Go Breastfeed: A New Go-To Website on Breastfeeding Launches in the Philippines!

I've proudly breastfed both my kids and I am also proud that I've influenced both my sisters and friends to also breastfeed their kids. But I wouldn't be successful without the help of my husband (my No. 1 supporter), support groups (online and offline), breastfeeding books, and helpful websites that made me gain my confidence and trust in myself that I can do it!

I am so happy to see that more moms want to breastfeed and are breastfeeding their child but of course it's not always a smooth sailing journey and some moms stop breastfeeding because of the hurdles they encounter like they think they don't have milk or that it's "masakit magpa-dede" Always remember that our body is designed to produce milk and the latch of the baby to the breast must be correct.

Unfortunately for Filipino babies, these myths surrounding breastfeeding are not easily washed away, as most moms have nowhere to turn to for information. Babies are thus deprived of benefits they can only get through breastfeeding, and mothers, who would gasp had they known what they are unwittingly doing, remain unaware.

In this day and age of internet, searching about breastfeeding is just within our fingertips but four years ago, when I was pregnant with Y, there's only a few and limited resources on breastfeeding in the Philippines but not anymore!

Kate Delos Reyes, a trained breastfeeding peer counselor, former country editor of Yahoo Philippines, and a mother to an exclusively breastfed two-year-old, put up Go Breastfeed, an online resource that helps educate and empower parents to breastfeed their children.

“I believe that no parent who completely understands the power of breastfeeding would choose any other way to nourish a child,” says Kate Delos Reyes, creator of Go Breastfeed. “We want Go Breastfeed to be a platform for breastfeeding advocates to reach more parents online,” Delos Reyes said, noting that the website aims to amplify the efforts of these groups, not to duplicate them.

Sign up today! I did yesterday!

The Crash Course section is useful for expecting parents as it covers breastfeeding facts and myths, what to expect at childbirth, and how to adjust to the new baby.

The Breastfeeding Diaries is where mothers can share their inspiring real-life stories about the joys and challenges of breastfeeding. I have many of these stories!

Helpful articles on breastfeeding

 And you can join online discussions on a wide range of topics on breastfeeding.

All of these in just one website! I think this is brilliant! Go Breastfeed would definitely help a lot of moms, dads and even grandparents or friends who wants to know not only about breastfeeding but also about childbirth and the fourth trimester (adjusting to your new life with your baby and as a mom) and get connected with fellow breastfeeding mommas! Breastfeeding mommas need all the support they can get!

“Breastfeeding benefits children, mothers and the whole community so the dismal state of breastfeeding in the country should concern everyone. I hope more Filipinos rally support,” Delos Reyes said.

Go Breastfeed

www.gobreastfeed.com

Go Breastfeed Facebook Page

Go Breastfeed Twitter

Go Breastfeed Instagram

Go Breastfeed is currently raising funds to support the production of online training materials, which would help mothers learn how to breastfeed without having to pay for classes. To support Go Breastfeed, especially their efforts at making breastfeeding classes available to everyone, please click here. (http://igg.me/at/gobreastfeed)

A&D's Cudsly Shopping Experience and Loot Plus A Giveaway

Online shopping is one of the best things you can experience! It's the most convenient way to buy the things you need without the hassle of traffic going to a mall, looking for a parking slot, mall crowd, and a lot more! The young mom founders of Cudsly understand that and the value of time spent with our kids.

Cudsly aims to be a one-stop destination for all of your parenting needs. Cudlsy want to take away all the non-essential tasks that we find ourselves worrying about and focus on one ultimate goal - to spend more time with our kids.

I love that Cudsly has so much to offer that your "ordinary" mommy-baby online store. And I didn't know where to start looking! Look just how cute the website is! So conducive for shopping hahaha!

Create an account now and get 20% OFF on your next purchase!

Shop from diapers, little kitchen gears, bath products and even maternity and breastfeeding stuff for us mommies! Products are categorized for easy shopping!

 

 Got Y a kitchen knife because she's been bugging me!

There's a Quick View option for well, a quick view! Hihi!

View what's inside you Shopping Bag  to check if you went over your budget... which I did! Haha!

Review your purchase before checking out!

Payment can be made via Cash on Delivery (COD), Credit Card or Paypal. For their shipping policy and returns policy, kindly check their FAQs.

I had to change my order the day after I tried the brand of diaper I ordered was not as absorbent. They reply fast thru email and called me right away on my phone to confirm the changes.

