Being a second time Mom made me more confident to try new products and innovations for Eliana. There are many products now in the market which are multi-tasking and can really help you adjust to the crazy but fulfilling world of motherhood. Here are my best mom-approved baby products to try:
When I gave birth to Reilly in 2014, this was not yet in the market. Back then, there were milk catchers but I find it hard to use. This time with Eliana, this helped me so much in building my milk stash. I can save up to 4oz of my letdown milk in one go. It’s a wonderful product for breastfeeding moms especially those who need to store milk for their little ones. You can buy it online here.
When I discovered this brand of baby wipes, I never switched to other brands. This is the gentlest baby wipes I have used and it has no smell plus it’s thicker and softer than other brands. The best part of all? It’s 100% biodegradable! I always purchase mine from Mommabee Ph. You can check their Shopee account or IG account to order.
I always purchase mine from Mommabee PH. Click here for their shopee account.
This is ideal for wiping the baby’s mouth and face area, and can be dipped in water for instant water wipes. It’s made from 100% cotton which makes it so soft and absorbent. This product is also biodegrable.
This ultra thin diapers is very absorbent and is not bulging and sagging when full. It is lightweight and flexible and keeps baby’s bum dry. Not to mention it’s affordable too!
They also have the pants version perfect for active toddlers!
How about you? Do you have any mom-approved product you might want to share to other moms? Comment down below!
I grew up skinny. I am one of those lucky ones who can eat buckets of rice and never get fat. I was 93 lbs. and 5’5 feet tall, bet you can imagine how I look like a bamboo pole. But when I got pregnant, it became a different story. I’m a stay at home mom and it was hard for me to look after my active kids hence the start of my weight loss journey.
See how stick thin I was? This was for a pictorial in 2006.
I never got my pre-pregnancy body back after I gave birth to Reilly
I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which made it hard for me to get pregnant. I had irregular menstrual cycles due to hormonal imbalance. PCOS makes it more difficult for the body to use insulin, which helps convert sugar and starches from food into energy. The result? Weight gain.
Before I got pregnant with Reilly, I weighed 113 lbs. My full term pregnancy weight before giving birth was 155 lbs. Since I was working that time, it became hard for me to find time to exercise. I never got back to my pre-pregnancy weight. After resigning from my work in 2018, I had time to go to the gym again while Reilly is in school. I got pregnant, this time without any medication. My pre-pregnancy weight before Eliana was 123 lbs. My full term pregnancy weight this time was a whooping 166 lbs! How did I manage to lose all that weight?
Breastfeeding during the first 6 months (or much longer in our case) has many benefits for both the mom and baby. Aside from providing nutrition and supporting the baby’s immune system, breastfeeding can support your postpartum weight loss according to research.
2. Exercise
I started exercising little by little 5 months after giving birth (I’m a CS mom). What worked for me is doing at least 30 minutes of brisk walking or 5,000 steps using our Xiaomi Walking Pad. Aside from this, I purchased an exercise plan from Mama Fit Mindy Lagdameo (IG : @mamamindy.fit) for my diastasis recti to help keep my abdominal muscles back on track. I weigh myself everyday each morning.
I was 135lbs and have a baby pooch.
3. Eat healthy foods and in moderation.
Do not deprive yourself. Eat that cake. Munch on that donut. But always see to it that you eat in moderation. Load up on fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed foods.
From 166 lbs to 122 lbs.
4. Hydrate.
Stay hydrated especially if you are breastfeeding. Drinking enough water is vital to those trying to lose weight. It can increase your sense of fullness and amp up your metabolism.
Someday soon, the kids will grow up and will be on their own. No more mess, no more running and shouting in the house. No more ouchie feet caused by stepping on toys scattered on the floor. No more calling Mom 3000x for no reason. No more asking for help to get some water to drink. No more asking to be held just for no reason.
The house will be clean and organized as you please. You can enjoy long baths and uninterrupted sleep.
For now, endure the sore muscles and sleepless nights. During the times you want to cry because you are too tired, just think that it won’t be long. So just enjoy the moment and enjoy this phase. ❤️
Father’s day is just around the corner. It will be celebrated on June 20 here in the Philippines. With the left and right Mid-year online sales happening this week, we have rounded up some father’s day gift ideas for the special men in your life.
