Breast milk

I'm totally support breastfeeding ... but due to my working condition, I'm only manage breast-feed my baby for 2 months only. Is not a good excuse but sometimes is really depend on the situation.

I encourage my friends - especially to those 1st time mother - always breastfeed their baby as long as she can.  Actually breastfeed is not a difficult task, you shall feel happy when you breastfeed your baby.

During confinement, with the help of a lady (we called here confinement lady), who is helping doing all the housework and cooking. I manage to breastfeed my baby and having enough rest.  Confinement lady actually helps a lot during that period. In traditionally, mother cannot do many things during this period. A lady will come to help you to do housework. Of course, have to pay to the lady .... no FOC ...unless your own family member helps you.

Breast-milk, is good for baby.  It helps build up baby immune system by naturally. Some people said: "Breast-milk clear like water, baby will feel hungry more faster than formula milk". I have read through and study said is SAME. No matter you feed breast-milk or formula milk, there is no changes for the baby.  Baby need to be feed in every 2 to 3 hours according to their grow-up chart.

People said "baby will sleep longer if feed formula milk at night" ... Study said: "breast-milk or formula milk having the same affect also."  

I remember my baby boy drink around 4oz when he was 0 - 2 months old.  Yes, he drink breast milk that time. After my breast milk getting less, I have to change him to formula milk.  That time, still the same, every 3 hours drink around 4oz.

I fully breast feeding my baby during the confinement period, and I didn't mixed with formula milk. Sometimes, I still feel my breast full of "supply" but my baby is full. So, I pump it out and store at refrigerator. The breast milk can be stored in refrigerator up to 36 hours.  If you store inside the freezer,  it can last up to 3 months. But some study said it may last 3 to 5 days in refrigerator and up to 6 months in freezer. Never never refrigerator back unfinished milk. If my baby cannot finish the milk at that time, I will discard the milk. Study said you may keep the unfinished milk for 1 or 2 hours (in room temperature), just don't put it back into freezer. 

I will put a label and stick on the cup with day and time. That's easy for me to recognise which one I have to use first. I remember got one time my friends come to visit me during confinement day, she so surprise when she notice so many "pudding" inside my freezer. Hahaha .... that is my milk, not a pudding !!

During my 2nd time confinement, my son was having flu. I try to give him my breast milk and he fully recovered after drink my breast milk for 1 day (noted: he need to drink around 3 to 4 times of 8oz milk in a day). I use the one I store inside my refrigerator ... I try to breastfeed him but he feel "shy", hehehe.

Breastfeed baby may poo many times a day, have to change baby diapers quite often if compare to formula feed baby. But, my 2nd baby didn't poo for 5 days even fully breastfeed her. So, end up I bring her to pediatrician for check up. As I know, breastfeed baby poo more times than formula baby. She told me there are some babies may not poo for a week even though is fully breastfeed. It's depends on baby themselves, she said may be the digest system of my 2nd baby work a bit slow. As she checked, my baby bowel is normal and is not having hard stool inside. She suggested to let her poo now after she put a medicine and see if she feel hard to poo or not.

After medicine, my baby start crying and start pooing ... is not a hard stool and just like a cream typed. My pediatrician said her stool still consider normal. She teach me to massage her bowel everyday to help the  bowel movement more faster. She told me not to worry too much if I fully breastfeed my baby, but do come back if she continue the same. Praise to Lord, she is doing fine after that treatment.

You seldom see baby having breast milk seldom get sick, if their do, the recover time is more faster compare to non-breast milk baby. If you can supply breast milk to your baby till 1 year old that is much much much better. 

Even though everyone understand breast milk is the best for baby and every mother try to give as long as their can. But, I have to say its really depends on yourself. If the situation not allow, then you have to let go. Like me, not matter how strong that I want to give breast milk to my baby. But when back to work, I find it really hard and there is no room for me to pump out my milk. My friend joking with me: why not go to washroom and pump ? yiakkkss ... do u think is hygience ? pump in washroom - a public washroom ?? no way !! There is many real situation have to face, and end-up my breast milk getting less as I only breastfeed my baby during night time. I feel sorry to my baby but what I can do now is try to boost her immune system by giving them healthy food.

For new mother or every mother out there, I really encourage you to breastfeed your baby. ^_*

Turn On baby sleeping mode ...

Most of my friend ask me, did your baby cry before going to sleep at night ? what time your baby sleep at night ? Did your baby waking up for milk during mid-night ??

