Depression After Pregnancy

I think this would be my last post about depression during pregnancy. Well, technically, it's after pregnancy and its usually called postpartum or postnatal depression.

After birth, new moms will feel exhausted physically, new 24hour routine will make the couple stressed while adjusting and would make you feel overwhelmed, very sad, lonely, hopeless and even worthless. But don't let it hinder you from caring or bonding with your baby. With the "baby blues" the new mom may have trouble sleeping, moody and teary at times, but don't worry these will go away within a couple of weeks. If the depression is not that bad, it can be reduced, treated and avoided if you know how you feel and what you'll do about it. So here are some tips to fight it:

• Take good care of yourself. Remember, you cannot take care of your little baby if you can't take care of yourself. Have a break! Have some time for yourself by sharing some tasks and chores with your hubby and family and friends. Let people help you keep up with things.
• Regular intimate conversation with your hubby will smooth small things hence avoiding small problems to get out of proportions. Always consider your baby in making decisions and plans. By this, you'll feel more involved and as a part of a team, as a family.
• Have a schedule or checklist that includes household chores like cooking, laundry, cleaning, baby care plus self-care like taking shower, power nap and short walks with your hubby and babe.
• Food for soul. Reading the Holy Scriptures is the most essential part of my daily routine. Feeding your soul with positiveness is a good way to open up a new chapter of your life. :)

Remember, treating yourself is essential for you and your baby. If you think that you have a serious problem that the above tips are not enough, seek help. Ask your OB about it and share youre troubles with your hubby and close friends.

Tips and Tricks in Bottle Feeding

Here's my lists of tips and tricks when it comes to bottle feeding, I hope these helps new-moms and refresh moms too! hehe

- don't use feeding teats as soother. Why? It doesn't help your baby in any way. If there's something wrong with the baby, help him/her. Search what's wrong! Don't just settle in knowing he/she isn't crying anymore because of the teater. Now that's sad, right?

- prolonged sucking of fluids can cause tooth decay. Give baby a break, and get those milk down with a help of water.

- always check food temperature before feeding. Not too cold for the baby might experience colic and not too hot as well, allow hot liquids to cool before preparing feeds to avoid scalding! we don't want our little ones with burnt scalds, do we? Lukewarm would be best for milk.

- clean and sanitize bottles always before use to ensure hygiene. You don't want the risk of germs that those night crawlers might give your baby!

- do not use feeding teats in direct heat or sunlight. It might damage and affect quality of the teats

- use teat with correct flow rate when feeding baby. It might cause uncomfort and can cause drowning! 1hole for newborns, 2holes for slow flow, 3holes for medium flow and 4holes for fast flow. These also depends on the age of your baby.

- breast milk can be stored 48hours inside refrigerator, not in the door compartment, and can be freeze for 3months in 0degree Celsius freezer if properly stored in a bottle

If you're an Avent user like me, here are the proper way of using the bottles:

Avent Feeding Bottles

feeding bottles

breast milk containers

trainer kit

breast pump

That sums it up! Can't wait to use these tips very soon! :D What's your tips? Really would love to know yours, share them by commenting down below!

Conditions Tested for Newborn Screening

Five Health Conditions Tested in Newborn Screening

CH (Congenital Hypothyroidism) - when not cured would cause mental retardation

• Congenital Hypothyrodism is the result of absence of Thyroid Hormone that is important for physical and mental growth of the baby. If in two weeks this health condition was not treated, this may cause short and mentally retarded child

CAH (Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia) - when not cured would cause death

• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is a condition where in salt is absent in the body, internal dehydration and high male sex hormones for both baby girls and boys. If not treated, the baby may die 7-14 days after birth

GAL (Galactosemia) - when not cured would cause death or cataract

• Galactosemia is a condition where the body cannot process galactose; a kind of sugar present on milk. Consumption of galactose will cause future health problems like damaged liver and brain, and may cause early cataract

PKU (Phenylketonuria) - when not cured would cause mental retardation 

• Phenylketonuria is a condition where the body has no ability to process phenylalanine; an important element of protein that could lead to mental retardation if not treated early

Glucose-6-Phosphate Deficiency - when not cured would cause anemia and/or kernicterus

• G6PD def is when the body is lack of G6PD enzyme. This will cause Hemolytic Anemia if the baby is exposed to harmful medicine, chemical and food that is high on oxidative substance.

Note to parents that while waiting for the NBS results, avoid exposing the baby to naphthalene or moth balls, and make sure that all medicines given are prescribed by doctors. If these conditions are treated early, the baby will be alive and normal.