Review

HUKM’s Pediatrics Playroom

Jul 16

1st word : WOW
2nd word : Bestnya
3rd word : 1 month stay pun ok, if playroom dier cam gini.. uhukkk

I never been in the hospital that have a big playroom fully occupied with everything that kids love. Normally, there only 1 big slide with finger-counted development toys provided. But at HUKM, its totally different. Keep on saying Wow and Bestnya and also give few idea how to organize always-messy Amirul’s toys at home. While Amirul keep telling me, “Mami, nanti amik Widad yer, Widad pun nak main playground gak”. Brotherly love

[1] 1/2 staffs will be in charge for this playroom. They can take care of your kid if you need to go somewhere else or settle hospital matters. They are well trained, so no need to worry to leave your kid there. I did and Amirul was happy there. She also responsible to handle the daily activities, clean the toys,

[2] Books and magazines , soft toys, push car, tv, tables and chair. All the items inside this playroom are donated by NGO and its very in tip top condition, well maintained and very clean. Look at the above photo. The playroom’s assistance cleaning the toys using wet cloth and with the help of tooth pick, to clean the smaller parts. She said this to me, when i stared at her with frown face. “Kena la bersih btl2 semua toys ni, karang budak2 masuk mulut, lambat sihat dorang ni. kesian tau.”

Soft Toys area

Plenty of books and magazines, comic to select

Activity area

Look at the toys, no wonder Amirul don’t want to go back to the ward

[3] Different activities will be held each day. Colouring contest, craft, mathematics,. The patients won’t get bored, will be entertain with the activities provided and fully occupied while being warded here. Not only the kids, mummy also have magazines, tv and piano to play as well. Both kids and parent are happy!!!!

happy face. He doesn’t know that he need to fasting before the surgery on the next day.
No foods and drink and make him understand what “puasa/fasting” is so much difficult than i ever thought.

Hafalan Shalat Delisa

Jan 24

OST Hafalan Shalat Delisa

Delisa a cheerful little girl, lived in a small village named Lhok Nga on the coast of Aceh, with 3 sisters and mother while her father is an oil tanker workers of an international oil company.

On December 26, 2004 morning, Delisa with Ummi was getting prepared for prayer exam when suddenly an earthquake has occurred. Ummi has promised Delisa with gold necklace if Delisa passed the exam. Unfortunately, while Delisa was performing her prayer exam, suddenly the tsunami struck, eradicate their small village, destroy their school, and washed away Delisa as well as hundreds of thousands of other in Aceh and other parts of the coast in Southeast Asia.

Delisa was rescued by a soldier named Smith, after days passed out on the rocky hill. Unfortunately, serious injuries makes Delisa’s right leg must be amputated. It makes soldier Smith wanted to adopt her, but Delisa’s father managed to find Delisa. Delisa happily reunited with her father, though sad to hear news of her sisters has died, and Ummi still not found.

Delisa has become a little angel who shared a laugh in every presence. Although it was heavy, Delisa has been taught how painful can be a force to keep pace. Although tears wont stop flowing, but Delisa trying to understand what it is sincere, doing something without expecting replies

‘Delisa love Ummi because of Allah’

[1] Its a simple movie but the way its convey the message its really good.

[2] Berbuat baik, dibalas baik, namun KEIKHLASAN adalah penting. Bukan semata-mata kerana hadiah atau balasan

[3] Filem yang penuh pengajaran dan keinsafan.

[4] Fully recommended

NOTE : Boleh ditonton di Astro First

KambingBujang.Com Videos at YouTube

Dec 29

KambingBujang’s Top Videos at YouTube

Medela FreeStyle : Sound of Medela FS’s Motor

Canon IXUS Review : Amirul be Ultraman – Slow Motion

Medela FreeStyle : Multitasking with Medela FS

Speech Therapy Diary : Amirul Audiology Test

Puss in Boots Movie Date with Kids

Nov 29

As widad is cat die hard fan,we had rewards her to watch puss in boots last Sunday

Overall,the movie:

(1) just nice.actually im quite dissapointed as im hoping for something that not only good entertainment for kids but adults as well.i am expecting something like kung fu panda 2.erhmm

(2) not much laughing part but the story line is good

(3) me and widad were sleeping when the goose come to the town looking for her child.tgh2 climax bleh lak tersleep.huhuh

(4) however,amirul enjoy the movie eventho his sister was sleeping soundly in the cinema.uhukss

(5) rating :2/5 – this is my opinion, dont feel offended with my view.

