Family pic time!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Joy of "breastfeeding"
Little did I know about the joy of breastfeeding, rather, sound of pumping.
The sound of the milk that drips into the bottle, as it increases, the sound of it spraying into the bottles ..... it gives such sense of achievement. As I watch the bottles gets filled up, it feels good that finally I am producing milk .... milk that gives antibodies and nutrients to my baby. For the excess milk, I can even give it to #1, ZQ who had missed out on it last round. ZQ was mainly on formula milk (FM) and I had produced so little breastmilk (BM) that every drop of milk was like a drop of blood .... so precious.
As I had failed in breastfeeding with my #1, I did not bear much hope of succeeding this round but I tried to find all other avenues to help improved my breastfeeding efforts. I bought a nursing pillow so that it helps in positioning the baby for breastfeeding (I feel that this is one of the greatest challenge) ... afterwhich is getting the baby to suckle (this will depend greatly on the baby). I had also invested in a good pump - Ameda, a dual electric pump, which is important because a dual pump will cut the time spent in emptying the excess milk by half!
Having done all that, I had also bought Milk producing herbs tea and a kind of herb called Fenugreek which helps lactating mothers to produce more milk - well, I am proud to say that to date, I had not open my bottle of fenugreek as yet.
Most importantly I had prepared myself mentally that I WANT TO PRODUCE MORE MILK! Hence, during my final stage of pregnancy, colostrum already started to produce. Even on the 2nd day at the hospital, I managed to squeeze out 50ml of milk which I even took a picture of - haha, so proud u know.
Til this morning, I had produced a record high of 260ml in a pumping session. What do I do with so much milk when ZK is only consuming 100ml per feed.
Sadly, I must say that I've enjoyed pumping more than direct latching the baby cos he still drinks 100ml regardless of how long I had latched him on! Latching on - he fusses, cries, struggles and now having gotten used to the bottle - he feels the slow flow on direct latching and becomes impatient. Hence, I had decided I'll do exclusive pumping and let someone else do the bottle feeding.
I hope that without the latching and with exclusive pumping, the milk supply will not dip. Now I must say that it is too late to get back to direct latching as ZK had already learnt that he can get milk without having to suckle too hard ... and compared to direct latching, he does not need to put in so much efforts.
It does not matter so long he gets the breastmilk and that I am comfortable in what I am doing - relax ... so I can produce suffient milk.
The sound of the milk that drips into the bottle, as it increases, the sound of it spraying into the bottles ..... it gives such sense of achievement. As I watch the bottles gets filled up, it feels good that finally I am producing milk .... milk that gives antibodies and nutrients to my baby. For the excess milk, I can even give it to #1, ZQ who had missed out on it last round. ZQ was mainly on formula milk (FM) and I had produced so little breastmilk (BM) that every drop of milk was like a drop of blood .... so precious.
As I had failed in breastfeeding with my #1, I did not bear much hope of succeeding this round but I tried to find all other avenues to help improved my breastfeeding efforts. I bought a nursing pillow so that it helps in positioning the baby for breastfeeding (I feel that this is one of the greatest challenge) ... afterwhich is getting the baby to suckle (this will depend greatly on the baby). I had also invested in a good pump - Ameda, a dual electric pump, which is important because a dual pump will cut the time spent in emptying the excess milk by half!
Having done all that, I had also bought Milk producing herbs tea and a kind of herb called Fenugreek which helps lactating mothers to produce more milk - well, I am proud to say that to date, I had not open my bottle of fenugreek as yet.
Most importantly I had prepared myself mentally that I WANT TO PRODUCE MORE MILK! Hence, during my final stage of pregnancy, colostrum already started to produce. Even on the 2nd day at the hospital, I managed to squeeze out 50ml of milk which I even took a picture of - haha, so proud u know.
Til this morning, I had produced a record high of 260ml in a pumping session. What do I do with so much milk when ZK is only consuming 100ml per feed.
Sadly, I must say that I've enjoyed pumping more than direct latching the baby cos he still drinks 100ml regardless of how long I had latched him on! Latching on - he fusses, cries, struggles and now having gotten used to the bottle - he feels the slow flow on direct latching and becomes impatient. Hence, I had decided I'll do exclusive pumping and let someone else do the bottle feeding.
I hope that without the latching and with exclusive pumping, the milk supply will not dip. Now I must say that it is too late to get back to direct latching as ZK had already learnt that he can get milk without having to suckle too hard ... and compared to direct latching, he does not need to put in so much efforts.
It does not matter so long he gets the breastmilk and that I am comfortable in what I am doing - relax ... so I can produce suffient milk.
Friday, September 26, 2008
First outing with ZQ after my delivery
Went to Pasir Park with hubby and ZQ. ZQ really enjoyed himself alot and was laughing when I showed him the pictures and videos of him playing Pasir Ris Park. Now he knows how to request to go there again.Sunday, September 21, 2008
ZQ knows how to please
ZQ really knows how to please his daddy.
