World Breastfeeding Week

It's World Breastfeeding Week!!

1–7 August 2009

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 120 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration made by WHO and UNICEF policy-makers in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is six months old, and continued breastfeeding with the addition of nutritious complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.

The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2009 is "Breastfeeding - a vital emergency response. Are you ready?". It highlights the need to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in emergencies for infant and young child survival, health and development.

Children are among the most vulnerable groups during emergencies, and small children are the most vulnerable of all, due to increased risk of death due to diarrhoea and pneumonia. During emergencies, unsolicited or uncontrolled donations of breast-milk substitutes may undermine breastfeeding and should be avoided.

As part of emergency preparedness, hospitals and other health care services should have trained health workers who can help mothers establish breastfeeding and/or overcome difficulties.

Happy breastfeeding week! :)

Organic Food is not healthier????

Overheard from the radio just now that according to one study released, it was found that the organic food does not pose any health benefits compare to conventional food. As usual, I checked it out in Google and found the following:

Organic food not healthier, UK study finds
A major study for the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency, which analysed 50 years of research, found organic food had no more nutrients or health benefits than conventional food.

Organic food producers dismiss flawed British study
Some of New Zealand's finest food producers have lashed out at a British study claiming organic food is no better for you than conventionally-produced food. The British study didn't take pesticides or fertilisers into account - its conclusion was drawn simply from nutritional content.

Oh heck... of course, if you take the pesticides/fertilisers into account, I'd definitely say organic food is better! But then, if you don't have to use chemical at all, why does it costs so much more compared to the conventional foods?

Another bizarre stunt... riding motorbike on children fingers...

Oh heck.... not another bizarre stunt. Read this from Star paper on 29th July and decided to surf the Net to find out more info on this.

I'm sorry to say this, but I find it ridiculous that ppl can even think of doing this type of stunt. And to think that the PTA gave their consent as well?!!

Vaccines - need to know...

This article is also from CNN website. (heck, next time, I wonder if anybody does read my blog at all... :P)

Just a summary of the article for those who are lazy to load to the site (or ehem ehem, prefers to stay at my blog site :P) -

Vaccines - need to know

The worry: Vaccines cause autism
The facts: So far, 10 studies involving thousands of children have failed to find any connection between the MMR and autism. Plus, the original paper suggesting a connection between the two was formally retracted by 10 of its 13 authors in 2004. Plus, autism rates have continued to rise even after drug companies voluntarily phased out the preservative from all vaccines given to kids (with the exception of some flu shots) in 2001. Clearly, we are far from understanding everything we need to about the range of autistic disorders.

The worry: Too many shots too soon is risky
The facts: What's more, the bacteria and viruses used in vaccines are either killed or altered. There are just enough to induce immunity, but not enough to make someone sick -- and certainly not enough to overload the immune system of a healthy child. As with any medical intervention, side effects, including soreness, rashes, and fever, are possible, but most are mild and short-lived. In rare instances, some children experience fever-induced seizures following shots, but though these are frightening, they cause no permanent harm. One common response to these concerns is to break up combination vaccines (which may contain up to five inoculations in one) or to spread them out. But that carries significant risks of its own.

More troubling, during the gaps, kids are susceptible to catching serious diseases they could have been protected from. Vaccines are scheduled when they are for precise reasons: It's a balance between finding the time when the baby's immune system can respond and knowing when he's most in danger of catching the infection.

The worry: Vaccines contain toxins
The facts: Everyday exposure to aluminum is generally not considered hazardous -- most adults ingest 7 to 9 milligrams (mg) every day through food alone (up to 200 mg if they pop antacids), and formula contains anywhere from .05 mg/L to .93 mg/L. Very little of the aluminum taken in orally is absorbed, and what does make it into the bloodstream is excreted within days. Although the aluminum in vaccines is, of course, injected, there doesn't seem to be evidence it poses any danger for healthy kids. The amount of aluminum injected is no more than .85 mg per dose, and the CDC, the Institute of Medicine, and the World Health Organization have all deemed the levels babies receive from shots to be safe.

However, if you still have concerns, you can ask your doctor to choose low- or no-aluminum vaccines when possible.

The worry: It's healthier to contract some diseases naturally
The facts: The potential complications of both chicken pox and measles are far more dangerous than any posed by the shots.

