Breastfeeding Month Giveaway from The Marshmallow Baby Online Shop

Lawyers are jacks of all trades! In fact, a lot of my lawyer friends are now veering away from traditional lawfirm practice.  Most are in alternative lawyering, business, photography, government, environment, surfing, blogging, etc.  I'm one example - from focusing on pleadings, opinions, my time is now on my business, family and promoting, supporting and protecting breastfeeding, particularly the implementation of the Milk Code.

I recently met another lawyer who has a successful second career.  Tina de Guzman, a development professional and lawyer, works in an NGO implementing judicial reform, human rights and anti-trafficking programs.  Together with her husband Reindl, they set up "Fluffy Pwets," the first ever hybrid fitted diapers in the country.

Bebe Chic Diaper Bag Giveaway

It's time for the long over due Bebe Chic Diaper Bag Giveaway! The owners of Bebe Chic, Catherine and Mike Dy are long time friends who I met during the first bazaar I joined.  As I was going through my draft posts, I realized that Catherine had first asked me to do the giveaway back in May 2012 - almost 2 years ago!  (Sorry Catherine!!)

Milk Code Violation: Gifts of Any Sort

The Milk Code has been in existence since 1986.  Admittedly, it is not an easy law to read and understand.  Further, despite being in force for almost 20 years, violations are still quite rampant.  I previously posted about how marketing of feeding bottles and teats can be considered a violation.  For this post, I will focus on samples and giveaways - how they violate the Milk Code.

Let me again emphasize - the law EXISTS.  What I am attempting to do is provide examples of violations to make the law understandable and more palatable to the general public.

Win a Mayumi & Me Gift Box!

I'm happy always happy to meet blog readers and store customers.  I am even happier when I read that they are inspired to start their own blog or own store.  There are just so many good ideas and products that need to be shared with moms and having more mompreneurs to spread them to different markets can only be good.

Mayumi, Armi and me!

One such mom, Armi Shyr Baticados recently opened her online store Mayumi & Me.   Armi is the mom of 1 and a half year old sweet toddler Mayumi - the inspiration for her store.  Armi is a one-woman team who manages her operation in between nursing, playing and cuddling Mayumi - a sassy and smart little girl.

Why I love Mamaway (an event and a giveaway)

Ninang with E in his Like shirt

I have been a customer of Mamaway since 2008, when they first came to the Philippines.   They have recently opened their retail store in New Manila, Quezon City and another store is in the pipeline.   One of the owners, Jonie, has become more than a business colleague and is actually the godmother of E.

nursing in my Mamaway dresses

What I like about Mamaway is that the owners truly want to help you successfully breastfeed and they do this by supporting various classes and breastfeeding events.  In fact, if you have breastfeeding concerns, Jonie will go out of her way to refer you to the right support person or group who can help you succeed.

A Bamboo Dappy Giveaway

E is almost 10 months old and has been fully cloth diapered since he was 7 weeks old.  That means that he has been cloth diapered for about 35 weeks.  We have avoided the use of 1,470 pieces of diapers (at a conservative estimate of 6 diapers per day).  With N, we only did partial cloth diapering and used Mamy Poko which was about 13 pesos per piece.  So with E, we saved more than P19,000 already plus reduced the landfill waste by more than 1,000 pieces of soiled diapers! 

More and more parents are switching to cloth and I'm glad to see a lot of cloth diapers available locally.  One of the local brands widely available is Bamboo Dappy - a brand developed by Jenny Chua, a mom of 2 active boys.  Jenny developed this brand when she found that disposable diapers take at least 250 years before they fully decompose.   Bamboo Dappy also supports the World Wide Fund programs that help ensure a sustainable future of our country.  Every time a Bamboo Dappy gets sold, the company donates P10 to their WWF for their monthly donation.

Happy 8 Months E and A Honeybaby Giveaway

photo by Stanley Ong

And just like that, E is already 8 months old!  In 4 short months, my rolly polly baby will be a toddler!   We took the opportunity of having his pictorial during our recent family getaway in Misibis Bay, Cagraray Island, Albay.   Do you like his bear hat?  It was given to him by Angelique Dimayuga, the mom behind Honeybaby.

A Mothering Earthlings Confessional & Giveaway: Breastfeeding Bloopers

It's August once again and since we are celebrating Breastfeeding Month, it's my turn to host a Mothering Earthlings Confessional on breastfeeding bloopers!

