Breast Cancer Awareness

I always look forward to weekends, when we have more leisurely time in the mornings and have some time with the kids.

Now, hubby and the 2 boys Uaua & Titi went to MIL for a haircut while Noah & Momoi is still in lala-land. So I'm left with an opportunity to write my weekend experience.

Yesterday, I went to the Breast Cancer public forum organised by the Kinabalu Pink Ribbon. Yes, we do have support group for breast cancer patients and I think we need more support group like this for other terminal diseases as well. I know I need a lot of help when my late mom was sick and sometimes even doctors can't help much which perhaps support group like this can offer assistance and advice.

Anyway, there are few things I find from the forum which are interesting...

1. Men can get breast cancer too and men need to do Breast Self examination as well. And if men got breast cancer they usually die very fast because it's usually late stage when it appears as skin rash on the breast.

2. Control your diet. Being fat can change your body to produce more female hormone and this can put you high risk of getting breast cancer.

3. Breast cancer is not a preventable disease. The only way make sure that you do not have breast cancer is through regular self exam and screening.

4. Anyone can get breast cancer (as young as 17 yrs old).

5. You are also high risk of getting breast cancer if you are a smoker or a drinker, a woman, fat/obese, never or given birth after the age 35, never breast-feed.

6. Breast cancer is the top leading cancer affecting women in Malaysia.

The moral of the forum - Love yourself & love your breast. Start doing regular breast examination. I myself got lumps while I was pregant and will go and get it checked again. Huh.. it really got me scared. Especially when someone I knew (a relative and a friend) just died of breast cancer 3 days ago. It really saddens me and may her soul rest in peace. It is true breast cancer doesn't only affect the sufferer but also the family and society.

Hospitalised

Our poor little Noah was hospitalised on the 8th-11th July 2010 with suspected Hirschprung's Disease.

He was having fever on the 7th day of his life and when I brought him to see the Paed at RMC on the 8th July 2010 at 3pm, he was already 38.4 deg Celcius. So the Paed suggested Noah to be admitted for proper monitoring. That night he didn't sleep well and was very cranky. I have to carry him or put him to sleep next to me that night. His temperature rises to 39 deg that night but he was given only antibiotic injection (no paracetamol-too young for his age) and dress him light clothing and sponge him. It is really heartbreaking to see him cry and feeling uncomfortable with the IV needle they put on is left hand.

The next day, Paed did further check (x-ray and rectal exam; blood & urine samples already taken day before) as his fever is still high. When the Paed did PR (rectal exam) his stool was explosive and baby tummy looks a bit distended. Baby Noah was put on drip and No-breastmilk order until his fever is down (He was crying when they put him on drip and was really hungry). The Paed recommended baby Noah to be referred to the Hospital Likas Paediatric Surgeon for suspected Hirschrung's Disease.

When we reach Hospital Likas on the 9th July 3pm, we were seen by the Paediatric surgery Dr and he order to continue breasfeeding Noah (whew... what a relieve I don't like the sight of hungry baby in my arms and a breastfull of milk but not able to do anything about it). We were sent to the Paediatric Surgery ward and baby Noah was placed on a infawarmer & finally feeling full. His fever went down soon after and never come back until the day we were discharged - which left all the Dr including the Specialist puzzled (why he was sent to the ward in the first place).

Baby Noah was far more comfortable in Hospital Likas than at RMC or even at home. Perhaps the bitter cold air-cond and infawarmer did soothe him bit. On the last day (12th July) the Specialist asked me, "Your baby seems comfortable, do you like to stay here longer?" Hehe... He must be joking (I said in my head). I told him, "Although I like to stay here longer but I prefer to go home." So he ask his MO & HO, what do you think? And they all said "The baby should go home". And so we were discharged on the 12th July 2010.

Yay! baby Noah is going home for the second time!
See what I mean... he looks so comfortable in there.
Doesn't look like a sick baby at all.

On the 19th July review, baby Noah stats - weight 3.8 kg, height 52.5 cm. Medical Dr said probably his immature intestine got infected instead of Hirschprung while Surgical Specialist said we need not worry if baby is doing fine. So for the time being - we tried not to worry so much. Never in my life I appreciate when a baby poo because it shows that he is normal.

Today his poo looks nice (like cake batter) and yellow - which makes me a happy mom.

Milk: Does it Really Do a Body Good?

This is for my own info and motivation to keep breastfeeding Baby Noah despite the troubles and busy daily schedule.

