Kim Ticman-Mapua MD Pediatrician & Lactation Consultant

04/10/2026

Heavenly Father, teach us to stay connected to You - in every moment and in every situation. May our lives be a continuous prayer to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a Blessed Sunday 🙏

03/10/2026

What temperature is fever based on where you measure?

02/10/2026

🌡️ WHAT TEMPERATURE IS A FEVER?
Know where—and how—you measure your child’s temperature.

Not all thermometer readings are the same! The site of measurement matters, especially in babies. ❤️

👶 1. RE**AL — most accurate
Best for young infants, especially

01/10/2026

27/09/2026

Lord, we set our hope in You today — not in ourselves, not in this world. Help us not to forget all the good works You have done in our lives.
And teach us to walk in obedience to Your Word.
Amen.

25/09/2026

Introducing Food Allergens When Starting Solids

Starting solids? Don’t delay allergenic foods unnecessarily. The AAP recommends introducing common allergens when your baby is developmentally ready for complementary foods, usually around 6 months. Early introduction of peanut and egg may help reduce the risk of allergy.

🌟 The 9 major food allergens:
🥛 Milk • 🥚 Egg • 🥜 Peanut • 🌰 Tree nuts • 🌾 Wheat • 🫘 Soy • 🌱 Sesame • 🐟 Fish • 🦐 Crustacean shellfish

👶 How to introduce:
• Offer one allergenic food at a time in a safe, age-appropriate form.
• Start with a small amount and observe for reactions.
• If tolerated, continue offering it regularly as part of the diet.
• Never give whole nuts or thick globs of peanut butter because of choking risk.

⚠️ Babies with severe eczema or egg allergy may need earlier peanut introduction (around 4–6 months) with guidance from their pediatrician.

No need to fear allergens—introduce them safely and confidently! ❤️

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics/HealthyChildren.org; NIAID; U.S. FDA.

24/09/2026

They feel safe to be themselves. from

21/09/2026

HOW MUCH MILK DOES MY BABY NEED?

A newborn’s milk intake changes quickly during the first month—and small amounts in the beginning are completely normal!

🌸 DAY 1
Colostrum is produced in small amounts, often just a few mL per feed. It may look like “not enough,” but it is concentrated and perfectly suited to your newborn’s tiny stomach.

🌸 DAY 3
Milk volume starts increasing as colostrum transitions to mature milk. Your baby may still feed very frequently.

🌸 DAY 7
Milk intake continues to increase as your baby grows. Frequent breastfeeding—often 8–12 times in 24 hours—is expected.

🌸 1 MONTH
Your baby can take larger amounts per feeding, but there is no required number of mL that every breastfed baby must take.

💡 Remember:These numbers are average estimates, not feeding targets.

When breastfeeding directly, we don't measure every mL. Instead, we look at the signs that your baby is getting enough:

✔️ Effective latch and swallowing
✔️ Frequent feeds
✔️ Adequate wet diapers
✔️ Appropriate weight gain
✔️ Baby is generally alert and satisfied after feeds

❤️ Breastfeeding is responsive feeding. Your baby’s hunger and fullness cues are more important than making every feed reach a specific volume.

And if you're concerned about your baby's intake, a weight check and breastfeeding assessment can tell us much more than a number on a cup.

🤱🏻 Small stomach. Small beginnings. Big nourishment.

Every baby is unique. If you have concerns about milk intake or weight gain, consult your pediatrician or lactation consultant.

References:
• American Academy of Pediatrics. How to Tell if Your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk. HealthyChildren.org.
• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Clinical Protocol #3: Supplementary Feedings in the Healthy Term Breastfed Neonate.
• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Clinical Protocol #22: Guidelines for Management of Jaundice in the Breastfeeding Infant 35 Weeks or More of Gestation

20/09/2026

Lord, when worries come, make my heart steadfast and keep my trust in You alone. May Your peace guard me today. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a Blessed Sunday! 🙏

19/09/2026

PERSISTENT BREASTFEEDING PROBLEMS DESPITE TONGUE-TIE RELEASE RIGHT AFTER BIRTH

This is my 4-month-old patient I first seen in the clinic at 1 month-old due to falling on and off the breast and crying during breastfeeding. They were exclusively breastfeeding with 4/10 pain on the first latch. There were choking episodes, reflux every feeding, hiccups, back arching , snoring and head turning preference to right
On physical examination, he had a lip-tie and tongue-tie type 2 with tongue could be lifted midmouth and a sensitive gag reflex. During breastfeeding, mouth was narrow , larch was shallow with clicking sounds and fell on and off the breast. According to mom, patient underwent tongue-tie release right after birth. I advised them to do oral exercises and we will reassess in a few weeks if no improvement.

They followed up 3 weeks after and mom had recurrent clogged ducts and occasional breastfeeding pain . Patient still had reflux every feeding with occasional choking. We finally performed frenotomy of lip-tie and tongue-tie and advised to continue oral exercise and aftercare.

One week after frenotomy, there's no more breastfeeding pain but mom was still experiencing clogged ducts. There's no more choking episodes and head turning preference and reflux decreased to 3x a day and at smaller volume. He would fall on and off the breast but not crying anymore. There was slight reattachment of the tongue-tie and advised them to improve the aftercare and do tummy time. During breastfeeding, mouth was wide open with occasional clicking sounds.

One month post frenotomy, mom still experienced clogged ducts. Patient no longer fall on and off the breast. Tummy was done but tolerated for a short time. There's stills sensitive gag reflex hence leading to occasional clicking sounds during feeding. There good wound healing with no reattachment.

Two months post frenotomy, theybeere still exclusively breastfeeding and mom no longer experienced clogged ducts. Patient tolerated longer tummy time. There's slight sensitive gags reflex and very occasional clicking sounds during breastfeeding. Praise God 🙏

I encountered a number of babies with tongue-tie released at birth who continued to have breastfeeding problems due to different reasons. It could be an incomplete release which causes difficulty with latching. Sometimes the release is complete but without aftercare, reattachment can occur bringing back previous symptoms. Lastly, there could be an existing lip-tie that contributes to the problem.