said that helped me a lot is when you feel the emotions coming, just acknowledge and know that they are hormones acting up. Be aware of this. This advice really helped me a lot. Whenever I would cry and go through these things that I’m feeling, I would remember what she told me, and would say to myself that these are just my hormones doing this to me.

I’m feeling better now and don’t go through these episodes as much anymore.

To mommies who are experiencing post partum depression, know that it will pass. These negative emotions and feelings that you are having now will pass. It took me close to a month to get back to feeling like my usual self again.

But now, one of my biggest struggles still is breastfeeding. I’m so happy that now, I produce around 2-3 ounces of breastmilk for Baby Yani every time I pump. I get to use my electric pump now since she’s been sleeping longer. I’ve noticed that when I was stressed about my supply (especially during the second and third weeks after Yani was born), it would affect my milk supply.

I’ve learned new things and used new tools during this pregnancy related to breastfeeding.

One is that each baby is different, so you have to learn together. When comparing Zeeka to Yani in terms of breastfeeding, they’re different. Yani knew how to latch and suck well right on the first day. In terms of schedule though, she had a more unpredictable schedule as compared to Zeeka. She eats a lot, too.

Two, there is this new tool that I use. It’s a Milk Saver Pump. Check out this video that I made to see how it looks like: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSe67A3VL/ Basically you attach it to your other nipple while feeding and it collects your milk let down. I will write or take a dedicated video of this soon and share it. I was surprised to see that I had a lot of collected milk!

And lastly (at least for this blog post), always try to relax. Being confined inside our homes for a long time can affect our mood negatively. And if you feel bad, this will affect your milk supply. Try to relax and chill. Watch funny shows, listen to your favorite playlist, etc.

So there, those are my thoughts for today. Let me know if there are things that you want to know about my breastfeeding journey. I’ll write about more experiences soon! Feel free to share stories also with me in the comment section. Love you all!

Some of My BreastFeeding Essentials with Orange and Peach PH Giveaway!

So yesterday, on Facebook and TikTok, I shared my breastfeeding must-have haul from Orange and Peach PH. I already started shopping and since it’s Lazada’s 5.5 Sale today, I thought it might be interesting for you, especially if you are expecting parents, to read this. So first off, before I give you a more in depth explanation about each product, let me share the short video of the things that I got from Orange and Peach PH for breastfeeding.

Orange and Peach PH Improved Natural Nipple Balm

Orange and Peach PH Improved Natural Nipple Balm

When I gave birth to my first child, I knew that I was prepared to breastfeed. I attended classes and I read a lot about breastfeeding. But when the first few days came and I tried breastfeeding Zeeka, I had sore nipples! My nipples bled, so after four days, I had to call a lactation consultant to help me out. After she taught me, Zeeka latched on and sucked masterfully. But, I had to protect my nipples with balm or cream.

So I am already purchasing this early on. This particular Orange and Peach PH balm is made from Virgin Coconut Oil. It’s Lanolin-free and made from natural ingredients. It comes with a spatula so that you can hygienically apply it to your nipples after each feeding.

Orange and Peach PH Milk Saver Pump

Orange and Peach Milk Saver Pump

I love this manual pump since it’s small and portable. I tried bring my electric pump into the hospital when I gave birth to Zeeka, but I wasn’t allowed. You can only bring manual pumps like these. So to use this Milk Saver Pump, here are the steps:

  1. Place the breast pump directly over your breast and make sure that your nipple is comfortable inside the flange.
  2. Squeeze the base of the pump 2-3x to create that suction effect.
  3. Sit back, relax and watch the pump collect all your precious milk.
  4. If no milk comes out after a couple of minutes (2 mins), release the pump, reposition and attach again. Make sure that there is no gap between the flange and your breast to ensure efficient suction.

This pump is BPA free and Phthalates free. It’s made out off 100% food Grade Silicone.

Personally, what I do is that I use it to pump on the other breast while my baby is latching on to the other breast. And I also use it in between feedings to make my body think that my baby needs more. I try to create more supply by increasing demand. Ain’t economics great?

