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Breastfeeding Myths

Saturday, October 30, 2010

I really dislike people telling me BM is not filling, bla bla bla. I found few sources of breastfeeding myths and facts.
And who says FM is equally good as BM? Read this. FM does not have antibodies, living cells, growth factors, enzymes or hormones. But even if formula manufactures are someday able to include these important ingredients in infant formulas, nothing could replace the perfect blend a mother's body will create to meet the needs of her particular child.

New Study Supports Exclusive Breastfeeding for First Six Months

Friday, October 29, 2010

Read this --> New Study Supports Exclusive Breastfeeding for First Six Months

Please support those mummies who pump at work just to provide the best milk for their babies. Please spread the benefits of breastfeeding to those who are still unsure and doesn't know how good breast milk is.

Nappy Rashes

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Beside blocked tear ducts, my poor little En Qi's bum bum also had rashes once she was back from hospital. As both of us are first time parent, we did not know why En Qi kept crying after her milk or even after changed her diaper. I did not know that En Qi's bum bum is so sensitive and easily get rashes. I did not apply any nappy rash. We told the pediatrician and she gave us a cream called Decocort. We apply everytime we changed her diaper and thank god, her rashes go away in few days. Now En Qi's bum bum no more rashes. :=)

Blocked Tear Duct

En Qi had yellow discharge on her left eye 2 days after she was back from hospital. It was a lot and sticky that she could not open her eye. We tried to wipe few times but it did not help. Thus, my pediatrician prescibed a gel called Fucithalmic for her. We put few drops to her left eye 3 to 4 times a day for few days. It helps. The yellow discharge or tear ducts disappear about one week later.

Breastfeeding

Friday, October 22, 2010

I started to learn breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is really not an easy task. It needs lot of determination and persevere. I nearly gave up and turn to FM (luckily, I did not).Having sore, cracked and even bleeding nipples. En Qi did not get enough breast milk from me for the first 3 days as my milk production was very little and the nurse had no choice to feed her formula milk. I was quite weak in the first week after the birth. It was really tired and tough to let En Qi latch on directly especially when she is really HUNGRY. She would suck my nipples very hard. My milk supply has started from 2-3oz to 4-5oz now. Though it is not much but I am happy that I am able to provide the best milk to En Qi. I do mix with formula milk (FM) in the first few weeks as my BM is not enough to support En Qi. However, for now, I only give her FM when and only when she cries for milk and I have no time to warm the BM. Some advice me not to BF after 1 month plus as it will be troublesome if I get back to work later. Some commented that BM is not filling and why not feed En Qi with FM instead. Some keep saying FM is equally good as BM. Some asked why so troublesome to pump out and even pump out midnight. But no, I will still BF En Qi. I am so determined to BF En Qi as long as I can (at least 6 months). I would do whatever possible ways to ensure I able to do this. I am happy for what I am doing now because I know I am providing the best for my little girl.

En Qi is 6 weeks old now and she has yet finish one tin of her FM. For now, I would store my BM to the fridge. The excess, I would store in the freezer for future usage when I get back to work. I hope my milk production will still flow smoothly when I get back to work. I am prepared myself to pump at work. I got myself all the pumping and milk storage accessories. Some says BF can save lots of money. But hey, all the pumping and milk storage accessories are not cheap. Another thing which is priceless is the TIME sacrifice for BF and pumping.

Here are my tools for pumping.

Philips Avent Single Electronic Breastpump. Yes, you must get an ELECTRONIC one instead of MANUAL, or else your hand will be numb like hell.

I got this, Bumblebee Breast Milk Storage Bottles when I went for my check-up at Dr. Vincent one week after my delivery.

I have one pack of MeMum Breast Milk Storage Bag FREE from the ladyboss of the shop I always shop for baby stuff. I bought another 2 packs at RM50 later to store my frozen BM.
Another major investment is this, Philips Avent VIA Breastmilk Containers, which contains of 10 cups of 6 oz and 10 cups of 8oz. I bought this set at RM90. This container is better off than the Bumblebee one as this container enable me to write the date on it while the Bumblebee one cannot. Another reason I bought this because the container can stores up to 8oz breastmilk, while Bumblebee only can store up to 5oz. Yup, I able to get 6-7oz for one pumping session sometimes, so...I need this!

I got myself Autumz Cooler Bag for me to store my BM when I pump at work.
And this Techni Ice Sheet to keep my BM chilled all the time in my cooler bag.

Who say BM can save lots of $$$? Nah, now you see it (But yup, you can save if you BF for long term, at least 6 months) :=p

My Birth Experience

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

I got myself a very nice bath and washed my hair early in the morning. I was not permitted to take any food or drinks. But I took a sip of plain water in before I depart to Mahkota Medical Centre (MMC). We make sure we took everything.

· My hospital bag – checked!

· Baby’s bag – checked!

· Pampers – checked!

· Admission letter – checked!