Source - http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/dairy.html

In August 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued an official statement about allergenic proteins in a mother’s diet appearing in her breastmilk and creating problems for her baby. They stopped far short of talking about excellent research showing that cow’s milk in the diet of a pregnant or breastfeeding woman creates even more problems than we ever thought for her nursing baby.

Breastfeeding moms get lots of advice about the food they should be eating while nursing their babies. I try to discuss this with the mom- and dad-to-be when we meet during a prenatal appointment. I often wish I could talk to more women before they become pregnant to discuss anti-allergy measures and other topics.

Please don’t misunderstand the incredible superiority of human milk for human babies. Infants who receive formula have more intestinal problems by far than infants who drink breastmilk. Uninformed medical practitioners have actually told mothers that their babies were “allergic to their breastmilk.” Nothing could be further from the truth.

Babies can be allergic to protein fragments from mom’s diet which end up in the milk, but if they are sensitive to those proteins, they would be much more affected by an artificial baby milk made entirely of non-human protein. Even so called “hypoallergenic” formulas are rarely any better. They are made of proteins broken down into smaller fragments to provoke less of a reaction. They are still allergenic and don’t solve the problem for many babies.

Common Symptoms of a Reaction to Dairy

• Green, runny stool
• Blood tinged stool
• Skin rashes
• Chronic nasal stuffiness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive abdominal discomfort
• Cramping
• Coughing
• Mimic of GER (gastroesophageal reflux) symptoms
• Heartburn
• Spitting up
• Gassiness
• Constipation

Gassiness

Babies are gassy. That is an immutable fact caused by the need to double or triple one’s weight in a year. Try doing that yourself and see if you don’t spend a little time gassy.

I have seen the gassiest babies get better when moms removed dairy products from their diets.

Some babies seem to cry much more than others and their parents describe them as “writhing in pain.” Changing the nursing pattern helps some newborns and older babies if overactive milk ejection reflex (OMER) or a hindmilk/foremilk imbalance is the cause, but many more babies are helped when mom changes the way she eats. My list of allergens begins with cow’s milk and continues with eggs, peanuts, wheat and citrus. The most important change a mom can make is to stop drinking milk and eating things made with milk.

Blood in Stools

Babies with blood in their stool often stop having blood when moms stop drinking milk and eating other dairy products.

Cow’s milk protein irritates the intestinal lining and virtually always causes what’s called “microhemorrhaging.” Sometimes this bleeding is quite visible and helps alert parents to the need for mom to change her diet. Blood in the stool can be frightening but is rarely dangerous. It has a few other causes such as viral irritation, but the most common reason I have seen it is dairy allergy.

Eczema

Eczema lessens and often goes away completely when breastfeeding moms become dairy-free.

Skin rashes occur frequently in newborns and babies. The most common, worrisome, persistent problem is an allergic rash called eczema. Dermatologists and allergists describe eczema as not a “rash that itches, but an itch that rashes.” That is the first thing that happens and the first thing the parents may notice: increased irritability and “face rubbing” by their baby. They may also see a red rash which becomes more and more “angry” looking and eventually gets scaly and even bloody. Superficial skin infections can follow and be difficult to treat.

Dairy elimination is crucial. Long before you use cortisone cream, stop all dairy. Stop peanuts and eggs, too.

Constipation

Babies who are constipated often improve when dairy is eliminated from mom’s diet. Older children may also get relief from constipation with complete dairy elimination. In older children, studies have shown that some bedwetting may also be cured by dairy elimination. The allergic reaction to the offending protein in milk is exhibited in a variety of ways that affect the bowels and urinary tract. If your child is suffering from problems in these areas, dietary restriction should most certainly be considered prior to doing further testing or using medications.

Changing a breastfeeding mom’s diet or changing the diet of an older child eating solid foods will often lessen medical problems dramatically.

Cold Symptoms

Babies who have constant runny noses often get better when moms stop all dairy. Cow’s milk allergies may look just like “hay fever” at any age: stuffiness, cough, runny nose that seems to persist for weeks and weeks.

Older kids with ear infections often stop having ear infections when dairy is removed from their diets.

This has been a key intervention in my practice. I have cared for hundreds of kids who have taken ten or even twenty courses of antibiotics and even steroids. They were able to cancel scheduled ear surgery because they got better when they stopped drinking milk and eating cheese. The ear infections just plain stopped for many of the children and for others they decreased to manageable childhood illnesses rather than being a constant source of pain, school absences and incapacity.

