Infant first aid course

I attended a 6 hour course on infant and toddler first aid.

Learnt alot from the trainer, Sam, who was previously a paramedic for 20 years. He was engaging and cracking jokes in class. I enjoyed the session.

I paid $80 for this. Find out more from http://www.inspiremumbaby.com/

                                                    

Mommy's education

Apart from reading articles online (babycenter.com, babysleepsite), I also bought ALOT of books from bookdepository.com to educate myself on being a better parent.

Now is all about putting what I've learnt into practice. Hubby and I have decided that we are going to do strict discipline from 1.5 years old but not by using the cane. Tons of websites on this if you would just google 'to cane or not'.

Mommy's books

I bought these two books from book depository.com. Both are highly recommended by friends.

I usually read (if I am not that tired) when baby is napping since she naps an average of 1 hour each time in the day (3 nap times from 9.30 am - 6 pm).

On a separate note, baby has called 'mamama' and 'ah mama' now though she probably doesn't know what that means. Whenever she said that, I am attentive to her so she could be using mamama to anyone to signal for attention.

7 weeks old newborn

My newborn is 7 weeks old now.

I have been building my supply close to a month ever since CL left. I thought it would be easier now that I am at my own place. Well, different issues arised.... eg whether or not to shower baby on a rainy morning, finding out the reason of baby's crankiness, FIL kept asking us to give pacifier, my mom kept feeding her when it's not time to drink etc. Tension was building up at home somehow or rather. I also could never enjoy a meal properly and be on the lookout for any stirring or cries, whether it's time for feed, how come baby is sleeping so much and so on. I've learnt new skills like speed-eating, speed-showering, speed-shitting. Everything fast. LOL.

Just last week, I still cried and blame myself for all that have happened, for not insisting to latch on baby, for letting people fed my baby bottle etc. I think I should not be so harsh on myself and give myself some credit. From zero latch, I have 3-4 latches a day. Now everytime after baby showers and just before the midnight feed, she will have to latch on me otherwise she can fuss for an hour. Anyway, all in all, whether my milk increases or not, I am just going to give her the best that I can and know how.

I love latching on baby. It's a priceless precious moment and bonding time with her. And sometimes even after latching, I pump out too, to totally drain out all milk. It's so much washing and backache and wrist pain. It's a tiring moo-moo career but I'm enjoying this process for as long as it lasts.

On top of calling several breastfeeding helplines, I need to specially thank some online friends, Jaz, Joanna and also Annabelle, for encouraging me, teaching me and bringing positivity on this topic on breastfeeding. Whenever I feel lazy, feel like giving up, I just think about what they've told me and it gives me strength to carry on for another day, another day and another day. 

Also thanking people like my sis, Looying, Shufen, Baoli, Shulin, Michelle, Adeline, Jac, Jess and Elin (in no particular order). They care alot about me and keep telling me to relax, don't feel stressed out, jiayou and that I'm doing fine. 

Yes, even though baby will have to wean off the breast sooner or later and go on total FM sooner or later, that's a problem I will face eventually. And I will worry about it later. 

Yesterday, while holding on baby upright around my neck area, she ee ee eh eh and wanted to struggle free from my arms. I wanted to see what she does and where she is going. She wriggled to my breast area and opened her mouth really wide to get the nipple. I LOL at this special moment. How will I bear to wean her off now? 

One last pic that made my day. Baby was grabbing my boobies during feeding like eating a hamburger. And she actually looked at the camera. :)

my bunny ;)

Breastmilk and Re-lactation

Saw some mommies in the facebook group giving away breastmilk. They have too much until their fridge can no longer contain them. I am SO VERY KEEN to take from them but Hubby and mom didn't think that it's a good idea.

I have been and still am eating confinement food even now. Been ordering tingkat confinement food and will continue until next week, since I can't go out to get food and my house downstairs only has tze char and they open after 4 pm daily.

I'm also still eating my multi-vitamins, Anmum Lacta milk, calcium pills, chicken essence on top of the soups that my mom and grandma brewed specially for me. I also didn't take any junk food, fast food, cold drinks at all. Every drop of breastmilk that I give to my baby is solid and nutritious. If only, I have that much for my baby too. Sigh.

I realised that being stressed up or unhappy also affects the quantity of milk. The days when I am quarrelsome with Hubby, I have little milk.

