Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Am sure a lot of husbands are hoping that they have money for expensive trips that will include enjoyment of Las Vegas hotels and Caribbean suns. But really, with this recession, I am sure no mother will also risk their family's financial security in such splurges.

So hubbies/dads... keep it simple. I believe a brag bangle that came a week or two late will still be most welcome. Or digiscrapped pictures framed nicely (like a collage of pictures of the mommy with all her kids).

There are even book sales now where helpful books on potty training, breastfeeding, and toddler activities can come as cheap as P50. That and a massage certificate is sure to be appreciated.

Now, I told hubby to exert effort for his gift for me. I told him it need not be expensive, but there should be effort. And really, I meant what I said that i'd be happy to just camp in bed the whole day, with the A/C on and he's just caressing me all day.

I could ask him to babysit the whole day but I love him and our son too much so I will spare them the trauma. Hehe.

Babies to Get New Growth Charts

Babies are about to get new growth charts, in a bid to combat obesity and also boost breastfeeding.

See, the UK (as well as most countries, including ours) still uses growth charts based on formula-fed babies, which usually grow bigger quicker than breastfed babies.

Hopefully, before these charts are used worldwide, all pediatricians would at least be required to undergo a refresher on breastfeeding. It is important to correct old notions and misconceptions as well as keep them abreast of the benefits (based on new research), the safer drug alternatives (in case nursing moms need medication) and the cases that are not really conducive for breastfeeding (in cases of serious illnesses like mesothelioma). This is one of the biggest stumbling blocks to breastfeeding that I know of, mothers with non-supportive doctors.

Diabetic Moms Advised to Breastfeed Longer

Diabetic mothers are advised to breastfeed their children longer to significantly reduce the chances of their child becoming obese.

Results from earlier studies show that women with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have overweight children. They are also less likely to breast feed or do so for a shorter period of time. Both aspects can affect the child's weight in later life.

Diabetic moms also need not worry about the composition of their breastmilk.

Researchers from University Hospital Groningen in Netherlands led by Christine M. van Beusekom found that the milk of patients with tightly controlled insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or the Type I diabetes, found no difference in milk triglycerides, lactose, protein, cholesterol, glucose, and no abnormalities in total fatty acids composition. (Source)

Diabetic mothers are thus encouraged to do their research and read up on the literature of the drugs they're taking. Then they should discuss their desire to breastfeed with their doctors so they can be supported or advised otherwise (in case breastfeeding is really not advisable).

LATCH Training of Asian Hospital Nurses

Am the one in the top row, right :) It seems the nurses trained rating the LATCH training highly and that makes me proud and happy. I'm kinda looking forward to giving birth at Asian again... hopefully, these nurses will really be able to provide the support new moms need to nurse asap.

If You Got Pregnant...

... it may be unwise not to breastfeed, or so what is suggested by new WHI data.

"We were able to show that benefits were visible in anyone with six or more months' lifetime duration of breast-feeding," Schwarz told heartwire, with those who reported a lifetime history of more than 12 months' lactation being 10% to 15% less likely to have hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and CVD than those who never breast-fed.

Schwarz stressed an important point to heartwire. "It's not that you are better off if you have a baby and breast-feed than someone who's never been pregnant, it's that you are better off than someone who becomes pregnant and does not breast-feed. A woman who becomes pregnant and does not breast-feed is actually putting herself at risk. So we can talk about the benefits of breast-feeding but perhaps it is better framed as the risks of not breast—feeding."

Bairey Merz agrees. "We assume the pathway is that breast-feeding protects, but the association could go in the opposite direction—eg, inability to breast-feed may be a marker of early vascular dysfunction," she suggests.

"Women put themselves at risk by becoming pregnant and not fulfilling the cycle that nature has intended," Schwarz says. "In my mind, the cycle really ends with breast-feeding. During pregnancy, the body stores up a bunch of nutrients with the plan that it's going to release much of this in the form of breast milk, a very calorific food. If this doesn't happen, what we see is that the woman's body pays the price. Breast-feeding really helps bring you back to your baseline, and it helps women recover from the stress test that pregnancy entails."

A lot is still being discovered about how human physiology works. Could it be that weight loss brought about by breastfeeding is a better sort of weight loss compared to that from exercise, diet and diet pills? Does breastfeeding attack fat cells a different way, and does the body favor this type of attack?

I actually hope so.

Think Me Beautiful, Baby

I hope my son forever thinks am the most beautiful woman. Ever. And sure, I hope he thinks am sexy too (or attractive)... but am good with not being the sexiest woman on earth for him. Certainly, none of Shia's weird Oedipal thoughts. Hehe.

Moms Helping Moms

When I met with friends last week, I found myself several times sharing lots of the tips and tricks and shortcuts i've learned as a mom to my infanticipating friend. Because that's really how it goes, moms help out new moms. Some do what I do, share knowledge (if and when one can take diet pills such as Apidexin) and practical tips (like not buying a stroller yet). Some take it a step further by becoming mompreneurs and developing products that are useful for other mommies. Nursing bibs, slings, organic products, nursing outfits that are sexy and maternity wear that are fab, all these are just some of what comes to mind right now.

Because we know how hard it is to stay sane and keep a sense of personhood. Because we know the great expectations society have for us. Because we play many varied roles. And because we're still just like the rest who only have two hands and 24 hours to work with.

So we need all the help we can get.