Product Review: Orange and Peach Breastmilk Storage Bags and a Giveaway!

Baby C is now 20 months old and we are still breastfeeding! Yehey! My milk supply already dwindled and it is just enough for Baby C, so it has been months since I last donated breastmilk.

When Baby C was about 2 months old until she turned 10 months, I could save in the freezer around 100 ounces of breastmilk a week.  And all frozen breastmilk goes to donee babies.  My milk is so abundant then that there was no need to defrost any frozen milk for Baby C.  100 ounces is 25 pieces of milkbags per week!  It kinda hurts in the pocket.  I have already tried numerous brands of milkbags and there were really few that I like and did not regret buying.  I experienced leak on some brands and some bags even burst.  There were also some brands needing scissors to cut the tip of the bag which I find a bit hassle.  I also received as a gift some milkbags that are too big and consumed so much space in our freezer.

Last month, I received Orange and Peach Breastmilk Storage Bags from Cudsly to try and I give this brand a 5/5 rating! 

Sooo nicely wrapped!

Orange and Peach Milkbags

First Time Parents Workshops by Manila Workshops

When I was still pregnant, my Saturdays were usually spent attending seminars and workshops about breastfeeding and childcare.  I have no regrets investing time attending these seminars.  Being a first time parent, I admit I have many things to learn and these seminars guided me during Baby C's first year.
 

On March 22, 2014, Manila Workshops in partnership with Medela Moms will hold two (2) separate workshops for first time parents.  First workshop is all about breastfeeding and in the afternoon, topics are toddler care, first aid and dental care.  I will attend the workshop in the afternoon because I want to refresh what I learned about first aid last year also from Manila Workshops and I want to pick up some pointers on toddler care and dental care.

Facebook Online Support Groups for Mommies

Almost everybody uses Facebook!  I myself read news on Facebook, shop online on Facebook, I chat with my friends on Facebook, I search people on Facebook, I join contest on Facebook, and so on.. 

Since I don't have the time to surf the internet all day to find the right information that I need, I started joining Facebook Groups. 

I would like to share with you some of the mommy and parenting groups on Facebook which I've joined to help me to be continually abreast with the latest information about parenting.

1.  BREASTFEEDING PINAYS

Medela Moms Brings you "Seeing Doubles" Multiple Support Group

Breastfeeding is a challenge for some moms.  I have friends who struggle with their milk supply and their babies are just singletons.  Although I am blessed with abundant milk supply for Baby C, I salute moms with twins who are exclusively breastfeeding their babies.  When Baby C was 6 months old, she can consume 25 to 32 ounces a day plus direct latching at night.  If I have twins, I need to produce around 64 ounces a day to make sure they will have enough milk supply when I am at work. 64 ounces expressed milk a day?! Wow!

If you were able to read one of my first blogposts entitled "My Pumping Paraphernalia at Work", you probably know that I recommend Medela Swing Maxi for working moms.  I bought mine from Medela Moms Inc., the exclusive and authorized importer/distributor of Medela Breastfeeding Products in the Philippines.  Medela Swing Maxi played and is still playing an important role on my breastfeeding journey.

Breastmilk Storage Guidelines Specifically for the Philippines

While still pregnant, I got confused with the different breastmilk storage guides I learned in seminars and read in books and in the internet.  In the end, I made my own time frame for my expressed milk and of course, I trust my nose and taste buds.

Last May 2013, one of the admins of Breastfeeding Pinays on Facebook posted guidelines which is specifically made for the Philippines.   This guide has helped a lot of breastfeeding moms especially those who needs to transport their milk or those working with no refrigerator at home. For those not yet members of Breastfeeding Pinays, sharing to you this breastmilk storage guidelines from the Trainer's Reference Manual "Gabay kay Nanay sa Tamang Pagpapasuso". 

Missing my Spectra 3 Breastpump

I had my Spectra 3 sent for cleaning today, and I am terribly missing it.  It's barely a day since I last used my Spectra but I can now feel a plugged duct on my left breast.  I love this breastpump. 

Spectra 3 Double Electric Breastpump is sold at Babymama.  This pump has high suction power (but can be adjusted) and empties my breast faster than any other pumps.   This pump likewise dramatically increased my milk production.

