My baby just turned 10 months and after all this time, I am proud to say that she’s still purely breastfed. I wouldn’t be able to accomplish this feat without my handy dandy Unimom Forte.
The Unimom Forte is not exactly ‘handy dandy’. With its size and weight (4.4 oz), it’s not exactly comfortable to bring along. That’s why, my pump stays in the office for most of the week. However, at times when I do need to attend long out-of-office meetings, I bring it with me and keep it in the car. I used to think that this kind of pump cannot be used in public. But I guess continuous breastfeeding and pumping for 10 months pretty much erased all my inhibitions. I lag it with me and plug it in Starbucks for all I care, lol… I’d rather do this than endure the pain of swollen breasts. Most of the time, my friends are more squeamish than me, which is rather funny really.
Anyway, I super highly recommend Unimom Forte to all working/breastfeeding moms out there. It’s hospital grade therefore highly durable. I used the Unimom Allegro before and even though it was easy to use and comfortable, it cannot handle multiple pumpings in a day. Switching to Forte is the best choice I made. I don’t think I would be able to sustain breastfeeding this long without the Forte.
Basically, the following are the plus points for me:
1) reliable and durable
2) relatively cheap as compared to other dual electric pumps
3) quiet and private
4) parts easy to clean
5) comes with a 1 yr warranty from babymama.ph
The only disadvantage I see is that it is not exactly portable. It is quite heavy and not battery operated. Other than this, it’s the best!
I cannot exactly tell how long I will be able to breastfeed my baby but hopefully, my Unimom Forte can bring me to a longer and happier nursing journey with my baby!
Archive for the ‘Mommy Thingies’ Category
Breast Pump Review: Unimom Forte
Thursday, November 17th, 2011Preschoolville’s Spooky Fun Party 2011
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011It’s that time of the year again when oldies like yours truly get to relive fond childhood memories, wear costumes, and eat tons of candies. Yep, it’s Halloween… Halloween is undoubtedly one of my most favorite programs that we organize in the school. Though it is something that entails tons of preparations, it is definitely worthwhile because kids enjoy every minute of it. For this year, the teachers decided to go for the popular gypsy look. We did not want to stress ourselves much with costumes that’s why we went for something that is easy, affordable, and hassle-free. We’ve worn gypsy costumes before that’s why we knew what items of clothing to pick. Now the best place to pick out gorgeous and bold-printed skirts is none other than the local ukay-ukay shops. So we headed for Robinsons Angeles and patiently sorted racks and racks of clothes to pick out the best outfit for a gypsy wannabe. The pictures would tell you that our efforts were a success! To complete our outfit, we headed to Vente store in Marquee and got ourselves super affordable accessories. Thus, the finish product!
Of course, I also needed to worry about the costume that my daughter is going to wear. Last year, she was able to successfully impersonate Lady Gaga. We were hoping to transform her into Mystique of the X-men or Smurfette but our attempts to dye her clothes blue failed. We had to make last minute changes to our plan and decided to go simple instead. With an old frilly dress, a few tubes of face-paint, and a white wig, she emerged a beautifully creepy living china doll. Here she is.
At a very low budget, we were able to pull of quite impressive costume results. Can’t wait for next year’s spooky fun party!
My Entry to MFO’s Anniversary Blog Breastpump Giveaway from Babymama
Thursday, September 8th, 2011Recently, manila fashion observer tied up with babymama for its Anniversary Promo. For this, they have given away an Ameda Purely Yours Breastpump- a really cool breastpump that I would have wanted to give to a pregnant friend of mine. The mechanics were simple–1) like babymama and MFO’s facebook pages, 2) add Cd_mfo on twitter, and 3) answer 3 questions about breastfeeding.