Well, I have to say: Praise to Lord.  My both baby has been "trained" well ... hahaha.  I start to train them when they are about 6 months old.  Actually during pregnancy, I also make a habit to sleep earlier - I must go to sleep before 9:30pm.  That's good to let your baby in womb know that mommy is sleeping during this time.

When my baby turn to 6 months old, I started my "technique" to train them. Of course, with my husband to help me also. After a milk around 7pm or 7:30pm, I will let her wear pajama. Turn off the room light, only a weak light-bean got through from the door.  Tell her softly: "you are going to sleep now". Let her hold her small pillow, have her pacifier and cover he body with her blanket.  I will lay down beside her, touching her gently. Then slowly slowly, she will fall asleep.

But, sometimes it's just doesn't work so smooth ... she will wake up and look at me and want to play with me.  Especially when she notice her brother also in the room.  Then, it's time to "battle" with them.  I will ask co-operation from my son to stay quiet. If possible, lay down with me also. Once he laying down with me, plus the quite and comfort environment + dark room, mostly both will fall sleep easily .... same apply to me, hahaha. My husband even complained to me on that, when I wake up is around 10pm.  But in case my son don't want to sleep at that time, then I will ask my husband to bring him out.

So, in generally, my baby use to sleep around 8pm and wake up around 6:30am. My baby start to sleep throughout the night when she coming to 7 months old.  She didn't wake up and cry for milk, and that make me can have a good sleep also.  If you ask me how to train baby like that ? Honestly I don't know the actual answer. Because not every baby is the same, some may need milk every 4 hours, some may not. You cannot force your baby drink milk or you ignore to give just because you want to sleep... But I think soon or later, the baby will stop when he/she think "It's time" ........

In day time, baby also need to take a nap, a short nap everytime after feeding. The longest is 1 hour short nap, and she will wake up automatically.  After play a while, then she will need a nap again. Same apply to my boy last time, but my boy taking a long nap - more than 2 hours. hahahaha .... then I usually bring him to bed around 9pm. But now, my boy change his sleeping time to 10pm as he want to play with his toys. I have to adjust his sleeping time as he will be in school next year ... back to normal sleeping time.

May be I keep on repeating the same action on time, so my baby realised that she will going to sleep when I - after feeding and burp her, change her cloths to pajama, bring her into bedroom, turn off the light, tell her softly like "you are going to sleep now", gently touch her legs, let her hold her pillow or blanket and keep quiet. If she refuse to stay calm, I just pretend myself in "sleeping" mode. Then she will find "no point" for disturbing mommy. Slowly slowly, she will fell to sleep.

Just remember, don't play with her even though she keep on touching or disturbing you. She just try to get your attention and if we fall into her trap, then no way you can make her a good habit. Oh ya, old people told me, don't ever kiss a baby when they are going to sleep. I remember this kind of advice and I really don't kiss them whenever they are going to sleep. I just don't know how many of you believe this, but its' true. Baby fall to sleep much more easier and will not fussy.  I have ask some of my friends and most of their baby fussy and very difficult to bring to sleep. When I ask: "Did you use to kiss your baby everytime before sleep?" They said: "yes". So, try not to kiss your baby from now on, see got difference or not ? Then the result .. yes, better than last time. hey, sometimes really have to listen to old people also ..... hahaha. By the way, you still can kiss your baby everytime you want to ... it's all depends on you.

哭是万能的吗？

身为父母的，一定有过这个经验吧？？

原本带着小孩去逛街，因为某些商品或一些事情，孩子开始耍起脾气来。你不可能每次都顺着他， 所以你偶尔会不答应小孩的要求。 这时，小孩就会开始耍赖，开始哭给你看，在严重的就是赖着地上不走。相信一定有看过这样的情形吧！

在某一些晚宴，你可能会看见一些小孩到处乱跑，爸爸妈妈在后面叫着他们回来吧？为什么他们不能够坐好好？ 为什么吃饱了就要走开？你不给他走，他马上哭给你看，让你难堪。 10个小孩之中有那么1个小孩会呆在父母身边的，就算他很想下来跑跑，也只会在他父母座位的范围之内。。。有看过这样的小孩吗？

归根究底，其实是父母不够铁下心肠。我每次都会听到：“做父母的不回管教小孩” 这句话。。。而不是说：公公婆婆的错等。。。

我也是一个平凡母亲，很想把自己的小孩教导好。 所以，我会和一班朋友分享，纵而得知一些知识。曾经有一位朋友对我说，如果要小孩知道“哭不是万能”，你就要和你先生一起合作。 我自己也亲眼看到我这朋友的小孩，真的很惹人疼爱。