Orange and Peach PH Milk Saver Breast Shells

Milk Saver Breast Shells

I’ve heard that some moms didn’t really find use for this, but in my case, it was a life saver especially during the times when I had sore and cracked nipples. Since you know that you will be leaking milk, you usually place pads. During the time though that I had sore/cracked nipples, when my nipples would stick to the pads, it would hurt. I used this so that nothing touches my nipples since the plastic elevates and protects your nipples. Plus you get to collect breast milk.

I would also use it during feeding to catch the milk from the other breast. There are times, like early mornings, when I’m tired to pump the other side. I would just collect milk using this then have the baby latch on to that side once s/he is done with the first breast.

Orange and Peach PH Breastmilk Storage bags and Breastmilk Storage Bottles

Breastmilk Storage Bottles
Breastmilk Storage bags

We all know that breastmilk is liquid gold and we’ll do anything to store it safely. Seriously, the first time that I expressed milk and spilled some, I cried. So storing breastmilk safely is very important.

When I have extra milk to store, I place it inside bags and keep it frozen. Frozen breastmilk lasts 3-6 months. Then for the milk that I know that I would use in a few hours, I keep it refrigerated using the bottle. Refrigerated breastmilk last for 48 hours and previously frozen milk stored in the refrigerator will last 24 hours. Same (24 hours) with breastmilk that you transport via cooler. For freshly expressed milk kept at room temperature, it only lasts for 4 hours.

We were very particular with this so that baby doesn’t drink spoiled milk. We’ve noticed that the baby gets gassy, too.

So if you want to check out these breastfeeding tools, just visit Orange and Peach PH in Lazada.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

Three people will win a 1K voucher for shopping at Lazada. All you need to do is to follow Orange and Peach PH accounts in Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. If you’re not present in one of these platforms, it’s okay. You can still join.

Once you have followed these, just comment DONE on the comment section of my post in Facebook here:

https://fb.watch/5hDnvOcz4g/

I will announce the winners on May 12, 2021 on Mommy Ginger’s Facebook page. Goodluck!

P.S. Here are some articles that might be useful!

Get Set Up for a New Baby – When You Don’t Have Much Time

Get Set Up for a New Baby – When You Don’t Have Much Time

I have a lot of friends who are pregnant during these times. And, a lot of them have questions on how to get set up for a new baby.

When you find out that you’re pregnant, you usually have a fair amount of time to get ready for the arrival for your baby. However, that isn’t always the case. Sometimes you’re already far into your pregnancy before you realize that you have an impending arrival. There are several reasons this might happen especially during these times when there are a lot of things to think about and do. The most important thing is what you’re going to do after receiving the news. If you only have a limited amount of time to get ready, maybe only a couple of months or even weeks, you might be panicking about getting everything that you need. You might be short on time, but you can still take the steps that you need to get set up for a new baby.

Photo by Paul Lin on Unsplash

Make a List of Essentials

One of the secrets of having a newborn is that they actually don’t need a lot of stuff. Of course, there are plenty of different gadgets and products that can come in handy when you have a baby. However, there are very few things that are really vital to have. The items that should be on your list of essentials include diapers, clothes, somewhere for your baby to sleep and things for keeping your baby clean. I made a list of the things that you need to bring to the hospital so you’re prepared. Check it out here: https://mommyginger.com/packing-things-for-the-hospital.html

I actually exclusively breastfed and used the bottle that I bought for storage. You can also result to bottle-feeding when you feel stressed out (do try to breastfeed though if possible). Either way is fine.

For the next step up, you might be thinking about items like a stroller, car seat or baby carrier/sling. My personal advice for this is only get it when the baby’s there. Some babies are choosy (like my daughter! LOL!). Decide what you really need – and consider asking for help from friends and family to stock up on essentials.

Decorate the Nursery

In truth, getting a nursery ready for a newborn doesn’t have to be a priority. Your baby could sleep in a Moses basket or crib by your bed for the first few months. They can also co-sleep with you. Some parents also believe that putting your baby to sleep in their own room can be a good idea too. You won’t have to worry about waking up your baby when you go to bed yourself. If you only have a small room to use as a nursery, take a look at some nursery ideas for small spaces. By keeping things small, you can also save money, and it could take you less time to get set up. If you want to paint the room and have the baby sleep in it, do it ASAP. You’ll need to let the paint dry and air it out to ensure it’s safe.