Silly me, all the while, I thought it was an essay writing contest. I spent my entire National Heroes’ Day composing an essay to answer the three questions… fervently hoping to win the pump. Come september 7, the results were out and I found out I didn’t win. I accepted defeat because I was no sore loser. I just wanted to check out what the winning entry was and lo and behold- I found out that the winner won via a raffle draw… All I can say is LOL… Never in a million years would I ever win via raffle haha.. I guess, I was not born that lucky in life. Well, just so my efforts are not wasted, I am posting my answers here in my blog… As I’ve said countless times before, breastfeeding is something I am so fond of. At least, this contest made me love breastfeeding all the more!
Post-Pregnancy Hair Loss
Monday, August 15th, 2011
Seriously? It’s been 7 months already and I am still shedding off hair like crazy! It’s not only me who’s going gaga about this- the whole household’s bugged coz I unknowingly drop a strand of hair here and there… The only thing that’s keeping me from going straight to a hair restoration doctor is that I’ve had three pregnancies and I know that the whole thing is normal. However, hair loss until this time may sound a little bit off. Right about now, hair loss should be dwindling a bit… but in my case, it’s just not so. Could it be because I am still purely breastfeeding my baby?
According to The American Pregnancy Org, Telogen effluvium is the excessive shedding of hair that occurs one to five months following pregnancy. This is not uncommon, affecting somewhere between 40 to 50% of women; but like most changes during pregnancy, it is temporary. From this fact, I should have been seeing improvements already since my baby is now 7 mos… but unfortunately no.
Good thing The American Pregnancy Org provided some valuable tips on how mommies like me can deal with hair loss.
- Consult with your health care provider to ensure a proper balance of hormones
- Avoid pigtails, cornrows, hair weaves, braids and tight hair rollers which can pull and stress your hair
- Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, which contain flavonoids and antioxidants that may provide protection for the hair follicles and encourage hair growth
- Use shampoos and conditioners that contain biotin and silica
- Hair is fragile when it is wet, so be gentle; avoid fine tooth combs
- If you need to use blow dryers and other heated hair instruments, try to use the cool setting
- Supplement your diet with the following nutrients:
- Vitamin B complex
- Biotin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
Of course, since I am a lactating mommy, I have to be extra careful in what I actually digest– specifically, drugs and other vitamins that might affect the milk I am producing. Amongst the choices, I am drawn to the ‘eating healthy stuff’ suggestion. Yup, that I can definitely do without the guilt!
A Fledgling Chef’s Easy Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Monday, July 18th, 2011I am no chef- more so a baker. Heck, one of the things that my mommy used to mock me about is my inability to cook. It is only now that we’ve moved out that I am forced to hold the spatula. Yep, my current situation plus my penchant for cooking shows like Top Chef (also where I got my baby Padma’s name), Masterchef, and Hell’s Kitchen kinda inspired me to venture through this unfamiliar territory. And so far, I am loving it.
Good thing I have Google to help me throughout this ordeal. Technology is amazing really because it offers cooking lessons for free- therefore highly preferable as opposed to me enrolling in a culinary school where a 5-month course can cost me at least Php50,000!
Anyways, my first ever baking experience involved these small packages of Quaker’s Instant Oatmeal Flavor Variety. Some relatives from Canada sent us tons of these and since we are not huge fans of oatmeal, they just sat there in the refrigerator for many days. Then came the day when my husband told me to make something out of them. So I thought I could make cookies and right there and then, googled an oatmeal recipe that wouldn’t be so technical for an unskilled person like me to understand. I found one and after a little modification, came up with the recipe below…
Oatmeal Cashew Cookie Recipe
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup chopped cashews
*Remember that I had with me tons of Quaker’s Instant Oatmeal in DIFFERENT FLAVORS(apple & cinnamon, brown sugar & maple, original, etc..). My dilemma was putting them all in one cookie recipe without ruining the taste. So what I did was to SIFT the oatmeal first to remove all their flavorings. Then I correctly measured them all to make 3 cups. I felt that my oats had tons of cinnamon flavor in them that’s why I omitted the ground cinnamon ingredient from my recipe. After prepping all of these ingredients, I am ready to roll.
