A WOMAN'S journey to pregnancy is never easy. Between preparing for the coming of the baby and staying healthy as possible, mothers have a lot in their hands, especially if they're working moms.
More so when the baby finally comes out into the world, they need all the love, warmth, food and attention that only mothers can give.
Nadine Angelica Gadia Casiño, a stay-at-home mom of two children and the founder of the mother support group Modern Nanays of Mindanao (MNM), shared some points for pregnant mothers, especially the first-time moms, during and after pregnancy.
During pregnancy
Food - According to Casiño, the basic foods pregnant women need are those that belong in the go, grow and glow food category, preferably more on the latter two.
"As long as you make sure that there are go, grow and glow foods there, so you eat balance food. Kabalo ka kinahanglan ka og (You know you need) vegetables more than sugar and carbs," Casiño said.
"In eating right, dili ko moingon (I'm not going to say) what kind of nutrients or how much, for as long as you know that there's go, grow and glow on your plate then you're fine. More grow and glow foods, while less on go food," she added.
Knowledge - Nadine emphasized how important mental preparation is to mothers, especially those who are first timers, as knowing what you have to do is crucial in terms of your health and your baby's.
"Ang knowledge, kana gyud ang pinaka importante kay (Knowledge is most important since) you can't get that anywhere, you can't buy that from a store. Kanang knoweledge, kanang (the) wisdom from other mothers, wisdom from the women who are really passionate about parenting, nutrition and all that, dili na sya makita (it can't be seen) anywhere," Casiño said.
Empathy - A mother should not just be objective but should also have empathy, especially to her child.
The MNM founder said mothers should think about their child, and what's best for him/her.
"Dili sya pwede nga kanang (It is not good that its) 'just because this is what I'm comfortable with.' Because a mother's comfort is never mas matimbang (more important) than the health or the right of a child to get the best," Nadine said.
Post pregnancy
Nadine has listed four constant things a baby needs after he/she gets out of his/her mother's womb.
Food - It is best for babies to get their food from their mothers through breastfeeding. Breast milk contains antibodies that help the baby's body fight off viruses and bacteria.
"Pag abot (After) 6 months, healthy, fruits and vegetables plus breast milk and then you're fine sa feeding," Nadine said.
Warmth - Naturally, babies need diapers and clothing to keep themselves warm. However, Casiño believes that cloth diapers are better than using disposable diapers as the latter of the two may expose the baby to its chemical components.
"Better gyud ang cloth diaper (Cloth diaper is better) because of its zero chemical, zero waste pud ka. And you get value for your money, you don't throw away your P10 per diaper, di ba," she said.
Movement - Apart from food and warmth, movement is important to a child as they are in constant movement when they were still in their mother's womb.
Nadine suggested for mothers to wear their babies through a baby carrier so they can go hands free and at the same time the baby moves.
"If you want to go hands free then maka care ka sa imong child, find an ergonomic carrier nga makahatag og ideal positioning sa baby," Casiño said.
"Dapat i-swing gyud nato ang baby together," she added.
Touch - Give your baby unlimited hugs.
"The more you hug your baby, the more brain connections she will make," Casiño said.
According to Nadine, the most developed sense of a baby when they are born is not their sense of smell or their sight, but their sense of touch.
"Ang touch sensors nimo dili lang sa hands but it’s like where the skin is there, you can touch your baby. So cuddle your baby, hug your baby, skin-to-skin your baby. There's no such thing as spoiling your baby," she said.
In all honesty, taking care of a baby can be stressing and can cause anxiety for mothers. That's why Nadine advised mothers to find their tribe, a group they can trust, a group they can belong to.
She also mentioned that knowing what to do can also lessen anxiety.
"Information is the best antidote for fear. Mag worry ka for so many things but ang pangutana ana kay you need to know nga unsa dapat buhaton kai samok kaayo nga mag himo ka something nga blind ka (You will get anxious about so many things, but the question is if you know what to do because it would not be good to do something you don't know anything about)," Nadine said.