We reached MMC at 7.20am. I was taking the Mamypoko pampers and everyone was looking at me while Dear was handling all the admission stuff. We were brought to 2nd level, maternity ward. The nurse then ushered me to the room and checked my blood pressure level and baby’s hearthbeat. Few minutes later, the nurse came again and I was given enema to clear my bowel, changed to gown, given urine catheter (really uncomfortable) and prepared me for op. At about 8.45am, I was ushered to OT. I was greeted by the anesthetist (Sorry, I did not know her name). I was freezing cold inside and the nurse had to give me the warmer to keep me warm. I felt better then. I waited in the OT hall and Dr. Vincent then came and greet me. At about 9.25am, I was ushered to OT room. The anesthetist then performed spinal block injection procedure on me. It was discomfort when the needle went into my spine. Few minutes later, my half body was numb. I could not felt anything. Dear then came in. Once my body was numb, Dr. Vincent started the c-sec. The view was blocked and I could not see anything infront of me except a piece of cloth that blocked my view. Hence, I kept looking at the clock at my left side. Few minutes later, I heard Dr. Vincent asking for help! Asking the anesthetist who sit behind me to push the baby downward. I still could not felt anything. Soon, I heard little EnQi cried! Immediately Dr. Vincent passed little EnQi to Dr. Jessica (paediatric). At the same time, I heard anesthetist said, “oh, the baby has birth mark!” I kept looking at my baby when Dr. Jessica was cleaning her. Few minutes later, Dr. Jessica brought the baby to me and I saw a black birth mark at her left leg and I was totally shocked! Dr. Jessica kept telling me not to worry about the birth mark as it can be laser when she is growing older. She was then taken away by Dr. Jessica. Dear has to follow her. My mind was blank and I was still in sad mood. I was lying there motionless while Dr. Vincent stitched me up and cleared my womb. About 15 minutes later, Dr. Vincent told me, it’s all done. I was then ushered out from OT room. I was very tired, dizzy and sleepy and yet I could not really have a good sleep as my mind keep thinking of my little one. My friends and relatives visited me but I was too dizzy to wake up. I vomited few times until the Doctor had to prescribed higher dosage of medicine for me. I could not take any food or drinks. My condition was getting better on the second day. No more vomiting and dizzy. I could sit with support. I was able to eat and no more vomiting.

Well, I was so determined to go for natural delivery but I opted for c-sec at the end. Sometimes, we are not able to plan everything so perfectly. But anyway, c-sec is not a bad choice as I do not need to bear the labor pain for hours. The only thing you need to take care is the wound. I was able to get up from bed on my own after 6 days. I am so fortunate to have a caring and understanding hubby. He is the first one to learn change diapers, feed and burp baby, etc rather than me. He took care of EnQi at night of his own on the first week. Dear, thank you for everything. :=)

Days Before Delivery

Monday, October 4, 2010

Once we decided my C-Sec day, I planned to go to work to handover all my work to my colleague. But I was so tired and could not get up from bed. I was having hard time to walk. I have to hold on to something whenever I walked. Thus, I called back to office and applied for 3 days leave right before the day. I rest at home and starting to pack my hospital bag.

Scared? Excited? Worry? Hmmm… I did not really feel scared as I know when I was going to meet little EnQi. I roughly know how is the C-Sec going through (as I watched all the natural birth, C-Sec birth videos from babycentre.com). I also would not have to bear the contraction pain as I am not opted for natural delivery. In fact, I was waiting for the day as I really could not get good sleep every night and most importantly, I could not wait to say “hello” to my little EnQi.

Third Trimester

In my third trimester:

  • My stomach was getting bigger and bigger. It was really like a huge balloon at my end of 9 months. Imagine that my stomach was able to touch the car steering while I was driving! LOL.
  • My appetite was good. My weight increased about 1-2kg every week when near to end of third trimester. Little EnQi’s weight also increased steadily at 200g per week at least.
  • I can felt little EnQi kicking me, punching me, turning upside down, hiccuping every day.
  • I could not get good sleep almost everyday. I have to sit to sleep almost every night.
  • I felt myself clumsier than before. Every movement was so slow like old lady.
  • I always have shortness of breath.
  • I always look for chair to sit wherever possible.
  • Unable to go for window shopping or have a walk in shopping mall during weekend as I was easily get tired due to my big and “heavy” stomach.
  • My back pain was more and more intense. I need to sit or lie down whenever possible.
  • I need to hold something to support me to get up from chair or bed. Dear had to help me get up from bed everyday.
  • My feet, fingers and even face were swollen so much. Dear had to massage my feet every night before sleep. I was so appreciate and touch for his sweetness and thoughtfulness he was giving to me.
  • I scream for the leg cramping in the middle of the night for few times and Dear had to wake up immediately and massage for me.

Instead all the above, I always looking forward for my check-ups so I can see my little EnQi through the ultrasound scan. :=)