Getting Formula Milk Samples

While experimenting with which formula milk suits Hayden, I realized we can get formula milk samples from the various companies such as MeadJohnson and Abbott.

Enfalac: It was a very nice overall experience. The next day after sms-ing to them, a lady called me to get more information and informed me that she will send a 400g sample to me. It was sent via their courier service and came with phamplets of information on why Enfalac should be my preferred choice of milk. They even included car decals and magnets free. Hayden was fine drinking this milk and did not have constipation like he did when drinking Friso.

Similac: A long time after sending the sms to Abbott, there was no reply from them but subsequently I received an sms from them saying they tried unsuccessfully to contact me. There was a call back number but when I called back, it went to a voicemail. Sadly, despite leaving a voicemail for them to call me back, I have yet to receive any reply from them.

Isomil: They are under Abbott too hence also no reply. I heard that drinking soy milk reduces phlegm in babies and children. When I saw that they sell Isomil in 400g tins hence I bought a small tin to try on Hayden. Isomil is soymilk instead of cow's milk hence the texture of the powder is much coarser and the color of the milk is more yellowish. Hayden had no problems with Isomil too and did not seem to mind switching from Enfalac to Isomil.

Friso: Hayden had constipation within the first few days of starting this milk, despite mixing it in breastmilk. For the first time ever, Hayden started crying when he tried to pass motion and his stool was hard and round  like a stone. Despite it being cheaper and claiming to be the closest match to breastmilk, I will not feed this to Hayden again.

Most Beautiful Babycare Room

I was at Great World City recently and decided to check out their babycare room despite Hayden not being with me. I used to think that the best babycare room was the one at Tangs before they tore it down after abolishing their entire baby and children line. However, the one at Great World City really beats it handsdown. It is so atas that it even has a chandelier in it! There is a stylish yet classy feel to it but being a babycare room, it has colorful fairies on a portion of the wall paper to add a childlike and magical touch to the room. Exquisite!

Entrance

Chandelier

From the entrance to the diaper change station

2 Diaper change station with cute mobiles hanging on top. The use of white all  creates a very clean  and safe feel.

2 feeding rooms with comfy leather sofa with a lamp for cosy lighting in the room

Hooks for bags and clothings, a small corner table to put your breastpump if necessary. Thoughtful!

Blocked Milk Ducts

Argh... It's the 5th or 6th time I'm having blocked milk ducts since Hayden was born. It may not seem like alot but because its happening so frequently recently that I can't help but feel like giving up breastfeeding coz it is so painful! 

To those who have not breastfed or are lucky enough to never experience it, blocked milk duct is a common problem for breastfeeding moms. Basically, the milk duct gets blocked and because milk can't pass through, it clots in the milk duct resulting in a painful lump in the breast. I've ever had it so bad, half the breast was hard and painful even to gentle touching. Carrying Hayden is impossible as it hurts terribly when he presses against it.

It usually clears in a day or two, with the help of Hayden constantly sucking and helping to drain the breast but sometimes when Hayden refuses to feed (probably he's too full yet I keep asking him to suck to help ease the pain), I'll have to turn to manual pumping. However, pumping doesn't do the trick for me. It helps by draining some milk from the breast so that when its time for Hayden's next feed, there won't be enough milk in there so he'll have to suck harder and longer which in turn clears the clot and reduces the lump. While it is very painful, it is essential to constantly massage the lumps, especially when baby is sucking or else the clot may not clear.

Things that are supposed to help are massage, hot compress before massage, cold compress after feeding and getting baby to feed with his chin pointing towards the lump. The last point would mean that baby may be feeding in a different position to how he usually feeds. For me it blocked milk ducts are always at the bottom half of the breast which might mean the position that Hayden is usually feeding might not be correct hence he is always drawing and draining milk from the top half of the breast rather than the bottom half of the breast. I've got to find a way to change his feeding position, which is a challenge since he's almost 9kg now and positions like the football hold won't work.