I don't know what you all had in mind, but for me, I don't agree with the need to take all the vaccines available in the market (and some even costs up to thousands of Ringgits!) - for now, after checking with our paed, hubby and I decided to take the necessary injections and leave the 'modern' vaccines for now.

Health problems that you may pass down to your kids...

Was reading thru some articles in CNN website and found this. Some of the health problems that you may pass on to your children are as follows:

• Vision Problems (both hubby & I checked.... :( )
  
• Eczema
• Migraines (I used to have this back at my working days but it's not often... :( )
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (does sh*tting everyday and after every KFC meal counts? This strangely occurrs to hubby but not me...)
• Allergies (we don't have those allergies towards nuts but hubby once developed rashes after having otak-otak~a fish/shrimp paste dish and I had rashes the 1st time I tried fish & chips with vinegar sauce)
• Emotions run deep

The last month when we brought Ben to see his paed, we were told that when Ben grows up he's going to be wearing glasses like hubby and me. We were like 'uhhhhhh'... and the paed proceed to tell us it happens to his 3 sons cos he & his wife are also wearing glasses. And to think that hubby and I planned not to expose Ben to TV/computer screens so much & so fast... only to be told that he cannot escape from wearing glasses...

Things I learnt when I become a mummy...

1. To sacrifice - (not that I never did sacrifice before in my life... )but to give up a high-paying job (with my low education qualifications) and trade it with caring for your newborn 24/7, 365... that is something, right?
   
2. To trust in your own instinct and not give in to others - when others say 'You don't have enough breastmilk. Give your boy some formula!', 'He's crying cos not enough milk', "You have to give him pacifier!" I just close off and not listen to all these. Ppl who tell me I'm not producing enough milk should take a look at my baby now and tell me again. Worse still, these ppl who tells me these things - some of them do not have experience in breastfeeding and were actually bottle feeding their babies (which explains why their baby are 'fat' and 'chubby')
3. To be creative - whatever songs that was playing, be it on radio or TV, I somehow can changed the lyrics to include Ben's name in it and make the songs sound cute...
4. To be a joker - I find it so satisfying seeing Ben's chuckle and laugh at the silly things I do...
5. To be a strong - physically that is... Ben is growing heavier everyday, and I seem to be getting lighter by the day... in fact, I'm just 1 kg away from my steady weight since I was 17 years old (fyi, I am 46kg now)
6. To do things while sleeping - it takes practice and a very tired body and mind to do this. But I'm able to change diapers, switched Ben's sleeping position and breastfeed Ben while half sleeping, half in zombied state...
7. To be calm and stay cool at whatever surprises your baby is throwing you - piss, poop, fart, drool, whatever it is... I've learned that it is not yucky at all and these will make up part of the motherhood experiences that I'm gaining...
   

On another note, here's an article from CNN website about the truth of motherhood. Enjoy!

Facts on Natural Childbirth

Came across this article on benefits on natural childbirth. I'm glad Benjamin is delivered naturally! :)

• labor often progresses quicker
• less of a risk of stalled labor, which often leads to a hospital recommending a C-section
• Drug-free means you can feel everything that is going on with your body
• you won't need the assistance of others to tell you when you should push as you can feel the contractions
• babies born naturally seem to fair better
• Unmedicated births result in a significantly fewer number of babies who become distressed in labor and require support with breathing after delivery
• the babies from unmedicated births are more alert and integrate rapidly with the surrounding environment

These are from another source:

• Quicker recovery for mother and baby
• Shorter labor
• More effective pushing, shorter pushing time
• Less tearing of the perineum
• Lower Cesarean rate
• Less chance of damage to baby’s brain due to drugs or misused forceps or vacuum
• Less chance of bodily harm to baby from forceps or vacuum
• Less need for interventions such as internal fetal monitor, continuous monitoring, IV, catheter
• Mother can move freely and get in comfortable position
• Shorter hospital stay
• Baby can latch on better and more quickly for breastfeeding moms
• Mother is in control of her body and can use instinct to birth the baby
• Mother is unmedicated and can bond more easily with her child
• No risk of prolonged pain from botched epidural or from Cesarean wound
• No long-term negative developmental or behavioral effects on the baby

Of course, I do believe every woman who is conceiving would hope to go for natural delivery but if things doesn't work out the way they wanted (due to complications to either the mother, baby or both), and they have to go for C-section, that doesn't mean they are less a mother than one who delivered naturally.