Read more at: http://www.notmilk.com/mucus.html

GER (Reflux)

Before a baby gets evaluated for GER (gastroesophageal reflux), breastfeeding moms must eliminate all dairy from their diets. To some, this seems like a drastic step. It is far less drastic or invasive than the tests and medications for GER in babies.

When eliminating dairy and watching for a reduction of GER symptoms, patience is a key. The offending protein can take a few weeks to be completely undetectable in breastmilk. Many will see improvement within days, because the levels begin to decrease as a diet devoid of dairy is consumed. It is not unusual to see little change until two or three weeks after eliminating dairy.

The almost miraculous improvement in hundreds of troubled babies in 22 years of practice might be the strongest evidence, albeit anecdotal evidence, that I bring to the table. Does this work 100% of the time? No, nothing works 100% of the time, but dairy elimination is the single-most important advice I give to dozens of people each and every week.

Casein and B-lactoglobulin

The two proteins that trigger the biggest allergic response are casein and b-lactoglobulin. If your baby doesn’t get as much relief as you had hoped just from dairy elimination, read labels carefully. Soy cheese and many other foods that we expect to be dairy protein-free are really not. Even diaper creams may contain casein.

Read more at: http://www.drjaygordon.com/nutrition/dangerousfood/dairy

Increased exposure to allergens like dairy allergens can even lead to fatal reactions. Fortunately, the “minor” symptoms almost always go on for a long time before major reactions in almost all babies, children and adults.

Lactose Intolerance

The major “sugar” in cow’s milk is lactose and some people confuse lactose intolerance and cow’s milk protein allergy. Lactose intolerance evolves gradually after about age 7 or 8 years and is particularly common in those of Asian, Native Alaskan and African decent. Gassiness and bloating after drinking milk, eating cheese or ice cream occur in many people. Some choose to ignore it, others limit dairy and still others just use supplemental lactase (an enzyme) to lessen their symptoms.

Viral stomach flu can create temporary lactose intolerance.

We adults are clearly not meant to drink cow’s milk and the number of children adversely affected by dairy protein and dairy sugars is underestimated in mainstream nutrition books.

A very informative article in August 2000 issue of “Discover Magazine” features a discussion with T. Colin Campbell, an ex-dairy farmer now a Cornell University nutritional biochemist:

“The bottom line for Campbell is simple: ‘It’s unnatural to drink milk.’ Most adults in Asia and Africa, along with many in southern Europe and Latin America, have trouble digesting lactose, the main sugar in the milk of both humans and cows. Some suffer from bloating, cramps, or diarrhea if they try. A 1978 population survey, compiled by geographer Frederick J. Simoons of the University of California at Davis, suggests that it was only because of a genetic aberration that milk became a food staple in northern Europe and North America. Nature normally programs the young for weaning before they reach adulthood by turning down production in early childhood of the enzyme that breaks down lactose. But a gene mutation inherited by people of northern European descent prevents the production of this enzyme from being turned down. As a result, the majority of Americans can drink milk all their lives.”

This excellent, short article also talks about osteoporosis as it relates to dairy consumption: Countries with the highest dairy intake have the highest incidence of osteoporosis. This striking fact seems at odds with everything we think we “know” about calcium and nutrition. Osteoporosis is related more to calcium excretion due to salt and protein intake than to calcium deficiency in the diet. The entire article and the attached graphics are well worth a look.

Read more at: http://www.discover.com/aug_00/featmilk.html

Other Medical Experts on Dairy

Hundreds of medical articles and many books have been written about the problems with milk products in humans. The authors are physicians of great standing in the medical community. The late Frank Oski MD was head of the Department of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University and the editor of the Yearbook of Pediatrics. The late Dr. Benjamin Spock was the most famous and most influential physician of the past 100 years and many other doctors have participated in trying to bring dairy’s shortcomings to the attention of doctors and patients alike.

Dr. John McDougall often cites milk’s problems alphabetically:

Allergies (dairy is the leading cause of allergies in adults and children) and continuing with a discussion of . . .

Anemia. Again milk products are the number one cause of this problem because they cause blood loss and also interfere with iron absorption. Additionally, kids who drink lots of milk feel very full and often have no “room” for healthier iron-containing foods. Dr. Oski wrote many articles about milk’s role in causing anemia in America’s children.