Package was delivered on a Sunday! I was surprised because couriers normally don't deliver on Sundays. How awesome is that?

Packed properly

My loot: Curious Chef Knife, Zoli Water Container, 2 Rubbermaid Water Bottles and The First Years Medicine Spoon plus 2 packs of diapers not in photo

I'm so happy with my loot and even hapier with their services! I had a problem with one of the Rubbermaid Water Bottles that it took us 4-5 days to finally settle. They had to come back to my house twice just to deliver replacements. Rarely do I encounter online stores with superb customer service and Cudsly is one of those rare breeds!

Because I want to you to experience shopping at Cudsly, I'm giving away 2 PHP500 GCs, 1 each to 2 winners! Joining is easy! Just go the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I Think R Has Weaned...

And I miss nursing him already!

He still "nurses" pag feel niya but for about 3 seconds lang then he lets go na. He sometimes smells my me lang then he goes on playing na. Tears... :( Sometimes Ako pa nag-ooffer hehe! I am still in denial that my baby has weaned.

But I am happy and proud of myself for breastfeeding R this long. No formula at all. Nothing is more fulfilling than being able to breastfeed my kids.

And because I truly believe in the power of breast milk, and I want to help moms out there to wants to breastfeed successfully, I trained to become a LATCH Peer Counselor! Yay!

My LATCH Peer Couselors Batchmates

August is a very busy month for LATCH. THE Dr. Jack Newman will be here on a 3-city tour to give talks about breastfeeding! I am very excited!!!

And if you're a pregnant mom who wants to know more about breastfeeding, you can attend Yahoo Philippines's Breastfeeding Class on August 23!

See you all there! And Happy Breastfeeding Month!

A&D Finds: Honeysuckle Breastmilk Storage Bags

Are you a new breastfeeding mom and/or is going back to work soon or planning a trip abroad? And the big question is CAN I DO IT? Yes you can! I was a full time working and pumping mom for about 3 years, I traveled abroad 3 times during those 3 years and I was able to pump and bring home my milk. You can read them here, here, and here.

Breastmilk storage bags were my best friend when traveling and the best storage system for me when I was building my freezer stash. And I'm happy to share to you this new brand Honeysuckle which has finally landed in the Philippines!

Honeysuckle Breastmilk Storage Bags are 100% tamper-evident and BPA-free. It has dual zippers, wide side seals and reinforced bottom to make the bags virtually leak proof.It's also Oxo-biodegradable and earth-friendly!

We call don't our breastmilk liquid gold for no reason. I understand how precious our milk to us and to our babies so here's a guide on how to store your breastmilk! 

Grab your Honeysuckle Breastmilk Bags now and Happy Breastfeeding!!!

And for more information about Honeysuckle, check www.honeysucklemoms.com

Facebook:  Honeysuckle Breastmilk Bags Philippines

Instagram: @honeysucklephils

Sangobion's Go Love Life Campaign!

"In order to give love, we must begin loving ourselves first." This line may be gasgas na but it's one of the things I valued more when I became a mom. We all have different jobs, interests, hobbies but we, women, are natural nurturers.  Aminin natin, there are really days or times when we forget ourselves because we always put the needs of our family before ours. And that is why it's important for us to take care of ourselves first and foremost and that's where Sangobion  comes in.

A few weeks ago, I attended the launch of Sangobion's Go Love Life Campaign which reminds women that while we take care of others, we must not forget to take care of ourselves as well. When we are at our best selves, then we can lead a life we love.

Our host for the event was Kelly Misa, one of Sangobion's Brand Amabassadors. She took the Sangobion's 15-day Challenge and felt she can do more with the help of Sangobion.

Moms Cheska Garcia-Kramer and Jenni Epperson shared how Sangobion helps them. I can totally relate on how busy we moms are and how it is essential for us to be healthy for our family.

Sangobion contains Ferrous gluconate, an organic iron, which is absorbed better by the body to help fight the signs of iron deficiency. Each capsule is chocolate-scented that leaves no iron after-taste.  Sangobion® also contains essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Copper, and Manganese to build healthy red blood cells and immune system. It also contains sorbitol which acts as anti-constipating agent that generally occurs in iron supplementation.  