Check out my article on when we created Zeeka’s Nursery room.

Zeeka’s Nursery Room

Arrange Time Off (and Childcare)

Sorting out your maternity leave needs to be a priority if you’ve found out that you’re pregnant a little later than usual. How much time are you able to take off work? How much time do you want to take off work? Your first time at home with your baby is precious, and you will also need time to recover after your baby is born. If you need to get back to work fairly quickly, you will also need to look into childcare options. Even if most of us work from home, an extra set of hands will go a long way.

Take a Look at Your Finances

It’s normal to wonder if you can afford to have a baby, especially if your pregnancy might not have been planned. It might be a good idea to take a look at your finances and work out what you can afford. A newborn baby doesn’t have to be too expensive, although children do tend to get more expensive as they get older.

Here is a video on Managing Personal Finances.

Set Up Some Workstations

When you’re getting your home ready for a baby, consider the different tasks you will be doing day-to-day. Set up some different stations for doing various tasks, such as feeding, changing, preparing bottles, and more. You can organize everything so that it’s easy to reach for what you need when you need it. It might not always be easy to keep things neat and tidy, but you can create some order.

Think About Safety

Safety is also an important thing to think about when you’re getting ready for a baby. If you want to prioritize safety, don’t worry too much about “babyproofing” the house just yet. Your newborn won’t be moving around for a while, so you don’t have to worry about bumping heads of table corners or anything like that. However, you will probably want to focus on things like getting a safe car seat, choosing the right bedding, and buying a safe stroller.

Here is a safe detergent that you can use, as well.

Even if you don’t have a lot of time, you can still get set up for a new baby. It might seem like you have a lot to do, but there might not be as much as you think.

If you have other tips, feel free to comment on the section below. By the way, Expo Mom 2020 will be held this August. Hope you can buy tickets and shop online: https://expomom.com/#tickets

Have a great day!

Breastfeeding and New Born Care

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness month. I love that such a great loving act is given an entire month for people to focus on and to celebrate. For those without child, it may seem to be such a petty thing to celebrate but believe me, it is worth celebrating every single day of this month. When I was single, I used to think that I would just give my baby formula to save me the hassle and the time. I used to think that it was all about the type of woman you are. I always thought that breastfeeding was only for the domesticated moms. But when I attended classes before, I truly saw its value and benefits. I think every mom should try to understand how breastfeeding works and why it is important.

On August 22, 2015, Manila Workshops, in partnership with The Parenting Emporium, is holding a rerun of the lecture and demonstration about breastfeeding and newborn care.

Breastfeeding and Newborn Care v3

 

Get to know our speaker:

Dr. Jamie Isip-Cumpas, MD, DPPS, IBCLC received medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas, finished residency in Pediatrics in The Medical City, also practices as a lactation consultant and member of the Breastfeeding Committee of the Philippine Pediatric Society, facilitator in Educhild Philippines which is a non-profit organization that helps parents in their role as primary educators of their children; mother of 3 children ages 6,4 and 2.

Event Details:

Date: August 22, 2015, 1PM-5PM

Venue: Best for Families, #29 1st Street, New Manila, Quezon City

Learning Fee:

Regular Rate: Php350

Couple Rate: Php600

This event is also co-sponsored by Stemcord.

If you want to register, please visit and sign up on this link: http://manilaworkshops.com/events/breastfeeding-and-newborn-care-the-rerun

Workshops for Families and Soon-to-Be Parents!

For the month of September, Manila Workshops brings you two exciting workshops: The Family Finances Workshop on Sept. 20, 2014 and the A Child is Born: A Breastfeeding and New Born Care Workshop on Sept. 27, 2014.

The Family Finances Workshop (Sept. 20, 2014)
*From the Ready To Be Rich Workshop Series

Family Finances Workshop

Family Finances Workshop

This workshop is for:
• Couples who are finding it hard to budget their income to sustain the needs of their family.
• Breadwinners who are taking care of their parents, or involved in elder care at home.
• Single parents who are finding it hard to achieve work-life balance.
• Newlyweds who would like to know how to become financially independent from their parents.
• People who have relatives who depend on them financially.