Mothering Earthlings is an online store with handpicked one-of-a-kind products for moms, babies and kids!  What makes this store unique is that the quirky, yummy mama behind it - Rone Valles-Guerrero - took pains to hunt down and collate various Filipino brands into her store, making them available and accessible to moms with discerning taste and patriotic pride!  Aside from running her store, Rone also shares stories about her earthlings in her blog and Twitter account.

Transporting Milk? A Fridge to Go Giveaway

One of the popular posts in this blog is entitled "Tips on Expressing Milk While Traveling Without Baby".  It was written as a guest post by the local Fridge-to-Go distributor Stephanie Co.  She pumped exclusively for 13 months for her firstborn and is currently breastfeeding her 2-year old second child.  Steph shares that Fridge-to-Go made it much more convenient and hygienic for her to continue pumping while working full-time, traveling abroad or even going about the city on errands.  Here's what makes FTG special and especially useful for working moms:

With its Surround Cooling Technology and space-saving refillable cooling panels, Fridge-to-Go keeps its contents so that pumping mamas need not worry that their milk will spoil before they get home.  Fridge-to-Go gives unbeatable cooling for the most precious product of all - your breastmilk, which will be given to your most precious bundle - your child.  It is really worth every peso!

Giveaway: Baby Leaf Diapers

Today's giveaway is sponsored by Baby Leaf Diapers.

Here is a short blurb about the brand:

Baby Leaf was born out of a working mom’s desire to provide only the best, safest and baby-friendliest for her newborn. Trisha Lim – the mom behind Baby Leaf – began the business with an ideal: to get only the best-quality, all-natural and eco-friendly items for her baby.  She and her husband, Stuart, have three beautiful little girls.
The name “Baby Leaf” stands for the newness and freshness that comes with being a new parent and having a new life to care for. Just as a new leaf signifies the start of a new life, Baby Leafs envision families experiencing the newness and wonder of parenthood, with Baby Leaf providing the freshest, Earth-friendly finds.

Winner: Pregnancy Pack

Remember my blog giveaway earlier this month? I finally reviewed the entries and determined that there were only 4 qualified ones - I had requested people to post both at the blog and at my Facebook page.  There were only 4 people who posted both in the comment box and the Facebook page.  Anyway, here are their Facebook comments.

A Mother's Day Giveaway from The Learning Basket

Mariel Uyquiengco used to be a customer at my online store and eventually became the supplier of one of my more popular products.  When she approached me about her hosting a giveaway on the blog for Mother's Day, I happily said yes, especially since one of her prizes was a book that N and I love - Guess How much I Love You.  I'm a frustrated homeschooler and I do admire parents who are able to successfully homeschool their kids - and Mariel is one of them.  

Blog Giveaway: So that's what they're for! + Birth Pack

It's time for a blog giveaway! It's been 2 months since I went back to work and things have been quite hectic.  My top priority now is de-cluttering our home - you wouldn't believe the amount of stuff we've accumulated in 5 years (marriage, having N, then now E).  De-cluttering is good because we've been finding things that we thought we had lost.  I also found some books which I realized I had bought 2 of - so I'm going to be giving away one of the copies I have!

Review and Giveaway: Changing Diapers

My first born N had been semi-cloth diapered and I do admit that at that time I thought that cloth diapering a baby at night and when going out was quite impossible.  The book Changing Diapers was released in October 2011.  I waited for the Black Friday sale and hurriedly purchased 3 copies - for myself, E's ninang Jen plus 1 more extra copy.

Giveaway: Marshmallow Mama's Milkin' Cookies!

Congratulations to Cyrene Ng and Michelle D Boras for winning the giveaway!

Early this year, fellow lawyer Joyce contacted me and asked me if I wanted to sample her milk-making goodies.  Joyce previously posted as guest on this blog while I was on extended vacation in April.  Joyce shared how she decided to move from being a full time lawyer to a full time mama.
Joyce has now ventured into a new business - baking - and has been making Mango Malunggay Milking Cookies since October 2011.  She has asked her breastfeeding friends to sample her products and was met with success!  Her friends reported that their milk output increased after 2 days of eating 3-4 cookies per day.  The main star of her cookies is the local malunggay, instead of the usual fenugreek and brewer's yeast.

Guest Post and Giveaway: Nursing Twins!

