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My baby started thumb-sucking when he was just a few months old and I immediately raised the concern to his Neonatalist. He was not at all bothered by it. He simply said that it was the baby's way of pacifying himself or managing his discomfort if he was a little hungry or sleepy without immediately resorting to crying. His thumb-sucking gives a certain signal to his caretakers that he was in need of something. I was told that, eventually, he was going to outgrow the habit.
Well, he's more than a year and a half now and he's still sucking his thumb. He has developed a big callous just below the thumbnail that is already slightly odd-shaped. We tried getting him a pacifier that had the same shape as a baby's thumb but it was already too late. He liked biting the silicone pacifier for a while but he still went back to his beloved thumb.
When we were told by an expert that he was going to outgrow it, obviously we didn't attempt to break him off the habit. We even found it adorable and cute whenever he did! He was able to get positive reinforcement for doing it so he has become persistent. He sucks his thumb even while he sleeps and gets upset when we try to take it out!
So, the moral of the story: stop the habit while you can. Stop it before his teeth gets out of line, before his thumb becomes red, sore, and reshaped. Keep his hands busy with a rattle or anything that responds with sound or movement whenever held or touched. Put those expensive interactive toys into use! Just make sure that when you try to stop his sucking you give him something else to do which is equally or even more exciting.
Our baby experts are very helpful and we can learn a lot from them, but sometimes we need to turn our mommy-radars on and determine what is best under the circumstances.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Making of Our Little Lion King
"Simba is called by Rafiki after he wins a battle against Scar...'It is time,' he said. Slowly, Simba climbs a high rock under the rain with his head held high. Up on the rock, he lets out a resounding roar and all of Pride Rock roars back acknowledging the return of the King."
For the past few weeks, I have been watching the animated film "The Lion King" at least three times a day with my son, Tim. Obviously it is his favorite film. We sat there together in front of the screen and my Timmy slowly climbed on my lap. I kissed his head and gave him a tight hug. I whispered to him that one day, he too shall claim his own place and finish strong.
Every parent has the noblest aspirations for his or her child. At times the challenges may seem so insurmountable. Personally, the test came very early. My son stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for more than a month. Born premature and small for his gestational age, my husband and I were faced with a question, "are we ever going to be given a chance to become parents to this little boy." Looking at him with all the tubes and monitoring equipment attached to his small, fragile body we turned to prayer and to each other. We held each others hands through tears, cried out to the heavens that our simple request of becoming a family be granted...and after an ordeal that lasted for forty days, the doctor said Tim was strong and healthy enough to come home with us.
Yes, home. And now I can be with him and hold him for as long as I want. Timmy is now almost two and he has grown tall and adorable. He is the joy of the household and at the same time he is a living witness to what hope and prayer can make possible. Timmy indeed has a great future ahead of him and it has fallen on our shoulders, as parents to travel with him in the meaningful journey of life.
Timmy has lived. Timmy has survived. One day, he shall find his place under the sun in spite difficulties that may come, and just like the Lion King who finally triumphs and finds his way, his parents will be there watching and cheering as he lets out his most thunderous roar!
For the past few weeks, I have been watching the animated film "The Lion King" at least three times a day with my son, Tim. Obviously it is his favorite film. We sat there together in front of the screen and my Timmy slowly climbed on my lap. I kissed his head and gave him a tight hug. I whispered to him that one day, he too shall claim his own place and finish strong.
Every parent has the noblest aspirations for his or her child. At times the challenges may seem so insurmountable. Personally, the test came very early. My son stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for more than a month. Born premature and small for his gestational age, my husband and I were faced with a question, "are we ever going to be given a chance to become parents to this little boy." Looking at him with all the tubes and monitoring equipment attached to his small, fragile body we turned to prayer and to each other. We held each others hands through tears, cried out to the heavens that our simple request of becoming a family be granted...and after an ordeal that lasted for forty days, the doctor said Tim was strong and healthy enough to come home with us.
