Breastfeeding Saves Money. More Importantly, It Saves Lives

I would just like to share a recent article I wrote for POC. Breastfeeding Saves Lives may seem anti-formula. It really isn't. I am not even anti-milk companies per se. But I am against the measures they go to deceive consumers and undermine breastfeeding.

And sure, they are actually lucrative employers. And they do employ thousands of Filipinos. If they bail out, thousands will lose jobs. All true.

But the thing is, formula feeding already results in sick kids. Those who can afford medication and hospitalization will chalk it up only to bad luck and growing pains. After all, all kids get sick. That's how they build up their immune system. Few ever suspect that it could be the milk they're giving to their babies that are actually making their kids sick. And few definitely know that breastfeeding really offers protection. Few get past the liquid milk they see. To most people, it's almost the same banana.

But it's not.

Heck, even organic soy milk uses added cane sugar which makes it already totally different from breast milk.

And formula feeding results in death. Deaths that could have been prevented.

People might say, it's not anymore our fault if other people are too poor to afford sterile water and equipment. That it's not our fault if they dilute the milk they give to their infants. And yes, it really isn't our fault.

But it's still everybody's responsibility to make sure the truth is heard and known. And the poor seldom know things. It's very easy to undermine their remaining abilities and rights, like breastfeeding their child, because they seldom know better.

That's what the advocates are fighting for.

How can a woman say she made an informed choice if she didn't have all the facts? Formula companies keep saying they added this and that to their milk, but they don't say that adding those things do not really count because there isn't proof that those are absorbed by the body anyway. They have guides on how to prepare their milk but do they also say that not following that guide may result in a sick child?

And do they own up to containers containing chemicals or contaminants?

Breastfeeding saves money, and not just because you don't have to buy formula. Breastfeeding saves lives... I can't think of any higher purpose.

Crab Binge

Seriously, if I wasn't pregnant and I was some other woman, I would probably looking for the best weight loss supplements available after what I did.

I ate lunch for three hours!!!

Hubby cooked sweet chili crabs and shrimp for me. It's really bad of him to buy two kilos of crabs for me to feast on, and the sauce he made was just soooo delicious that I ate lots and lots of rice.

Actually, I only ate 1.5 crabs and it wouldn't have taken me so long to eat it, although I like savoring every nook and cranny of it, if I wasn't also pacing myself. Plus, at fist I was shelling shrimps for my hyper son. And I was watching the movie Scorpion King. And for the last plate of rice and crab, I made sure to eat real slow so I won't have reflux or indigestion. So far, so good... but it's only been an hour after I finished eating. And I know eating such a hefty meal would mean I'd be overly hungry in an hour or two again only because of too much gastric juice in my tummy.

Everything has a price, hehe.

I just hope I don't barf later.

Oh and I have resolved to eat the rest of the crabs tomorrow instead. I'd eat a lot of light things from now on till tonight.

Rains and Two Steps Back

Like what I said, just when I was starting to feel human again, I take two steps back. I barfed for two consecutive days (i think i'd beat those taking clinicallix in weight loss) and I am feeling weak and dizzy all the time again. I also had spotting yesterday, which was a little shocking for me as the blood was red and not just the usual streak in my discharge.

And I can't explain my palette again. I dread eating again because I don't feel satisfied or full, but hunger pangs will get me retching again.

Sigh.

The upside is that it rained more today than yesterday. Hopefully, it will rain some more tomorrow. Our parched, parched land needs water and everybody needs a reprieve from the assaulting heat.

And I did finally finish my breastfeeding article.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston Expecting!!!

I was super thrilled to find out only now that Kelly Preston is expecting. And at age 47 too!!!

I know that a new baby will not diminish their departed son's memory, but I think it will really help them heal some more. Plus, Scientology aside, I love that they truly love each other and that they have a thriving, stable marriage. I'd rather couples like them have more kids than those celebs who just end up pregnant, hook up for a time and then move on.

I wish them well!!

Nauseous Again

I was able to walk home from my son's swimming lessons yesterday. I felt fine. So I stayed till 2 PM downstairs and only used the aircon when Yakee was napping. Then I went down with him.

I didn't like the heat but felt I could tolerate it. And I was telling myself not to be so overly high maintenance just because I was pregnant.

I felt fine until around 7 PM. I ended up barfing again and now my tummy is very sensitive again. Minutes downstairs get me heaving again. So yeah, just when I thought I was already fine, it turns out, I am still not.

This is just like m,y acne during my adolescence. One day you see things clearing up and then the next day, you're looking for an acne cleanser that works again.

It's a never ending cycle of hormones! I am so tired of it.

Mommy Is a Geek

I bought these books at the Anvil sale last year. It was only recently that I really opened one and was even surprised that there was a dinosaur book among them.

I ended up reading all. I loved them. I think they're really, really, really great for grade schoolers because they make science interesting and fun. Hopefully, there'd be more issues on sale this coming December although I've just given birth then so I really don't know how I can go. Hehe.

There's also a children's book sale going on till June 6 at Robinsons Place Manila and there were so many reference books that are affordably priced. I told hubs, they're books that I know I'd read and love. I hope I can prevent myself from super shopping!!!

My Son and Nail Biting

My son has recently started enjoying his nails by biting them. As his Mom, I would deny any insecurities on his part. I think he really likes making that crunching sound when he bites his nails. Sigh.

I am close to putting some garlic on his nails to discourage this new habit. Plus, ginger is treatment for bad breath anyway, so maybe it will improve my son's morning breath as well since it makes me wanna retch (note, I am pregnant and super sensitive). I just haven't checked if some garlic on his fingers will burn his skin. Plus, I am a little scared that he'd accidentally rub his eyes with his gingered hands instead.

I try not to reinforce the habit but I really think I should do more to nip it in the bud.