Arthritis is the third on Dr. McDougall’s list and he documents published studies from the British Medical Journal, the Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatology and other major medical journals. The mechanism of action involves antibody/antigen particles which lead to inflamed joints.

Atherosclerosis, or heart and blood vessel disease, make the third “A” on the list. Milk is the number one source of saturated fat in most diets. A further problem involves the antibodies formed against milk attacking the delicate lining of arteries.

Blood loss, constipation, and diabetes follow in alphabetical order. The medical evidence strongly points to early exposure to cow’s milk leading to an increase in Type 1 diabetes. I have seen constipation clear up in a matter of days when parents remove dairy products from their child’s diet and the intestinal blood loss from drinking milk (or exposure to milk protein through breast milk) is an accepted medical fact.

Read more at: http://www.ffl.org/html/milk_facts.html

Talking to patients about dairy products is a lot easier than it used to be because the “problems with milk” are better known than just a few years ago. Still, it’s hard to combat the $400,000,000 annual advertising budget available to the purveyors of dairy products. Milk does not “do a body good” nor build strong bones. It is a traditional food which has become a lazy staple of the American diet.

Children (and their parents) get healthier when they have fewer dairy products and are healthiest when they have none.

When I’m talking to older kids about making dairy a smaller part of their diets, I tell them that it’s kind of like an old Seinfeld joke: “Hey, look at those large animals in the field! Let’s go squeeze those things underneath them and then drink whatever comes out. Then, let’s take whatever’s left over, put it aside for a year or so and . . . eat it!” The kids respond with a hearty “eeeeew!” Even adults get it sometimes.

Colour of the Day

Whew... glad I found this article related to baby stool. Very useful info to moms out there too if you are concerned about your newborn baby stool.


Source - http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/general/poop.html

The Color of the Day: Solving Bowel Movement Mysteries

I have often asked parents not to bring poop samples into my office. While there is a lot of information to be gleaned from studying full diapers, I think I can do most stool analysis on the phone or online unless an emergency situation occurs.

There is a wide variety of color and consistency of bowel movements. In my glamorous job as a pediatrician, I discuss this hot topic every day.

A change of pattern can throw the most confident mom for a loop and can even confuse an experienced pediatrician. Babies have blood in their stool fairly often and it virtually never is the sign of serious illness, but I pay a lot of attention to this because it alarms parents and requires that a reason be found.

We shouldn’t be any more surprised to see a variety of bowel movements in our babies than we would in anyone of any other age. In breastfed babies, the mom’s diet can affect the color or consistency of a baby’s stools, particularly if the baby is showing an allergic reaction to a certain food or food group.

Sticky, tar-like and green or black
This is meconium. The first stools of a newborn will be this consistency and color. It is what is present inside the bowels of a newborn upon birth and will clear itself out within the first couple of days and represents the “byproducts” of building an entire human being for nine months.

Greenish or Yellow/Brown, grainy or seedy
This is the transition between meconium and a regular breastfed stool and begins as mom’s milk is coming in on the second, third or fourth day of life. There may be three stools each day, ten, or even twenty. Occasionally, even a baby in the first week of life will skip a day and have no bowel movements at all. Call your doctor to discuss this even though it is normal. This does not require a dietary change or supplementation of a breastfed baby.

Light yellow to bright green, loose/runny, curdy, lumpy, seedy, creamy, mustard-like
These are normal breastfed stools. The consistency, frequency and color vary from day to day. My wife described the smell as “curried yogurt”. Opinions on this odor description differ widely.

Frequent Watery Stool often “Greener” than usual
How can you spot diarrhea in a baby who has loose frequent stools every day? This type of poop is “diarrhea” in a breastfed baby. It can be due to a virus, a bowel infection, stress, anxiety or a food intolerance.

Hard, pellet – like, presence of blood or mucous
This is constipation in a breastfed baby and is so very rare that I cannot recall ever seeing it in a baby who is receiving breastmilk as a sole source of nutrition, as are most babies in the first six months. It could be related to a food allergy. Formula fed babies get constipated much more often and may even have harder bigger stools like older kids and adults. Getting these stools softer is a balancing act of great proportions.

Black stools often accompanied by constipation
This is the result of iron supplementation. Iron fortified infant foods and infant vitamins can cause constipation. A healthy breastfed baby does not need iron supplementation. The iron in breastmilk is much more bioavailable than any other form.

