Tag: motherhood

#BagongNanayReviews: Mega-Malunggay Capsules

Are you also like me who is not fond of taking supplements in the form of capsules or tablets? I don’t know about you, but I don’t like the thought that I am taking medicines when I am perfectly fine. That’s why when I started breastfeeding, I prefer eating lactation treats or drinking malunggay as tea. You can read my review about my favorite malunggay tea here.

But then there are days when I feel like my breasts are empty and my daughter’s about to feed, but I’m too tired or just too lazy to prepare a drink. That’s when – fine – these green, awkward-tasting malunggay capsules come handy.

There are five reasons why I started taking Mega-Malunggay Capsules to help boost my breastmilk supply:

1. It is widely used by moms.

2. It doesn’t contain sugar.

3. It is easy to take.

4. It is cheap.

5. It’s worth it.

Not all hype

A lot of celebrity moms and influencers have been promoting Mega-Malunggay capsules. I remember seeing a giant billboard of Bianca Gonzales promoting this VPharma product along EDSA.

Photo credits: Bianca Gonzales’ Facebook account

My favorite momma peg, Iya Villania-Arellano, also uses it, and promotes it on Instagram. I thought it was all hype, not until I used it myself.

Photo from Iya Villania Arellano’s Instagram account

Healthy option

While it feels so good to give in to all the lactation treats available – tea, chocolate drink, coffee, cookies – name it, some moms just don’t like too much sugar. We Bagong Nanays are conscious about getting our prenatal body back. So a sugar-free lactation aid is always a good idea.

Photo from VPharma’s Facebook page

This is also the product preferred by pregnant moms who have been diagnosed to have gestational diabetes.

No-frills malunggay

Because of Mega-Malunggay, you don’t need to ask your husband to climb your malunggay tree, or ask your neighbor to spare you some leaves. You don’t need to go into the hassle of removing the malunggay leaves from the stems.

Mega-Malunggay is made of pure malunggay leaves, and one capsule is already equivalent to 3/4 cup of malunggay leaves. You can also open the capsule up, and just sprinkle the malunggay powder to your food and drink!

Photo from VPharma’s Facebook page

Did you know that you can start taking Mega-Malunggay capsules on your 32nd week?

Value for money

For only 9.50php per capsule, it gives you the peace of mind that you can produce enough milk for your baby. Its effect varies per person, but based on my experience, taking Mega-Malunggay before bedtime gives me enough milk to put my baby to sleep. That’s of course complemented with unli-latch and enough rest and sleep.

Mega-Malunggay has no approved therapeutic claims. But it is Halal-Certified and FDA-approved safe.

Best in the market

I used to take Natalac because it was readily available in drugstores. However, it only has 250g of malunggay. That’s why Mega-Malunggay is mega – it has the highest milligram available of malunggay plus 100mg of vitamin C.

Photo: bagongnanay

It works for me, and I hope it works for you too, Bagong Nanay. Would you like to try Mega-Malunggay? Comment below and I will give you a discount on your first order. You can also order your stocks at The Bagong Nanay Shop. Get it today.

04.03.2021
Manager noon, nanay ngayon

#BagongNanayQOTW: Anong work mo bago ka naging #BagongNanay?

Around this time last year, I was wrapping up meetings and presentation decks, completing my clearance requirements, and thinking twice if I would really quit my job. I was part of the communications team of a non-profit organization for six years. It was my dream job. Prior to that, I was a news writer and a field reporter.

I submitted my resignation letter on January 29, 2020, and I thought it was one of the bravest things I’ve done in my life.

I realized that what’s braver and more courageous is the ability to put up with that decision everyday. Before being a full-time nanay, I worked jobs that required me to travel a lot, multitask a lot, and do everything in a rush. Now, I am home 24/7 taking care of my 19-month-old, doing routine tasks like cleaning and cooking. The pandemic isn’t helping, so it’s harder because we can’t go out.

Grabe ang transition, right? I still can’t believe that I’ve been a full-time nanay for almost a year now. There are moments when I would daydream about work and meetings, but then again I wake up to the sound of my little boss, saying, “Nanay, Nanay.”

So I thought of asking our full-time nanay followers on Instagram what their past jobs were. It was fun knowing their answers!

#BagongNanayQOTW posted on Bagong Nanay Instagram account on Feb 12, 2021

“Manager sa isang international fastfood chain at events organizer.” momofhyperkids

I can imagine kung gaano ka-extra ang mga birthday celebration sa family nila Mommy Honey!