Guest speaker was Dr. Sylvia Cornejo where she talked about the prevalence of anemia in our country. I didn;t know that! We each have our own "base level" to know if we have iron deficiency. If you think you are anemic or unsure, better see your doctor now and take a blood test!

Dr. Sylvia Cornejo

I remember taking Sangobion when I was pregnant! It was also recommended that I take them also while breastfeeding.

Sources of Iron and Folic Acid. Sangobion helps fight signs of iron deficiency like fatigue, paleness, dizziness, and lack of focus and concentration which women experience when they neglect themselves. 

And we all made the pledge to Go Love Life!

Sangobion's Brand Ambassadors!

Sangobion is also partnering with select establishments to treat women to special pocket events including a shopping spree and a makeover session, which are expected to draw in more women to the cause. So watch out for those!

"As a Sangobion Woman, I promise to stay inspired!"

Thank you Sangobion!

No Hope Lost: The Fight Against Pneumonia and Diarrhea

Did you know that the top two leading causes of child death among children less than five years of age are pneumonia and diarrhea. This is both worldwide and in the Philippines.

Last week, I attended the launch of the "No Hope Lost" campaign of GlaxoSmithKline. It is an awareness campaign on the heavy burden of pneumonia and diarrhea and if left unchecked can potentially lead to devastating consequences.

The lovely Ria Tanjuatco-Trillo as our host that afternoon

Celebrity mom Barbie Almalbis-Honasan shared her story when they had a pneumonia scare with her kids. 

Everyday in the Philippines, 37 Filipino children (age 1-59 months old) die from pneumonia while 13 Filipino children (age 1-59 months) die from diarrhea. These statistics are very alarming. That's why it's important for us to know more about these diseases. R had been having LBM that past few days, I was so scared that it might be diarrhea but it 

Dr. Sally Gatchalian, Deputy Executive DIrector of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, President of Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (just to name of a few of her credentials), was there that afternoon to explain more about pneumonia and diarrhea. 

What exactly is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a severe form of acute lower respiratory infection that specifically affects the lungs. The typical symptoms of pneumonia include a cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. 

Image from Unicef

Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae also known as pneumococcus which can result to life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia. It can also result to Acute Otitis Media (AOM) which is an ear infection, a common and highly prevalent disease. It also includes severe diseases such as meningitis, complicated pneumonia, and sepsis (blood poisoning), which occur when the pneumococcus "invades" the blood. The invasive forms of the pneumococcal disease are a category called Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD).

“It’s the best time to raise awareness on pneumonia and diarrhea prevention. These diseases should not cause unnecessary suffering to young children,” says Dr. Sally Gatchalian, "Sometimes it’s just that parents don’t know enough about these diseases, and they don’t know that there are actually vaccines for them.”

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is defined as having loose or watery stools at least three times per day, or more frequently than normal for an individual. Acute cases can lead to significant fluid loss and dehydration, which may result in death or other sever consequences.

Source

Diarrhea is caused by a wide range of pathogens including bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute diarrhea and is leading reason for about 40% of hospital admissions.

Rotavirus infects virtually every child within the first 5 years of life, irrespective of race or socio- economic status. That is why it is called a “democratic virus.” 

As a mom, whenever my kids get sick, my world turns upside down. We would do everything to make our kids to get well and feel better. No child has to suffer and die because of these diseases because they are preventable. As goes the saying, "Prevention is better than cure." Have your kids vaccinated These vaccines can be administered as early as six weeks, ask your pediatrician. The early your protect, the better is is.

Other ways to get your child protected aside from vaccination are by breastfeeding, hand washing, preventing air pollution, and adequate nutrition.

Source

As one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, GSK continues to be a committed partner of both private healthcare practitioners and the government in the fight against childhood diseases, death and suffering around the world by offering health solutions for the reduction of overall diseases.

Source

The “No Hope Lost” campaign from GlaxoSmithKline, which embodies the need for immediate action to get children vaccinated against pneumonia and diarrhea, will soon be launched through radio ads, print notices, flyers, and posters.

“With the help of our dear pediatricians, and the Department of Health, we are committed to the reduction of pneumonia and diarrhea cases nationwide by supplying high quality vaccines. These diseases account for an alarming almost 50 mortalities per day in the Philippines. GSK is here to support the Filipino medical community and the government’s drive to make health services accessible to everyone,” added Philip Cruz, GSK Medical Director.

I, along with the SoMoms pledged our support to fight against pneumonia and diarrhea. Join us and pread awareness.