Moringana Malunggay Leaf Capsules

I started taking malunggay capsules when I was 7 months pregnant with Baby C.  This was prescribed by my OB-Gyne in preparation to breastfeeding.  I diligently took 2 capsules a day and entertained only positive thoughts of having lots and lots of milk.  As I have shared on my previous posts, My Breastfeeding Miracle Story and Our Lady of La Leche, I am among those women who were gifted with abundant milk.  Until now that Baby C is almost 1 year old, I am still donating milk to other babies.  I believe that a mother's diet has a lot to do with abundant milk.  Although supplements are not necessary in order succeed in breastfeeding, to ensure that I stay nourished and in order to boost my immune system, I take Moringana Malunggay Capsules everyday. 

Source

Our Lady of La Leche (Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery)

When I was still pregnant, I heard lots of stories about moms who weren’t able to breastfeed their children not because they don't want to breastfeed but because according to them, no matter what they do, "they don't have milk".  To my surprise, even my OB-GYNE, who I dearly love, confessed to me that she wasn't able to breastfeed her children.  She said she tried everything to have milk but all efforts failed.  Now, if a doctor wasn’t able to breastfeed, what are the chances that I won't be able to breastfeed?

I diligently studied all that I have to know about breastfeeding.  I read books, articles in the internet, blogs and even free leaflets.  I interviewed mommy friends and relatives who were able to successfully breastfeed their children.  I attended countless seminars about breastfeeding.  I compared notes with other preggy friends in case I missed something.  Two months before my due date, I started taking malunggay capsules prescribed by my OB-GYNE.  My mother also made dried malunggay leaves which I added to my food.  I avoided vinegar and anything that is sour because they said that it can lessen milk supply.  I bought all the necessary breastfeeding and pumping paraphernalia.  In short,  I prepared myself physically and emotionally while I was still pregnant to BREASTFEED!  Why?  Because I am full of doubts that I will have milk!  Eventhough I read that practically all mothers have milk, still, what if I don't have milk or what if it's too painful for me or what if baby doesn't want to latch? What if? What if? What if?

My Breastfeeding Miracle Story

I am a member of Breastfeeding Pinays on Facebook. This group seeks to provide support and information to families who are interested in breastfeeding.  In less than 7 months, they already have more than 4000 members.  Wow!  If you are pregnant or have babies or somebody who believes in breastfeeding, join this support group and be inspired with the stories of breastfeeding mommies.

Last July, several members of the Breastfeeding Pinays submitted their miracle stories in a contest conducted by KAYA Women Empowerment and Support where each narrative entry should be about the contestant's breastfeeding miracle story and should contain a maximum of 200  words.  I immediately composed my entry.  I had a hard time limiting my entry to just 200 words because I have so much to share.  Breastfeeding is my new found passion.  In my own little way, I am helping mommy friends on their breastfeeding journey.

Guest Post: I am a Proudly Lactating Mom

More and more moms are now becoming aware of the benefits of breastmilk. While some can't breastfeed for long, most will at least breastfeed for a month or two before going back to work. 

STATISTICS: Out of 10 mommy friends who gave birth last year, 5 are still breastfeeding their babies until today, 3 are mix feeding while 2 breastfed their babies for at least 2 months.  Not bad right? =)

Guest Post: Working + Breastfeeding = LOVE

Today is the start of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) and the month of August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month.  I have requested some of my breastfriends to guest post and to share their breastfeeding journey for the benefit of my readers.  I'm hoping to receive all their articles on time for the month of August. =) 

My first guest post is by Madz L.Carsula-Tolentino, a busy lawyer, a loving wife to JT and a mom to a toddler, Gab and baby, Rafa.  Atty. Madz is a proof that it is possible to continue breastfeeding while working and she shares here her secret!

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Working + Breastfeeding = LOVE

By: Madz L.Carsula-Tolentino

My Pumping Paraphernalia at Work

Today, Baby C is 7 months, 6 days old and I am happy to have reached this far on my breastfeeding journey.  Others may belittle the sacrifices and efforts of a breastfeeding mom, but breastfeeding is not a simple process.  In fact, many mothers are not successful in it.  Looking back during Baby C's first few days of life, during those sleepless nights, during those hours of crying (I was the one crying not the baby), during those days when my nipples were full of blisters and cracks, when baby seems to have unsatiable hunger and I have to feed her every hour, it seems to me like breastfeeding is even harder than the bar exam!

But those were the drama days!  I survived it and here I am, still breastfeeding Baby C and feeding some donee babies as well with my expressed milk.