This article was contributed by MedelaMoms Maricel Cua and Beng Feliciano. The exclusive authorized distributors of Medela in the Philippines, these mommies walk the talk! MedelaMom Maricel breastfed her now 6 year old daughter for 2 years and 7 months before she self-weaned. Firm believers in attachment parenting, the Cua couple never had a yaya and are now homeschooling daughter Lia. MedelaMom Beng breastfed her 4 year old son for 2 years and is now breastfeeding her 20 month old twin daughters. Quite the attached parent herself, MedelaMom Beng, together with lawyer-husband Jim, make it a point to dedicate quality time with their 3 children and are homeschooling their 4year old son, Nico. You may reach them for any queries, breastfeeding, parenting, or otherwise (!) at medelamoms@gmail.com or send them an sms at 0917-5614366. Landlines are 964-7331, 725-3723, and 738-6272
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The Blessing of Two

When we first heard we were expecting two

We asked, “Why did God trust us this much?”

Would we know what to do?

Imagine this:

Double plea for cuddle,

Twin call for breastmilk,

Would they at least take turns

Or at the same time, demand’s to the hilt?

Fast forward…

Now they are here,

At 19 months of age

At the breast, is where they still stay.

Summer on the left, Carly on the right,

Yes, that picture is quite a sight!

Truthfully, there is magic with these two,

With each other, the tricks, games, ideas and fun

Kindle laughter and amazement, thru and thru.

Add big brother Nico who nurtures them at heart

And Daddy Jim who treasured them from the very start.

Carly and Summer, we are all enamored by you.

Before our very eyes, it is revealed… the blessing of TWO.

--- Mommy Beng

The best way to prepare for breastfeeding multiples is to prepare for breastfeeding multiples (I can’t stress this point enough!). So here’s a straightforward, no non-sense advice (mommies with multiples don’t have time to beat around the bush, … hahaha)

1. Secure or prepare a check list of breastfeeding needs. Below is mine.

• A positive mindset (yes! I can breastfeed two!) with supportive family and loved ones.

• Knowledge of the various latching positions (I think this would vary for mothers).

• Medela Purelan 37g- Even “seasoned” breastfeeding moms will experience the drying effect (and eventually the pain that results from it) of a newborn’s suckle. Best to have lots of Purelan. Applying it will be like drinking water, especially in the beginning. First step to not give up on breastfeeding is to have immediate remedy for the expected pain.

• A high powered Medela pump.

• Medela Freestyle pump- mom will need the extra hands to comfort baby or babies. Plus, hands free pump can allow the mom to momentarily close her eyes to rest. At the start, mom may feel exhausted from birthing experience

• Medela Pump In Style Advanced

• 2 pairs Personalfit shields- all the suckling that the breasts will take may result to greater pain to some so pumping is the ideal option and then mom can let breasts rest (while shifting to cup feeding meantime). To avoid further pain, use the right fit of shields

• A pair of extra connectors with membranes (for Freestyle)

• 10 Storage bottles- just for what it is… milk storage

• 20 pcs. Medela Pump and Save Milk bags (initially) - don’t be surprised if all of a sudden, with all the breast stimulation, mom finds herself with lots and lots of milk! Enjoy that! Have at least one box of Pump n’ save bags.

• 2 Medela Advance Softcup feeders and 10 cup feeders- it is ideal to latch babies at the same time but just to be prepared for the tough times (if for some reason it will be impossible to latch at the same time), be ready to cup feed until both infants have established their latch. The advantage of cup feeding is that dad, other family members or caregivers can give feeding support.

• Extra ice pack- at night, mother can already store pump milk in the cooler carrier (best to have 2 ice packs to let them survive through day/night) if a refrigerator is not available in the room.

• 30 pcs. Medela Bra pads- be prepared for the leaking!

• Sterilizer

• Drying rack inside an enclosed bin

• A separate bin/ basket for all the dry accessories

• Nursing pillow

• Nursing bib/cover

• Nursing wear (more of home wear since you may not find yourself outside the house for quite a while)

• Comfortable intimate apparel

• Comfortable wrap (for those delivering c-sec). Mamaway’s binder is heaven sent. Unfortunately, I only found this when I wasn’t using the wrap anymore. No sharp Velcro edges like the ones I initially used and gave up on since they scratch my babies’ skin.

2. Prepare EVERYTHING in the checklist in advance (while you can still walk and not if and when you are being wheeled in everywhere.... I was on a wheelchair during the latter part of my 3^rd trimester). Buying at the last minute or when babies have arrived may be stressful and may lessen milk output.

