Johnson's Baby Giving Bath Time at Virlanie

Did you know that more than just starting the day fresh, and then washing off the day's dirt and grime,  your kids' bath time can be so much more? 

Studies have shown that sensorial stimulation is critical to a child's happy, healthy development. Of course, bath time is one ritual where all sensory activities come into play. 

They hear us as we talk and sing to them, and as gushing water from the tap collects around them.

They take in the scent of their shampoo and body wash, as they gleefully splash around in the tub.

They try to catch and pop bubbles as you shampoo their hair to a lather. Getting moisturized after, and being buffed and puffed with powder before getting dressed, it's the stuff childhood memories are made of. 

But more than fun stuff, what we do during bath time also happen to impact many aspects of our children's lives - from their mood and alertness to body weight and bone mass, and even how they will learn and fare in school as well as socialize with others.

Given this, imagine how much more kids who grow up in orphanages need all the hugs, massages, and multi-sensorial bathing experiences they can get.

So when Johnson's Baby invited my mommy friends and I to join them in a Virlanie home in Makati, for a bath time tutorial with the caregivers, of course I said yes!

Virlanie Foundation which runs the home we went to, was established in 1992 by Dominique Lemay, a French social worker, with the help of his Filipino friends.  

Virlanie cares for children in need of special protection - those who are among the poorest of the poor, the abandoned, abused, exploited, neglected, and orphaned.  

Through its various programs and services such as housing, education, health and family reunification/adoption/independent living among many, the children are given a chance for a better future, by "giving back their smiles". 

I would like to think that in our own little ways, the moms and the good folks from Johnson's Baby brought smiles to the kids, and their caregivers that day.

Ate Myrna and company taught the caregivers of Virlanie how to bathe their alagas

We were joined by three midwives from the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP), headed by Ate Myrna, to teach the caregivers how to bathe their newborn, baby and a toddler wards. Watch these newborn, infant and toddler bathing videos, so you can learn too!

To recap, here are some highlights I've learned from watching the midwives demonstrate how to bathe a newborn, infant and toddler:

Newborn:

- Bath time helps calm baby and give him a sense of security, thanks to swaddle bathing! I didn't know that newborns can be swaddled while bathing too.  Apparently, swaddle bathing helps the baby feel more secure in the water. They stay warmer, with less risk of sudden drops in temperature, and promotes a calm and stress-free experience for them. Kind of like still being in a uterine environment.

- Before immersing baby, make sure to swirl the water so there are no hotspots.

- Gently cleanse around your baby's eyes with a cotton pad dampened with clean, warm water. Use a new cotton pad for each eye and always wipe from the inside corner of the eye outward. Then, using a soft washcloth, wipe around your baby's mouth, nose and whole face, working from the middle outward. Wipe the creases in her neck and don't forget behind her ears! 

- For younger babies, wet a baby washcloth with warm water and use a gentle cleanser formulated for babies, like JOHNSON'S® baby HEAD-TO-TOE® wash. If your baby has more hair, you might try a gentle shampoo, like JOHNSON'S® baby shampoo. 

- Wash the diaper area last and always wash from front to back. 

- Let your baby take a few moments in the bath to enjoy the warm water. Pour cupfuls of water over her body to keep her warm.

- After drying baby, seal moisture with lotion and then pat with powder.

Infant:

- Bath time is more than just cleaning, it's also a way to excite his senses. 

- Baby graduates from using cotton pads on the face, to washing face using cloth. 

Toddler:

- They can finally use Johnson's Baby Cologne after patting on powder!

Meanwhile, us moms did our bit, by sharing our ideas on how the caregivers can connect with kids. Conci Navarro demonstrated a Hi-5 dance, Michelle Aventajado taught them some yoga moves that they can do with the bigger kids, Jen Chua Caedo Tan taught them how to use a baby sling and highlighted how it can help them care for multiple kids at once, while I shared with them the benefits of reading to children, and finished off by reading an excerpt from one of my all time favorite books, Aesop's Fables.

We spent our entire morning and lunch time at Virlanie, talking to the caregivers, listening to their stories, playing with the kids, and just giving them little ones as many hugs and attention as they wanted. 

While our hearts were bleeding for these tiny beings who have already gone through difficulties early in life, and deserve so much more, we left their home secure in the knowledge that they are cared for and loved by their caregivers as if they were their own. They have found a safe place in Virlanie, and that in itself is something to celebrate and not be sad about.

I would say, we went to Virlanie thinking we were going to teach and share something of ourselves, but instead, we left learning so much from them. Two lessons stood out for me:

1)  Happiness in simple things. Their home was devoid of the comforts we are all accustomed to, their meals and snacks are basic at best, we did not come bearing lavish gifts, but the children and their caregivers were happy to see us, greeted us with curiosity, if not shy smiles, or beaming faces. One does not need a lot to be happy. To live in a home where one is cared for and treated with kindness is in itself a blessing.