For those who are pregnant while reading this post, I pray that you will consider natural delivery and if possible to go drug free during the labour process (I used Entonox aka gas & air). I will blog on my delivery process next time - a miracle delivery to sum it up! :)

Caring for your child only to be 'dumped' at hospital when you are old...

I am so saddened by the article published in the Star paper on 26th July 2009 ("Abandoned by their kids") Imagine you worked hard to put food on the table for your family and children, tightened your belt everyday to make ends meet, provided the best you can for your children in hope that they will have a better life and future than yours only to be abandoned by the very same (and own) flesh and blood of yours when you are old/sick/lonely/helpless.

I seriously cannot contemplate how the people who abandoned their ageing parents can say its because of financial woes. Money is not everything - yes, without it, they may have difficulties with their lifestyle, but it should not be the reason for them to even think of abandoning their own parents! Why didn't they think that one day when they become parents themselves, how will they answer to their own children when they ask where are their grandparents? What about those people who actually have their own kids and do that? What sort of message are they sending to their own children when they abandoned their own parents elsewhere? How would you answer to God?

My dad passed away in April 2006, mom followed dad 8 months later in Jan 2007. I know my parents have both did their best in raising my brother and I. I can never ever repay their love and sacrifices towards me. I find solace in knowing I have done my best and told them I loved them before they passed on.

I just hope I can raise my own children and nurture them with the good values I was raised with.

God, I pray that you will bless and protect the old folks caught in these situation. Open up the hearts and minds of their children so that they may realise what they have done and correct their mistakes.Amen...

Sh*ttiest job in the World...?

The other day, my sis in law sent me this Powerpoint slides entitled 'Sh*ttiest Job in the World' and telling us to be thankful with our jobs.

So I replied her saying "I love my job!" together with the following pictures...

-> this is me with Ben when his thunderous poo spewed out to my front...


-> close up shot at the 'disaster' site

:)

Solar eclipse... hiding the sun... but why are we hiding too?

Source from:
http://gallery.thestar.com.my/default.asp?id=1236


The "eclipse of the 21st century" occurred today, sadly Malaysia is expected to experience just a partial solar eclipse from 8am to 10am today.


Ever since watching the "Heroes" series, it's more intriguing to see an eclipse but somehow, when MIL (aka mum in law) got a late night phone call from her best friend telling about the expected eclipse in the morning of 22/07, we were told by MIL to best not look up/out etc. I've been told to close the curtain and make sure not to bring Ben outside between 9-10am (not that I'll be doing that anyway cos Ben normally wakes up at 9-ish...) That aside, I'm thinking, err..why are we hiding ourselves from the eclipse?

So again, I googled and found the following:

Source:

• The Chinese believed that a dragon was eating the Moon, and they would shoot cannons at it in hopes of scaring it away. In fact the Chinese navy was known to have shot cannons at the Moon as late as the 19th century.
• The people of India still hide inside during the eclipses, as they believe that the eclipse of the Moon allows bad rays to strike the Earth. They will hide inside, and close all the windows and doors in hopes that they will not be infected by these bad rays. They also will bang pots, and make other loud noises to scare away the evil forces taking over the Moon.
• The Babylonians believed that the Moon being hidden was a harbinger of doom for some place in the world. They studied what quadrant of the Moon seemed to be eclipsed the most. They believed that they would see the most damage from the Gods and people in that part of the world should be careful. Soothsayers would offer predictions based on the readings of the Moon, and use them to determine what course of action should be taken.

Hmmm.... superstitions strikes again!! I guess I'll just make do with looking at images of the eclipse from the Net then...

Talking funny... (and nope, not the baby, its the mummy.... )

I have been having mouth ulcer since last week. I can't remember when was the last time I had a mouth ulcer. I think when I was pregnant I was totally mouth ulcer free for the 9 months! I think this was probably because when you are pregnant, you will be taking pre-natal vitamins which sufficiently protects you from having ulcers.

Since last week I have been eating noodles (easy to go down and no crumbs/bits of it going and touching the ulcer) and having porridge for few days straight is no fun... but of course, there's a few nights I bugged hubby to make me chicken burger (yummy!) which I'd be glad to pay the price (super pain!!) cos the burger fills up my tummy longer than the noodle & porridge.

But I think the most excruciating time was when I had to play with Ben. Imagine saying & singing the nursery rhymes to your baby with part of your mouth crooked to one side and mid saying/singing you go 'ouch ouch owwwwww' and then your baby goes wondering 'aik? this part is new...' or 'why mummy talk so funny wan?'