“Restaurant supervisor.” evrydaymomslife

Ano kayang mas mahirap i-supervise, Mommy Jemma? Restaurants o kids? 🤔😆

“Isa po akong laundry staff.” daisy_sanuco

Puro damit muna ng pamilya niya ang lalabhan ni Mommy Daisy.

“Hospital nurse.” mommycheespeaks

According to Mommy Chee, hindi na niya pinursue ang nursing profession dahil maliit ang sahod. Noong dalaga pa siya, option niya sana mag-abroad, pero now, hindi na niya gusto dahil mahal daw mag-process ng papers. #SanaAll may nurse na mommy!

Thanks to everyone who shared their answers! Whether you are a full-time nanay, or a working nanay, saludo ako sa’yo, #BagongNanay. The Bagong Nanay life is tough, but you are tougher!

Should you need someone to talk to, join us at the Bagong Nanay Community on Viber. It aims to be a safe space for first-time and modern moms to talk about motherhood, life, and anything under the sun. From one nanay to another. No judgment.

Ikaw, #BagongNanay? Anong work mo before ka naging full-time nanay? Share mo naman!

19.02.2021
#BagongNanayReviews: M2 Malunggay Tea

As a #BagongNanay, one of our greatest concerns post-partum is our ability to feed and nourish our child.

In my experience, I attended seminars when I was still pregnant, and I was fully committed to breastfeeding my child. But sometimes, no matter how prepared we are, we become faced with challenges that would alter our plans and test our faith.

As for me, I gave birth six weeks earlier than expected. I didn’t know what went wrong: I had complete check-ups, took my vitamins, and ate healthy. But then it happened. My water bag broke when my baby was still 33 weeks and 5 days in my womb.

Thus, I had to undergo an emergency C-section. This caused my first breastmilk to only come out after three days of trying and pumping. You can read the full story here.

I’m happy that I didn’t give up, and I am still breastfeeding until today. My daughter is almost two years old. One of the things that helped me through my breastfeeding journey is the first product I would write about here in #BagongNanayReviews.

Breastfeeding is not easy. It is wonderful, but sometimes we could use some help.

Here’s why Bagong Nanay highly recommends the M2 Malunggay Tea:

1. It is healthy.

2. It is delicious.

3. It is very convenient.

4. It is affordable.

5. It works.

Healthy beverage

First things first – M2 Malunggay Tea is FDA-approved as a nutritional beverage, unlike other supplements that have no approved therapeutic claims. Thus, you are sure that it is genuinely healthy, and not just a placebo.

M2 Malunggay Okra Luya Tea is a product of NaturEarth Corporation. Visit their website here: naturearthph.com

Just read up on the nutrient content of malunggay, then look up okra and ginger. You can thank me later.

It’s not only good for lactating moms, but also for husbands and kids 1 year old and up.

Surprisingly delicious

I won’t judge you if at first you would hesitate to try this tea simply because you read that it’s made from malunggay, okra, and ginger.

Okra is one of the vegetables that most people don’t like to eat because of its texture. But surprisingly, the M2 Malunggay Tea tastes like the house-blend iced tea of some popular fastfood and restaurants.

Pro tip: Squeeze a slice of lemon or calamansi to make it more refreshing.

I love my M2 Malunggay Tea iced and with lemon.

Easy to prepare

If, like me, you are not that lucky to have a malunggay tree in your backyard, you would know that malunggay is a rare item in supermarkets.

And how many times would you cook tinolang manok just to use up all the malunggay leaves that you bought? Not to mention how daunting it is to remove the malunggay leaves (my husband is very particular, and doesn’t like to see stems in his tinola).

Imagine the time and effort saved by just drinking M2 – pour a little of the concentrate on your tumbler, add water, pop some ice cubes, and you’re ready to go!

Very affordable

When you are a breastfeeding mom, there is nothing more stressful than thinking that your breastmilk supply is not enough for your child.

If you buy a one liter concentrate of M2 Malunggay Tea at 280php, you can already use it to prepare up to 17 glasses of tea. That’s approximately 16php per serving. As for me, I drink two servings per day – one during lunch and then one during dinner.

M2 Malunggay Iced Tea and Lumpiang Togue for merienda!

For only 32php a day, you can already see the results. You would feel your breasts welling up milk, and you will be more confident that your child will have enough breastmilk for the day.