He drew some lines on the paper and ran over to tell daddy "I drew something special for you". Asked him what it is, he said it's the train .. it goes Choo choo choo ...
Daddy then asked him to add some more colors and he replie "No, thank you".
His other favourite phrase is "Stop it Papa" "Stop it Mama" "Stop it Auntie" .. he learnt that in his CC and now he uses it with us when we tried to stop him from misbehaving and he will say "So sad ..... " when we really discipline him. Next second, he'll be jumping with joy and I wonder if he is good at acting. *Sigh.
He's quite funny. The way he answers sounds vv much like an adult but then it could be all 2.5 yr olds are answering in this manner.
Sometimes he will say "I tell u something" .....
Other times he will pull your head near to him and say "Spell my name.."
Now he knows his daddy and mommy's name and i am teaching him to remember my mobile number. Hope it's a good thing .. not sure if it will backfire and he might end up calling me often next time. Let's see.
He drew some lines on the paper and ran over to tell daddy "I drew something special for you". Asked him what it is, he said it's the train .. it goes Choo choo choo ...
Daddy then asked him to add some more colors and he replie "No, thank you".
His other favourite phrase is "Stop it Papa" "Stop it Mama" "Stop it Auntie" .. he learnt that in his CC and now he uses it with us when we tried to stop him from misbehaving and he will say "So sad ..... " when we really discipline him. Next second, he'll be jumping with joy and I wonder if he is good at acting. *Sigh.
He's quite funny. The way he answers sounds vv much like an adult but then it could be all 2.5 yr olds are answering in this manner.
Sometimes he will say "I tell u something" .....
Other times he will pull your head near to him and say "Spell my name.."
Now he knows his daddy and mommy's name and i am teaching him to remember my mobile number. Hope it's a good thing .. not sure if it will backfire and he might end up calling me often next time. Let's see.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
ZK is 1 month old
ZK is 1 month old today. Was planning for a dinner session with some relatives but becos my FIL cannot make it, we had to postpone it. Dunno when but hubby is arranging it.From birth of 3.65kg, ZK had now grown to be about 5 kg. I was surprised cos i always thought he was only 4 kg. It was calculation mistake. Now he drinks 100-120ml every 2-2.5hours, that's alot for a baby only 4 weeks. Furthermore, it's vv SIONG to wake up every 2 hours to feed him. Each time it will take at least 1 hour and if my #1 is at home eg. Weekends, then we really don't have time. Though confinement is ending soon but i don't see myself going out alot .. i still need alot of rest.
ZQ is getting abit more unmanagable cos he sees me home alot and i give him more time since the maid has to take care of ZK at times, hence i have to come in to take over certain things. Maid finds that she cannot manage him. She will give in to him when he cries and makes a din ... so she will give him biscuits(chocolate kind), etc which I myself do not give to ZQ cos he develops cough easily. He had been coughing for a while and on and off, it comes back for few weeks. having gone through so long to have his cough recovered, of course i am upset that she gives him rubbish food and he might develop cough again.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Update on ZK - week 3
Just gotten this collage done up and I tot I'd post it here :)
He's so cute .. i was taking pictures for him and told him .... "Darling, smile ..." and he actually did .. a couple of times.
He's quite a "clean" boy .... always like his diaper dry and clean. Even when there's one pee, he feels it, he'd cry until we change him. Diaper ... a rather costly thing.
He's drinking 90ml for every 2-2.5 hourly .... it's quite a lot for his age but then he's born quite a big size boy ... so perhaps he needs more. Thank God that this time round my supply is able to meet his demand and even have excess that I can give to my #1, ZQ.
Initially, ZQ was enjoying it until he decided that he dun wan the "special" milk and want the normal milk (Formula) ... hence, now we can only give it to him in the wee hours when he is still sleepy. Well, firstly it can help me save $$ and hopefully if it's not the frozen breast milk, then it has the antibodies that comes with it. Hopefully it can also help to boost ZQ's immune system.
Don't you love his million dollar smile?
Friday, September 12, 2008
ZQ is the sweetest boy and a good brother
This morning, i was still half asleep when ZQ came into my room to tell me he is going to school. Next, he hugged me and gave me a goodbye kiss and seeing that I am still sleeping, he said "Mama, don't go down" to tell me that I do not need to accompany him down to the school bus. He's such a sweet boy.
Last nite when I put him to sleep, I told him firmly that once he finishes his milk, he MUST sleep and really, within 5 mins, he fell asleep. Quite glad that he din insist on more milk -which he usually do. He is drinking alot of milk esp at nite and esp for a toddler of his age. I thought they should be cutting down on milk feeds? But he is not eating properly for his dinner and still vv choosy .... don;'t want meat, vege, fish .. in fact , everything except white rice. Faintz.