2) The power of touch. The children of Virlanie are lucky to be raised in an environment where they are looked after by women who are caring and good natured. It was obvious to us that they were truly concerned about the children and did not hold back in showering them with hugs and affection. They didn't mind having the kids climbing all over them, two or three at a time.

And maybe this is why most of the children at Virlanie are outgoing, sociable and yes, happy and healthy. 

Touch is #SoMuchMore
For the most touch-deprived Filipino babies, every touch means #SoMuchMore. Watch the story of how the caregivers in Virlanie Foundation become mothers with every touch.

For more about Virlanie Foundation, visit www.virlanie.org and Like the Virlanie Facebook page.

For more on Johnson's Baby visit www.johnsonsbaby.com.ph and Like the Johnson's Baby Philippines Facebook page.

Play for Real with Johnson's Baby

With my friends Cai, Jackie, Didi and Pam at the Johnson's Play for Real event

Can you tell which of the moms above are guilty of iPad parenting? Ok fine, it may just be me. Ahihihi. 

But sometimes, it's just too easy. I make them sit down, tinker about with an educational app, watch a toy review on YouTube, or play a game, and they're so quiet right away. How can I not? Especially when there's a ton of things I have to do, handing over my phone or iPad always seems like a good idea. Yes, even if I know it's not the best thing keep them preoccupied. Woe is me.

I do let them play for real of course. I have noticed in fact that they don't need expensive toys and gadgets to keep them happy. Hand over some empty bottles and boxes, and they'll figure out creative ways to play with them. Xavi gets a box and turns it into a house. Berry converts my discarded eye serum bottle with a dropper into a doll's feeding bottle.

Berry and Xavi found this box at S&R and pretended it was their house 

And this is the sort of "playing" that Johnson's Baby advocates. 

My UP Econ schoolmate Trina Tanlapco, who is now the Associate Marketing Director for Johnson's Baby, spearheaded the Play for Real campaign, because they want to remind parents that playtime is a time for learning, and that what seems like an ordinary activity, can actually mean so much more for our kids.

discarded bottles can turn into squirt guns, rocket ships, a coin bank, and more, with just a little bit of imagination

And when Johnson's Baby says, "Play!", we're talking the full sensory experience - because children learn more when their sense of sight, touch, smell, hearing and taste are activated and enhanced. 

Apparently, when the different senses get stimulated in activities during play, the neurons and brain connections are formed better, making kids more receptive to learning. They develop their fine motor, language, cognitive and social skills. It fosters creativity, while learning different concepts and preparing them for bigger challenges. There's a lot going on, in what may seem like regular playing.

Sight: When was the last time your kid played with leaves and twigs? I remember playing with leaves and twigs as a kid, mixing it with water in an toy clay pot my Lola bought for me.

Taste: How do unpopped corn kernels taste like? I wouldn't be surprised if at least one curious kid popped a kernel in his mouth, heehee

Smell: Coffee grounds! Like soil, but smells so much better!

Feel: slipper, bubbly, soapy ducks!

Hearing: Can you hear the sound of dripping water? Gushing water? Water coming from 6 different faucets?

Just take a look at the pleased look on Xavi's face when he managed to unearth a coin using a magnet...

Priceless! I've never seen him do that while playing on the iPad!

In fact, the entire time our kids were immersed in sensory play, I've never had them come up to me asking for my phone, or complaining that they were bored!

They had a grand time scooping corn kernels.

Getting wet with a garden hose.

Filling up empty plastic bottles of Johnson's Baby top to toe wash and gleefully splashing it onto their friends.

Making colorful artwork using not just paint brushes, but also sponges, and even their bare hands and feet.

In fact, just as we were about to leave, Berry made one last request to go inside a giant bubble.

I've forgotten how playing the old-fashioned way can be so much fun! It was amazing how my kids and their friends spent a good 3 hours outdoors, tirelessly playing under the sun, without any complaints. I really should give them more time outside, getting sweaty and dirty, playing with sticks, stones, leaves and mud, running through the garden hose, and scribbling with chalk on the driveway, like the kids of my generation used to.  

For more on Johnson's Baby and the Play for Real campaign,  visit the Johnson's Baby Facebook page. Now watch what real play can do for our kids:

Meet the Miracle Duo from Olay Regenerist

Here’s my Mom with my Dad. Everything I learned about beauty, I got from her.

But her concept of beauty is different. It’s the French kind. We don’t have a drop of French blood, but it has always been her kind of thing, you know what I mean? 

She is never one to put makeup on, but she is serious about skin care. Boy is she serious about skin care. Creams and all that. She swears by Oil of Olay, or just Olay, as we younger ones call it. 

The effects are pretty obvious though right? Her hair may be salt and pepper, but her face is virtually unlined. For a woman in her mid-60s, this is no mean feat. I mean, look at me, I’m two years shy of 40 and my crow’s feet should be hiding in shame next to hers. 

I guess what I’m driving at is, we should all be serious about skin care. The rewards outweigh the time and effort we invest in religiously applying serums and creams at night. We don’t want to be 60 and thinking, “OMG I should have have started a skin care regimen when I was much younger.” 