Red streaked stools
This usually comes from bleeding in the lower intestine or rectum. Most often it is caused by rectal fissures which are tiny “cuts” around the circumference of the anus. This can be a reaction to dairy in mom’s diet. Elimination of all dairy is the first line of defense in this situation. I have seen countless babies who had blood in their poop which resolved when mom stopped all dairy products and returned with even a small amount of milk or cheese. Other dietary changes may be needed for breastfeeding moms. Formula fed babies lose blood from the lower intestine when they drink cow milk formula and some have the same losses on soy formula. Occasionally, this “micro-hemorrhaging” can become visible as blood streaking on the surface of the stool. Persistent or increasing blood in the stool or blood mixed with mucus (described as “currant jelly” stool in the texts) requires an immediate call to your doctor.

Green, frothy stools
This can be a result of a hindmilk/foremilk imbalance. A true imbalance is rare. It is often seen accompanying a forceful letdown. Lactation consultants will help moms find a nursing pattern which works to combat this problem. If letdown it too forceful in the early weeks, the solution can be to allow milk to leak into a cloth diaper during letdown, then latch baby back on. Feeding two to three times off the same side may also show improvement. Caution should be used with same side feeding as it can decrease supply.

Green, mucousy stool
This can be a result of a virus. Often the only sign we see of a virus is in the green stool. This is evidence of malabsorption in the intestines. Watch for how many days and with what consistency it is occurring. With a virus, it will run its course over a few days and begin to improve.

Another cause of malabsorption in the intestines can be teething. The profuse saliva of a teething baby can cause irritation in the intestines interfering with proper absorption. When babies teethe, we can see lots of drooling. Large quantities of saliva is swallowed which can irritate the intestines causing runny, acidic stools. This can also cause a rash in the diaper area.

There is something important to point out regarding frequency of stooling in an exclusively breastfed baby. Many parents are concerned when after the early weeks where they may have been seeing a little bowel movement in almost every diaper, they suddenly begin to see days go by without any. This is perfectly normal. There is a great range of frequency of bowel movements with exclusively breastfed infants, ranging from a couple of times a day to several days. There are completely healthy nursing babies that have a bowel movement once a week, once every ten days, or even a few that go a bit longer. If your baby is healthy, developing well, nursing well and the consistency of the bowel movement when it does make its appearance is soft or loose, then do not be concerned. It is not constipation if it arrives in soft form. Constipation would arrive in pellets and hard formed pieces.

In summary, stools in breastfeeding babies are predictably green, brown, yellow or orange. It is runny and has curds almost every time. It changes color with viruses, may have a small amount of blood (call your doc) and may come once a day and even taper off to once a week or more after a few weeks of age. Formula feeding babies may show a little trickier set of changes involving constipation and diarrhea. This is just one small reason to strongly recommend and support breastfeeding your baby.

Welcome Home Baby Noah James!

We are happy to announce the new addition to the Happy Little People gang

Baby Noah James

DOB: 30 June 2010
Time: 2.20pm
Weight: 3.24kg
Length: 49cm

Me - just happy baby is finally delivered safely. So here's my delivery story for treasure.

I was worried sick since the day I got false labour. Everytime the contraction hit me I was ready to run back to the hospital but at the same time worry that it might be another false labour. I must have got food poisoning as I had a feast of young jackfruit soup, hinava, bamboo shoot soup, peanut soup, cake, etc on Saturday (day before false labour). Perhaps the food mixture trigger some chemical reaction in my tummy that's causing me to have contraction.

Glad to be home next day (Monday) and went to work on 28-29th June. I even went to Ryan's birthday dinner on 29th June and ate a variety of dishes. And again that night, my tummy start to grumble again. At 3 am, I cried because I feel as if my tummy going to burst like full blown balloon (feels like tummy cramps too). Hubby call MIL to come over and we head to the hospital straight away.

As soon as we reach the hospital, contraction monitored again and was showing dwindling pattern just like before and baby heartbeat is somewhat faster than normal. Anxious that it maybe another bout of food poisoning, I asked for enema to relieve constipation. I was feeling better after some bowel movement but contraction still went on but not as strong as before.

Then, Dr came at around 9am and checked but I haven't effaced and dilated yet. So he suggested that it's better for me to be induced as prolonging the unsteady contraction may not be good for baby. Well, I agreed but with heavy heart (just afraid it does not work and I had to go for emergency c-sect).