I'm not sure whether babies around Ben's age (4.5 mths now) will be able to differentiate or not but I am seriously praying that the mouth ulcer will heal up fast. I think within these 2 days it should peak and get better from then on.

Till then... mummy's gotta talk like a baby to her baby... :P

Gifts for Benjamin!

Ben got some gifts from mummy & daddy's close friend. I think I will keep the pink one for my baby daughter next time.. hahaha...

(p.s: Thanks Siew Choo for the gifts!)

Nursery Rhymes... innocent or violent?

I just bought Ben a nursery rhyme book the other day and when I got home and started reading out to him, I realised some of the nursery rhymes sounds violent! Here are some of the pages from the nursery rhymes book...

Publish Post

So I googled on "nursery rhymes violent" and came across some interesting websites..

• 10 Popular Nursery Rhymes That are Incredibly Depressing, Terrifyingly Violent and Disturbingly Tragic for Children
• Nursery rhyme violence 'tops TV'
• Violence Common in Nursery Rhymes

Huh.... I think for now, I'll just let Ben see the colourful pages in the book, but I will not read those violent sounding rhymes to him...

Babyplus... replicating mother's heartbeat...

I was just emailing a close friend the other day talking about our babies (hers is a girl, mine a boy) and the topic of Babyplus came up. She mentioned that she always believed the gadget works cos her daughter (2 months older than my boy) is more attentive and actually used her pointing finger and babbles away while she reads to her.

I also used Babyplus when I was pregnant (she lend me he spare unit, thanks Siew Choo!!!!) but have yet to check out whether the gadget really works, so decided to surf back the website and read back the benefits - hahaha... here goes...

Benefits of BabyPlus

BabyPlus parents report babies at birth and infancy:

• More readily nurse (True!!!)
  
• Display an increased ability to self-soothe (True!!!)
• Are more interactive & responsive (So so so true!!!)
• Are more relaxed & alert at birth (So so so true!!!)

And later in life demonstrate:

• Earlier developmental milestones (So so so true!!!)
• Enhanced intellectual abilities (Well I did noticed the babbling while I read Ben his story book as well...)
• Longer attention spans
• Improved school readiness
• Greater creativity & independence

Other than the above benefits listed on the website, I also noticed that Ben is:

• used to being in a noisy (alot of sound) environment (I've seen babies throwing fuss and crying like mad at a slightest noice/sound)
• calm and alert with his surroundings, not like other babies I've seen which looks lethargic
  
• at between 2 - 3.5 months old, he has reached all the milestones for 4-6 months old babies (such as bringing his hands together, raised his chest when on tummy, roll over, reaches for objects, track objects from side to side and also follow the objects with his eyes, vocalize his pleasure & displeasure, makes sounds to get attention, attempt to move by crawling, bum shuffling or pivoting on tummy and many more!)
  
• breastfeeds very very well
• sleeps well through the night (that I have to wake him up to feed him sometimes as my breasts will be engorged :( )
  

25 Reasons I owe my mother for my education...

Stumbled upon an old email which I received from a friend... brings back smile as I read back each of the reasons listed... Enjoy!!

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
' Because I said so, that's why.'

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.'

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.'

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.'

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.'

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION.
'Stop acting like your father!'

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.'

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
'Just wait until we get home.'

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
'You are going to get it when you get home!'

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.'

19. My mother taught me ESP.
'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?'

20. My mother taught me HUMOUR.
'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.'

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
'You're just like your father.'

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?'

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

25. And my favourite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.

ParenThots Baby Kiko Precious Moment Contest

Woohoo! Our pic has been uploaded into the contest website!

What you've got to do is:

• upload a photo of you and your child (sharing a precious moment) and
  
• complete the slogan “You are amazing because ...” (in not more than 15 words).

The contest is only open to parents whose children are aged four years old and below. All photos will be uploaded at ParenThots for public viewing. 3 winners will be chosen every month.

Think I will upload some more pictures since there are no limits on the pictures submitted... :)

Michael Jackson's signature?

Came across this MJ book which hubby was showing his sister the other day (when both of them are trying to prove they are MJ's #1 fans...) At the end of the day when things quiet down, I took the book into my room and start flipping through it.

