Insparenting

How do you prepare your breast for a successful breastfeeding?

Once I asked that to a friend who successfully breastfed her baby. She said she didn’t prepare anything.

So I experienced it myself. And, I found out some little facts to help you, mother-to-be, get prepared:

• About your BRA. Get yourself great bras. Buy those which can absorb sweat. Don’t wear too often those with wires, they will withhold the production of your milk. Get those that fit well, don’t buy bigger or smaller size. If buying during the third trimester, get the maternity ones.

• About your NIPPLES. Take good care of your nipples. The purposes are to keep them clean and make them stick out to ease the process of breastfeeding. However, it might trigger the production of oxytocin, a hormone causing contractions, it’s better that you do it only after you reach the 37th week. How to do it? Check out next Monday, I’ll share the tips…

Have a great weekend!

Olivia seems to develop her logic a lot better these days. She’s been asking me questions that could make me both smile and get shocked.

Here is the list:

• “Mom, why do you love Dad?”
• “Does God exist? Why can’t I see Him?”
• “How did God create me?”
• “Why am I different from Jerome?”
• “Why can’t frogs walk? They always jump, aren’t they tired, Mom?”
• “Is Barney animal or human?”
• “Who do you love more, me or Jerome or Daddy?”
• “Mom, can I be a man when I grow up?”
• “Why can’t Daddy get pregnant? Because he’s a man? Why can’t men get pregnant?”
• “When can I get married?”
• “Why is Grandma very old? Will you be like Grandma when I grow up? Getting old?”
• “What’s wrong with you, Mom?”
• “Why can’t you make delicious cookies like Grandma does, Mom?”

Each question has a funny story behind it.

Do your kids ask such ‘questions’?

Join TT and share your list

Both my kids are less than 10 years old. But, I’ve been preparing myself for the big moment: when they turn into teenagers–which usually are the most difficult time either for the kids or for the parents.

I think, the problem lies on communication. If you have a great communication, then teenagers are easier to handle. And, what comes most is it turns out to be a negotiation. Not only businessmen or businesswomen who need to know how to negotiate. We, parents, also need to know this very well.

I’ve talked to some friends, looked back at my own experience with my parents, and of course checked out some literatures. And here are some tips for a successful parents-teens negotiation:

• While making rules, try to always involve your teens in the process. That way, you can make them more responsible in dealing with the rules, since they make it along with you.
• As much as you want to hit the roof, you need to calm down. Keeping as calm and rational as possible. It is essential to control your anger. That way, they will sympathize and want to sit down with you and talk.
• Try to keep the negotiations focused on the issue. Do not talk about other things they’ve done. Focus! Or, they might do the same to you.

Anyone would like to add some more?

Don’t you think so?

Someone sent me a letter last week, asking about PCO and a miscarriage she happened to experience a few weeks ago. I think, it’s better if I write the reply here just in case other women experience the same thing.

Dearest M,

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a syndrome of hormone imbalances.

PCOS is characterized by enlarged ovaries that contain numerous small and painless cysts. This is because the ovary doesn’t make all of the hormones it needs for any of the eggs to fully mature. They may start to grow and accumulate fluid, but no one egg becomes large enough. Instead, some may remain as cysts. Since no egg matures or is released, ovulation does not occur and the hormone progesterone is not made. Without progesterone, a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular or absent. Also, the cysts produce male hormones, which continue to prevent ovulation.

Also, the interruption of the egg’s maturation process may cause abnormal chromosomes in the egg. This might increase the probability of a miscarriage.

However, don’t worry. It can be treated. There are some treatments that can be done especially if you still wish to conceive, such as:

Fertility Medications. This one can be chosen since the main fertility problem for women with PCOS is the lack of ovulation. Metformin can be taken with fertility medications and helps to make PCOS women ovulate on lower doses of medication.

Surgery (Laparoscopy). This surgery can lower male hormone levels and help with ovulation. But these effects may only last a few months.
Maintaining a healthy weight. Since obesity is common with PCOS, maintaining a healthy weight can help. Even loss of 10% of her body weight can help make a woman’s cycle more regular.

Consult with your ob/gyn to find out which treatment is better for you. Hope you can get the best one.

Love,

Naeva

Many parents out there give everything their children want to lessen their guilty feeling for not spending enough time with their little ones. Jobs, business, and other activities are the reasons they use.

I understand that they might need to take double jobs, day and night, to be able to support the family. But…hello…your kids need you to be there when they grow up, too.

Kids love presents but, your presence is actually more important.