1. I preheated the oven to about 160 degrees Celsius.
2. Then I mixed together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy. Next, I put the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. I then combined the flour, baking soda, and salt. I mixed in the cashew nuts. Right about this time, the batter looks a bit runny but I just let it be.
3. I rolled my batter so they looked like huge sausages and placed them in the chiller.
4. After about an hour, my cookie dough stiffened so I got one, sliced them and placed them in a baking pan (I do not have a cookie dish so what I did was to turn the baking pan over to mimic a cookie sheet).
5. The cookies should be evenly spaced, taking into consideration the fact that they will still be getting bigger during the baking process.
6. After about 20 minutes, your cookies will be cooked and ready.
I loved the cookies because they were so chewy. I kinda let it sit in the oven after the baking time because I love the added crunch brought about by the browning of the cookie. This recipe yielded around 30 cookies so it was great, actually… not bad for a trying hard baker like yours truly!
Breast Pump Review: Unimom Allegro
Friday, July 8th, 2011
Unimom Allegro Breastpump easily fits the criteria for BEST breastpump. It is powerful, portable, and most importantly, affordable! This breastpump costs about 4000 pesos- a definite turn on considering the fact that you can even convert it to dual pumping. I guess, its low cost is undoubtedly one of its major attractions. Honestly, I do not understand why bigtime brands out there need to jack up their prices to the detriment of working mommies who only want to provide the best milk for their kids, while they are away. I mean, if these manufacturers honestly advocate breastfeeding, shouldn’t they at least come up with better products at friendly costs? Thankfully, a Korean company named Unimom considered the dilemma of tight-budgetted mommies like me and came up with a great product!
I love the Allegro! I can bring it with me anywhere and it’s not a burden at all because it is very light. Also, you can use 4 AA batteries if ever you need to pump while travelling. However, the Allegro is not meant for heavy use- which I realized soon enough because it suddenly broke down. I did not worry though because it was still under warranty (3 months warranty from babymama) and thankfully, the pretty seller (who is also my breastfeeding counselor) easily replaced the item.
If you will be pumping heavily (like for example you have a longer work sched and you need to pump every 3hours), it is better to get a hospital-grade pump. Which I did…;-) Now I have a new Unimom- this time the Forte, and it’s been a harmonious relationship ever since!
Pneumonia in Babies
Sunday, June 19th, 2011
The ordeal does not end here… the whole process of making her drink all those medicines is downright stressful- for me and for her. After this, I will settle for the best cure of all- prevention!
In the Philippines, old folks here are fond of giving advices regarding pneumonia prevention.
1) Keep the back dry. Because it’s hot and humid in our country, children tend to sweat a lot. Paper towels do this job for me since they absorb sweat really well.
2) Don’t use powder. This actually is research-based. Apparently, inhaling powder particles is dangerous for kids.
3) Drink Vitamin C with Zinc. Padma does not take any vitamin. After this, pedzinc or ceelin with zinc will definitely be included in her diet.
4) Maintain a sick-free environment. My baby won’t totally get well if there are sick people around her. Make sure everybody in the household also gets treated.
5) My pedia advised me to have my baby vaccinated for HIB and something else, which I can’t remember right now. My two older kids have had flu vaccines.
Breast Pump Review: Precious Moments Single Electric Breastpump
Thursday, June 16th, 2011
I was so disappointed with this pump that I could not even sell it or give it away, thinking that it would just cause suffering to another mommy out there.
I did what I felt was right after this experience– set this breastpump away and find another one in the market. This decision saved my breastfeeding career…;-)
** I am so unhappy with this pump that I could not even take a picture of it myself… so I just googled a similar item…**
Breastfeeding for Working Moms- Yes, It’s Possible!
Monday, May 9th, 2011I started to write about this topic two months ago… right about when I started marveling about the wonders of breastfeeding- and how you can sustain it even while working.