Honestly, I'm not much of MJ's fan but was kinda intrigued to read more about him. And there's a page with his signature... I am still trying to find out whether the signature is real or not... hubby keep telling me yes (but with his bullsh*tting face on so that's the part that doesn't convinced me yet...)

Below pictures taken of the book...

Front Page


Whole Book


Back Page


First Few Pages

The signature is definitely not printed on the page. I also Googled for images of MJ's signature and found one at http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/41583521db.jpg. It kinda looks the same except the fireworks thing at the bottom right which is a bit different, so couldn't be the same template. Check out the one below from one of MJ's fan website.

Bisphenol A found in baby food in glass jars: survey

Was reading this news article. Abit worried with the products we came into contact with... I thought as long as we banned plastic products, we'd be OK but now it's also found in glass jars? hmmm...

The article as shown below... with the important points which I highlight in red coloured font...

The estrogen-mimicking chemical bisphenol A is widely found in baby food sold in glass jars in Canada, according to a survey conducted by Health Canada that found the compound in about 84 per cent of samples.

Although Health Canada said the amounts were too low to be a health concern, the highest levels detected were similar to the readings that last year prompted the federal agency to ban the chemical from polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and to direct infant formula makers to cut the amounts in liquid forms of their product.

The survey was posted on a Health Canada website earlier this week and is one of the most extensive conducted to date on the bisphenol A content of baby food from glass containers. Although glass doesn’t contain BPA, a plastic making compound, it is often used on the liners of metal jar lids.

Some scientists have expressed concern over BPA because it is a chemical never found in nature and is able to act like estrogen in living things, leading to worries that its presence in food means people are getting an extra dollop of the female hormone. Experimentals with test animals have linked it to breast cancer and other hormonally induced medical conditions, some at doses to which humans are exposed.

But Health Canada said there are no grounds for concern.

“The results of this survey clearly indicate that exposure to BPA through the consumption of jarred baby food products would be extremely low” with the amounts “not expected to pose a health risk to the consumer,” it said.

The highest level detected was 7.2 parts per billion, in a sample of My Organic Baby Inc.’s strained carrots, but average amounts were around 1 ppb.

Although a part per billion is an extremely minute quantity, estrogen concentrations in people are in parts per trillion, or about a thousand times less.

Health Canada testing in 2008 found plastic baby bottles leach BPA at concentrations ranging from 1.7 ppb to 4.1 ppb.

Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence, a group that has been lobbying to have BPA removed from all food contact applications, accused Health Canada of having a hypocritical position because it has banned BPA from baby bottles, but isn’t taking action on other exposures.

“After having taken steps to ban BPA in baby bottles, it’s difficult to see how you justify not banning it from other similarly dangerous sources,” Mr. Smith said.

But Health Canada defended its decision, saying the ban in baby bottles “can’t necessarily be applied to other products that might have different consumption patterns. In the case of baby food, the results of this survey clearly indicate that exposure to BPA through the consumption of baby food is extremely low.”

Health Canada examined the contents of 122 jars of baby food, but because of the complexity of running these kinds of tests, was able to get accurate readings on BPA content from only 99. Of these, it found the chemical in 84.

Separately, Health Canada released a survey that found low concentrations of BPA in bottled water sold in polycarbonate containers, although it didn’t detect the chemical in water sold in other types of plastic bottles.

10 Things You Taught Your Baby Today (Without Even Trying)

Came across this article today. Quite interesting... enjoy!

I learned I can always depend on you.
Each time you soothed your child's persistent cries with food, a cuddle, or a dry diaper, you taught him that he matters and that he can trust you to help him. Even something as routine as putting him down for a nap fortifies his trust and self-esteem. Eventually, he'll figure out that even when you're out of sight, you still exist—and you'll be back.

I learned I can depend on myself too.
Instead of dashing into your baby's room when she fussed in the middle of the night, you forced yourself to wait for several seconds, then several more. Silence. Perhaps she found her thumb or snuggled into a comfy corner of the crib—whatever it was, she fell back asleep on her own. Without even getting out of bed, you taught her that she can take care of herself once in a while.

You learned something too: that sometimes good parenting means doing less for your child, not more. The same wait-a-minute approach is also wise if she's struggling to achieve a motor skill, such as reaching for a toy. Pulling back a little and letting her wiggle closer on her own steam challenges her to learn.