Yes, home. And now I can be with him and hold him for as long as I want. Timmy is now almost two and he has grown tall and adorable. He is the joy of the household and at the same time he is a living witness to what hope and prayer can make possible. Timmy indeed has a great future ahead of him and it has fallen on our shoulders, as parents to travel with him in the meaningful journey of life.
Timmy has lived. Timmy has survived. One day, he shall find his place under the sun in spite difficulties that may come, and just like the Lion King who finally triumphs and finds his way, his parents will be there watching and cheering as he lets out his most thunderous roar!
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Breastfeeding Privilege
How does a mother breastfeed effectively? Once the milk has come in, people readily get the impression that the rest is natural and easy. The mother instinctively knows what to do. Unfortunately, that is usually not the case. The whole process of breastfeeding is not so simple after all.
First, it may feel awkward. Second, there is a lot of discomfort. A baby needs to be fed every two hours if breastfed, and every three if formula-fed. If a mother decides to breastfeed, the most critical hours will be around nine in the evening until dawn. Everybody is in deep slumber while she has to wake up feed a hungry little being. Yup! It takes a lot of sacrifice and a mommy cannot help but to ask, "Geez! When is this ever going to end? When can I ever get some rest?"
One may consider getting some help from reliable milk banks. They have stored breast milk from mommies who have more than enough and they assist those who may need help in feeding their newborn. Properly stored breast milk can last up to six months. So a mother may want to take advantage of this.
One scheme that I have personally devised when my baby was born, was to have him feed from me when everybody else is asleep. I feed for about fifteen minutes on one side and another fifteen on the other. He sometimes stops sucking after only a few minutes. I know he has not had enough for the feeding so all I do is to gently massage his jaw and after a few circular motions, my little one resumes his meal. I also make sure that I have soft pillows supporting my back and arms to lessen discomfort. The whole routine lasts for thirty to forty minutes.
At day break, members of the household are ready to take over and sit for the baby. By this time, I can already take a much needed sleep. While resting, my baby is fed with stored breast milk from the milk bank. That way, he still gets the benefits of all natural milk.
If a mother is really to think about it, the period when the baby feeds from her is very brief. Out of his entire lifetime, it lasts for only a few months. These moments are the perfect time for her to grow in relationship with her baby. She may sing to him, talk to him, massage his legs, or simply stare at his beautiful face. A mother is indeed very privileged to share this tender experience with her precious little angel.
First, it may feel awkward. Second, there is a lot of discomfort. A baby needs to be fed every two hours if breastfed, and every three if formula-fed. If a mother decides to breastfeed, the most critical hours will be around nine in the evening until dawn. Everybody is in deep slumber while she has to wake up feed a hungry little being. Yup! It takes a lot of sacrifice and a mommy cannot help but to ask, "Geez! When is this ever going to end? When can I ever get some rest?"
One may consider getting some help from reliable milk banks. They have stored breast milk from mommies who have more than enough and they assist those who may need help in feeding their newborn. Properly stored breast milk can last up to six months. So a mother may want to take advantage of this.
One scheme that I have personally devised when my baby was born, was to have him feed from me when everybody else is asleep. I feed for about fifteen minutes on one side and another fifteen on the other. He sometimes stops sucking after only a few minutes. I know he has not had enough for the feeding so all I do is to gently massage his jaw and after a few circular motions, my little one resumes his meal. I also make sure that I have soft pillows supporting my back and arms to lessen discomfort. The whole routine lasts for thirty to forty minutes.
At day break, members of the household are ready to take over and sit for the baby. By this time, I can already take a much needed sleep. While resting, my baby is fed with stored breast milk from the milk bank. That way, he still gets the benefits of all natural milk.
If a mother is really to think about it, the period when the baby feeds from her is very brief. Out of his entire lifetime, it lasts for only a few months. These moments are the perfect time for her to grow in relationship with her baby. She may sing to him, talk to him, massage his legs, or simply stare at his beautiful face. A mother is indeed very privileged to share this tender experience with her precious little angel.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Breastfeeding Matters!
