Tag: motherhood


Why Do Women Cry?

24
October

(This is not my writing; a friend posted this in a social networking site and since it touched me, I want to share this to as many so they, too, will understand “why women cry” … )

 

A little boy asked his mother, “Why are you crying?” “Because I’m a woman,” she told him.

“I don’t understand,” he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, “And you never will.”

Later the little boy asked his father, “Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?”

“All women cry for no reason,” was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.

Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, “God, why do women cry so easily?”

God said, “When I made the woman she had to be special.

I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.

I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.

I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.

I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.

I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.

I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.

And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed.”

“You see my son,” said God, “the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart – the place where love resides.”

 

Comment » | Parenting

I Don’t Have Enough Breast milk … So I Can’t Breastfeed!

21
September

It never bothered me before. I did not see anything wrong with it. I have five children, and four of them were mixed-fed with milk formula and my breast milk; and they used baby bottles with their canned milk formula.

Looking back, I now realize it was my pediatrician who gave me instructions on what formula to use and what the mixture should be; like I can now recall her instructions: one is to three, meaning one scoop of milk formula for every three ounces of water.

As excited as I was to have my child (and later children – all five of them) in my arms, I obediently took the canned formula from the nursery, got the baby bottles they used, and went home with our new bundle of joy! And I remember visiting the doctor before finally leaving the hospital for more instructions on how to bathe the baby properly (I had to use sterilized water and the mildest soap available, which was, at that time, Johnson’s Baby Soap), when I should visit again for immunizations, and what to do in case the baby spits her milk, suffers from colic, or develops rashes (a normal occurrence with babies being fed baby formula). She then gave me a list of other formulas to use just in case …

Looking back, boy, those milk formulas were very expensive!

It was different though with my youngest. When he was born, the baby-friendly campaign was just implemented, and we had him roomed-in with me (he shared my room in the hospital right after I gave birth to him). For those who don’t know, before, new born infants were brought into the nursery and they stay there until the day of discharge. With my first four children, I never had the chance to breast feed them in the nursery or nursing station – that was not done before.

So how come I came up with this article?

Well, I talked to a friend last weekend and she just gave birth … and yes, she said exactly those lines I used as title of this article. I promised myself I have to find out as much as I can about breastfeeding.

So here I am, and I am ready to report …  no, share would be the most appropriate word!

Okay … what did I learn?

According to WebMD, an online authority when it comes to information pertaining to health (but it is still best to see a doctor!), the quantity of breast milk will increase as time goes on, as long as the mother continues to nurse her baby and not give any supplement.

WebMD also says that it is just ordinary that on the first few days, there will be very minimal breast milk available. This milk that comes out during the first few days is called colostrom and is BEST for babies. As time progresses, more milk will be produced as long as the baby is allowed to suck.

There are so many benefits that breastfeeding can give to both baby and Mom, but that will be discussed in another article. For now, suffice it to say that if really wanted or desired, there will be enough breast milk to feed your baby; you just have to want it bad enough and be ready to nurse your baby up to six months, or if you are willing, even up to two years!

And before I forget, I did breastfeed all my children. Some only for a few months … but the longest? Almost five years. Tonton, now 13 years old (I hope his friends will never read this hahaha!), still loves to smell my kili kili once in a while. I think he longs to feel the closeness we once had as he was growing up, that’s why at times, he will just come close to me and snuggle like a kitten.

Breastfeeding creates that particular special bond between Mom and child that time will never erase … ♥♥♥

 

Comment » | Beauty & Health Tips, Parenting

Post-partum Depression and Baby Blues: What Some Mommy’s Go Through

21
September

At the onset, let me say that not all Mommy’s go through post-partum depression and/or feel what is generally known as “baby blues”.

If you’re a Mom, or you know someone who is a Mom (now I can hear you say “Of course! Mommies are everywhere!”), chances are you have heard about post-partum depression and/or baby blues.

Here’s one thing we all must understand: the symptoms of both may be similar, but these two are not alike. Post-partum depression is an illness; it can last for months; and someone going through it needs immediate attention. On the other hand, “baby blues” stays for just a few weeks but it ultimately it goes away.

So what are the symptoms of post-partum depression?

Generally, post-partum depression happens to a woman following childbirth, miscarriage, or stillbirth.

Common signs to watch out for include loss of interest on everyday things that gives pleasure and joy such as watching TV, talking with and playing with older children, reading books, sharing stories, going out with the family, exercise, gardening, and even playing sports. Most women going through post-partum depression also appear to be heavily weighed down by something she can not explain. Most women suffering from it would just say “I know there’s something wrong, I just can’t say what it is exactly!” Then there are the teary eyes which always appear ready to cry at any time with just the slight provocation. Loss of appetite can also be a sign, but so is increase of appetite.

What about “baby blues”?

Women feeling “baby blues” have difficulty sleeping at night. She’s also very sensitive emotionally; with a slight provocation she will cry. Most often, women going through “baby blues” cry for no reason at all; and they are almost always melancholic.

So what then?

If you know of someone going through post-partum depression, or if you are going through this yourself, seek medical attention immediately. This is very important because left unattended; this may lead to something called post-partum psychosis, a more severe form of depression.

Women going through post-partum depression need strong emotional support from her family and friends, but most especially from her husband or partner. Always remember that this is not something a woman wants; post-partum depression is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy, and it’s something beyond her control.

Lastly, post-partum depression can be treated, and the earlier it is treated, the better for her, her baby, and her whole family.

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Comment » | Beauty & Health Tips

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