I learned that I can strike a balance.
Toting your little one around, whether in your arms or in a carrier, stimulates his vestibular system, which helps his body maintain its balance. And when you give him a ride on your shoulders, he also gets a visual bonus—the chance to take in the sights from a different vantage point. Once your baby is able to sit up, take him for regular stroller rides over a variety of surfaces—like your gravelly driveway, a smooth sidewalk, and a grassy lawn—at different paces. It'll further refine his balancing skills and strengthen the muscles that keep him upright.

I learned that I can make all the right moves.
Maybe your baby—finally!—got her toes into her mouth, picked up a cracker by herself, or took her first halting steps today. She beamed, and you smiled and applauded, showing her she had a right to be proud. There's no big secret to helping your baby develop her motor skills. Just clearing the floor and giving her opportunities to move around is almost enough. The other essential? Cheering her on.

I learned how words work.
Did you call your child by name when you picked him up? As you went grocery-shopping together, did you describe each item as you put it in the cart? If so, you gave him bite-size—but big-time—lessons in language. Any opportunity your baby has to hear you speak will support his verbal development, as he takes in the tone and rhythm of the words you use. Baby-friendly topics and baby-size words are nice, but not necessary. Even reading him the sports page, telling him about your day, or singing to him counts. So if you like to chat while doing chores or belt out show tunes in the car, go ahead.

I learned that I can take turns.
Remember playing peekaboo? First you covered your face, then your child did. Back and forth the two of you went. When you take turns with your baby during everyday interactions and simple games, you're teaching the importance of sharing, being social, and cooperating with others. Just about any exchange that's simple, repetitive, and reciprocal does the trick. For instance, when you ask, "What does my little girl want to do today?" and wait for your baby's response with rapt attention, you're showing her the give-and-take of communication. Sure, her answer may only be a gurgle, but an intimate conversation between the two of you has begun.

I learned neat things from making a mess.
While you were cooking, you gave your baby a bowl and some plastic spoons to bat around the kitchen. During dinner you kept handing him Cheerios, even though you knew he'd throw them off the high chair. And you didn't cut bathtime short when he splashed water out of the tub. Congratulations! You provided lots of learning experiences. Early in life, the most enriching play is the kind that's served up fresh—unstructured, unscheduled, and not centered around certain events or toys. When he played with the bowl and spoons, for instance, he actually conducted a bunch of science experiments: "Will the spoon fit in the bowl?" "How hard do I have to bang the spoon to make a noise?" "How much noise can I make before Mommy takes everything away?"

I learned that my feelings count.
You nibbled on your baby's toes, and she giggled. But after a while, she started frowning and turned away, so you stopped. In that moment, you taught her that you read—and honor—her cues. Because your baby can't talk, she depends on you to interpret her gestures and facial expressions. It takes dedicated attention to learn how to do it right. But making her feel understood strengthens your emotional bond and spurs her efforts to communicate, which in turn may help her learn to talk.

I learned that there's a whole wide world to explore.
Today you took your child to the dry cleaners, the park, and the bank. It may have been just another boring round of errands for you, but for babies, every day is an adventure. They don't have long-term memory, so whenever they go to the park, it's almost as if it's the first time.

I learned that my life has a pattern.
You changed your baby's diaper and fed him his breakfast, put him in the car as you dropped off his big sister at school, and later, as the daylight waned, made dinner. Just by going through the usual motions, you've taught your little one that his world is consistent, predictable, and stable. By following daily rituals, you're helping your child learn what he can expect next—and look forward to it.

2 mothers in 3 'fear stares if they breastfeed'

Came across this news article on how 2 out of 3 mothers in UK fear stares if they breastfeed. Hmm... I mean, if these mothers are worried how they would appear to public if they breastfeed, then perhaps they can try the followings:

• express the breast milk and use your storage if you plan to go out and you can feed using bottle
• look for baby care room if you are out in public, if there isn't any, I'd try to go to fitting rooms (in shopping malls) or just choose a bench with not so many ppl walking around and breastfeed by covering a napkin from your shoulder over to your baby
• surf Net, check whether the place(s) you are planning to go has a baby care room

I'm sure there are many other ways apart from those I can think of above (which I normally do anyway). I think the most important thing is to give your baby a chance for good things - your breast milk! It'd be very selfish to not breastfeed just because you are worried of how ppl would look at you!

Personally I find that it is very very womanly and it's a great gift to be able to breastfeed your baby. I totally supports breastfeeding!