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Re-lactation

Quoting from Alisa (the website below)


Relactation, the rebuilding of one's milk supply weeks or even months after lactation has stopped, or induced lactation, the production of milk from where there was none (as may be the case with adoptive moms), are both viable options for any woman eager to breastfeed.


But under these circumstances, the making of milk is a time-consuming undertaking likely to be fraught with moments of heartbreak, frustration, and worry—but many more, and more lasting, moments of joy, tenderness, and pride. 


Look for other encouraging signs of success, including fuller, more tender breasts, nipples changing color, increased thirst, and changes in menstrual cycle or libido.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gjxZHZuWI0&feature=related

http://www.alisaikeda.com/Clients_Clips/Relactation/body_relactation.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/decrease-formula.html

Maternity shots

Wanted to save money so asked Hubby to take some shots for me at the swimming pool instead of having it done professionally. I liked 5 pictures out of all that he took.

Foods to avoid from mommy's diet that may be upsetting to baby (when you are breastfeeding)

• Dairy products (eg milk, ice cream, cheese, yogurt)
• Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, softdrinks)
• Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapes, strawberries, mangoes)
• Certain vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, green peppers, cauliflower)
• Spices (chili powder, cinnamon etc)

The colic-causing properties of these foods are most likely due to the fact they are difficult for the infant to digest.

Read more:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/268313-foods-that-cause-colic/#ixzz1TYi2THm8

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/index.html

Something extra

Looking at some of the mommies' maternity shots (from LittleMissRabbit, Studioloft) , I also feel like doing it. I was thinking about it some time ago but decided not to (for now). Maybe I'll do it for my #2 baby. I realised that I have been overspending for #1 baby. New clothes, new pram, new toys, everything new. Definitely for #2, these things can be passed down and that will free me up financially.

Papa said that he wants to do the footprints and handprints thing for baby and he will be paying for it. The standard package for hand and foot imprints is $345. Very expensive indeed.

And I'll be paying for baby's newborn photography with Kelly Soon. $500. I really like Kelly's skills.

Cravings satisfied

More teng, more juicy chicken, more waffles, more strawberry vanilla cake please.
And definitely more durians.

More More More!!!

Ordered this twice at two Xing Hwa stalls.

Grandma made salted chicken for dinner.

Waffles from Waffletown. I still prefer Marche's.

In the hunt for many many different strawberry vanilla cake.

My first coconut drink

My first coconut drink 

• prevent dehydration
• relieves exhaustion
• improving "good" cholesterol levels (HDL)
• prevent urinary tract infections
• promotes digestive health

Benefits of coconut water - http://phenomwater.com/how-drinking-coconut-water-during-pregnancy-helps

Faye Wong's music

I have been listening to Faye Wong's songs the whole of yesterday night and this morning. I think baby is feeling sian? Hehe. Can't help it. Faye's coming to Singapore in October 2011. And I've bought the ticket through the fan club in May. I bought the 3rd most expensive ticket ($380). The VIP seats costs about $580 (really crazy right?). And also Kenneth came back from Hong Kong recently, he got me a Faye's Concert DVD, which was never sold in Singapore and almost sold out in HK. I've also been to Blue Max, Sembawang Music, HMV, Popular etc but I couldn't even find any of Faye's CD. So lately I have been listening (non-stop) to my collection of Faye's songs.

And then after listening to her songs, I want to go KTV very badly. LOL.

This is a preview of 王菲巡迴演唱會2011. 

Things to buy for mama

1. maternity bras - done
2. nursing pads - done
3. nursing wear - done
4. open front button pyjamas - done
5. nipple cream - done
6. disposable panties - done
7. long sanitary pads - done
8. radiation blanket from Kiddy Palace - done
9. dry confinement hair powder (for 5 days) - done
10. Warming Shampoo for Confinement $19.90 (by Kalis Chay)
11. Healing Herbal Pericare Wash $23.30
12. Lemongrass Confinement Shower Gel $35 (by Ai-lin Lee)
13. Pure Ginger Cream $13
14. Hand sanitizing gel (coz cannot wash hand) -  done
15. Facial wet wipes (coz cannot wash face) - done
16. stretchmark oil/cream - done
    
    These are the links that I bought from :
    http://www.motherhoodwecare.com/pregnancyconfinement.html
    http://www.littledreamers.com.sg/catalog.html

In fact, I have too many bottles of oil (this are excluding the creams!)