What to wear? For mommies on the budget

Below are just a few tips on shopping for moms on the budget.

For expectant moms:

1. Buy only essentials like maternity shorts and maternity pants. I would recommend that you buy those with elastic band instead of the pouch type. You can still wear these after giving birth since the post pregnancy fat won't fall off right away. Actually, I only had 1 pair of maternity pants, 2 maternity shorts, and 2 maternity "pedals". I love to dresses, so often I wore dresses when at work. Sometimes I paired my tops with leggings. Minsan lang talaga ako mag pants or leggings kase sobrang naiinitan ako that time hehehe
2. Nursing bra or maternity bra? Which is which? I suggest that you buy a nursing bra on your 8th month if you plan to breastfeed. If not, you may use any wireless bra that you have in the closet. What I did was that I bought 3 pcs. cheap nursing bras (around 100-300 each). When I started working after I gave birth, I invested on 2 padded nursing bras and a nursing bandeau.    
3. Buy outfits with stretchable or expandable tummy area. There are many fashionable tops and dresses that you can use even after you are pregnant.  
4. When I was pregnant, I had dark armpits so I often paired my tubed dresses or sleeveless tops with a cardigan or bolero.

For nursing moms:

1. You may use a shawl as an alternative nursing cover. Its easier to use rather than buying an expensive nursing cover. I bought a tent-like nursing cover nahirapan naman ako gamitin na walang assistance.
2. Choose tops wherein you can easily open like buttoned tops, stretchable neckline, tube tops, zip front, etc. There are many available tops that are cheap and at the same time fashionable.
3. A bandeau is a usefull nursing accessory for low neckline tops.
4. Invest on good quality nursing bras. You just need to buy 2-3 pcs. since you'll only be wearing these when your out with your baby. You can use the cheaper nursing bras when your at home.  

Photoshoot

Sharing pics taken by my hubby ^-^

Our little princess.

My 4 month old baby is coughing & sneezing

I noticed that my baby started coughing two days ago. I think her cough sounded dry. I thought at that time that maybe it was partly due to her saliva. She seems to drool a lot and everything she grabs she puts in her mouth. Also, I think she even wants to suck her whole hand ^-^

The very next day she was quite fussy and seems irritated. I was not sure what's wrong. I thought that her mood must have changed since she's already 4.5 months old. But then she seems to have difficulty breathing because of her cough. I didn't know what to do. It was really hard for me to see may daughter that way. I got panicky.

My husband's relative flick my baby's tummy with her fingers. It made an odd sound. She said that "may kabag si baby". I was confused since I burped her every after feeding. So, we just applied "manzanilla" on her tummy, soles of her feet, and then at her lower back. 

Today, I noticed she coughs and sneezes at the same time. Also, she seems to be coughing up a clear sticky like phlegm. She even vomited once today and twice yesterday. I constantly check her temperature ... Buti nalang, no fever at all.

I would just like to share what my baby's pedia prescribed:

Sinase - 2 nasal drops, 3 times a day (I hold her in a burpin position then after a few minutes I aspirate her runny nose)
Ambroxol HCl drops - 0.5mL oral drops, 2 times a day (for her cough)
Phenylpropanolamine (Disudrin drops) (nasal decosgestant) - 0.5mL oral drops, 3 times a day

I'm still observing my baby at the moment for any changes. My Aunt mentioned that maybe my baby is already teething early. Its just hard to see her gasping for breath due to her stuffy nose and coughing.

I just hope my baby will recover right away. For now, I just make sure that whenever by baby coughs she is either on her side or she is on an upright position.