A Journey Through Pregnancy & Beyond Workshop : Communicating Effectively with Children

Jul 13

Communicating effectively with children

Having Amirul who facing speech delay problem is really tough job for me and Mr Hubby. Both of us struggling to teach him to speak. Sometimes its so stressful for us (Me, Mr Hubby & Amirul). But its no longer a stress situation after attended speech therapy session at Putrajaya Hospital.

According to Ms Rosmawati, effective communication with children requires communication style and behaviour appropriate to the age of child. The best parent-child relationships are characterized by a lots of positive communication and interaction on a regular basis about many different things. Do not communicate when there is a conflict. Don’t nag to your infant or toddler when there is a conflict, they don’t understand.

Different stage of age, different style of communication. That the important KEY to have successful communication with child. Infants communicate with gestures and sign languages while toddlers communicate with one/two word sentences. However, when you talk to your pre-schoolar, introduction of cause and effect is needed because they start to understand.

For speech delay children,there are few way to encourage them to communicate like :

Quick respond and predict their communicative effort can enhance their speech ability.
Expand on children one or two word communications and build sentences around their words [eg:Blue, your pants are blue]
A diary to record all their progression. [eg: record his new word, record his new task, record his activity]
One by one instructions [eg: Please put the ball under the table]
I LOOK, I SEE, I COMMENT [eg: describe for children what they are doing during play and let them have control]
Routines and practice. This is very important for them to understand and familiar with the new words

A Journey Through Pregnancy & Beyond Workshop : Nutrition for Stronger Child

Jun 30

Nutrition for Stronger Child by Ms Chang Sau Fun, Dutch Lady Nutritionist

A comprehensive talk by Ms Chang. Among the contents of her talk are :

Basic Personal Hygienic Practices for child
Physical Activities to maintain healthy lifestyle for child
Quality Sleeping Times which help child to grow strong and stay healthy
The importance of Nutritious Foods
Water is important for child
Benefits of Prebiotics & Probiotics for child

Parent needs to teach their child with basic personal hygiene like washing hands before meals, taking bath at least twice a day, always keep the fingernails short & clean and always wear covered shoes while playing outside. Beside that, a child also need sufficient sleep for their healthy growth. The amount of sleeping time reduce proportional to the age.

Having physical activities 3 times a week is highly recommended. Jump, run or swim with your child. Your child stay active and your can keep fit. However, don’t forget to ask you child to drink plenty of water. Water excrete the waste products from the body and maintain body temperature. Variety of foods which provide various of nutrients for child is very important. Balance foods can enhance child’s immunity system.

A Journey Through Pregnancy & Beyond Workshop : Child Development Milestone

Jun 29

The 1st talk was about child development milestones from Dr Rajini. The talk was very informative and interesting. Dr Rajini had mention about each child is an unique item and they have their on way to catch up new milestones. However, they are a range of time before they can categorize as delay. Knowing generic milestones helps identify children at risk of development problems.

They are factors which affect child development:

Genetics (eg: Speech delay)
Nutrition (eg : Obesity can be detrimental)
Health ( eg: Ear infection can affect hearing and hence speech
Environment: (eg: watching tv can affect child’s attention & learning of language)

One important key that Dr Rajini emphasis is NO tv for kids under 2 years old. Restrict them from watching tv by doing fun activities together. You can either ask them to join in your activities or you join them doing their activities. Its the parent-child interaction that stimulate child development.

Many research studies have done about the bad effects of watching tv among under 2 years old children. Instead of letting tv to babysit our kids, lets start doing activities together like; play hide and seek, story telling, coloring, etc.

“Pediatricians should urge parents to avoid television viewing for children under the age of 2 years. Although certain television programs may be promoted to this age group, research on early brain development shows that babies and toddlers have a critical need for direct interactions with parents and other significant caregivers (eg, child care providers) for healthy brain growth and the development of appropriate social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Therefore, exposing such young children to television programs should be discouraged.”(AAP Policy)

A Journey Through Pregnancy & Beyond Workshop : Teaser

Jun 28

Child Development Milestone Talk by Dr Rajini Sarvanantha,
Developmental Paediatrician, Sunway Medical Centre

Nutrition for stronger child Talk by Ms Chang Sau Fun
Nutritionist, Dutch Lady

Children communication skills talk by Ms Rosmawati
Speech Therapist

How to Play & Learn well by Ms Haslinda,
Mothercare

Why right brain education at early age by Wennie Sun,
Tweedle Wink

Lunch & Fashion show – Pregnancy & Children by Gingersnaps & Bobbi Brown

This workshop was held at Sime Darby Convention Centre. I was overwhelmed with new parenting knowledge from the expert and meeting new friends at the workshop. Wait for my date in another post!!