当小孩可以做的稳， 大约是9个月左右吧！你就要开始教导他了。每一次吃饱后，让他继续坐在他的椅子上。不需要说：“你可以离开了”。 你要让他明白，就算是他吃饱了，不代表他可以离开座位，到处走。。要看一看爸爸妈妈，他们还在吃，那就要守在他们的身旁。不要让他们担心。。

通常呢。。在这些时候，一定会有人自愿带小孩去“散散步”，这样子其实是不好的， 会给小孩一个不好的讯息：“看，我吃饱了就会有人带我去散步”。 久而久之，养成坏习惯。 每次小孩吃饱了，就会嚷着离开。爸爸妈妈不给，我就哭！那么，一定会有人带我走开。通常，老人家看到这情形，大多数会带小孩去“散散步”的。 所以，身为父母的就必须让老人家明白 - 为什么不应该带走他。 而不是我们不疼小孩或不让老人家疼，只是不想小孩被宠坏。

我的大儿子，有一次带他跑商场。他不知真么了，一定要去用左边的楼梯，眼前就有电梯他不要。我和他说了好几次，他硬着头皮，开始哭了起来。他甚至不让我牵他的手，坐在地上哭。好吧！我就让他哭，我也不要一味着安抚他。路人看到，都说：好可怜哦！ 但是，有些父母看到了就好像没事那样，可能他们的孩子也试过这样子吧！我知道那一刻，会很尴尬。而且，也可能会影响别人。但是，你要是“认输”， 你就永远被孩子牵着鼻子走。

好啦！他哭到没趣了。走到我面前来，对着我说：“妈妈，对不起”。我看着他说到：“好了，不可以有下一次了”。 然后，就牵着他下去楼下。

他要哭，就让他哭。把它牵到一旁，让他自己慢慢的哭个够。耐性，你一定要有哪个忍耐力去和他“斗”。。。一旦他知道，原来哭不是万能的，他就不会每次都用哭来威胁你啦。

我到现在还是很努力的去教导好我的小孩呢！！ 也真的非常吃力哦！

Children Cry In Public

Hey hey ... feel shame and angry when your child cry in public ???  I think most of the parents had this experience ... me either.  Have you ever think is our problem or you just said is your children problem ??  hahaha .... actually is parents problem.

Have you ever see a children sitting quietly on his/her high chair, even though his/her parents still having their meal ? or mostly you will heard crying or shouting, right ??

I had a friend sharing her teaching technique to me:  When your baby know how to sit properly, then is a time to train him/her.

Long long time ago, I was having dinner with family (that time my son was around 1 year old).  He is playing his toys and all adults having dinner.  Suddenly, he feel bored and try to get attention from everyone by knocking the table.  Then, as a mother, I have to stop him.  First time, talked to him softly: "you cannot knocked the table, you have to behave".  The of course, I didn't expect he 100% understood what I'm trying to tell him.  Few times later, I use to warn him if he continue knocking, I'll take your toy away.

He cry when I "scolded" him, and his grand-pa & grand-ma saw it.  I understand they will feel why I'm so "serious" to a young baby ... I can notice from all their eyes are complaining me.  His uncle ... try to "save" him from me, he want to bring him a walk, but I refused.  Let him cry till he stop ... don't bring him away and don't keep on look at him or try to compliment him also.  I know is a hard time for me to explain, but I know what is good for my child.

Honestly, I can't 100% stop them by taking him a short walk after they are full.  So, young children will have a mind-set that "I will be carry by them to go everywhere once they finish eating" ... this kind of mind-set bring trouble to parents.  Whenever they finish eating, they start to cry, and don't want to sit. They simply want a walk .... if that time, parents still having their meal, children start crying or shouting for a "walk", then here come the "hero" save them - bring them a walk.  How about the "Hero" still eating ??  I tell you, no one will care for that, but ask you - as parents to bring him/her away.  Back to earlier, who is the person try to make this kind of bad habit to a child ??

How many time you attend a dinner and sure you will see a group of children running around there ??  Out of 10 children, 9 are running around and only 1 will sit with their parents ... am I right ??  "Aiya .... never mind la, let them have fun" .... you will heard this kind of sentences.

My friend told me, if you don't want your child become 1 of that group, try to guide them well.  Teach them whenever parents are eating, "you have to sit together with parents even though you had finish your meal.  Have some tip-bites or toys to spend your "extra" time while waiting your parents finish".

