the canDIshhh tales

  "Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (February). For this month, we focus on back to basics. Participants will share advices - either the best breastfeeding advice they received OR/AND the best breastfeeding advice they can give to new moms.  Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of carnival entries." Breastfeeding in NOT easy.  Let me say this not to discourage you but to give you the truth – plainly.  Some people have it easy and some people don’t, and I belong to the later.  You see, I was clueless on breastfeeding.  I only knew from what I saw with my sister in law.  I remember it clearly, as it was just yesterday – we were in Subic for the long weekend, and she was breastfeeding Shobe at that time.  I remember her going up to me and telling me that she was experiencing clogged ducts (then, I understood it as may matigas sa boob) she was telling me how painful it was that she didn’t know what to...

Being a breastfeeding/breastpumping mom - I've had my fair share of highs and lows.  Good thing is that I have a supportive family, supportive friends and supportive (online) strangers who lift me up and give me advice on breastfeeding/breastpumping.  My Kailee is nearing her 10th month mark and STILL I am giving her my breastmilk! Freezer Stash To pay it forward - I have been donating my frozen breastmilk to friends and strangers in need.  Since I have a good supply - I share to those in need.  Its just my way to support lactating mothers - help them when they need it.  You see, breastfeeding/breastpumping is not easy - its really hardwork!  One may say its FREE but you have to be healthy, nourished with good food and is hydrated at ALL times!  And being well fed - well, that's not cheap! Storing and collecting breastmilk too is not cheap.  You'd have to have ample refrigerator and freezer space.  You'll need storage bags, storage c...

I am officially a COW.  Why?  Well, because while on vacation in HK – I was still able to pump and bring home a whopping – 250+ ounces of milk!  Can you believe it?  I was honestly in disbelief!  I even counted it thrice – just to be sure I got the figures correctly.    Image borrowed from THIS site I tell you, it was really a LOT of hard work!  Imagine, while on vacation – I still had to wake up in the wee hours of the night just to pump.  I had to cut short shopping trips so I can pump.  My Panget had to lug around a trolley that contained my pump, bottles and a cooler!  That was everyday – for five (5) days.  Even while at the airport – we were still lugging it around.  I am proud to say that I was able to pump in the following areas:             a)  Airport Lounge             b)...

"Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (July). For this month, we join the National Nutrition Council - Department of Health in celebrating Nutrition Month with the theme "Isulong ang Breastfeeding - Tama, Sapat at EKsklusibo!" Participants will share their experiences in promoting breastfeeding or their tips on how breastfeeding should be promoted. Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants." When I got pregnant, I knew instantly that I would be breastfeeding my baby.  My mom found it odd that I decided to breastfeed - this was because I grew up formula fed.  My twin brother and I were given formula since birth, there was no attempt whatsoever to breastfeed.  In fact my mom recounted that she was given medicine to stop the milk production.  My pedia, Dr. Joy Ty-Sy said that during my mom's time (when she had us) it was the boom of formulas, that it was the trend that time.  I grew up with formula, my c...