Hada Labo Retinol Range Are not Meant to me

Jun 09

Blemish face ; you can see red spots on my face, uneven skin colour, pigmantation

Sunburn effect from frequent swimming

Dry skin and wrinkles line at age of 28.

One Drop Restores Youthful Bounciness! The tagline for this product. After having 2 months of apa-nak-jadi-ngn -muka- aku syndrome, I bought Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming Lotion and Milk. I want to give a try since everyone’s raving about it. Good reviews from bloggers and users really make me tempted. I am easily influenced with people reviews about beauty skin products. huhuh. I have few brand in mind like Clinique, Excuviance, Bobby Brown, but end up Hada Labo because the price is affordable.

3 powerful anti-aging ingredients consist of; – Retinol Vitamin A to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, Collagen to improve skin’s elasticity(no need to do Botox) and Hada Labo’s signature ingredient –Super Hyaluronic Acid (SHA) to lock in intense hydration for an early start to wrinkle free, youthful and perfect skin

Hada Labo Retinol + Firming Lotion
I apply this lotion after cleansing. I put 3 magical drops on my fingertips and pat onto face. Pat..Pat..Pat then the lotion will absorb into the skin.

Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming Milk

I apply this milk twice a day after lotion. 3 drops of milk on my fingertips and pat onto the skin throughly absorbed. This milk is actually works as moisturizer on my face

My overall review after 3 weeks

Pros:

My face feels soft, supple and rejuvanate. Its really hydrate my dry face. So that my dry skin problem solve using this products
My dry skin feels firmer, denser and intensely revitalized.

Cons:

Solve dry skin problem raise another problem. Still with uneven skin but it’s worse. Its too obvious like panau. White spot on skin caused by fingal infection
Its moisturize my face but take time to fully absorb into the skin. Greasy look. (dah boleh wat goreng ikan dah)
Pores on my face become obvious
Irritation and itchy and red spots appear

NOTE : Is this temporary side effects or my face skin is adjusting with the product. Anyone having the same problems with me?? Saya yang risau.. :C

Update as 13/6/2011: I stop using this products. I’m giving out this lotion and milk for free, you only need to bare for postage fee. Do contact me if you interested. tQ

Update as 7/7/2011 : Item sold

Hada Labo my Saviour

May 23

Hado Labo Retinol Range

My savior after I’m having blemish face. Wait for my review after 2 weeks of use. So far its work wonder on my face. I love it!!!!

Foogo Food Jar My Outing Best Friend

Dec 09

Ever since Widad on solid, I become so excited about foods. Everyday with new recipe inventions, new gadget for Widad’s solid food to make Widad’s feeding time hassle free, and new tips for solid foods. I don’t feel like this during Amirul, maybe lack of information on natural parenting make me naive on breastfeeding and weaning process.

Talking about new gadget for Widad, I had bought Thermos Foogo Food Jar and I love it so much. It is my outing best friend since Widad only eat porridge instead of instant food like biscuit. A bit messy where I need to bring Amirul & Widad diaper bag that always full with diaper, extra clothes, toiletries, handkerchief, milk dispenser, flask, milk bottle etc. now I need to add Widad’s food jar. arrggg

However, with the small size container, bringing Widad’s food is no more trouble. Foogo food jar really convenient and the food remain hot for 5 up to hours and cold food can remain cold for 7 hours. Mummy happy, Widad pun senang hati kenyang .. huhkhuku

My review for this Foogo Food Jar:

Light weight, only 11 ounces
Wide mouth is easy to fill, serve from and clean. Can put foods up to 10 oz
The outside layer stays cool to the touch eventho putting hot food
Do not spill out the food if closed the lid correctly and tightly

Note : At this moment still no bad review, and hopeful this food jar would long lasting.

Tip to keep foods warm for longer time :

Pour some hot water into the food thermos and let it stand for a while

Pour the water out and immediately put hot food inside and close the lid.

For cold food, put the Thermos food jar in the fridge (empty or with the food) the night before.

