Almost, about to flip?

She started out perpendicular to my pillow....



And then she was parallel to it!






Can't resist showing off her long eyelashes :)

Slight improvement

Now, I really don't want to whine or be under the impression that I'm so obsessed with nursing or breastfeeding my child. I merely wanted to carry out my duty as a mother and giving my child what I feel is the most beneficial to her at this moment. I'm not saying mothers who don't breastfeed their babies are not giving them the best. It's not true. Every mummy has their own way of showing their love to their children. For me, I've been wanting to do it even before I got pregnant. Highly influenced by my late mum and also during my pregnancy, ppl around me (including the lactation consultant and parent craft instructor) have been introducing the benefits of breastfeeding. In fact 1 of the benefits is the close bonding with the baby as we have skin to skin contact and of course another benefit is lesser use of bottles = less work to heat up ebm and less work to sterilise the bottles. Not forgetting lesser pumping sessions *LOL*. Can't say I'm really desperate or her to nurse but I wanted to keep trying till since I'm with her most of the time now. It took me a good 5 weeks before she is able to latch properly and the "real" time she was on total latch was only 1 week at most. That was around say, around week 8 of her life? Rest of the time she prefers the bottle.

Anyway to update, Princess decided to nurse again this morning at 530am. I was surprised and contented. Then I'm here again in the study room pumping the other side. Woohoo! Yielded almost 100ml. *claps* As hubby suggested to me, call up the lactation consultant at Mount A and ask for help. If all else fails, don't despair and don't be depressed. At least I tried my best and had been able to latch her directly for a period of time already. Giving baby EBM is just as good. My initial goal is to give her bm for at least 6 months but now I'm not setting a goal. I'll try to give for as long as my supply lasts. Right now I'm pretty contented with 11 weeks+.

Princess don't want Mummy anymore!

Sadness!!! Although I'm already used to my baby to nurse in the daytime, I feel so dejected when she even refuses to nurse for her night feed. It's the 3rd night in a row she's been refusing and she's crying out so loudly that hubby who is usually able to sleep through the night awaken by her cries. I've been bottle feeding her with EBM 80% of the time but still feeling slightly consoled that she's willing to nurse at least 1-2 times a day. Now she doesn't even wanna give me the chance for that miserable 1 time!

What I just did at 545am: Heat up a bottle of EBM, feed her and pump both sides (If she nurses, then I only have to pump 1 side). Really don't know what I can do to "want" Mummy again. Yesterday during her afternoon nap, I was able to nurse her in the reclining position but soon after a while, I realised she wasn't drinking. She was merely suckling for comfort and I didn't even mind that. But then I think she does not even want to comfort nurse now.

AJ (finally) cooks again!

Top: Sitr-fry Yong Tau Foo with Chinese cabbage in Oyster sauce
Bottom: Cod fillet with garlic bits

Don't look very appetising right?
Ya.... not very appetising to tell the truth.
The only thing I like is the garlic bits.
It's not burnt. I poured light soya sauce over them when almost ready to dish out.

Little Bean's first wedding dinner

No pics of the bride... hehe
Not even a pic of Mummy. Only Bean Bean :P

Almost 11 weeks now

Miss Little Bean is 10 weeks and 5 days old.
Smiling more often nowadays :))
Daddy says she has double chin *LOL*.

Today's also Bestie's wedding day but we were unable to make it to the earlier part of the wedding so I'm gonna compensate by bringing Lil Bean to the wedding dinner tonight.
The cutie red romper was supposed to be Lil Bean's outfit for the morning session.
Wondering what to dress her for the dinner. Alamak all her dresses are damn loose how?

My first attempt shopping with Princess

Received an advertisement booklet from Taka few days back. They were having a four-day special additional 15% for card holders. I decided to drop by to get some essential stuff since I'm loaded with Taka vouchers *LOL*. The good thing about Taka vouchers are that they have no expiry date and can be used even during special sale periods.

Since it is already understood that I am fully taking care of my baby princess by myself at this moment, I'll have to bring her along wherever I go. Miss Little Bean was such a sweetie when in her pram. No throwing of tantrums (she seldom throw tantrums anyway. Can't remember the last time she did :)) = no difficult time for mummy. I was able to shop but of course have to be quick - pick and go and keep checking on her every few minutes. The only bad habit she has developed is - refusing to nurse, especially in the Cradle Position. She's sometimes ok with the Reclining Position when at home. Night feed always in RP. So after she has finished the only bottle of milk I brought, I tried to nurse her for a while at Taka's nursing room and she refused, she had to go hungry. No, she did not make any noise in the pram. She chose to keep quiet and nibble on her mittens. Second attempt to nurse her also failed. On the way back home, I felt so guilty I attempted to nurse her for a final time at ION's NR. She must be really hungry/thirsty at that point cuz she actually decided to suckle and drink a little on my right side. I think she must have quenched her thirst after she got some foremilk cuz she was quite satisfied after a while and stopped. Burping Bean is such a joy. Don't have to pat her very long and she gives a loud "BURP". We have a great sense of satisfaction whenever she does it :)

Loots of the day:

Skincare for the tired and haggard mummy.
Super good buy. Set consists of 50ml Aquasource moisturiser, 125ml Aquasource toner and 50ml Aquasource gel cleanser. $80 before the additional 15%. That's even cheaper than the moisturiser itself!