ZQ is also coping well with his new didi, ZK. He will say softly "Baby ..... so cute .... " while touching baby's legs, toes. I feel he will be a very caring GorGor to his little brother.
For little ZK, he seems to like to be carried and cries when we put him down. So now, i told maid not to rock him if possible. However, ZK is still managable cos once he "falls asleep", we will put him down.
Last nite when I put him to sleep, I told him firmly that once he finishes his milk, he MUST sleep and really, within 5 mins, he fell asleep. Quite glad that he din insist on more milk -which he usually do. He is drinking alot of milk esp at nite and esp for a toddler of his age. I thought they should be cutting down on milk feeds? But he is not eating properly for his dinner and still vv choosy .... don;'t want meat, vege, fish .. in fact , everything except white rice. Faintz.
ZQ is also coping well with his new didi, ZK. He will say softly "Baby ..... so cute .... " while touching baby's legs, toes. I feel he will be a very caring GorGor to his little brother.
For little ZK, he seems to like to be carried and cries when we put him down. So now, i told maid not to rock him if possible. However, ZK is still managable cos once he "falls asleep", we will put him down.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Update on ZQ - 2.5 years old
ZQ is now 2.5 years old and he is about 16kg @ 90+ cm .. din measure his height but alot of people commented that he looks like a 3 or 4 yr old kid. Well, his mature looks I must credit to his father ... haha.
He has made great improvements in terms of his speech and ability to communicate. Some of his favourite phrases are :-
"That's a good story" - whenever I finish reading a book, he used to say "The End" ... now he will say "That's a good story". It's interesting to hear cos I never teach him that and I gather it's prob the childcare.
"I'm so sad" - ZQ is a sensitive boy and when we scold him or punish him, he will run to me or to my domestic helper and say "I'm so sad .....". We'd then ask him what happened and he tries to articulate that papa or mama is not happy with him and angry with him.
"Angry" - He learnt that from CC and he will say "Angry" with his arms folded. So funny.
Since he returned from my mother in law's place (due to his chicken pox) , I felt that he had grown up suddenly. Not just in terms of his weight, size but his speech, mannerism and alot more. No wonder there's a song that say "One night grow up" (translated from the mandarin song from Fish Leong).
He's been quite understanding and will look at baby and say "Baby .. so cute" "Baby crying". Since he is having a cough now, I told him to stay away from baby and to turn away or walk away when he is going to cough and to cover his mouth. He understood and will walk away whenever he is going to cough. Such a dear and I must say that he is rather mature and understanding for his age. He has a vv good nature and I believe that they are born with it.
I hope to give him more time once baby's routines are more established.
He has made great improvements in terms of his speech and ability to communicate. Some of his favourite phrases are :-
"That's a good story" - whenever I finish reading a book, he used to say "The End" ... now he will say "That's a good story". It's interesting to hear cos I never teach him that and I gather it's prob the childcare.
"I'm so sad" - ZQ is a sensitive boy and when we scold him or punish him, he will run to me or to my domestic helper and say "I'm so sad .....". We'd then ask him what happened and he tries to articulate that papa or mama is not happy with him and angry with him.
"Angry" - He learnt that from CC and he will say "Angry" with his arms folded. So funny.
Since he returned from my mother in law's place (due to his chicken pox) , I felt that he had grown up suddenly. Not just in terms of his weight, size but his speech, mannerism and alot more. No wonder there's a song that say "One night grow up" (translated from the mandarin song from Fish Leong).
He's been quite understanding and will look at baby and say "Baby .. so cute" "Baby crying". Since he is having a cough now, I told him to stay away from baby and to turn away or walk away when he is going to cough and to cover his mouth. He understood and will walk away whenever he is going to cough. Such a dear and I must say that he is rather mature and understanding for his age. He has a vv good nature and I believe that they are born with it.
I hope to give him more time once baby's routines are more established.
ZK's jaundice is on the downward trend
Hurray! ZK's jaundice is on the downward trend. Yesterday's checkup, his level went down to 183 ... a drop of 20 points is quite good. Need to go back for another review and if it falls further, then ZK can be "discharged" from going back for blood test.
Now I have to start working on his first month celebration. I did not do it for #1 - ZQ cos i was not coping well with the first time round and hence, no time and energy to do it. This time, I am managing better and with help from my domestic helper, things are much better now.
Gotta start sourcing for caterer and decide on who to invite , etc. Alot of work to be done!
Now I have to start working on his first month celebration. I did not do it for #1 - ZQ cos i was not coping well with the first time round and hence, no time and energy to do it. This time, I am managing better and with help from my domestic helper, things are much better now.
Gotta start sourcing for caterer and decide on who to invite , etc. Alot of work to be done!
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