My Breastfeeding Diary : My Medela Freestyle from eBay; eBay is a Hassle Free Market Place

Nov 30

All the while I’m using Medela Freestyle for 6 months plus,plenty of readers asked questions on Medela Freestyle. The questions vary from warranty of the FS,the adapter, postage cost to Malaysia, the sound of FS’s motor to after sales service of Medela. Here is answer for some of your doubt

Note : I bought Medela Freestyle from Ebay US. The price much cheaper from local price which is RM 1295 including postage.

Where can I buy Medela Freestyle that cheaper than local price??
The retail price local Malaysia market range from RM1699 – RM2299. The higher price from the local market, are the main reason why I bought Medela FS from eBay. It’s a hassle free market place that provides various type of products.

What happened to my warranty, if I bought Medela Freestyle Warranty from eBay
One thing that, if you bought Medela from Ebay, the warranty is void. However, worry not, there are local company that can do service for Medela breast pump. You can call them up for more details:

Lactaequip Medical (M) Sdn Bhd
03 42701128
Lot B2-M, Jln Selaman 1, Dataran Palma Off Jln Ampang,68000 Ampang Selangor

Note : I just called them, they will charge me RM160 for motor service..

How about the postage, insurance, custom?
I’d paid RM200 total for the courier service to send the FS all the way from US to my office door step. The Insurance is depend on the type of shipping. You can ask the seller to add insurance on the shipping, with additional fee. For tax and custom checking, some items are taxable, based on the price. However, ask the seller to tick on ‘item as gift’ and put ‘USD5′ on customs declaration form. I have bought over 100 item on eBay this year and have no problems with the custom.

Where can I buy Medela FS plug adapter
If you buy Medela FS from US, you need to buy new adapter to attach to Medela FS’s adapter. You can find the adapter at Tesco or Jusco shopping mall.

Is’it true that Medela Freestyle has noisy motor
Yes, FS’s motor quite noisy, however, its quieter compare to Medela Mini Electric. Nothing much to worry, I just turn on the music and start express breast milk just at my cubicle with smiley face without anyone notice that actually I’m expressing breast milk.

Read my review on Medela Freestyle here

Note : I’m happy to answer any questions, don’t hesitate to email me if above answer still don’t satisfy you..

Greedy Wolf at BigBadWolf

Nov 14

Greedy Wolf

Parenting books for Mummy&Daddy Wolf

Pregnancy books for Mummy Wolf (I’m not pregnant but its for future use)

Breastfeeding books for Mummy Wolf again!!!!

Non-fiction books for Daddy Wolf

Motivation books for Daddy Wolf

Activities & sticker books for Amirul Woofy

Baby books for Widad Woofy

Note : Most of this book worth only RM 5 – RM10. We spend RM 259 for all this books.

Below is the detail of the sale :
Big Bad Wolf Book sale
Venue : South City Plaza, Sri Kembangan
Date : until 17 Nov 2011
Still got 3 days to go, go and grab your books now!!!!!

Update on Monday:

Baby books for Fazillah. but Bath Baby is for Widad Woofy

Non-fiction books for Daddy Wolf

Parenting book for Mummy Wolf

Self motivation book for Mummy Wolf again!!!

Activities book for Amirul Woofy

My Breastfeeding Diary : Medela Harmony and Expressed Breast Milk (EBM) Result

Jul 14

Besides Medela Freestyle (FS), I have manual breast pump (Medela Harmony) as back up or for emergency use. This Medela Harmony really help me to relieve breast engorgement every time I go outing without Widad or when penyakit malas saya datang (reluctant to assemble my FS breast shield body). Basically this easy-to-assemble pump was use at home or short trip without Widad. Alhamdullilah, the result is quite encouraging.

My review for this Medela Harmony

Pro

Simple (less assessories to assemble; swivel handle, breast shield body and soft fit flanges)
No sound
Easy to use and it fits most standard bottles
Five minutes to take it apart, wash it, and reassemble it

Con

Numb hands aka lenguh tangan (Mothers susceptible to carpal-tunnel syndrome from repetitive hand motions)
Time consuming – 20mins for each breast; approximately I will get 4oz. So for both breast, approximately you need 40mins..waaaa its not good choice to use at office.
The soft fit flanges cup can change to yellowish colour when wash with hot water and bottle cleanser

4.5oz for 20mins session

More info on Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, click here

Note : This is my sister-in-law pump that she lend me until this dec, so I need to find new ones. How about Avent ISIS manual??? any review about this pump .. Do drop any comment or review about AVENT ISIS at my comment box.. tQ

My Breastfeeding Diary : Medela FreeStyle’s Breastshield body & Milk Bottle Compatibility

Jul 06

Besides noisy sound from Medela Freestyle motor, this breastpump also is not milk-bottle-friendly (ader ke perkataan camni). What I mean is, Medela Freestyle’s breastshield compatibility with other milk bottle. I’d used 3 brands of milk bottles to pump Widad’s milk; Medela, Mom Little Ones, and Bumble Bee.

