Why Breast Milk Is Best: It Serves as the First Immunization

Last September 2, Sketchpad Workshops, in partnership with The Parenting Emporium, held "Preparing for Parenthood," a four-hour workshop for couples who were about to become parents for the the first time. It was held at The Little Apprentice in Westgate Hub, Alabang.

Joy Dejos, a certified wellness and energy coach, talked about "parent proofing" and shared her childbirth experience, discussing the emotions parents will undergo when they have children for the first time.

Addressing the moms, Dejos said, "It will take a decade for you (mommies) to physically recover, from growing a baby inside your stomach, birthing that baby, staying up with that baby, raising the baby to be a toddler and a child."

Dejos added it would be helpful if the dads helped their wives get back on their feet, and she emphasized that "in order to be a good parent, you have to give back to yourself."

Dejos highly encouraged the dads to participate in the activities because they will also undergo their experiences when their child is born. "Studies have shown that dads now actually also experience postpartum emotions because they are a lot more involved. At the same time, they retain the same mentality of working, providing, etc."

The second talk was about breastfeeding and newborn care by Dr. Teresa Ribano, MD, DPPS, IBCLC, ABM. She highlighted the importance of the first 1,000 days of a newborn. "As you carry the babies in your womb right now, they are developing. Everything you're putting inside your body, words that they're hearing, music they're listening to, even the environment that you are, whether it's stressful or not, it all plays a part in how the baby is developing.”

When it came to breastfeeding, Dr. Ribano reminded the moms that breast milk is a super food. "It's the best nutrition an infant will be able to get, and it serves as the first immunization," she explained. She encouraged the moms to breastfeed as much as they can and for as long as they can because of the breastmilk'smany benefits.

During breastfeeding, moms should reach for water whenever they feel thirsty and to drink as much as four liters of water a day. They are allowed caffeine, but they should limit it to one to two cups a day.

To aid in milk production, Dr. Teresa said moms should eat fruits and vegetables, particularly malunggay (moringa) and kalabasa (pumpkin). Soups were also important. 

Newborn care can be overwhelming, but Dr. Teresa offered inspiring words. “As daunting as the newborn period may sound, this is the time to enjoy...sometimes it gets difficult, sometimes it's not so difficult, but most of the times, it's really great!"

Sketchpad Workshops, founded by Dreus and Love Cosio in March 2017 as a result of their passion of encouraging people in fulfilling their dreams, has the upcoming fun workshops and seminars:

Oct. 7:  The Parallel Project with Kimi Lu (2^nd run), 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Local Edition Coffee and Tea, Makati

Oct 21:  Mommybiz: Your Guide to Social Marketing and Virtual Assistance, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Launchpad Coworking Alabang

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/sketchpadworkshops and follow its Instragram account @sketchpadworkshops. To learn more about The Parenting Emporium, you may follow them on instagram @theparentingemporium or via their website www.theparentingemporium.com.