Tooth Decays for Lactating Moms

No more healthy smile?

Before I gave birth to Chimkas, I was already pre-cautioned by some of my co- workers who are mothers themselves to watch out for any tooth problems that may arise due to breastfeeding. I brushed this off since I know my teeth are okay and I am taking in calcium since my pregnancy.

I now regret this as my second right molar continues to decay and throbs!

And since the Internet is the most accessible source of information for me, I googled the reason behind such tooth decay.

Apparently, I learned that as my baby feeds on for more calcium from me, my own calcium level dwindles hence the weak bones and decaying teeth. My calcium level isn’t sufficient afterall.

My dilemma concerns the medicines I’m taking in to relieve the pain. I limit myself to Mefenamic Acid as it is not potentially toxic to the infant.

There are also some home remedies that I’m trying now such as:

•     Gargling with vinegar
•     Applying Vicks Vapor Rub on the side of my face that is painful and placing a wet towel over it
•    Applying a clove of garlic on my affected tooth

  Somehow, the pain is relieved.

Uhm, before I forget ANTIBIOTICS is definitely out of the limits.

TIPS FOR BUYING CLOTHES FOR YOUR BABY

Aside from changing diapers, feeding, burping and bathing my baby, Chimkas, another exciting activity that I enjoy is changing her clothes. And speaking of clothes? Of course, buying is another thing.

Here are some tips that I have learned by some of my co-workers who are mothers themselves.

• Choose one size ahead! Babies grow fast. The next time you know it your baby has outgrown the clothes you just bought.  If you want to save a little, buy clothes with sizes ahead your baby’s actual age.

• Go for what’s on sale! If you are trying to save up, buy more on what’s on sale. As for me, I buy slightly used second-hand clothes for my baby.

This white dress Chim's wearing is actually from a second-hand store

• Cotton all the way! Babies have sensitive skin so experts recommend 100 percent pure cotton and organic. Avoid skin rashes and allergies.

• Keep the clothes simple. Choose what’s comfortable over what’s stylish. Your baby is still too young to be fashioned up anyway.

• Buy pants with elastic waistbands. Stretchy and elastic pants are better so your baby would be able to freely move her legs.

• Don’t stick with one colour. Not because your baby is a girl, you’ll stick to pink. There other colors. Why can't she wear blue? Break that old-school thought that girls should wear pink and boys blue. 

And for your baby needs, shop at trusted stores.

HOME REMEDIES FOR COLD & SWEATY FEET AMONG BABIES

REMEDIES FOR SWEATY AND COLD BABY FEET

I noticed Chim's feet and hands are always sweaty and cold and started to worry about it. Her pedia assured me this is normal for babies, as they are less active hence their body temperature is not properly regulated. Such condition is medically known as HYPERHIDROSIS and it is characterized by excessive sweating even when the temperature is not hot and you are inactive. It usually occurs in the palms of your hands and soles of your feet. Babies would later outgrow this as they become more mobile.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

1. Wear the right clothes. One probable cause of excessive sweating is overdressing. So make sure that your baby wears just the right clothing. 

2. Watch your diet. The food you eat may play a role why your baby is over sweating, especially when you are breastfeeding. Avoid salty foods. Eat leafy vegetables. Hydrate yourself. For your baby's diet, make sure that his/ her food is not rich in sodium.

3. Wear SOCKS. Good absorbent socks would help reduce the sweating. 

4. Soak feet in vinegar.  The vinegar would help in regulating the sweat glands.

Following these remedies, I notice a big change in Chim’s palms and soles.

7 BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING

I delivered Chimkas via CS and I thought I would not be able to breastfeed her since my breasts are small. I found out later your breast size does not matter as long as they have milk ducts.

Breastfeeding is highly recommended for various reasons.

Ø  First, the early milk  known as colostrum (coh-LOSS-trum) which is the thick yellow first breast milk that you make during pregnancy and just after birth,  is very rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby.

Ø  Second, breastfeeding promotes uterine contraction and reduces the risk of hemorrhage for the mother. Suckling enables the uterus to normal sizes.  Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of these health problems in women:

·        Type 2 diabetes

·        Breast cancer

·        Ovarian cancer

·        Postpartum depression

Ø  Third, intimacy between mother and child is enhanced.

Ø  Fourth, it is economical. Milk formulas and feeding supplies cost high, plus hospitalization when your baby gets sick.

Ø  Fifth, it helps in mother's weight reduction.

Ø  Sixth, breast milk is associated with  greater mental development for infants.

Ø  Seventh, breast milk is readily available. You can breast feed anywhere.

  Having these in mind, I have no second thoughts in breastfeeding Chimkas, with the help of Natalac, a food supplement rich in malunggay to enhance milk letdown, lactation and milk production.

5 IMPORTANT VACCINES FOR YOUR BABY

Immunization for babies is quite expensive here in the Philippines. So, for Chimkas I went to DOH Under Five to avail of the Immunization Program of the government. Here's a list of the 5 important vaccines your baby should not miss.

1. BCG(Bacillus Calmette-Guérin)

When to give: Birth or anytime after birth

How many doses: 1 dose

How much: 0.05 mL

Where: Right deltoid region of the arm

Why: BCG given at earliest possible age protects the possibility of TB meningitis and other TB infections in which infants are prone. 

2. DPT (Diptheria- Pertussis- Tetanus)

When to give: 6 weeks old

How many doses: 3 doses

How much: 0.5 mL

Interval: 6 weeks(DPT 1), 10 weeks (DPT 2), 14 weeks (DPT 3)

Where: Intramuscular

             Upper outer portion of the thigh, Vastus Lateralis (L-R-L) 

Why: An early start with DPT reduces the chance of severe pertussis

3. Oral Polio Vaccine

When to give: 6 weeks old

How many doses: 3 doses

How much: 2-3 drops

Interval: 4 weeks

Where: Oral, mouth

Why: The extent of protection against polio is increased the earlier the OPV is given.

4. Hepatitis B Vaccine

When to give: At birth

How many doses: 3 doses

How much: 0.5 mL

Interval: 4 weeks interval

Where: Intramuscular

Upper outer portion of the thigh, Vastus Lateralis (R-L-R)

Why: An early start of Hepatitis B vaccine reduces the chance of being infected and becoming a carrier.
Prevents liver cirrhosis and liver cancer which are more likely to develop if infected with Hepatitis B early in life.
About 9,000 died of complications of Hepatitis B. 10% of Filipinos have Hepatitis B infection

5. Measles Vaccine

When to give: 9 months old

How many doses: 1 dose

How much: 0.5 mL

Interval: none

Where: Subcutaneous

Upper outer portion of the arms, Right deltoid

Why: At least 85% of measles can be prevented by immunization at this age.

Chim's latest achievements

At four months, Chim is getting bigger 

and she’s becoming more active. 

She blabbers a lot. She kicks a lot. She screams. 

And she really loves listening to her own voice.

She has also learned to roll lately and be on her back.

At these new-found skills, Chim is ecstatic. And she loves to get Mommy’s attention with every movement she makes. As if, she’s saying “Look Mom, I did it!” With pride, she beams at me and look for affirmation. 

And of course, the mother in me would readily shout “Yehey!”

No matter what she does, Chimkas just can’t help being cute. Even when she drools a lot. 

Or farts loudly, she’s so ADORABLE.