Whenever he/she cry for "help", try to comfort and explain to them the situation. "Mommy or Daddy still eating, you can't go anywhere without parents around you".  Some adult may bring them away and told you I will take care of him/her.  Honestly, who will 100% take care our children while they're also having fun with their friends ??  People will only said: Why don't listen to your parents ? in case, if there is any accident happened.  Am I right ??

When my son was 2 years old, and I brought him to a shopping complex.  I promised him to let him play a basketball game after we taking breakfast.  But he was so naughty and cry for game, he refuse to have his breakfast.  He keep on crying till everyone turn they head to our direction.  I explained to him, I will only let you go after meal. If you still want to cry, fine, go on to cry.  After I finish my breakfast, then straight away go home.  No more game for you this time.  I don't care how others look or think at me ... I also heard they said "so pity o".  Me and my husband pretend like nothing and continue our meal till finish.  As I said earlier, we go home straight away after meal.

My son finally know his crying technique didn't work for that, and from there, he don't dare to "challenge" me or my husband simply for his favourite.  Well, we will inform him where we will go and what to do before go out.  We promised will bring him to theme park if he is well behaved.  If not, just go home.

Let them cry for unreasonable request, don't keep on compliment them while they're crying.  They will thought you scare of them and will repeat the same next time, if you don't give what they want.  Children are very smart, they know how to "control" the adults.  If you ignore them, they will cry.  Yes, let them cry till they stop themselves.  I saw some parents out there actually doing the same to their children.  The children stop to cry when he notice his parents "ignore" him, he simply feel "no point" for crying.  Then he walked to his parents  there and played with them .... hahaha ... just like nothing happened.  Do you got this ??  You know how smart are they now ??  I believe if you keep on saying: don't cry, baby ... he will sure turn up his volume till he got what he want.

I, myself still on learning and applying this kind of teaching to my son.  Sometimes, he really doing a good job.  If we bring him to any function or dinner - if without any "hero", he will stay at his place along the night.  If got the "hero" then my son will go away.  But luckily, he know that "crying" is not work to me and his father.  He will only ask for permission before leaving.

So, don't bring your baby go whenever he/she start crying for nothing.  Try to comfort her.  I know is hard, especially when other people around you offer to bring her away.  But, is true, that is wrong.  You are making a bad habit to a baby.  Whenever he/she cry, someone will compliment them.  If not, turn up the volume, then sure they will get what their want.  Is this what you want from your children ??

Don't blame a young children like to cry when they didn't get what their want .... just think back, who let them got this kind of mind-set ??  As a parents, really need to guide them well.  You have to let your own family member know that "I'm on teaching my children, and it's not a punishment to my children"

Will you feel shame if your children cry in the public ??  You don't have to, as you are actually on teaching them - crying will not means for everything.  Me ... of course, keep on going to guide my children !!

Sucking Thumb

hey ... my little girl coming to 9 months old.  She start sucking her thumb at 4 months old.... I try give her pacifier but she don't like it.  

I read many articles that most of expert prefer baby sucking thumb, the reason is baby is trying to comfort herself without your help.  Pacifier will drop off from mouth and, if sucking thumb, anywhere anytime can suck - will not drop-off.

Honestly, I really don't like my girl sucking her thumb.  I noticed her thumb nail become dulled and spoiled.  Many of friends ask me to stop her as really not good to her.  Her thumb will become "ugly" and always in wet.  The most important, is hygiene problem.  She start to crawl and touch here and there, you can't 100% guaranteed everything zero (0) dust .... My friend's sister daughter, now around 4 years old, still sucking her thumb.  Her daughter always having stomach ache problem and now she trying very hard to stop her.

I also have heard some suck until their shape of thumb become a bit strange.  Can you imagine, your nail almost 24 hours in wet, is it comfortable ?? how your nail look like ??  how your thumb look like ??  I don't think is cute but is dirty ..... so, no matter who ask me don't stop my girl sucking thumb, I will not care as she is my daughter.  I don't want my girl's thumb become "ugly" ......... I have to stop her before too serious ...

I trying to stop her, whenever I notice my baby want to put in her mouth, I will said : hey hey ... don't suck thumb... So funny is, she will slowly slowly pull out her thumb and smile to you.  When she want to sleep, I will offer her pacifier.  Then I let her wear mitten, so that she can't suck her thumb.  Day by day ... now she know I don't like her suck her thumb.  