Storage bottles for ebm. Always in awe whenever I see Medela price tag. 2 250ml bottles for a good $30. Even Avent BPA-Free bottles cost much lesser. Good thing they were having 15% off and then, additional 15% on top of that. Pumping/storage is gonna be so much easier for me now :)



Since I'm planning to continue to express milk after going back to work, I needed a cooler bag to keep the milk fresh during the day. Was so settled on a Allerhand bag eversince we spotted this model at Robinsons during my pregnancy days. Hubby wanted to buy it on the spot but then I wasn't that sure if I were able to succeed for that long so I wanted to buy one closer to returning back to office date. Drag and drag... till now can't find it in Isetan and Taka. Centrepoint Robinsons so out of the place so never really attempted to make a trip down in case they don't have it anymore.
http://www.oompa.com/baby-toys/item/AH70264/Allerhand-Flamingo-Combi-Cooler-Diaper-Bag.html?oompaItem=Allerhand_Flamingo Combi Cooler/Diaper Bag
Seriously have you seen a cooler bag "cooler" than this? Ya may not look that pretty but it really is the PRETTIEST among the lot.

Anyway one has to move on and I happened to find this even more awesome thing: Fridge-To-Go.
I think it's $58 or $62 before the 15%. Comes complete with cooler plates.

Looks very ugly right? Comes in black, light blue and red. All equally ugly so I chose black.

Although it's ugly, it is super practical!

I think this is called the cooler plate or ice pack. Something like that.
A whopping 4 such pieces and a few small pieces in all.
Super heavy ok but the SA told me it is can last for a good 10-12hrs.
This is what I meant by practical.

* Still lusting after the Allerhand one *

Treat for the husband.
The greatest thing about the opening of ION (to him) is the opening of branch of Lim Chee Guan in town. No need to go to Chinatown for his fix!

New keyfob.
Guess what's the husband's reaction when I showed this to him?
"Oh isn't this the one I wanted to buy for you previously?"
Fullstop. Then back to his gaming session.
Really no heart lor this guy.

Ta da! Can put 2 tiny pics of Little Bean and hao lian to whoever I happen to chat to :D

Random pics of my Princess

Tried very hard to capture her smiley face but she's always too quick for my cam.





This is what we call 老鼠的脸 (Mouse Face).
The very first I saw this expression, I named it and Daddy also likes it.

One second slower and I would have missed this shot.

All the rest are attempts to capture another smiley shot.
All failed badly!

She's sinking in the cushion.
Still too tiny to fit the gap.

Top 10 most useful baby items

Items listed not in order of importance.

01) Pigeon Disposable Breast Pads - Soft and individually packed
I usually use them for night time or when going out. During the day I'm at home I don't use them since I pump and latch as often as possible. Depending on individual, some mummies leak while some do not. I used to leak more in my early days but lesser once my milk supply has been established. It is quite essential to use during the night cuz if your baby sleeps over a longer period of time in the night (meaning you can also sleep longer!), and you latch him/her for night feed, the other breast might leak.
On sale at Taka and Kiddy Palace for $8.90



02) Munchkin Diaper Change Organiser - Very very useful organiser which I attach to the baby cot. Diapers, 如意油, small stuff all can be placed here. Very convenient. 8 compartments in all.
I got mine from Kiddy Palace for $59.90 but saw Taka Baby Fair having 20%.
Should have signed up for KP membership! Bleah...



03) Desitin Diaper Rash Cream - The miracle cream which helped clear up my gal's diaper rash within 1-2 applications. Forget about using the Avent one.
On sale at Guardian for around $12.90. Do remember to grab 2 boxes each time cuz it's so popular and forever out of stock.
Take note: Purple packaging one works just as well just that it's harder to wash off.



04) Pigeon Nose Cleaner - The name says it all
Not too sure of the price as my sis-in-law bought it.
Taka Pigeon corner stock this.
http://www.pigeonbaby.info/product.php?pr_id=35

05) Mesh support for baby bathtub - Very helpful especially in baby's early days since the neck is very soft. Hubby and I would have died after our Confinement Lady left if not for this little wonder.
On sale at Kiddy Palace. Price unknown as it's a gift from my Aunt.