3. Make a set-up of where you will breastfeed, system of how all the items used will be used, cleaned (by who, etc.).

4. Talk to parents of multiples who are well adjusted with multiples.

5. Invite and welcome the support of loved ones and hired help.

6. Pray. Know the guardian angels of the children and ask for their help.

When all have been prepared…let go of everything and focus on the arrival of the two (bring out the camera!). Whatever happens, know that you will more than survive having to take care of two. Just remember, what you sow, you reap. Happy breastfeeding!!!

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MedelaMoms is also sponsoring this week's giveaway, especially for parents of multiples (expecting or already breastfeeding). The prize will be 20 Pump and Save Bags, packed by 2's.  You can purchase these bags at The Medela House or get a chance to win them through Rafflecopter below.  Please note that this contest is open only to parents of multiples.  

Glamma Momma Shirt Giveaway

This week's giveaway is sponsored by Erlaine, a fellow N@Wie who started the brand Glamma Momma.  Erlaine was inspired to create something that moms would want to wear to help them become proud of themselves.  Since she was a t-shirt gal, she thought about making statement shirts for moms!  Erlaine conceptualized each shirt and has them designed and printed by her brother in law.  New designs will be released from time to time.

of course, you know what my favorite design is!

Her Glamma Momma shirts are currently available in Spoiled! Store in Millenia Suites (Pasig) and in Tees Me (Pop Culture, Alabang Town Center).

DFABShop Ecobag Giveaway

Congratulations to Shirley Mae Tabora and Bing Lorenzo for winning the giveaway!

Please check your emails.

This week's giveaway is hosted by Dona Acero, a fellow member of N@W.   Dona used to be an IT System Engineer.  She is currently a stay-at home mom of a 6-year old daughter and a 2-year old son.  Dona breastfed both of her kids exclusively and decided to be a SAHM to focus on raising her kids.

She recently started a business DONA bags this year and also became a seller of Human Heart Nature products.  Dona is proud that all her bags are made in the Philippines.  Her idea to manufacture her own  bag line came from a fruitless search of a multi-purpose bag (diaper bag, ecobag) that was lightweight and functional.

Woombie Philippines Giveaway

Our Winners are:

 RiCalyn Sicad for liking the blog's FB page.  She wins 1 Woombie Swaddler (newborn)

Ria Denamarca Laab for following the blog on networked blogs.  She wins 1 Woombie Sleeper.

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This week's giveaway is hosted by Val Choa of Quintbelles and Woombie Philippines.

I first met Val (who runs a cake business - Quintbelles - together with her sister) when I asked her to make N's 2nd birthday cake with the theme Strawberry Shortcake:

In the middle of this year, Val contacted me about a new business she started - distributing Woombies in the Philippines.   Val is not yet a mom but found the swaddlers so adorable and decided to bring them in.  She also did some research and confirmed that swaddling babies really help them to sleep better.  For those unfamiliar with it, the Woombie is a one-piece zippered peanut shaped swaddler that is soft and stretchy and creates a little happy womb-like space for sleeping babies.  The babies can still move and push their extremities out and work those muscles but the stretch of the fabric always brings them back in and cuddles them.  The Woombie also help babies sleep better, preventing startling issues, face scratching, overheating and allows parents to avoid the use of dangerous, loose blankets which may cover the baby's face.  The Woombie has been included by Glam-o-Mama Amanda Jacob in her Kiddo Picks.   

Woombies range from P1,200 - P1,500 depending on the style and can be purchased from Woombies Facebook or Multiply pages.  You can also take a chance to win one by joining the Woombie Philippines giveaway with 2 winners!  Prizes are 1 Original Woombie Swaddler (newborn size) and 1 Woombie Sleeper.  Join through Rafflecopter below.  Thank you Val for sponsoring the contest!

Bumblebear Shop Giveaway

Congratulations to Amee Go-Diu for winning the Bumblebear Shop giveaway!

This week's giveaway is sponsored by Sharlene Lao of the Bumblebear Shop.   Sharlene is a mom of 2 little girls who were the inspiration for her shop.  As a stay at home mom, she started Bumblebear because she wanted to earn extra money and at the same time be with her little girls.   Sharlene started her shop in the last quarter of 2010 and despite the challenges of breastfeeding (pumping while in bazaars - with one hand under the cover to pump and one hand to give out change to customers), she was able to successfully breastfeed her girls until they were 1 year old.