This girl ... very naughty ... she try to cover her "action" with her blanket, hahaha ... funny.  I caught her few times and she will laugh to me when get caught.  I notice nowadays she seldom suck her thumb, she begin to accept her pacifier and I will only offer her when she want to sleep.  She seems not so interest sucking her thumb or pacifier while playing with her toys or when you cuddle her.  

I hope she can totally stop sucking her thumb by the later stage ...... pray for that  ^^

My 2nd Time Pregnancy Part 2 (Final)

I got a baby girl this time ... I notice my self really got differences from my 1st time pregnancy of my boy.  My foot didn't swollen like "elephant" foot ... and have good appetite to eat from the beginning of pregnancy.  

My due date is on 27th, doctor said its may be early as she said my baby size quite big.  She scanned and said my womb got a lots of calcium ??? means will be early delivery. hahaha ... ok, I just wait for it.

But I didn't get any warning till on 29th morning.  It was a rainy morning, and very nice weather to sleep.  My son suddenly woke up and ask for milk.  Once I stood up, I feel like my discharge come out.  Oppss .... I quickly go to toilet then yes ... i saw blood. Oh my ... I'm going to deliver today.  I quickly wake my husband, and inform him: your baby girl want to get out today.  I asked him to make milk for my son, and I quickly go to take a bath and wash my hair.  Hahaha ... note: no pain at that time.

Then we send our son to baby sitter house, and inform her I will deliver soon.  She so surprised and wished me good luck.  Because I don't feel the contraction pain, so I take my time to have my breakfast at my brother's cafe. Rush hours ... hahaha.  After breakfast, I admit to hospital around 9am.  Once the nurse checked, my cervix actually had open a bit.

I started to feel contraction pain around 12pm, every 5 minutes once.  Huh ... from the last time experience, I'm able to "handle" the pain.  I born my baby girl after few hours, this time really more easy for me.  My husband told me: "my hand almost cracked while you holding it".  hahaha ... ya, actually I want to bite if can.  Like previous, my husband did the "cutting" ceremony.  And is time for me to rake a rest ....

Now, my girl is 9 months old ... is a very happy & naughty girl.  hahaha

My lovely boy & girl

My 2nd Time Pregnancy Part 1

My 1st pregnancy was on 2007, and I born a baby boy.

This year - 2010, I born a baby girl ... If you ask whether got differences between baby boy and baby girl during pregnancy ?  Yes, for me, there is some differences.

Well, I found myself being pregnant on August 2010.  From the 1st time experience, I make up my medical check-up appointment with my previous doctor - Dr.Felice Huang.

My morning sickness gone after 4 weeks pregnant, Praise to Lord.  Compare to last time, my morning sickness only gone after 12 weeks.  I like to eat mee-hoon and fish fillet and everyday must eat at least 1 piece of fish fillet.  But I can't drink milk this time ... my doctor ask me to take some calcium supplement as calcium is essential and very important for pregnant women.  So I go to buy at Pharmacy - Abbott brand, Calcium plus supplement.  I consult my doctor and she said I can take that, but if I can drink milk is better.

Come to 12 weeks, I started to feel dizzy when I smell the cooking oil.  I even feel like vomit when I smell onion, I totally don't like garlic, green-onion and cooking smell.  yiakksss ...... I have to stay away from kitchen.  In terms of food, it's seems like I'm not so choosy this time, I will only eat a bit if the taste not so good to me.  The balance of food ... hahaha ... go to my husband and my son.

I like white fungus boil with red dates, almost once in a week I drink this herbal tea.  In chinese tradition, white fungus with red dates good for skin and blood circulation.  I also drink Lo Hon Ka bird nest, same - yummy and is a type of nutrition food also.

I feel like more energetic this time, even though, I still maintain sleep before 10pm every night.  After playing with my son, then I bring him to bed around 9pm.  My tummy looks bigger compare to normal 12 weeks pregnant women, hehehe ... may be I take too much nutrition food ??

But during my review, my weight and baby growing chart always fine, and that makes me feel good and means still in control, no over or under weight problem.  

When come to 2nd stage, my doctor ask me whether I want to know the gender of baby ?  I told her, I'm actually not so concern about the gender, I will only pray for healthy baby, boy or girl still is my baby ... hahaha.  She smiled and said may be next review only can confirm to me.  

Praise to Lord, I can drink milk and I simply stop taking the calcium supplement tablet.  I cannot eat papaya and orange color thing ... same as last time, will got some "marking" beside my lips.  This symptom same like last time, hate it.  Cause people may think why this lady didn't wipe her mouth clearly ??  

My baby gender only reveal on 7th months review .........