EVERY WOMAN WHO HAS GIVEN BIRTH IS CAPABLE OF BREASTFEEDING HER CHILD. It does not matter what her body type is or what her diet was like or whether she exercised or not. The fact is, SHE CAN!
It can be very discouraging at first because the milk just wont come in. But believe me, it will! You just need a little stimulation. There are a lot of ways. You can massage your breasts every three hours in circular motions for five to ten minutes per breast or you can use a breast pump in the same time intervals. Milk may come in after several days or several weeks of stimulation. Though it's still possible that it comes only after a month of dedicated hard work! So don't give up! Your baby needs it. Its there!
You may be successful getting a meager few drops of yellow substance at first. This is colostrum. Very nutritious for baby! It is full of antibodies and nutrients that your child needs in the delicate first days of life. As days progress, and if you are consistently breastfeeding every two hours, your milk production will be equal to what your baby needs for each feeding.
Breast milk is always of the right temperature so there is no need for complicated and tedious heating procedures. Its nutrition content adjusts to the baby's age too! Formula milk has been trying to duplicate that. This explains why processed milk specifies a certain age for certain formulations!
Give your baby the best option and enjoy this brief, memorable time with your little one.
It can be very discouraging at first because the milk just wont come in. But believe me, it will! You just need a little stimulation. There are a lot of ways. You can massage your breasts every three hours in circular motions for five to ten minutes per breast or you can use a breast pump in the same time intervals. Milk may come in after several days or several weeks of stimulation. Though it's still possible that it comes only after a month of dedicated hard work! So don't give up! Your baby needs it. Its there!
You may be successful getting a meager few drops of yellow substance at first. This is colostrum. Very nutritious for baby! It is full of antibodies and nutrients that your child needs in the delicate first days of life. As days progress, and if you are consistently breastfeeding every two hours, your milk production will be equal to what your baby needs for each feeding.
Breast milk is always of the right temperature so there is no need for complicated and tedious heating procedures. Its nutrition content adjusts to the baby's age too! Formula milk has been trying to duplicate that. This explains why processed milk specifies a certain age for certain formulations!
Give your baby the best option and enjoy this brief, memorable time with your little one.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Our First Embrace...
February 8, 2008
Today I kissed my son for the first time, I dreamed for this day to come and finally, it is here. Finally, God granted this mother’s prayer.
I was at the nursery of The Philippine General Hospital at eleven in the morning. I looked at my Timothy through the plastic glass of his incubator. I placed my mouth near one of its holes so he could hear me and somehow feel my presence. I called out his name. . . Timmy. . . Timothy. . . I usually sing to him everytime I visit so I started to whisper the simple melody to him as I placed my finger on his palm. . . “I”ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always…”
He responded to the familiar tune by grasping my finger tightly. He struggled to open his eyes and with much effort searched for the voice he’s known from the womb. He found me and gave me a small smile.
“as long as I’m living…”
I didn’t get to finish the one-stanza lullaby. Tears were streaming down my face and my voice was trembling. I couldn’t enunciate the lyrics but my heart continued…
“my Timothy you’ll be.”
Today, I carried him for the longest time. He was tiny and he felt so light. For the first time, I was granted our first embrace. For the first time I held him in my arms when he cried and I was there to console him. For the first time I was there when he needed to be comforted in a moment of distress.
I watched his face looking so calm and at peace. I felt him fall asleep., and I kissed him… I continued to slowly rock him and I closed my eyes. I dreamed and prayed for this moment for so many nights. I longed to be with my son this way since I gave birth to him. Now after twenty two days since he came out of this world he slept in my embrace. At long last.
As Timothy silently rested, the nurse approached to take him away. I knew the blessed moment was about to end so I sang a hopeful goodbye to my little boy…
“And until we meet again
Until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm
Of His hand…”
The good Lord has put so much gladness in my heart and like Timmy, I shall lie down in peace as I sleep and look forward to tomorrow… until we meet again.
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