Father’s Day Gift Guide 2021
1. Trendy and comfortable sneakers
A trendy but comfortable sneakers like this one from World Balance, Php 2,699 that he can use when doing errands for the family.
Any coffee lover dad will love these! And imagine him having to brew his favorite coffee every morning and a cup which will keep it warm up to the last drop.
Dads who work from home and often on Zoom meetings will surely appreciate this. These wireless earphones from RealMe has noise cancellation and amazing sound quality.
Home workouts has been popular since we have underwent quarantine guidelines this pandemic. For dads who work out at home to maintain their ‘dad bods’, this is your best bet.
I always envisioned myself to be on top management position of a big company by the time I was 35 years old but here I am, in sweatpants and my hair in a bun. When I was still working, I secretly hoped that I would just be a stay at home mom and take care of my toddler. Finally when that opportunity came, it was a tough decision for me to leave the career I love to fully dedicate myself to our daughter and family.
Three years later and I realized that being a stay at home mom was not rewarding like I thought it would be. It won’t give you the time to do the things you like and definitely not full of smiles and laughters. Whether you are a working mom, work at home mom or stay at home mom, it’s not easy. Being a MOM is hard.
It took me months to adjust to my new “job”. Being a stay-at-home mom is not like working at all. It’s a 24/7 job without salary, promotion and there are times you are unrewarded and unappreciated.
4 Reasons why being a Stay-At-Home Mom is not Rewarding
1. Vacation leaves and sick leaves are non-existent.
You cannot call in sick and definitely no vacation leaves. I cannot get away from it. And I can’t pee without an audience. I can’t take a shower without hearing a crying toddler and little hands banging the bathroom door.
Some days I am just physically and emotionally exhausted that I would just sit and pause and close my eyes for a while. Suddenly my youngest daughter will crawl into my lap and call me “MOM” then hugs me tight and then everything will magically feel alright.
2. The days when nothing in the world could ever satisfy your child.
In the workplace, when I see a problem or a loophole, amending the policy can solve it. To motivate a staff, incentives and promotions can be given to boost their morale.
It is not applicable as a mom. There were days when your child is cranky that she does not want anything, not her favorite toy or even letting her watch Youtube or giving her screen time to distract her.
After giving them everything, you know what they want? All they want is you. They want you to hold them close, tell them stories and play with them. They want to spend the day with you and not just being around you while you are busy doing household chores.
3. Being a Stay-At-Home Mom means constantly being on the verge of burn out.
When I was working, I often felt stressed out but never burnt out. I love my job and enjoy doing it despite it being challenging and hard.
There are moments that I just wanted to shout and cry my heart out, because I can’t seem to finish all the chores that I need to do despite working nonstop. I just finished vacuuming and mopping the floor, only to find out that my toddler has opened her tumbler and spilled out her juice. You forcefully take the kids to the bathroom to give them a bath. Fifteen minutes later, they do not want to go out because they still enjoy playing in the shower. The constant shouting of don’t do that and no you can’t, but nobody listens.
There are high expectations of being a stay at home mom. Expectations brought about by the unrealistic near perfect world of social media. Expectations are high because there is now a single bread winner to provide for the family, who typically expects all chores to be done regardless of how crazy the kids were that day. Family and friends think you are available at any given moment because you don’t have work, always assuming that you are not busy and just lounging at home all day. Expectations are high because I know myself and the things I am capable of.
4. There is lack of feedback.
In a company, you have yearly evaluation and you have a boss who tells you that what you are doing is right or wrong. There are clear policies and procedures on how things should be done.
Being a stay at home mom has no guide book. No child and parenting style is the same. Your child leaves you clueless and you have to figure out things on your own. You have no one to talk to all day who will understand what you are feeling at the moment.
And at the end of each day, your children sleeps with smile on their faces and you know that you have done good enough.
And then I realized how lucky I am to have the opportunity to raise my children. How I wouldn’t want to miss out on their life’s milestones and being there to hug and kiss them when they need comfort. I’m blessed to see them grow day by day and put up with their craziest days. It uped my creativity. And forced my patience. It pressed my ability to sacrifice for the good of my family. If it weren’t for the days of almost losing it, I would never have time to think how much I loved being a Mother, much more being with my children 24/7.
And then I understand that being a stay at home mom is more rewarding than I ever realized. It just takes more sacrifice and a whole lot of patience.
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