Being a mother of three just simply means I've gone through some tough, sensitive, and overly protective newborn care three times in my life.  I think you would agree most moms of newborns, whether you've had just one or more than three babies, are OA when it comes to personal hygiene and cleanliness (spell disinfect anything and everywhere!) of the surroundings.  We all know how sensitive babies' skin and immunity are when it comes to dirt, germs, allergens, and viruses coming from poorly kept things or environment.

That's why it's important that strict personal hygiene is practiced and passed on to our kids so that more than just looking well-groomed, we keep them off illnesses caused by germs.

With this, moms should also pick dependable hygiene products that are tough to do the job but gentle on our skin and especially of our babies.  I'm glad that I found one brand which carries most of the hygienic products I need to keep me and my baby safe and the surfaces clean - it's Sanicare.
MY BATHROOM PARTNER PLUS SOME MOM TIPS
They say the bathroom says a lot about the person who lives in the house right?  So when it's dirty or even when tissue/toilet paper is missing, parang you get an impression that the owner doesn't put hygiene as one of his priorities.  That's why I try my best to clean the bathroom myself regularly, stock my bathroom with paper and cleaning products.
How now if you're using public toilet diba?  I’ll share with you what my mom taught me.

1) Make sure you always bring a toilet paper/tissue paper with you (to dry what's wet!) - Since I discovered Sanicare, lagi ako may dalang Sanicare Handy Pack or yung Sanicare Baby Wipes  in my bag.  At home, Sanicare Eco-layer Bathroom Tissue is what we use.
I like it because it's thick yet soft and gentle on skin.  It has a nice and unique design too, lakas maka-Donya-feels.  Plus what I like about it is that the bathroom tissue is made from both virgin pulp and recycled-grade paper pulp which not only aid in keeping things clean but also cares for the environment.
2) Never sit on the toilet, just squat; I've always practiced #2 item eversince she preached it.  I've squatted for as long as I can remember, kaya siguro medyo toned my behind growing up. Hehehe!  Buti na lang uso na ang toilet seat cover ngayon! Lalo na when I travel with the kids, we bring Sanicare Disposable Toilet Seat Cover with us.  It's made of paper shaped like a toilet seat with a really nice design.  It protects the user from germs resting on toilet seats especially in public restrooms.  Now, there's no need to torture the leg and thigh muscles squatting.
3) Always wash your hands.  Lastly, washing the hands is important sobra!  Just by simply washing your hands properly, you stop yourself from getting infected with viruses or if you already have the virus, you stop it from spreading.  Dry the hands using the dryer or paper towels. Sanicare's Paper Towel is thick and strong which doesn't easily tear but isn't rough to touch.  I like that it's made from 100% virgin pulp, with no artificial whiteners and elemental chlorine.

Simple pointers lang diba?  But they go a long way.  Small tasks to do, but they all matter!

By the way pa-sideline about paper towels muna.  I love paper towels because of its versatility, that's why it's always on my grocery list.  It can be used in all parts of the house for surface cleaning, the bathroom, bedroom, kids' play room, dining and living area, and especially the kitchen.  I use it when frying food because it drains the excess oil from the pan.  See?
Now let's move on to my favorite topic, Baby Hygiene.

THE BABY HYGIENE DEPARTMENT
Well, everything I know right now comes from my mom, from my trusted mommy circle, and online researches as well.  since I've dealt with newborns, infants, toddlers, and small kids, three times in my life, I can share a thing or two about this cutie patootsies' hygiene.
1. Bathing - It's important to bathe newborns every few days after the umbilical cord stump dries up and falls off.  Fill tub with warm water and use mild bathing products for the little one.  On days when baby isn't bathed, wet a large cotton ball and wipe baby's face, head, neck, arms, legs, and feet. Make sure you pat dry baby as quickly as you can to protect him from getting cold.
Sanicare has Jumbo Cotton Balls which is made from 100% soft and pure cotton that's perfect for babies covering larger surfaces.  When baby gets bigger, like mine, bathing should be done daily, still using mild and natural baby products.

2. Cleaning Bottoms - For newborns, use Sanicare Jumbo Cotton Balls when cleaning their bottoms at home. Large coverage, one or two would do wonders.  You may also use baby wipes (make sure it's gentle, alcohol and paraben-free like Sanicare) if you want more convenience. For older babies since coverage is bigger, it's time to use baby wipes to ensure bottoms are cleaned completely.
I personally use Sanicare Baby Wipes because it's thick but has a soft and cloth-like patterned texture that's good for thorough cleaning.  It's unscented and safe for use on baby's skin.
3.  Cleaning Ears, Belly Button, and Nose - Cleaning these areas could be very delicate and sensitive.  For example the ears, it's not recommended to clean it on a daily basis.  As adults, we used to clean our ears up to the inner canal, that's bad pala!  Because the ear wax tends to be pushed inward creating a large lump of dirt inside and cause irritation or worse infection.  Lalo na sa babies and small kids, just clean the outer area when needed.  The cotton buds available in the market doesn't have a stopper which Sanicare has!  Ang galing, when I tried it on my ear, the stopper indeed inhibits the tip from entering the ear canal  (sometimes kasi aminin natin we like cleaning hanggang dulo, it kinda feels good diba!).
For babies and small kids, this feature of Sanicare's Large Cotton Buds is highly recommended to avoid eardrum piercing and limit penetration.
For nostrils and belly button, use Sanicare's Mini Buds which come in a perfect size to fit the buttons and remove dirt in nostrils gently.  The small tips could clean these areas more thoroughly compared to regular cotton buds.  For the belly buttons of the cute ones, drop an oil first prior to cleaning.  It will help loosen the dirt accumulated inside.  For the nose, Sanicare's Mini buds will help in pulling out the filth without damaging the lining of the nose which could cause bleeding.