Honestly, if I had known this was possible, I would not have stopped breastfeeding my two older kids. I love breastfeeding! However, my adoration towards it (if ever anybody is interested in reading it) is detailed in another article Musings of A Happy Breastfeeding Working Mom. Also, in a separate article, which I hopefully would be starting to write soon, I will be reviewing a breastfeeding mommy’s bestfriend- the one and only breast pump. I’ve had a few experiences about them and I am dying to start sharing my stories to other mommies out there… well, that’s for next time.
Let me stay right on the topic and talk about how mommies can continue to breastfeed, even after your maternity leave. Of course, the only solution here is to have a reliable and handy breastpump. I, for one, have regarded my breastpump as a necessary accessory. I never leave for work without it because I know I have to pump for three important reasons:
1) I need to store milk for my baby.
2) I need to keep my milk supply and pumping milk out enables the breasts to produce more.
3) It will hurt like hell if I don’t (Sometimes, I even experience horrible flu-like symptoms!).
Yes, a breastpump is the one and only thing that you will need to enjoy the best of both worlds- working and being a mom.
Just recently, I was fascinated by what my working mom friend has shared about their company. She said, that she breastfed her daughter for quite a long time and instead of becoming a hindrance, her company even supported her in this endeavor. This one-of-a-kind Philippine company strongly advocates breastfeeding- surprisingly even suggesting that formula milk is taboo and a no,no… In fact, they have set up breastfeeding stations for lactating mothers… so cool! Thankfully, even if I do not work in this company, I still am privileged in a way. We own the school where I work at and so I can have a flexible pumping schedule. Also, I get to go home for lunch breaks sometimes and breastfeed my baby directly.
For mommies who are interested to embark on the same journey, I suggest talking to a certified breastfeeding counselor. Mi Ann of babymama.ph has helped and encouraged me a lot and I am sure she is willing to be of assistance to other mothers, too… Check out babymama.ph for great advices and fab finds!
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Musings of A Happy Breastfeeding Working Mom
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
Work and my new baby have kept my hands full these days… less time, therefore, to blog. As baby sleeps, I thought I’d sneak in a few notes about my breastfeeding experiences.
Why did I choose to breastfeed?
I’ve been breastfeeding my third baby for three months now and it’s been great. I love it and want to continue doing it because of varied reasons. First and foremost, of course, is because of its health benefits. I breastfed my eldest for six months and I saw how that helped her grow healthy and strong. I was unemployed back then so I had all my attention focused on my baby. Sadly, it was a different story for Amber, my second child. I was working as a teacher and after my maternity leave, I went back to work and had to quit breastfeeding. Also, as embarrassing as it to say, I’ve been dying to go back to an old and unhealthy habit of smoking. Because of my experiences with my children, I have a basis for comparison. Amber, at about 6 months acquired pneumonia. She was hospitalized for a week and that experience was so tormenting. I hated seeing my tiny, fragile baby, go through several painful procedures. Things were different for my eldest, though. She stayed healthy and immune to many diseases until her toddler years.
My second reason for wanting to breastfeed might sound silly to some people. I want to totally kick out smoking in my life. I am 33 years old and was a heavy smoker for 15 years. I only stop when I am pregnant and lactating. Breastfeeding gives me a justifiable reason to keep off that nasty habit.
Thirdly, it’s because of financial reasons. Imagine giving your child the best milk possible at virtually no cost? Amazing, really… Also, I am glad to see more mommies breastfeeding nowadays. Before, I cringed at the thought of breastfeeding in public but now, because of the invention of nursing bibs (which just actually looks like a small-sized blanket for me), I can proudly nurse anywhere and anytime my baby needs it.
But of course, my ultimate breastfeeding bestfriend would have to be my ever reliable electric breast pump which I got from babymama.ph. Because of this God-sent device, my baby is able to drink the best milk ever, even when I am at work. Babymama.ph also provides mommies like me, some helpful advices about lactation, milk storage and production, and etc. etc. Also, I love the feeling of leaving milk for my baby to drink. It’s like I’m leaving something of me behind, something valuable, even when I am away at work.
I urge moms out there to breastfeed… this is the best and priceless gift that we can give to our babies.:-)