06) Cotton Roll - For cleaning baby's face during bath time. I also use this for cleaning baby's bottom when changing diapers. Much more economical than using wet wipes. Not forgetting this is fragrance/chemical free. One roll lasts for 3 weeks I think?
I got mine from provision shop from neighbourhood housing estate.
My father got me some from Seng Siong supermarket. Smaller roll at $1 each! Those are good cuz the cotton is rolled till "felt-like" so just cut them to size and fold a few folds can use.
Another good one is Smith & Nephew's. Can be found at NTUC Unity Pharmacy.

07) Cheaper alternative disposable diapers - Pet Pet and Drypers (half price compared to leading premium brands)
Two reasons why I included this option in my list:
i) During the first days baby discharge from hospital, they poo a lot. And I mean A LOT! Like minimum 6 times a day. Could be more times, especially if your baby is breastfed. Therefore, no point to invest in the premium brands since changing so often. I've experienced changing three times in a row within 10min. The moment I finished changing and carry my baby, she poo-ed, three times in a row. The only downside is, the cheaper disposable diapers use the sticky kind of tape to stick on, making loud sounds which may be slightly disturbing for newborns.
ii) I try my best to stick to a routine to bath my baby before 10am every morning and give her a allover warm wipe every evening around 9pm. So for example during her morning feed which is almost time for bath and she poo-ed or if I find her diapers very heavy, I'll just clean and change to the cheap diaper. Then after the bath or wipe, I'll change to the better ones. I alternate between Mamy Poko and Huggies. Mamy Poko is the best among all I've tried. Yet to try Pampers except for the during hospital stay so I can't judge on that.
NOTE: Different diaper companies have different sizing/cutting. For example, Huggies cutting is very small so if your baby is above 3kg at birth, pls do not continue to buy the newborn size. It won't fit him/her anymore after 1 pack. My gal was small at birth (2.4kg) and before her full month, Huggies newborn is already tight for her. I estimate she was about 3kg during that time. She currently weighs 4kg (last measured 10 days ago at clinic) and small size almost getting tight now. Pls do not believe the packaging chart. Huggies small size supposed to be for 3-7kg but apparently 4kg+ is the max they could go.
Mamy Poko's cutting is quite big. The newborn size was loose for my gal. So loose that sometimes her poo will leak. I had to change my sheets a few times due to her leak! She was able to fit MP newborn size till about 8 weeks I think. Now, I put on MP small size for her for night time. Still a little loose but the wide base is good and ensures no leakage.
Pet Pet and Drypers sizing is quite ok but I don't wanna go into details since those are suggested for "short-time" usage. So far I've had no problems with Pet Pet. I would even recommend using it in the daytime. Drypers I cannot judge since they ran out so fast before I even had chance to decide.

08) Cloth Napkin - The type the old folks prefer
Well, I did want to use them for my baby in the early days but have been procrastinating till now. Keep worrying about her wetting the sheets and all. But I found other ways to use them:
i) For swaddling baby since I did not buy any swaddle cloth (some call it receiving blankets).
ii) To use as a blanket in the baby cot or use as a cover when in the pram. The blankets I bought are too thick and bulky for our climate. The baby quilt that came with the bedding set was useless. Too thick. I let my baby lie on top of it instead of under.
iii) Use it as a changing mat when outside in case you forgotten to bring your own changing mat.

09) Medela Breast Pump - Mine's the "Swing" model.
I've posted a pic of the pump in my earlier post. This model is a single pump. Very useful to me but of course a double pump would halve the time I take to pump. I've read so many good reviews of the Medela Pump In Style in forums. But no complaints. I'm very satisfied with this and will not be buying a double pump. For frequency of using the pump, depends on whether my gal is willing to latch or not. If she latches more, then I pump less. So far, I only managed to store about 1.7litres of breastmilk in the freezer.
"Swing" retails for about $340 locally. Much cheaper to order in from US.

10) Cheeky Bonbon Breast Feeding Support - Great for Cradle Hold position
Bought from Taka baby fair $29.90. I think this is the offer price.
Much much cheaper than MyBrestFriend (a whopping $80+ which to me, converts to 2 cans of milk powder) but good enough for me. My gal (and me naturally) prefer the Side Lying aka Reclining position which I can conveniently feed her while lying down. I won't say my bf is a huge success since half the time she rejects my breast (prefers bottles) and sometimes she's not full after feeds and I had to give her a bottle of ebm half or 1hr later. Geraldine seems to like this pillow so much that she's considering getting one as her laptop support. * LOL*

中秋节快乐