If you think anti-aging skin care is something you shouldn’t be worrying about now, well you better know that French women start their anti-aging regimen at 25 years old. 

Make no excuses, any 25 year old can definitely afford the Miracle Duo from Olay Regenerist.

The Pre-Essence is Php999 at the Microsculpting Cream is Php1299

The Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence is the latest trend in Asian skin care. The Pre-Essence is meant to jump-start your skin care regimen with just a drop, regenerating millions of cells and boosting surface cell metabolism to levels comparable to younger skin. 

Where does it go into your skin care regimen you ask? Just apply it after cleansing and drying your face, in the morning and before retiring at night. 

Once absorbed, it is best used with Olay’s award-winning Regenerist Micro-sculpting Cream. 

Together with the Pre-Essence it becomes a Miracle Duo that brings: 

1. 2X key active penetration into the epidermis; 

2. Skin that looks up to 10 years younger. 

And isn’t that what women want? 

Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-essence is exclusively available at Lazada.com.ph/Olay.

Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream is available in Lazada, leading drugstores, department stores, and supermarkets. 

P.S. I’ve been using SK-II (another amazing skin care product from P&G) since I was 26 and I cannot stress enough how using the SK-II Facial Treatment and Cellumination Essence with the moisturizing cream has helped me look much younger than my current 38 (fine, going on 39). But why spend a fortune on SK-II when there’s the Miracle Duo from Olay Regenerist ;)

Certified Organic Pulpe de Vie at Rustan's Beauty Source

If I were to judge a skincare product solely by its packaging, then I can almost taste the freshness of French skincare brand Pulpe de Vie. One look and I get images of bright Provençal sun-ripened fruits and an overall wholesome, all-natural appeal.

I kind of want to flip open a cap and squirt the Luscious Glow Body Milk straight into my mouth, then chase it down with a tube of Kiss Me lip gloss.

But more than bright, cheerful, almost scrumptious packaging, Pulpe de Vie's face and body products really do deliver the goods, in all its certified organic goodness.

• Fresh. All Pulpe de Vie products are made from fresh and organic fruit and vegetables from the Mediterranean area and directly purchased from local producers. Which means, less carbon footprint as no fruits were transported from afar  
• Allergen-Free. Formulated with fruit water, which is full of active ingredients and whose flavoring properties make it possible to replace the use of essential oils, Pulpe de Vie's formulation is soft on the skin and free of allergy risks. And yes! Safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women!
• Natural. Coloring agents are natural ochres from the villages of Luberon, also in the South of France
• ECOCERT Certified. Not tested on animals, no GMO, no silicones, no parabens, no fragrances or synthetic coloring agents, no phenoxyethanols, no PEG.  

In true MFO fashion, I tried on three of Pulpe de Vie's nine products myself, and they are nothing short of delightful.

The Kiss Me Lipgloss, made with prickly pears, lavander honey, bee's wax, olive oil and vitamin E, tastes like fruit-flavored olive oil. It truly feels all-natural, and not sticky, as most lip glosses tend to feel like fly paper on my lips. The color is as natural as can be. It looks dark in the tube but comes out to just enhance the natural color of my lips.

The citrus-y, berry delicious grapefruit/blackcurrant scent of the Luscious Glow Moisturizing Body Milk can really perk up your day. I suggest you save your thicker body creams for evening, and just slather this on in the morning after a shower. It's a very light, milky lotion. I like using it as a hand moisturizer too. I'd rub my hands together with it, and then cup my face to take in the scent. Transports me to a happy, sunshine-y place everytime, I swear.

Anti-ageing need not be so serious with Amant de Soir/Love Me Tonight Anti-Ageing Night Cream. 99% natural and 56.2% organic, it is made with a fruit cocktail of raspberry, fig water, blackcurrant, lime-tree leaves and prickly pear oil. It also contains 3 anti-ageing ingredients: beech buds (anti-wrinkle), hyaluronic acid (moisturizing) and hydroxyproline (restructuring). While I was initially put off by the thick, rich consistency (I've stopped using La Mer in Manila because it was too thick) and would only apply it on my neck and jaw area, since I figured these were safe zones that would benefit from a rich cream, I decided to try it on my face, and OMG, it just seemed to melt into my face. It was not greasy at all. It does have a slightly spicy scent, but hello, I've happily used Dr. Perricone on my face, which smells like fish. Fishy vs. Spicy? I have no complaints.

About Pulpe de Vie:

Pulpe de Vie was started in 2009 by a then 33 year old Julie Ducret, whose love for adventure and enthusiasm for life took her all over the world. She eventually went back home and moved to the South of France to do what she always wanted - start a business which reflected her own values: respect, quality, joy, simplicity and sustainable living. The result as we know, is Pulpe de Vie.

Today, Pulpe de Vie is available across France, and at select beauty shops in the US, Japan and the Philippines and remains a 100% French firm, where everything from production to packaging is still done in France.

In the Philippines, Pulpe de Vie is available at Rustan's, The Beauty Source.