Expect to get practical advice and real-life exercises that will teach you exactly how to achieve financial security for your family. After the workshop, you are expected to go home with a list of action items for your household and a concrete work plan that you can immediately apply.

Here are some questions that you’ll be able to answer after the workshop:
1. How can I save money if my income is just enough to support my family?
2. How do I teach my child to be financially smart?
3. How should I handle family members and relatives who constantly borrow money?
4. How do I manage my finances so it can support the medical expenses of my aging parents?
5. How can I invest if I’m too busy working and taking care of my children?
6. How do I secure the educational needs of my child?
7. How can I afford my dream house?
8. How should I prepare for retirement, so I won’t be dependent on my children when I grow old?

Instructor:
Fitz Gerard Villafuerte, RFP is a civil engineer who decided to quit the corporate world in 2003 to pursue entrepreneurship. In 2014, he became a registered financial planner.

His blog, entitled, Ready To Be Rich, has already received several recognitions including the Best Business and Finance Blog at the Philippine Blog Awards for two years in a row. Moreover, an international finance publication, Wise Bread, has likewise ranked his website as among the Top 100 Personal Finance blogs in the world. Fitz has also been recognized by Moneysense Magazine as among the top 12 most influential people in Personal Finance in the Philippines.

Date: Saturday, September 20, 2014
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue: VOffice, 10F Fort Legend Tower, 3rd Avenue and 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City Taguig
*Please bring a calculator

Learning fee:

Php 2000 per participant or Php 3000 per couple

SIGN UP BY CLICKING HERE

A Child Is Born: A Breastfeeding And Newborn Care Workshop (Sept. 27, 2014)
*From the First Time Parents Workshop Series

Breastfeeding and New Born Care Workshop

Breastfeeding and New Born Care Workshop

This workshop is for:
• Couples who would like to know more about breastfeeding and how to breastfeed
• Couples who are preparing for their new born baby and would like to know what to do when the baby is born

This workshop is brought to you by Manila Workshops, together with Best For Families, Inc, Unilab and Stemcord Philippines, Inc. This session takes place on September 27, 2014, 1:00PM to 5:00PM at #29 1st St., New Manila Quezon City. Join this workshop and learn the basics on baby milestones, newborn baby care and breastfeeding from two distinguished speakers, Dr. Milette P. Romero and Ms. Joyce Martinez.

The Instructors:

Dr. Milette P. Romero is a practicing pediatrician who graduated from the UST College of Medicine. She trained in Pediatrics at the Department of Pediatrics, East Avenue Medical Center, Diliman, Quezon City, and was awarded the Most Outstanding Resident of the North Integrated Residency Training Program during her Senior Year of Residency Training. She was also named Assistant Chief Resident of the Department of Pediatrics at the East Avenue Medical Center during her final year of training. She presently holds clinics at the MediCard Ortigas Clinic, at Express Medical Center in Robinson’s Galleria, and her personal clinic in Makati. Soon, she will be opening another clinic at the Medical Arts Tower in The Medical City, Ortigas. A doting godparent to her sister’s children, she possesses a natural love for children, which is what inspired her to pursue a career in the field of Pediatrics.

Ms. Joyce Martinez is a certified lactation counselor, and is the in-house lactation counselor of Medela Moms. She is a registered nurse who also served as a Lactation Manager at St. Lukes Medical Center, Global City. She earned her Nursing Degree from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and followed up with a Master of Science in Nursing Degree at UERMMMC Graduate School. She also conducts presentations and academic talks on the ABC’s of Lactation Management for Nurses, as well as Breastfeeding Classes for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers. A breastfeeding advocate, she provides lactation coaching and counseling, not just for breastfeeding and pregnant mothers, but also for their families, while actively organizing and promoting national breastfeeding campaigns.

Learning fee:
Individual Rate: Php 300
Couple’s Rate: Php 500

SIGN UP BY CLICKING HERE

See you in both workshops! Sign up now!