 If it happens to you, remember to be patient and endure the pain till its over. In the meantime, remind yourself on the benefits of breastfeeding and it'll somehow be worth the pain. =)

Hayden's learning to climb

Lately Hayden is starting to learn to crawl and climb and our bed head is his favourite place to climb. He'll always try to reach for things we place on top and despite falling a few times, he is still very persistant and will try till he succeeds or we intervene by taking away the thing he is reaching for.

Bringing Baby Overseas

Its almost 2 years that I have not gone on a holiday and I'm dying to go somewhere, ANYWHERE! To compensate for me not being able to join my family on their upcoming trip to Korea, my husband agreed to take me somewhere near for a short holiday. After some considerations, I've decided to go to Bangkok so I could replenish my stock for the breast milk bags that I'm selling online. And guess what? Hayden's gonna come with us!

First and foremost, I had to get Hayden's passport photo ready. After a few failed attempts at taking the photo myself, I brought him to the shop to get it done instead. With a few snap snap and click click (photoshop), Hayden's passport photo is ready. It is actually really easy to get a passport for Hayden with ICA's APPLE, their online passport application service. Within a few days, I received an email that Hayden's passport was ready and we brought him down to collect his passport as he had to be there in person. We happened to go during the school holidays hence the waiting time was about half an hour. Honestly, the queues moved pretty fast and it was a pleasant experience overall.

Next on my to-do list was to book the air tickets. After checking prices at various online ticketing sites, I booked our tickets via zuji. If you are wondering if Hayden needs a ticket, the answer is yes. Infants less than 23 months have to get an infant ticket. The price is quite cheap though, SGD70 inclusive of tax and fuel surcharge. In fact, the airfare costs less than the tax and surcharges. Hayden gets 10KG of checked luggage, excluding the stroller. However, he does not get a seat hence I'll have to carry him for the whole journey which may be a problem as he probably would not be willing to sit still for long. I do hope he drinks some milk and sleeps through the journey!

I'll update more about the trip when we return! Ciao!

For Sale: Extra Warm Baby Pyjamas

Warm and Comfy Baby Pyjamas!

 

With so many cute designs, you'll be spoilt for choice!

 

Comes in a pretty packaging & 4 vibrant colors to choose from!

 

Retail Price: $19.90
GMarket Price: $11.90
Blog Price: $9.90 !!!

Free Delivery by normal mail

Visit my gmarket shop for available sizes and colors.

http://list.gmarket.com.sg/item/EXTRA-WARM-BABY-PYJAMAS/404250084?search_keyword=hdbmummy

Thanks!!!

Should we give formula milk or not?

I was at ICAC recently when Hayden was having diarrhea and used the opportunity to check with the PD on which is a better brand for formula milk if I want to wean Hayden off breastmilk. Instead of the expected reply that most formula milk are similar, he told me that there is actually no need to feed him milk after 6 months.

He explained that Asians actually don't have the practice of drinking milk. Parents have the notion that it is mandatory to give their babies milk because of the kiasu mentality that is partly attributed by the formula milk companies as they steer us into thinking that our babies must drink milk to grow up healthy, strong and clever. For centuries, Asians have been feeding the babies porridge and their babies have grown up just as fine. As long as our babies eat 3 meals of porridge that is cooked with vegetables and fish, it is sufficient. Of course in between we can offer them fruits and snacks as part of a healthy diet. If still breastfeeding, just the morning and night feed will suffice.

I find it quite shocking and checked with another PD and indeed he agreed! It's time I seriously think about whether to wean Hayden off milk altogether...

Co-sleeping with baby

Most experts and PDs do not recommend co-sleeping with baby in the same bed. However, as I do not have space in my room to fit Hayden's baby cot, I started letting him sleep in the bed with us for the age of 1 month to make it more convenient for myself to feed him when he wakes up at night.

We're starting to regret our decision now as he is much taller now and likes to flip and turn in his sleep. My husband and I are being driven to the edge of the bed each night and have to endure numerous kicks, in addition to being awaken by his cries a few times a night. No prize for guessing how sleep deprived we are now.

If I were to start over again, I would invest in a baby moses basket which is small enough to fit in our room yet comfortable for him to sleep in safely.