4. Changing Diapers - Make sure you check baby's diaper (cloth or disposable) if it's already loaded and change it quickly to avoid irritation on baby's sensitive skin.  Whether you're home and especially when out and about, it's best to use a baby underpad.  To ensure the underpad is always clean and fresh, use Sanicare Baby Underpads which has a silky soft surface that won't irritate baby's skin.  It's also leak-proof and its large size is perfect for protecting baby when changing in public places.  It's a changing table and diaper bag essentials.
So there goes my personal hygiene tips in bathroom use and also how I keep baby clean everyday, with the help of the my personal hygienic choice, Sanicare.  Naku magpapasukan na nga pala and one of the little kids' school requirements is to bring a hygiene kit diba?  Don't forget to include Sanicare line of products to keep them clean and also safe.  Sanicare is available in leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide.

For more information about Sanicare, like them on Facebook: https://facebook.com/sanicare.ph or follow them on Instagram https://instagram.com/sanicare_ph/.

Summer isn't over I know but getting ready for the school season has already started.  Enrollment has been going on since last month and speaking of which, I haven't enrolled my kids!  And yet, I'm already excited to do back-to-school shopping!  It has been my favorite activity since I was a child myself.  I just love the smell of school supplies and new notebooks.

I've never seen this back-to-school task as taxing nor exhausting at all.  What makes it stressful is the crowd and going to one bookstore to another because there are missing items or the brand and type of item your child prefers aren't there.  Plus, if you have more than one child (like me, ehem), practicality is a consideration when shopping.

I discovered that there's one place to go back-to-school shopping to which meets my criteria: one-stop shop and practical choices: SM Stationery!
When I visited SM Stationery in SM Makati, their shelves are stocked completely with school supplies my kids would need such as notebooks, pens, pencils, pencil cases, crayons, bond papers, bags, and many more!  See, you don't need to go bookstore hopping because you'll find everything you need in one stop.

Just like grocery shopping, you save a lot when you buy anything in packs.  It's like wholesale buying.  Just like this pack of 5 writing notebooks.
 When I was looking around, I saw this awesome offer!  It's an All-In-One-School Pack which is available for Grades 1 to 6!  I think it's a great idea to pack everything a student will need, so you just grab your backpack (which comes with it!) and go!
If you need for notebooks for your children, notebook packs (spiral or sewn type) are also available for purchase at low prices compared when you buy them individually.
For the preschoolers, SM Stationery also has Creative Kits or packs from Crayola and Lil Hands.  This is one of the things I got excited about back-to-school shopping when I was a kid myself.  All these colors of crayons and new watercolor, the paint brush and the clean sheets of paper!
I am such a paper and pen kind of person and even in the event of everything digital, I still believe and still love jotting down everything!  Listing all my dreams, my to-do-things, my bills, my shopping or grocery, payables, and many more!  So this paper section to me is pure bliss!
See, who would've thought that SM Stationery at the SM Store has all these?  May it be complete back-to-school shopping or shopping for gifts, you can find something interesting at SM Stationery.

One practical tip by the way when going shopping, make sure you have a checklist of what you just need to shop for, to save time and to remain within your budget.  Because if not, with all these wonderful items at SM Stationery, you couldn't help but just put stuff in your shopping basket!  I meant that in a very good way!  Hahaha!

For more information and promo updates on SM Stationery, visit their website, ww.stationery.com.ph or follow them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Have an awesome back-to-school shopping!

Two long weekends had already passed, one was Holy Week and the other was the ASEAN Summit/Labor Day weekend.  And here I am, too late a hero to be posting about this just now.  So forgive me loves, but there will be more long weekends, occasions (or none), and stressful week in the full stretch of the year when you'd feel you want to have a quick getaway without going too far from the metro.  What am I talking about?  A well-deserved hotel staycation!

I've compiled a list of hotels with swimming pool in Metro Manila which our family stayed at.  My choices of hotels passed the following criteria:

• Should have a swimming pool
• Should have two (2) Queen or Double beds or One (1) King Bed
• Should have breakfast
• Should be reasonably priced
• Should be available (of course)
• Bonus if with extra mattress, with cot, with massage, with a view, etc.

