Not all babies DL from Day 1...

Bf does not come naturally as I thought. It wasn't as easy as well, but once you hanged on to it, it is not difficult too.

Unlike many babies, my lo cried each time I tried to latch him when he was hungry. At one time, he would rather close his eyes and sleep than to latch (and yes, he was hungry and crying for milk before that, and when offered he closed his eyes and sleep!). If only I could record his reaction that moment, like "got attitude" look. And he really slept.

So I left with no choice but pump. And the yield was not much like I mentioned in my previous post. I was determined even if he does not latch, I will supply him BM through EP (exclusive pumping) as I read there was people successfully become EP mum. Although my doc said if do not latch, and only pump the milk will become lesser and lesser. Anyhow, I was determined myself. The yield increased by day.

During the 3rd week noon, I was alone with lo in the room, he was half awake and he latched for the first time! (He latched a while in hosp on the 2nd day but it was very brief then rejected). I was so happy that I whatsapp a few ppl (whom knew he refused latching) and they were so happy for me.

But come the next feeding he refused again. So it was off and on, till the 2nd month. But it's a good start.
I keep on offering daily without fail.

And one day decide to try to sleeping pose and guess what? He latched... for 2 hours! Thereafter, I find it so much easier to latch for night feedings where both me and hb can rest. So no more waking up to warm up ebm, no more buckets of bottles to wash in the morning, and so on. 

Now, lo seems to know where to look for his milk although he was introduced to bottle first, it has become his 2nd choice. DL becomes his priority over bottle.

Red Dates drink

I started drinking this during my 4th month of pregnancy which I find boosted up my energy as the first 3 months I was basically not able to do much. Throwing up even when not consuming does not leave you much energy and of course I steadily lost 7kg then.

Although it was then energy booster and I wished I knew it earlier, I heard it should not be consumed for the first 3 months. Well... means I still have to go through what I went through then. Also, same people said cannot drink after 8 months pregnant till you deliver. I forgot why.

But I drank till almost deliver, perhaps not on daily basis like now. I alternate with boiling American Ginseng (the small white pieces), and when I am lack of time, I would just soak the AG pieces in boiling water instead of cooking in slow cooker.

Red dates drink is a drink that most chinese take after delivery for the entire month. I'm still taking it even after confinement and possibly, likely, maybe, that this helps to maintain the bm supply. I think.

The ingredient during my pregnancy:
20 or so red dates (depending on the size, you may adjust yourself)
11 or so black dates (depending on the size, you may adjust yourself)
2-3 honey dates (depends how sweet you want)
3 finger size of tong sum (Radix Codonopsis (Dang Shen) http://www.tcmtreatment.com/herbs/0-dangshen.htm)
wolfberry (kei chi) - agak agak 2-3 pinch

After delivery, the above add these:
dried longan (20 or so depending on your taste)
black beans (optional) - agak agak 2-3 pinch

Black beans is optional but read somewhere that it increases milk supply. However, need to be fried after you buy back the packed ones then only use to boil it together with the rest. After frying the entire pack, you can keep in a glass bottle and use it next time as you not able to finish the entire pack at once.

The measurement above is just a guideline for 3L slow cooker, you may do your own measurement and see the result if it's what you like. My friend bought a prepacked and boiled, and her feedback is it tasted sour, but mine she tasted sweet.

I usually leave it to boil in slow cooker overnight, but it can be consumed after 4 hours though.

Good luck!

BB poster photo

I am an avid fan of photobook and done a series of them for my trips before I got pregnant. Although wanted to do one for my lo, could not find the time (yet).

One day I received an email regarding Poster Photo promotion and read through it. Seems interesting and something that I have not done before. Finally, on the day the promo ended, managed to create 4 customized  Premium posters with Pixajoy. Although wanted to do some with more pictures on it, but I was running out of time and the selection of photos is time consuming. So I used the templates with max 6 photos.

Quick and easy to use and once done, it is added to the cart then paid. It arrives within 3 working days, I am delighted to receive them. At least have some photos printed out. *happy mode*

Fulfilled!

2 of my wish list fulfiled on Merdeka Day.

BM DONATED

Donated some of the FBM to a 33 weeks preemie, arranged with the mom to send to her on Merdeka Day at hospital. Continuous prayers for him as he has blood infection. Was told by the nurse that the freezer is almost full as some other mommies have donated as well, but she took in anyways. Did not manage to meet up with the mom as I was early.

Still do not consider myself with a lot of backup FBM but for case this urgent, able to advance some and told myself to be more hardworking (as a little laid back after HK trip - adjusting back to normal routine).

Have a friend too asking to spare for her, but I told her I'm not giving her because I want her to pump! Haha... (but she knows if she needs it, and I have extras, she is next in my list).

BM SOAP

Forgot to include this in my previous wish list, but it was at the corner of my mind when one of my friend posted her BM Soap pic (then only I knew such thing exist). But it was still just a thought at that time when I have none to spare.

Then recently, saw one mommy (SAHM) posted that she is making BM soap to raise funds for Adele, a special angel. Then I messaged her for further understanding of the soap and somehow we managed to meet on Merdeka noon at Pyramid. Used my pack of FBM labelled "Bathe" (supposingly for bathing) as my eyelashes fell into the bottle (filling at max! - 7oz). I would cry if this happen on my earlier days. It was carefully taken out using the pump membrane though. Plus 1oz chilled BM. She needs 8oz (240ml).

She said it takes about 6 weeks to complete it. Shall wait to see the result.

For this special angel....Adele

Read the story of this special angel, and her matured 4 years old sister and unconditional loving parents after seeing people raising funds for her.
http://borntobloved.wordpress.com/2013/09/01/the-story-of-our-little-fighter-how-it-all-begun-and-the-journey-ahead/

You may verify with mommy Mei Yean: https://www.facebook.com/mei.yean.92

Also one mummy is doing breastmilk soap to raise funds for this angel as she is a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom). Very thoughtful.
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Below is from Daphne Lee-Yang's post:
"Any form of support, may it be in financial, sponsorship or media contacts for more exposure is greatly appreciated.

For those who are able to help baby Adele financially, here is Mommy Mei Yean's banking details.

Name: Tay Mei Yean
Maybank Acc: 514235818510
Email: meiyeantay@gmail.com

Please do complete your details here for those of u who have kindly contributed:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OAmSVWK0uZc2EQoJ00rvWkhIKsECb1nF6ElggmhDoDc/viewform 

so that Mommy Mei Yean can thank each and everyone of u personally.

NOTE:
Please note that this plea for financial assistance is not organized by any organization, and any donation done is purely out of goodwill. Hence, there will be no official receipt issued. You may, however, contact Mei Yean directly to confirm whether she has received your money.

Terima kasih from the bottom of our hearts."