Comparison between Medela , Mom Little Ones and Bumble Bee bottle with Medela’s breastshield body:

Number of ring
Medela - 3 ring circle
Mom Little Ones (MLO) – 2 ring circle
Bumble Bee – 3 ring circle

Milk bottle security with Medela’s breastshield body
Medela – off course secure, no leaking and no twisted back
Mom Little Ones (MLO) – loose, 2 to 3 times and leaking occurr. If you tighten tightly the bottle’s ring, there are tendency to twisted back.
Bumble Bee – tighter and secure compare to MLO
Ranking from tighter to loosen – Medela , Bumble Bee, MLO

Sealing Disc
Medela – no sealing disc
Mom Little Ones – have sealing disc, sometimes its snaps tightly to screw cap sometimes its not
Bumble Bee – similar with Mom Little ones
Disadvantage when there is sealing disc, the breastmilk is highly expose to contamination if the disc is come off from screw cap.

Pricing
Medela – expensive (RM69/3pc = RM23/pc)
Mom Little Ones – moderate (RM39/6 = RM6.50/pc)
Bumble Bee – the cheapest (RM30.90/6pc = RM 5.15/pc)

Convenient to feed baby
Medela – As my Medela bottle do not have sealing disc, I need to take off the lid and put the collar ring with teat.
Mom Little Ones – You need to take off the sealing disc and put the teat
Bumblee Bee – similar to Mom Little ones
As for me, i think Medela bottle is more convenient and less contamination because you just need to take off the lid and put the collar ring with teat whilst MLO and Bumble Bee, contamination is likely to happen.

Note : Its is recommended to use Medela bottle when pump the breastmilk and use other brand as storage bottle.

My Breastfeeding Diary : Medela FreeStyle Breastpump and Expressed Breastmilk

Jun 02

After 3 day of Widad’s birth, my breast milk flow like a waterfall (betul ke perumpamaan ni). After 3day of stressful day of few breast milk, now my milk were produce efficiently until my breast engorge and I need to pump out to avoid breast engorgement. I’d used Medela Freestyle Breast pump and so far I satisfied with it (kalu tak satisfied pun still kena satisfied sbb harga dier mahal ooo).

This is my review on Medela Freestyle Breast pump
Pros

Portable and mobile – I can walk around the house and do other works while pumping
Hand free – I can write this blog post, reading, chatting while pumping, huhuh

Multitasking Mummy..huhuhuh

Skype with Mr Hubby and Amirul plus pumping time

Double electric pump – Quick and reduce time to express the breast milk

Approximately 3.5oz for 30mins pumping session

Small motor size- A palm size motor is very convenience to hold
Lightweight – Easy to carry
Rechargeable battery – Convenient and flexible to use when power source is unavailable

Its Widad’s drink time. So one side for Widad and another side for Medela Freestyle. Don’t waste even a drop.
Pump on my bed, anywhere everywhere..

Timer – I can easily know how long I’ve been pumping without looking at the clock

Cons

Cost – Quiet pricey compare to other brand
Noisy motor – Sound like lawn mover.. huhuuh

A palm size motor with noisy sound.
The hand free kit accessories are complicated to use and take few minutes to attach

Expressed Breast milk
Alhamdulillah, currently I managed to pump out at least 2oz – 4oz of breast milk per session. Normally my pumping session are early in the morning around 6am and before go to sleep at 11pm. I’m using zip lock liner to store my breast milk. Its to minimize the fridge space usage as currently I’m staying at MIL’s house and travel back to Kelantan.

Each stock was labeled with date, time and Widad’s name

Note : Besides its noisy motor, i loves everything about Medela freestyle

For Medela Freestyle user, do join this forum to share your experience using FS breast pump or you can just leave your comment box. : D

Breastfeeding Lesson : Working without Weaning Part 2

Apr 07

Continuation from Working without weaning Part 1, Part 2 emphasising on common concern for 1st 6 months of you baby’s life. This chapter basically on the difficulties breastfeed mummy would face during 1st 6 months being a nursing mother.

