Kids Archive

What my kids are like, and how to raise your child/children in this day and age.

Stress Free Parenting Tips On Weaning

While Chico was feeding on his bottle and Sati on my breast, I asked Sati if she’s ready to move to bottle.. and a violent AYAW says it all. Chico on the other hand asked her if she wants to drink GATAS (milk) on the bottle. Sati answered, “Ayaw ko ng Gatas!” huh? ayaw daw ng gaats eh panay ang dede.. turns out, my milk is DEDE.. and it’s not Gatas!

That reminds me about weaning.. so for our Tuesday Parenting Tip, let’s talk about weaning.

Scientifically, weaning is the process where the baby stops nursing and also the time where in adult diet is introduced to the baby and all his nutrient sources is no longer the breast.

When is the right time to wean?

Reading would suggest that moms need to continue breastfeeding until the baby is 6 months. Our pediatrician also mentioned that and we should breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. After that, it is our choice if we want to continue or wean the baby and start feeding them with formula. I choose to feed them as long as I can.. but with my first born, pregnancy comes in the way and I had to wean him when he turns one. With my second boy, he was breastfed for 1 year and 8 months. My third son’s case was the same with my first born, pregnancy came in the way. As with my youngest, you know I’m still breastfeeding her until now.. she is 2 years old and 4 months.

My experiences weaning my kids led me to a conclusion that the right time to wean a baby is before they turn a year old. Anything later than that is not advisable. Why? As the kid turns one, they were old enough to understand but young enough not to argue. Just like what happened to my first born.. when I told him he can no longer have mommy’s milk as soon as he turns one, he never asked for it after his birthday party. It was quite sad for me.. I was expecting commotions.. The same thing happened with my third son, when I started weaning him, it took him only a week to get used to it.

The story of my second born was different.. in fact telling I have a hard time weaning him is an understatement. It was riot and the whole household can attest to that. Husband complains of lack of sleep… good thing he had to leave for US for 3 weeks and that’s how I finally won in weaning. What went wrong? He is old enough to know what he wants and knows how to get it through tantrums.

Stress Free Parenting Tips On Weaning

Start early. As I have mentioned, the age is very important as it can make or break the weaning process.
Start gradually. Cold turkey maybe effective to some but to me, gradually reducing the feeding is more effective. If you’re baby use to feed 3 times on day and 2 times at night, start reducing it one feeding at a time.
Increase the break time. If you’re baby love feeding every 3 hours, try increasing it to 3 hours and 30 minutes and so on.
Simultaneously, reduce the time that they spent on your breast.
Do not introduce bottle feeding yet, delay it for a few more weeks or until the baby is almost ready to give up your milk.

When should you delay Weaning? When the baby is sick or is experiencing a milestone such as teething or starting to walk, delay it for a few more weeks.

When a baby is old enough, like with my second born, the most effective way to wean them is to decrease their supply gradually. It takes time, sleep and a lot of effort. And it will take a lot of tears too, just remember that if you are determined to wean the baby, do not give up.

I’ll let you in to my little secret.. with Sati, it’s me that would needs weaning.. yes, I just can’tlet go of this little girl.. it’s a little bit selfish, what can I do? she’s my only girl *wink

Choral Recitation

call me a cry baby, but I really can’t help it…

when he was called as one of the students who will receive a recognition last 2010, I had a hard time keeping my tears back.. the same happened in 2011.. and every time they will have a performance I would fight my tears back.. and even when he blow his birthday cake during his birthday party on their school, I swallowed my tears..

And it’s true what they say about first born child.. they hold a special place in a mother’s heart. It’s not that my first born is my favorite among my kids.. I love them all just the same.. but you know, I can’t help but be sentimental when it comes to him. It must be because he is my first born, it was my first time to be a mother.. you know romanticizing all the firsts 🙂

Last Tuesday was no different.. it was their elimination round for their Choral Recitation (English Month Celebration) and yes I was there and is almost about to cry. I did not watch him perform, I watched him through my camera, because if I had an eye contact with him, I’d lose my mind and I know I will cry.. it was hard trying to fight back my tears.. hehe (I don’t show emotions as much as possible teehee)

So here’s the video: (first born is the one with eyeglasses)

Next week, they’re on for the finals and he will wear a native costume (read: bahag) good thing we had a Lapu Lapu costume before 🙂

Progress Pre- School Gold: Breakthrough Advancements in Learning and Development

It maybe too late for my 8 year old son, but I still have some time left for my other kids.. so my mission in life now is to provide them the best memories I can.. what’s with the sudden rush?

I witnessed Progress Pre- School Gold as it unveils Breakthrough Advancements in Learning and Development and one thing I learned from Dr. Maricar Ocampo is Intelligence is not just IQ but also memory. There are different types of memory, sensory, short term and long term memory. It is the first 8 years of life where memories are transformed into long term memory.. so mommies, if you have kids 8 years below, start making happy long term memories with them *wink

“Memory is not just about remembering information but more importantly applying information properly. Your memory affects your ability to easily retrieve and apply stored information, such as in problem solving- and the ability to solve problems is often a factor in defining intelligence,” added Dr. Ocampo.

I also learned from Dr. Sabrina Tan the “triad of success” when it comes to child development: child’s cognitive, social and emotional skills. ” All three skills are independent, interact and factors each other’s success. A child who develops each of these aspects well, has more chances of succeeding in school, in social environments, in different endeavors,” Dr. Tan explained.

That afternoon, I feel like a student learning new things about parenting.. and I was just lucky to be hearing and learning this things from the expert. As parents, we shouldn’t stop learning about parenting and child developments. As Ruffa Gutierrez puts it: ” I have big dreams for my daughters. I want them to achieve more than what I have. I believe that how they learn today will define their future success. That is why I make sure I am always up-to-date in the latest trends in learning and child development, so I can apply to them. The last thing I want is for my kids to lag behind their peers.”

Dr. Maricar de Ocampo and Dr. Sabrina Tan with celebrity mom Ruffa Gutierrez and host Patricia Hizon. Together with guests from media, we watched the 3D unveiling of the all new Progress Pre-school Gold.

Progress Pre-School Gold’s GOLD Biofactors System was formulated based on the latest scientific research, supporting 4 development areas of child: Mental and Visual, Growth, Immunity, and Digestion.

I also had the chance to ask Ruff Gutierrez how she managed her daughters and prevents siblings rivalry, she mentioned about being fair to her daughters and giving them same items to prevent jealousy. We also had the chance to have a photo opps with her (just when I decided not to bring my DSLR argh!)