Proven effective

I can only speak from experience. I am breastfeeding my child for almost 19 months now. I attribute this success to the following factors: letting her latch whenever she wants, getting six to eight hours of sleep, and drinking M2 Malunggay Tea.

Yes, I believe that this product has greatly helped me in my breastfeeding journey that it is as important as unli-latch and sleep. I believe in it so much that I became an authorized reseller of the product since August 2020. Since then, I’ve been helping other Bagong Nanays in their breastfeeding journey as well – all thanks to M2.

M2 works for this mommy too! Happy to help.

If you want to try this product, send me a message here, and tell me that you found out about it by reading this blog. I will give you a discount on your first order. :)

So that’s it for the first of many #BagongNanayReviews! Comment down if you have anything to say about M2 Malunggay Tea too!

Nanay Judy

17.02.2021
Mga apps na APP-roved by Bagong Nanays!

Under quarantine pa rin ho tayo, mga #BagongNanay.

Dahil bawal lumabas kung hindi non-essential ang gagawin, mas napapadalas ang paggamit ng technology to keep us sane.

Kaya naman, nagtanong kami ng mga #BagongNanay sa Instagram at Facebook kung anu-anong mga web/mobile applications o apps ang gamit na gamit nila ngayong panahon ng pandemya.

Napaka-helpful ng mga sagot nila!

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A post shared by Bagong Nanay | bagongnanay.com (@bagongnanay)

To connect: Facebook Messenger

@guamdalisay I use this to stay connected sa aking family and friends. Unli-chika and kamustahan, plus may pa-“watch together” pa. Kahit ito lang ang app sa phone ko, buhay na ako.

@mommycheespeaks Messenger and IG pang-chika!

@ceoooo Messenger and Messenger only!

@evrydaymomslife Messenger to catch up with friends and family!

To entertain: Netflix and YouTube

@rejjventress Ngayon ko gamit na gamit ang YouTube! For Zumba and for yoga!

@evrydaymomslife Netflix for movie mood, YouTube for motivating and How To videos.

@mommycheespeaks YouTube for watching inspirational videos.

@mavicholics Gamit na gamit po sa akin ang Netflix, Viu at YouTube. Kakapanood ng movies, series, anime, vlogs, at xmpre K-drama. Hehe! Opo, K-drama is life talaga!

To meditate: Headspace

@rejjventress Super helpful for meditation, para makatulog.

@marge.antonio Headspace, a meditation app.

To ship: Grab Express

@rejjventress Grab, for all my essential deliveries.

Shoutout sa Grab Express PH, dahil ang The Bagong Nanay Shop is a Madiskarteng Boss Club Member. Talaga namang lahat ng deliveries ay nakakarating – thanks to our Madidiskarteng Kuya and Ate Grab Riders!

Do you have a business? Join Madiskarteng Boss Club today!

Other apps to try!

@evrydaymomslife Coins.ph and GCash for bills payment and cashless transaction; Microsoft Teams, and WhatsApp for work!

@marge.antonio Duolingo – to push myself to learn a new skill (not for everyone); the fabulous – to help me build good habits; and Skill Skout – for my kids to look for new things they want to try.

@judiyamariya Viber to sell; Google Sheets to organize my mind and life; and Canva to create easy collats!

PS. Salamat kay Mommy Rej na nag-suggest ng #BagongNanayQOTW na ito! Read her blog post on apps that keep her sane and make her life more bearable, here.

Ikaw, anong app ang gamit na gamit mo sa mga panahong ito? Share mo naman!

14.10.2020
Minsan nanay, madalas…

What’s up, mga #BagongNanay? Nalula ako sa dami ng mga sumagot sa ating Bagong Nanay Question of the Week! Salamat sa inyong suporta at hindi pagiging KJ. Lalo ngayong panahon na ang dami na nga nating iniisip, dumagdag pa ang pa-white sand sa Manila Bay, join nalang tayo sa mga positibong usapan sa social media.

Speaking of social media, kanina, napanood ko ang documentary na The Social Dilemma sa Netflix. Dito, pinakita ang dark side of social media – how it’s taking over our lives and why we should fight it.

While the Internet enables us to access information, ito rin ang nagiging enabler ng fake news. While social media was initially envisioned to spread positivity through likes, nakaka-affect na pala ito ng bongga sa ating mental health, lalo na sa mga younger generations. While these platforms connect us to our loved ones across the world, these were also used as means to divide a country.

Pardon the code-switching, ang hirap mag-Tagalog, aminin. Haha. Dami pa ako thoughts, pero dito nalang tayo mag-discuss if you want.