Evolution of a Mom

Got this from kellymom website. Enjoy!

Yes, parenthood changes everything.
But parenthood also changes with each baby.

Here are some of the ways having a second and third child differs from having your first:

Your Clothes

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes are your regular clothes.

The Baby's Name

1st baby: You pore over baby-name books and practice pronouncing and writing combinations of all your favorites.
2nd baby: Someone has to name their kid after your great-aunt Mavis, right? It might as well be you.
3rd baby: You open a name book, close your eyes, and see where your finger falls. Bimaldo? Perfect!

Preparing for the Birth

1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother practicing because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your 8th month.

The Layette

1st baby: You prewash your newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

Worries

1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your 3-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

Activities

1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.

Going Out

1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home 5 times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

At Home

1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of every day watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.

Checklist of Early Child Development

Let's see what my Ben (turning to 4 months old this 4th July) has been doing so far...

By 4 months your baby should . . .
* Track an object from side-to-side Check! Done at 3mths old, even track up and down...
* Turn head toward a familiar voice Check! Done at 3mths old
* Make sounds when looking at toys or people Check! Done at 3mths old
* Respond by making cooing sounds and moving arms and legs Check! Done at 2mths old
* Laugh and smile at you Check! Done at 3mths old
* Lift head and support self on forearms Check! Done at 3mths old
* Bring both hands to chest when lying on back Check! Done at 3mths old
* Hold head steady when supported in a sitting position Check! Done at 3.5mths old
* Reach for an object when supported in a sitting position Check! Done at 3.5mths old
* Hold an object briefly when placed in hand Check! Done at 3mths old
* Make eye contact Check! Done at 3mths old


By 6 months your baby should . . .
* Follow a moving object with eyes Check! Done at 3mths old
* Look in the direction of a new sound Check! Done at 3mths old
* Respond to his or her name
* Smile and babble when given adult attention Check! Done at 3mths old
* Vocalize pleasure and displeasure (squeal with excitement or grunt in anger) Check! Done at 2.5mths old
* Have a conversation by babbling with you Check! Done at 2.5mths old
* Roll from back to stomach or stomach to back Check! Done at 3.5mths old
* Push up on hands when on tummy Check! Done at 3.5mths old
* Sit with support Check! Done at 3.5mths old
* Use hands to reach, grasp, bang and splash Check! Done at 3.5mths old
* Bat or hit objects Check! Done at 3mths old
* Bring hands or toy to mouth Check! Done at 3.5mths old
* Pat and pull at your hair, glasses and face Check! Done at 2.5mths old, one of the primary reason for me wanting to cut my hair short...
* Sleep and feed at regular times Check for night time sleeping, feeding every 2.5 to 3 hours interval at 3.5mths onwards
* Recognize familiar people Check! Done at 4mths old


By 9 months your baby should . . .
* Look for a hidden toy
* Imitate facial expressions Check! Done at 4mths old
* Turn to look for a source of sound
* Understand short instructions
* Babble a series of different sounds Check! Done at 4mths old
* Make sounds to get attention Check! Done at 3mths old
* Sit without support for a few minutes
* Attempt to move by crawling, bum shuffling or pivoting on tummy Check! Done at 3.5mths old, one of the reason we need to lower down our bed now... :(
* Pull up to standing position and stand with support
* Pass an object from one hand to the other
* Pick up small items using thumb and first finger
* Put small items in mouth
* Bang two objects together
* Have a special smile for familiar adults Check! Done at 2mths old, Ben and his cheeky smile for me every morning when I greet him :)
* Reach to be picked up or held Check! Done at 3.5mths old
* Drop items on purpose
* Look for items when dropped


By 12 months your baby should . . .
* Look at a person who is saying their name
* Understand simple requests and questions
* Chatter to toys or people using three different sounds
* Take turns making sounds with you Check! Done at 3.5mths old
* Imitate non-speech sounds
* Hold, bite and chew crackers
* Get into sitting position without help
* Crawl or bum shuffle with ease
* Walk holding your hands or furniture
* Pick up small items using tips of thumb and first finger
* Take items out of a container
* Show many emotions such as affection, anger, joy or fear
* Initiate games such as pat-a-cake or peek-a-boo with you
* Seek comfort
* Use facial expressions, actions and sounds to make needs known or to protest
* Wave good-bye
* Look at a book
* Begin to roll a ball

Ben at 3.5mths trying to crawl... :)