Finding Support

Supports from family especially husband, relatives, friends and colleagues is really make working and pumping much easier. Internet also can be source of information about breastfeeding beside support group.

This book gave list of lactation counselor and support group outside Malaysia. Below is the list of support group or lactation counselor that you can contact if you having / facing problem in Malaysia:

Pn Farah from Sara Kids
Pn Suraya from Lunatots
Pn Rita Rahayu from Nurturing Concepts SB
Pn Vivian Foo from Fabulous Mom
Pn Zatul Hijanah from Baby&Me

Nutriweb
Persatuan Penasihat dan Pakar Laktasi Malaysia
Breastfeeding.com
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action

Common Concerns in the 1st 6 months

Photo by : hypnosisdevon.co.uk

Troubleshooting supply issue

You pump your milk, not only once, but twice and for 30 minutes, however, only few drop of milk come out. You feel stress and lost confident in nursing your baby exclusively??? That the normal problem facing by breastfeed mummy and you are not alone. There are few factors contribute to this problems such as : stress, illness, decongestants/cold, return of menstrual cycles, birth control pills consuming. Read below tips to fix the supply problem and try which one is the best for you

Take a nursing holiday

Take yourself and baby to bed and set up a nursing station. Spend a few days nursing entirely on demand, let our body rest from stresses of work and sleep when your baby is sleeping. Just imagine yourself during confinement period. Stress-free and relax !!!!!

Nurse More

The more you nurse your baby, the more your milk will be produces. Remember Demand Vs Supply Concept

Don’t overfeed at day care centre

Talk to your care provider to feed your baby when they hungry; depend on feeding cues. Yes, in real world care providers are very busy people and underpaid, however be gracious, buy gifts, and be friend with them to show that you really appreciate their hard works. And in return, they would take care our baby nicely.

Pacifiers can help overfeeding your baby

You baby loves to suck and your care provider thought that they hungry. To avoid this wrong assumption, maybe you can introduce pacifier to your baby. If after giving pacifier, your baby stop crying, meaning they just need to suck instead of hungry. However only used pacifier at day care centre not when your baby with you. To keep your milk supply, you should nurse as much as possible when both of you are together.

Reduce bottle need at the beginning and end of the day

Nurse your baby when you drop-off and fetch them. So that, less bottle feeding session and more direct feeding session would occur. When more direct feeding session happen, your milk supply will boost up.

Pump more often

You either add a morning pump session or before bed. Prolactin level are higher in the morning and many mummy reported their pumping output is the best if they pump in the morning. Or you can choose to pump before bed or during the night.

Tandem Pump

Nurse your baby on one side and pump on the other side of breasts.

Power Pumping

A power pumping session simulates a baby lolling at the breast for a long time and should result in a boost in supply within few days.

Milk booster Diet/ supplements

Galactogogues & herbs – Substances that cause an increase in milk production and supply. Eg: Oatmeal, B vitamins, Fenugreek; side effects : increase anti-coagulant effect of warfarin, exacerbate asthma. Alfalfa : high in Vits B & K

Overfeeding at daycare

How to avoid overfeeding

Find out how your care provider is soothing your baby. Crying doesn’t mean baby is hungry. Just remind them about feeding cues.
Use the slowest flow nipples teat.
Never let your care provider to encourage to finish a bottle once baby stopped sucking. Un-finished bottle can be re-use.
Send slightly smaller amounts in bottles.

Help.. I’m so forgetful about my…

Bottles

You can substitutes with any bottle that can fix with your pump flanges. eg: Mineral water bottle

Ice packs

If you forgotten to bring your ice pack, store the breast milk in the office’s fridge or just buy ice and put into your cooler bag

Pump
Use your hand as a pump or keep one manual pump at your office as back up.

The 6 months slump
Your baby now 6 months old and started to eat solid foods. At the same time, your milk production decrease and your freezer stash is your option instead of fresh milk. It’s common enough and here is among the factor contributing to a supply drop :

Baby’s 6 months growth spurt – crawling, rolling, etc
Return of menstrual cycles
Baby is learning to move – they actively move here and there
Mummy’s schedule – you started to be full speed at work just like before you had a baby
Less taking care of yourself – lack of protein and water for milk production
The Supermummy syndrome – you juggling between house works and office works
Dieting – started to get back pre-pregnancy weight
Supplementing from freezer stash

How to overcome above problem????

