CHECKLIST : WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR HOSPITAL BAG

It's been over a year since I last gave birth. But I just thought to share with pregnant moms my hospital bag necessities. 

FOR YOU:

1.  Philhealth Member’s Data Record and SSS forms – There are different procedures or requirements for those who are employed and self-employed. I suggest you give your hospital a call to ask what exactly you need to bring. You may ask to be transferred to the hospital’s Philhealth Department. Don’t call the actual Philhealth trunk line because they might give a different answer from your hospital’s Philhealth Department.  Some hospitals require the actual Philhealth MDR plus a copy of the contribution, some just require your MDR or your husband’s. You better inquire about this few months before your actual due date, so that you’ll have enough time to sort out your documents. If your requirements are incomplete, you’ll end up shouldering all the expenses that could have been deducted by your Philhealth. You can reimburse it, but it will take more than 3 months and you’ll need to go back to the hospital to get your reimbursement.
2.  Insurance Card – If your delivery and hospitalization will be covered by your insurance, you’ll need to surrender your insurance card to the hospital staff. Have this ready together with your documents and place inside an envelope. Give it to the husband because if you’re already in labor, you won’t have time to get these from your bag.

Lactacyd : Unique Care for Every Woman

The beautiful brand ambassador of Lactacyd, Anne Curtis

I was recently invited to go to the press launch of Lactacyd to witness the unveiling of its latest range in the Philippines. It was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and was attended by company officials, VIP's, bloggers, media and of course, Lactacyd's current brand ambassador, Anne Curtis.

The venue was designed magnificently, with 5 different pods, namely London, Bali, New York, Maldives, and Tokyo, representing the 5 variants of Lactacyd. We were asked to visit each pod to let us experience each city and choose our own adventure that fits our lifestyle. Carrying the brand's promise to provide safe and natural care, Lactacyd now offers more choices and distinct benefits that will match the different needs, personality, lifestyle and hygienic care needs of today's modern women.

Breastfeeding Unfriendly Hospital and so much more!

My cousin gave birth last week at one of the hospitals along E.Rod (You can take a guess na lang). Mark and I visited her the following night after she gave birth. She had undergone C-section so inevitably, I asked her why she had undergone C-section. She actually did not know she had CS until she woke up! She was not informed. The staff asked for the husband's consent instead. The things that made me raise my eyebrows were the following:

Just Chill, Shake & Gulp! Be Happily Healthy with Goody Gulp!

Goody Gulp is a deliciously healthy milk drink made from New Zealand Milk with NO PRESERVATIVES!

My kids love chocolate and milk drinks whether at home or as their baon in school. So, when I received a pack of Goody Gulp Milk drink the other day, they tasted it right away even if it's not yet chilled! They were also extra excited because of the Spongebob Squarepants and Patrick Star packaging! Even I love the taste especially the strawberry milk flavor. What's good about it aside from the delicious taste is that it's a natural source of calcium, vitamins and minerals and it has no preservatives. 

Makoy enjoying his Spongebob Goody Gulp Chocolate Milk Drink :)

The good news? Goody Gulp is giving away a limited edition Spongebob Speaker and 2 Goody Gulp Milk drink gift pack! 

Get a chance to win this limited edition Spongebob Speaker

Mechanics:

1. Like my Facebook Page Joy Lim Astilla to get updates.

2. Click the survey link and copy and paste this URL http://joylimastilla.blogspot.com/
3. Fill out the required fields in the survery form.
4. Once done, comment below the date of your completion.

5. Contest is from August 16 until October 30, 2014.

6. I will choose the following:

• 1 winner Limited Edition Spongebob Squarepants Speaker
• 2 winners of 4 Goody Gulp Milk Drink

7. Prizes will be sent by Good Gulp.

GOOD LUCK! :)

Goody Gulp Milk Drink is available in all leading supermarkets.

National Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Miranda Kerr

Top Model Gisele Bundchen 

As you all know I am a breastfeeding advocate so all my kids were breastfed. Enzo and Marko were exclusively breastfed until 6 months, and from then on,  they were mixed fed with formula milk. Since they could eat solids already, I figured it would be okay to give them formula milk while still being breastfed. But as I was able to attend several pregnancy talks (due to Urban Essentials either being a sponsor or an exhibitor in the event), I found out that babies have actually no need for any formula milk ever! That is why my youngest, Javi, is still exclusively breastfed even at age 1 and I am not planning to let him have a taste of formula milk. There are still people who argue that feeding formula milk is not harmful to the baby’s health. Formula milk has been fed to babies since before I was born! Even I was given formula milk when I was a baby and I am alive! They actually have a point. What has changed now that led some moms to believe that formula feeding is not good for babies? The answer is education and awareness. When I was a kid, most of the breastfeeding moms that I saw were the ones whom I sat beside in the jeep, moms who are in the streets, moms who had not enough money to buy formula milk. The rich parents before were the ones who fed their babies formula milk. The more expensive the better because paying more could mean providing more nutrition to their baby. These days, everything has reversed.  The breastfeeding moms are the sosyal ones, the ones who could afford to buy formula milk but prefer to breastfeed their babies in style, the celebrities, the bloggers, the famous ones, etc. The mothers who don’t have enough money, they are the ones who work to death to be able to buy formula milk for their babies. What the heck happened? More and more moms are becoming aware and educated of not the just importance of breastfeeding but also of the harmful effects formula feeding can have on their babies. They even pay to attend breastfeeding seminars and lay forums. So you see, this is the reason why the ones who are well-off are usually the ones who are breastfeeding because they are the ones who get the proper education. When I was pregnant with Enzo and Marko, I never attended such seminars because I never entertained the idea that it would be difficult for me to breastfeed. I just researched online so I’d know what to expect. Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world. Nakaka conscious lang sa simula because someone is continuously sucking on your breasts! But ones you get the hang of it, dere derecho na lang! I am thankful that I never had any problem with breastfeeding and that all my babies never had a problem with sucking my breasts. But I wish I knew then that I did not need to feed my babies formula milk even after 6 months. Kaya education is really important. Everyone knows that breastfeeding is best feeding. What we need to be more aware of is do babies need formula milk at some point in their lives? Does formula feeding have bad effects on my baby’s health? Is mixed feeding okay? Does formula feeding have an effect on my toddler’s appetite and eating habits? Is milk necessary for my kids’ bone formation?