Anyway, mabalik. Nagtanong kami sa Instagram at Facebook kung ano ang iba’t iba pang role ng nanay sa kani-kanilang bahay. Yes, may sumagot na sa Facebook this time! Haha. At nag-promise ang Bagong Nanay to award the wittiest answer – hindi lang ang honor na ma-feature dito sa blog, but with a surprise gift na ang winner lang ang makakaalam! Yey.

Eto na nga ang mga sagot nila sa #BagongNanayQOTW:

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A post shared by Bagong Nanay | bagongnanay.com (@bagongnanay)

Tribute to Mama Mary din ang #BagongNanayQOTW na ito. Happy birthday, OG Bagong Nanay! :)

“Peacekeeper. Lalo na pag nag-wa-warla ang mga bagets.” @mommyfaith.ph

Good job si Mommy Faith! Wag po tayong kunsintidora. Hehe.

“Tech support ngayong new normal.” @orangepopsicle18

Ayon kay Mommy Sam, isa siyang multi-faceted nanay. Siya rin ay: “Personal assistant sa mga activities, photographer, videographer, documenter, lifetime banker/pawnshop/loanshark na di naman babayaran, debater rin since magaling mag-reason out ang bata, cheerleader, prayer warrior, psychologist, nurse, doctor, and more.”

“Guidance counselor.” @mommycheespeaks

At least hindi na-pi-Principal’s office ang mga kids!

“Taga-hanap ng mga bagay-bagay sa bahay (kahit hindi naman nawawala).” @sahmnimia

Sabi ni Mommy Jea, di daw niya alam anong tawag sa taong ganito. Lost and found desk? Imbestigador? Forensic expert? Charot. Ano nga ba?!

“Janitress.” @thenicoledvillaran

Totoo po. Sana may promotion or salary increase, ano ho?

“Minsan photographer, singer, dancer,(talented ka?!)” @slayingmotherhood

True ito! Minsan kailangang aliwin si baby para kumain, or hindi umiyak. Hahaha. Kakapagod rin po ano. Haha.

“All-around yaya, manager, mayordoma, accountant, personal assistant, driver, cook, baker, at madami pang iba.”
@mylifefae

Sana all ng role may payroll.

“Dakilang tutor.” @mavicholics

Lalo na ngayong online na muna ang school, ayon kay working Mommy Mavic, siya ang dakilang tutor ng kanyang anak na si Zac.

“Struggle is real sa online schooling, mamsh. Bukod sa nakatabi ka sa gilid niya during online discussions ako pa din taga-turo. Or minsan ako na gumgawa ng assignments, seatworks at projects! Pero enjoy naman, para akong bumalik sa pagiging student,” share niya.

“Ako si “Catrionanay.” @guamdalisay

Winner itong sagot ni Mommy Guammy! “Dahil kahit haggard na ko sa mga gawaing nanay, ako parin daw ang Ms. Universe ng mag-ama ko. At sila naman ang #SilverLining sa buhay ko. And I, thank you!” May nanalo na! Hahaha.

“Ako si “Kenyubay.” Jinky Santos

Para sa akin, ito ang pinaka-witty! Ayon kay Mommy Jinky, siya daw si “Kenyubay.” Bakit? Dahil ito daw ang bukambibig ng kanyang anak na si Dean: “Mommy, can you buy <insert lahat ng makikita ni Dean sa tv>).” Hahahahahahahahahah. Buti nalang hindi pa nagsasalita ang anak ko. :P

Congratulations, Mommy Jinky! I-pi-PM kitak ung ano ang iyong surprise gift from Bagong Nanay. :)

Maraming salamat sa lahat ng sumali! Nakakaaliw na ang dami nating hats na iwiniwear bilang nanay, ano? Siguro kahit anong lista ang gawin natin, hindi tayo matatapos. Ang pagiging nanay ay hindi biro. Pwede kang mag-break, pero hindi ka pwede mag-leave. Hindi ka din pwede mag-resign. Kaya saludo ako sa bawat isa sa inyo, mga Bagong Nanay. Kung iniisip mo palang na may iba ka pang role bukod sa pagiging nanay, ibig sabihin nun na isa kang mabuting nanay.

Lagi’t lagi naming ipapaalala sa’yo, we see you, Nay. Everything that you do is valued and appreciated. Mahalaga ka, Nay. Kaya kapit lang.

Ikaw, ano pa ang title mo sa bahay bukod sa pagiging Nanay?

14.09.2020