So here goes my list in no particular order.

1.  B-Hotel QC - Staying in B Hotel QC was a unique experience for us.  We were fascinated by the hotel's modern, chic, minimalist, and industrial look.  Room essentials were complete.  The bed was big enough for a family with two kids, sheets and pillows were soft which ensure guests get a good night's sleep.  I almost didn't want to get up!  Pool was not very big, but there is a pool!  Our breakfast was awesome!  Cleanliness was unquestionable too which pleased me and my meticulous family.  Staff were courteous, respectable, had the initiative to offer assistance whether needed or not, serve its guests politely and sincerely, and were efficient.  Pasok sa banga the budget too especially if they have a promo.

Read my complete review here: B-Hotel QC Review
2. Best Western Plus Antel Hotel - The one-bedroom suite we booked is perfect for 2 adults and 2 kids.  The room has one (1) Queen-sized bed and a sofa bed for the kids.  YOu may request for extra pillows and blanket at no cost.  Kitchen and dining are available should you decide to cook or heat food.  Air-conditioning is good as well plus no fighting over channels between parents and kids, there are two cable televisions in the suite.  Buffet breakfast is also included in the package!  For entertainment and activities, there are three large swimming pools, a play ground, and a gym.  Spa is also available at the ground floor.  A supermarket is just across the hotel so if you need last-minute stuff for your stay, it won't be a hassle to go out.  Restaurants are abundant, there are so many to choose from.  A. Venue mall and Century City Mall are also walking distance from the hotel.  If you're bringing a car, parking is free!  With all these and more, staying at Best Western Plus Antel Hotel is worth it.  Your stay will definitely be a comfortable and a relaxing one.

Read my complete review here: Best Western Plus Antel Hotel (Serenity Suites) Review

3. Luxent Hotel QC - We were highly satisfied as Luxent Hotel was able to meet our hotel expectations.  It's not only a business hotel, but it certainly is family-friendly. The Superior Room has complete amenities and we weren't charged for anything extra we requested.  It's spacious and it's a good choice for family guests staying in.

Vestibule to welcome guests going up the rooms. :)

They boast of their "Aquatrim" Swimming Pool

The facilities and amenities are well-maintained and complete.  They have a reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable beds, soft pillows and sheets, and cable TV.  Their swimming pools are clean.  Rooms come with breakfast buffet for 2.  I appreciate their Bread Indulgence Corner at the ground floor for times I just feel like having a bread or cookies for snacks.  The staff are all friendly, accommodating, competent and genuine. Lastly, they have BACON! :)

Read my complete review HERE: Luxent Hotel QC Review

4.  Privato Hotel, Pasig - For the price that we got our weekend stay, our stay was so much worth it!  No corner in this pretty boutique hotel isn't well-kept.  For a not so big hotel, their choice of modern minimalist design and ambiance makes the hotel optically spacious.  Staff were all courteous and efficient, plus they always smile making their guests feel really welcome and almost close to home.
The hotel facilities are quite complete, they've got the essentials their guests may need.  Price is indeed reasonable and perfect for like me who loves to get the best out of life without spending too much to achieve it.  There were some misses like serving not-too-warm breakfast and the pool being too cold, but their other hits overcome the misses immensely.  Accessibility to transportation, nearby convenience store, commercial complex, and restaurants, is not a problem at all.

Read my full review HERE: Privato Hotel Pasig Review

5. The Bellevue Hotel, Alabang  I loved our hotel staycation here.  There's luxe in every corner of The Bellevue Manila hotel.  The staff especially at the Signature Club every morning, was friendly, efficient, kind and courteous.  Our room was comfortable, I never knew I could sleep so long and so soundly - truly an escape from my daily working-mom life.  SPA experience was awesome!  Food was excellent in all the restaurants we dined in (Cafe d' Asie Restaurant and Phoenix Court).  Their facilities are complete.  The swimming pool was huge and we all enjoyed our time there!
The Bellevue Hotel, Alabang Review
6.  F1 Hotel Manila, BGC, Taguig City - I could say that F1 Hotel Manila is definitely a family-friendly hotel.  The one-bedroom-suite we stayed in is spacious and comfortable.  Staying there as a guest felt like my needs were attended to.  Food?  One of the best breakfast buffets we've tried!  They have a wide selection of food all day!  There are also a total of three swimming pools which we loved lounging at in the afternoon. you definitely get your money's worth if you decide to stay here.  We'll be coming back here next month and we're all so excited!  Overall, we were highly satisfied with our family staycation.

Read my full review here: F1 Hotel Manila Review

These are just some of the hotels I already featured on the blog which I highly recommend to families who are looking for kid-friendly hotels around the metro. I'll be adding more to this list or maybe do a part 2 as our family keeps adding new staycation adventures to our memory box.

I think this post is timely since Mother's Day is coming up, why not surprise Mom and check these recommended hotels for a weekend she'll truly enjoy!

Have a great hotel staycation loves! :)