Nicquee's Nook – Page 237

McDonald’s Breakfast

Last December, Connie and I, together with our girls, finally met each other after a few years of not seeing each other.

We agreed to meet at McDonald’s Alabang Town Center branch because it is located near our places. When we arrived, Connie is not yet there so we decided to order for breakfast first. I have the two girls with me and my mom. My mom took charge of the ordering. I just told her that we will have pancakes and hash brown. I handed her my purse to get money as I carried Maxyn.

A few minutes later, Connie, their girls and Gino arrived. We chatted in between bites while Dicey and Ayex played in the play area. It was a short meet up but better than none at all. I hope this year we could meet up more often.

A few weeks ago, I was running late for work and I have not had any breakfast. I decided that I will just buy from the newly opened McDonald’s near my workplace. I ordered for a pancake without drinks and hash brown. I was so surprised that the cashier was asking me for PhP70. I looked at their menu and found that my bill is correct.

I realized after I got my food that it was very long ago when I was the one who paid for a McDonald’s breakfast. My last memory of a pancake meal’s price is PhP29 that is why I was so surprised with my bill! I told myself that I will never have pancakes from McDonald’s ever again because we always have pancake mix at home. Next time, I will just have a Sausage McMuffin with Egg.

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Hair Rebond by Victor Ortega Salon

My hair is one problem area that I really want to fix. No matter what clothes I wear, I do not feel as confident as before because my hair is a mess, always dried by wind. So when my mom told me that she will have her hair rebonded again, I said I want one as well.

Last December we went to Victor Ortega Salon in their Boni branch. This is also where my sister Gabby had her hair done. My mom previously had her rebonded at David’s Salon. Gabby convinced her that it is no longer practical because their charge is too expensive.

Prior to our makeover day, my mom kept on telling me to reserve for an appointment but i hesitated. We arrived at the salon at around 10am. I was so surprised to see more than 20 ladies being done already! We thought we would be waiting for a while to be attended to. But after we filled up an information sheet, Cenen, our stylist, called my mom and the process began.

In between chemical application to our hair, they rinse it, blow dry, then iron. The whole shebang lasted for five hours. Cenen and his juniour stylists handled our hair very carefully, answering every question I have.

Everyone in the salon, stylist and receptionist alike, were very busy but they managed to greet all who came in with a warm smile. Even that stylist with an angry aura greeted people and busied himself with her girls.

After the hair makeover, my mom and I concluded that the visit was worth it. I opted for a hair rebond with Kerastase Vita Cement treatment. The whole thing cost me PhP2000 ($47), exclusive of tip.

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Breastfeeding Technique: Breast Compression

I have been practicing breast compression since Ayex’s time but I did not know that it is really what it is called. I am so surprised that such term for it exist. Hahaha! Anyway, I practice breast compression not only when direct feeding but mostly when expressing milk. This technique really helps increase my milk supply.

Once I was expressing at home, Ate Meriam, our helper, asked me if breast compression has any side effects on the breasts later on when I am already old. I told her that I honestly do not know. So the other day, I asked Google but did not see any relevant information. Instead, I learned that breast compression is a normal practice for breastfeeding moms.

Below is the information that I think is very complete and useful.

The purpose of breast compression is to continue the flow of milk to the baby once the baby no longer drinks (open – pause – close type of suck) on his own. Breast compression simulates a letdown reflex and often stimulates a natural letdown reflex to occur. The technique may be useful for:

Poor weight gain in the baby
Colic in the breastfed baby
Frequent feedings and/or long feedings
Sore nipples in the mother
Recurrent blocked ducts and/or mastitis
Encouraging the baby who falls asleep quickly to continue drinking

Breast compression is not necessary if everything is going well. When all is going well, the mother should allow the baby to “finish” feeding on the first side and, if the baby wants more, should offer the other side. How do you know the baby is finished? When he no longer drinks at the breast (open – pause – close type of suck).

It may be useful to know that:

A baby who is well latched on gets milk more easily than one who is not. A baby who is poorly latched on can get milk only when the flow of milk is rapid. Thus, many mothers and babies do well with breastfeeding in spite of a poor latch, because most mothers produce an abundance of milk.
In the first 3-6 weeks of life, babies fall asleep at the breast when the flow of milk is slow, not necessarily when they have had enough to eat. After this age, they may start to pull away at the breast when the flow of milk slows down.
Unfortunately many babies are latching on poorly. If the mother’s supply is abundant the baby often does well as far as weight gain is concerned, but the mother may pay a price – sore nipples, a “colicky” baby, a baby who is constantly on the breast (but feeding only a small part of the time).

Breast compression continues the flow of milk once the baby starts falling asleep at the breast and results in the baby:

Getting more milk.
Getting more milk that is high in fat.

Breast Compression: How to do it

Hold the baby with one arm.
Hold the breast with the other, thumb on one side of the breast, your other fingers on the other, fairly far back from the nipple.
Watch for the baby’s drinking, though there is no need to be obsessive about catching every suck. The baby gets substantial amounts of milk when he is drinking with an open – pause – close type of suck. (open – pause – close is one suck, the pause is not a pause between sucks).
When the baby is nibbling or no longer drinking with the open – pause – close type of suck, compress the breast. Not so hard that it hurts and try not to change the shape of the areola (the part of the breast near the baby’s mouth). With the compression, the baby should start drinking again with the open – pause – close type of suck.
Keep the pressure up until the baby no longer drinks even with the compression, then release the pressure. Often the baby will stop sucking altogether when the pressure is released, but will start again shortly as milk starts to flow again. If the baby does not stop sucking with the release of pressure, wait a short time before compressing again.
The reason to release the pressure is to allow your hand to rest, and to allow milk to start flowing to the baby again. The baby, if he stops sucking when you release the pressure, will start again when he starts to taste milk.
When the baby starts sucking again, he may drink (open – pause – close). If not, compress again as above.
Continue on the first side until the baby does not drink even with the compression. You should allow the baby to stay on the side for a short time longer, as you may occasionally get another letdown reflex and the baby will start drinking again, on his own. If the baby no longer drinks, however, allow him to come off or take him off the breast.
If the baby wants more, offer the other side and repeat the process.
You may wish, unless you have sore nipples, to switch sides back and forth in this way several times.
Work on improving the baby’s latch.
Source

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