Try not supplement more from your freezer stash
Take care of yourself – Eat healthy diet, stress- free, relax
Start solid food
Add pumping session
Nurse as much as possible in the evenings and nights.

Smart Supplementing
Choosing a formula milk
Do not buy in bulk or in big packing. Maybe you can have few sample and try to your baby, so that you know which milk your baby prefer.

Note : I need to continue this book for Part 3, keep reading mummy !!!

Breastfeeding Lesson : Working without Weaning Part 2

Apr 07

Finding Support

Pn Farah from Sara Kids
Pn Suraya from Lunatots
Pn Rita Rahayu from Nurturing Concepts SB
Pn Vivian Foo from Fabulous Mom
Pn Zatul Hijanah from Baby&Me

Nutriweb
Persatuan Penasihat dan Pakar Laktasi Malaysia
Breastfeeding.com
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action

Common Concerns in the 1st 6 months

Photo by : hypnosisdevon.co.uk

Troubleshooting supply issue

Take a nursing holiday

Nurse More

The more you nurse your baby, the more your milk will be produces. Remember Demand Vs Supply Concept

Don’t overfeed at day care centre

Pacifiers can help overfeeding your baby

Reduce bottle need at the beginning and end of the day

Pump more often

Tandem Pump

Nurse your baby on one side and pump on the other side of breasts.

Power Pumping

A power pumping session simulates a baby lolling at the breast for a long time and should result in a boost in supply within few days.

Milk booster Diet/ supplements

Overfeeding at daycare

How to avoid overfeeding

Find out how your care provider is soothing your baby. Crying doesn’t mean baby is hungry. Just remind them about feeding cues.
Use the slowest flow nipples teat.
Never let your care provider to encourage to finish a bottle once baby stopped sucking. Un-finished bottle can be re-use.
Send slightly smaller amounts in bottles.

Help.. I’m so forgetful about my…

Bottles

You can substitutes with any bottle that can fix with your pump flanges. eg: Mineral water bottle

Ice packs

If you forgotten to bring your ice pack, store the breast milk in the office’s fridge or just buy ice and put into your cooler bag

Pump
Use your hand as a pump or keep one manual pump at your office as back up.

Baby’s 6 months growth spurt – crawling, rolling, etc
Return of menstrual cycles
Baby is learning to move – they actively move here and there
Mummy’s schedule – you started to be full speed at work just like before you had a baby
Less taking care of yourself – lack of protein and water for milk production
The Supermummy syndrome – you juggling between house works and office works
Dieting – started to get back pre-pregnancy weight
Supplementing from freezer stash

How to overcome above problem????

Try not supplement more from your freezer stash
Take care of yourself – Eat healthy diet, stress- free, relax
Start solid food
Add pumping session
Nurse as much as possible in the evenings and nights.

Smart Supplementing
Choosing a formula milk
Do not buy in bulk or in big packing. Maybe you can have few sample and try to your baby, so that you know which milk your baby prefer.

Note : I need to continue this book for Part 3, keep reading mummy !!!

Breastfeeding Lesson : Working without Weaning – Part 1

Mar 31

Working without Weaning

Info about this book :

Title : Working without Weaning – A working mother’s guide to breastfeeding

Author : Kirsten Berggrren

ISBN # : 978 -0- 9772268 -6 – 3

After finished reading this is book, the thought of sharing about its contents with the mummy is a MUST. This book is very useful and informative for every single things that mummy should know about the challenges of combining breastfeeding and a full-time job. This book gives you tips, advice from experienced mothers who had being through all the breastfeeding processes and work full-time. This book contained 12 chapters which I will concise into 2 blog posts.

Before Baby is Born

Breastfeeding is like battling. You need to do preparation and get ready. Its come naturally, nevertheless, lack of information, supports, etc may lead to unsuccessful journey of breastfeeding; just like me. So get ready for the battle by; taking a breastfeeding class, find a lactation consultant, choose a breastfeeding friendly pediatrician that support breastfeeding, be around with breastfeeding before your baby is born by making friends with successful breastfeed mummy, get the support from relatives or closest friends, make a ‘birth plan’ – breastfeed your baby clearly to your nurses, gynea and family, lastly choosing a day care centre that can handle or have experience with breastfeed baby.

