Category: Parenting

Posted in #SherwinRecommends, Parenting, Reviews

Best Mom-Approved Baby Products to Try

Posted on by sherwinelaine

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:

Haakaa Silicone Breastpump / Milk catcher

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.

Haakaa Silicone Milk Catcher
This is a game changer.

Lavie Lactation Massager

Goodbye clogged milk ducts! This product helped a lot with my milk flow. I use it before each feeding session after doing warm compress.

Buy it now and feel the difference!

Sunmum Breastmilk Storage bags

They have 3oz breastmilk bags perfect in storing liquid gold. It is also spill proof.

Organic Baby Wipes

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.

Moby Dry Wipes

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.

(C) mommabeeph

Moby Disposable Diaper bags

This neutralizes diaper odors with a baby powder scent. It is hygienic and has easy to tie handles for quick and easy diaper disposal.

No more smelly trash bin!

Moby Sterile Gauze Pads

This can be used to clean the baby’s mouth and tongue.

Utrafresh Ultra Thin Baby Dry Diapers

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!

For tired Moms with little kids : It’s just a phase, Momma.

It is just a phase, Momma.

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. ❤️

Posted in Parenting

To my firstborn — I miss you even you’re here with me.

Posted on by sherwinelaine

Dear Ate Reilly,

I was staring at you as you sleep while I was feeding your baby sister. I remember not so long ago, we had quiet mornings of just you and me after Papa left for work. You hug me tight and kiss me good morning as soon as you wake up before asking if you have to go to school today. You fall asleep in my arms at night after whispering goodnight mom, i love you. I drive and fetch you to/from school. We had time to play during bath time. We have unplanned trips to the mall or to the nearby coffee shop to just eat, chat and bond.

It was a different story now.

When Eliana was born, I had fear that the love in my heart will not be enough for the both of you. But I was wrong. I love you as much as I love Ellie but it was my time and my body that I cannot split. Nowadays, you do things on your own. You wake up, wash your face, eat breakfast, take a bath alone with minimal supervision. We cannot take the bus and commute to the mall if we please, oftentimes it is Papa who goes with you and takes care of your needs.

I miss you. I miss our time together in the world of our own. I believe that we will just wait a little more time my Ate Reilly, and everything will go back as it was before. I am proud because we were able to train you before you became a big sister. But for now, let Papa hug you as you sleep.

Posted in Parenting

My breastfeeding journey

Posted on by sherwinelaine

I remember when I was about 10 years old, I asked my Mama if I was breastfed when I was a baby. She told me no, because she has no milk and maybe it’s in the genes. Is it really possible to have no milk to feed your baby? I wondered. From then, I told myself that when I have my own children, I will really try hard to breastfeed them. This became a challenge for me.

Fast forward to 2014 when I gave birth to Reilly. The first few days were the hardest. I was so engorged and no milk was coming out when I pump! I lack knowledge in breastfeeding back then and I really thought that I have no milk and I just wanted to give up. Maybe, Mama was right. It’s in our genes. We cannot breastfeed because we cannot produce milk. But lo and behold, my milk came in around day 4. But the problem is, Little Reilly does not know how to properly latch. I went through all the dilemmas of a BF Mom — sore breasts, cracked/bleeding nipples and I was crying while breastfeeding because it really hurts! Finally, milk supply was established at around 7 weeks. I am still working that time and it was really a struggle for me when I went back to work. I would pump milk during breaks and bring home ounces of milk everyday but that was never enough to sustain my stash. This resulted to mixed feeding. We gave her formula milk whenever there is no breastmilk left and she cannot directly latch to me. I also underwent management training when she was around 4 to 5 months old and I cannot religiously pump every 2-3 hours. Reilly weaned from breastfeeding when she was about 8 months old. She would not latch anymore maybe because of my decreased milk supply.  My dream of exclusively breastfeeding her failed.

This time with Eliana, I was more equipped and knowledgeable with breastfeeding. It was another chance to fulfill my dream. Good thing that she was roomed in with me the next day after I gave birth. And again, no milk was coming out. But this time, I am not panicking. I just let her latch and latch and latch. I counted her poos and pees and I knew she is getting enough milk from me. Milk came in at day 5 post partum (longer this time). Since I was a stay-at-home mom now, I knew I can do it this time. Thank God for new products (Haakaa is a genius invention!). I was able to build my stash as early as 2 weeks. At present, we are going 3 months of exclusive breastfeeding! I’m one happy momma. It was hard, but seeing a smile on her face after each feed is the best feeling in the world.

Click image to buy in Amazon

Here are some tips that worked for me and maybe can help you too:

  1. Latch, latch and latch! It’s tiring and it hurts but unlilatch especially in the first few weeks after giving birth will help establish your supply. Warm compress and massage helps the milk flow. I use La Vie Lactation Massager which I got from Mothercare Trinoma.Click the image to buy LaVie Lactation Massager in Amazon
  2. Trust yourself. This is the most important thing. You have to trust your body that you can provide the milk needed by your little one. Do not stress yourself and do not compare your output with others! Our babies have different needs and we can provide it to him/her.
  3. Eat well, diet later. You have all the time in the world to remove that momma pooch after your baby weaned from breastfeeding. And did I mention that breastfeeding helps lose your baby weight faster? I lost about 36 lbs. in a span of 8 weeks. Now, I’m just 5 lbs. away from my pre-pregnancy weight. For now, eat well so that you can provide all the nutrition that you and your baby needs. Sabaw is life!
  4. Try one supplement at a time. Stick to the ones that you think helps you increase your supply. For me, what works is taking 2 capsules of mega malunggay each day, drinking M2 Malunggay Tea and Mother Nurture Coffee and Choco drink . I also eat lactation cookies which I bake and share thru @milkookiesph.
Lactation cookies from @milkookiesph

What about you? Share your BF journey in the comment section below. Breastfeeding is best for babies but it does not mean that formula fed babies are less. Remember, Fed is best.