Breastfeeding Basics

Breastfeed should come naturally, that what most people claim. However, to make it smooth without facing problems is impossible if we lack of knowledge. What is the breastfeeding basics that we should know? :

Latching technique (the way how baby attaches to our nipple) :

Photo by : Health.com

Feeding frequency

Depend on feeding cues and you just do it when it’s time.

Problems rise to breastfeed mummy

Sore spots/breast lumps – Cause by plug/clog duct; Treatment – Compress with hot towel and massage gently over the sore spot until the pain is relief
Mastitis – Sore spot begins to turn red followed by flu-like symptoms.; Treatment – Prescriptions from doctor, nurse the baby more often
Sore nipples – Incorrect latching technique; Treatment – Learn correct latching technique
Nipple crack & bleeding – Faulty latch is cause of crack. Treatment : Continues feeding, put a little express milk on nipple after each feeding session and dry them.

Demand & Supply Concept

The more the baby sucks(demand) at your breast, the more milk will be produce by our body(supplier). Easy concept to understand plus key and vital point to remember about breastfeeding.

Setting Goals

How long you want to breastfeed your baby? [1] Make a plan that realistic for you after considering your nature of work, pumping sessions, etc. [2] Start your goal with exclusively breastfeed your baby for 2 months (confinement period). Within the time, [3]do pump your breast milk for next 2 months after you return to work. If seem your goal is working, then continue to another 2 months and you are finally & exclusively breastfeed your baby without any formula supplement. Achieving the targeted goals is a lot more satisfying than striving for a goal that’s way off from horizon.

Starting Pumping & bottles

Breast pump is a devices to help us expressing the breast milk. It can either be manual or electric, single pump or double pump, expensive or cheap and its all depend on you which breast pump you’d preferred. Read my post on how to choose a breast pump.

Pumping basics

Start to express you breast milk during confinement period. It can be as early as 2 weeks after delivery where you breast start to engorge and you have oversupply milk and the latest is 2 weeks before you return back to work.

When to pump and how often???

Pump for every missed nursing session. Stocking up your express breast milk is good but its not all necessary. Fresh breast milk is the best compare to freezer stash. For day-to-day pumping, its recommended to pump directly into the bottles and send those bottles to daycare the next day. If you have extra from the pumping session after putting aside for next day use, you can pour it into storage bags for freezer stash.

Expressed Breast milk(EBM) storage.

EBM @ room temperature – up to 8hours

EBM @ refrigerator – 3 days

EBM @ freezer compartment – 3 months

Combining milk pumped is allow with term and conditions.

Fresh milk + refrigerated milk = YES

Refrigerated + frozen = YES

Warm milk + frozen = NO

Heating EBM

Heat EBM under running warm water, in a dish or warm water or in bottle warmer. Don’t shake it hard, as this will break down the living immune cells and proteins. DO NOT microwaving the EBM. Its OK to reheat and reuse unfinished bottle – but just once.

Frozen EBM

Frozen EBM should be thaw 1st and use it within 24hours. Thaw EBM should only be heated once. If power failure happened to you, don’t get panic; your milk still safe by keep the freezer door shut and don’t be tempted to open it. The milk will stay frozen much longer if it’s close.

When to use freezer stash??

Fresh milk is far preferable compare to frozen milk due to immune properties. However, freezer stash is needed in certain circumstances; after 6months where your milk supply started to reduce, when you are away from baby for days. How to rotate the freezer stash with fresh milk?If your baby drink 6 bottles daily at day care centre, combine 1 bottle of freezer stash with 5 bottles of fresh milk.

You 1st days Back at Work

Baby’s feeding schedule

What is your baby’s feeding schedule once you return back to office?? 6 times??? 8 times?? Do maximize your breastfeeding session by feed your baby in the morning once they wake up, feed your baby when you drop him off, ask your care provider to feed baby on cue only and feed baby once you pick him. When your bottle-feeding is less, your body will produce more milk (demand & supply concept) and less your pumping session. What a big relief..

Pumping sessions

Below is the recommendation pumping session:

1st pump session – once you arrived at office or 10 am

2nd pump session – 12 noon (lunchtime)

3rd pump session – 4 pm

Pumping Technique at work

RELAX, Do not peeking at the bottles and counting how much you get from your pumping session, look at the photo of you baby and pump directly into the bottles.

NOTE : There is another 6 chapters to go. Do keep reading as the 2nd part of this chapter is more deal with breastfeeding arrangement after your started working.