So I was induced with pitocin 8ml at first - result no contraction and still smilling. An hour later, Dr ordered to increase to 10ml, few minutes later I felt the strong contraction again. At 1pm, Dr came and felt I only opened 3-4cm and still high. So he broke my water and told me I'm going to deliver at 5pm. I shouted... whaaat still a long way to go (I was already in pain...).

At around 2pm, the contraction already torturing me and I can even feel the baby is pushing himself out. Hubby even asked, "Sakit kah?" I answered him "Napa mau rasa kah?" He answered back smiling "Tidak apalah ko sajalah". (Kurang asam...)

Told the nurses baby is coming out and frantically they send me to the delivery room. I was already shouting... "Nurse call the Dr I can feel baby's head... and call my hubby too" and yet they still give me that cool look. Finally few minutes later, Dr came and said "Cepat juga...". He took his time to tie my legs, injected the LA and cut perineum area and asked me to push (I just can't believe how the Dr and nurses can do everything so gracefully and slowly when I can feel the baby head going to pop... unbelieveable no panic at all). So with one push baby Noah is safely delivered. After baby is out I told Dr "I thought you couldn't make it already..." He said smilling, "No la..." (Ciss... confident punya Dr).

The nurse showed the baby to me and Noah gracefully peed for the first time (just like his brother Joshua).

The End







.

False Labour

I thought it would only happen to first time mothers and that I won't be fooled by my own body as this is my 4th pregnancy. How totally wrong I was. On Sunday evening, I dragged myself and hubby to the hospital because I was having terrible contraction from morning. I also had diarrrhea like symptoms in the morning.

When we reach the hospital the contraction is already 9 mins apart and by the second hour 5 mins apart. However, cervics only open 1cm then 2cm, then stopped progressing anywhere. Then by midnight contraction getting further apart that I even enjoyed watching German Vs England world cup match - despite being sleepy from tiredness due to the pain.

In fact, that night was supposed to be my mom's 40th day memorial service. I so wanted to go but hubby said better err on the side of caution better go to the hospital and get checked rather than regret later. Prior to this, during the 38wks review the doctor already caution us to come if anything happen. He told us he just did emergency ceasarian due to baby not moving for 2 days but mother take it lightly and only come to see him on the second day. When he delivered the baby is already blue and not breathing. Huh... that made me and hubby worried. Now if baby did not move I would poke my tummy just to see him move.

Anyway, I'm still around with my very pregnant belly. Walking like penguin now. Doctor also advise me to go for a walk. Haha... maybe I should do that. I've been delaying the walking exercise as I wanted to wait until the 4oth day memorial service done but I missed it anyway. I feel sad but sis told me all went well. A lot of relatives attended the service and the food was more than enough. So with everything is over now, I can concentrate on labour, baby and my own stuff.

The Result is Out...

Waiting for the result of the Histology is like waiting for a life sentence to be read out. Anyway, I went for review with the Genereal Surgeon last week on the 10 June 2010 and here is the result: - "NO MALIGNANCY" whew...



I had lumpectomy done on my left breast on the 3rd June 2010 and now the scar is still healing and the swelling almost subside - but slightly painful to touch. It was an hour procedure and I requested Local Anesthetic without sedation. Huhu... brave me and lucky me when I chose not to be sedated as apparently the lump keep moving away causing the doctor have to cut bigger area (around 2 inches incision and pretty deep too) and inject the LA a few times at different spots during the procedure. I smelled my flesh being barbequed and keep imagining what were they doing.

The surgeon was quite nice actually -he keep asking me whether I'm afraid or not and I told him as long as I'm not in pain I'll be alright and he also told me that I'll be hearing lots of sound but nothing to be scared off. Pat on my back I manage to stay still for 1 hour - though it's pretty difficult for a 35 wks pregnant body to be in one position for too long (back is aching and the baby is kicking like nobody business during the procedure - perhaps he too can feel the tension). Poor baby - mama has to get you involved but it's a relieve also to feel you moving all the time which means you are alright in there.

Thank God I can now rest my mind on the issue and concentrate on the new baby arrival. Last review with Obgyn at 36wks I weighted at 60 kg and baby is approx. 2.6 kg. No wonder it feels heavier now and my pelvic bone is in constant pain. I guess my body is preparing for the Day. I even feel the need to clean the house - "nesting instinct" everyday that I won't rest until all is done for the day. And as usual, I would sneak at 2 am to have my delicious ripe mangoes (afraid that I might go into labour and can't have it for a month). Uhhh yummy...

To do or not to do...

I have finally made my decision - that I am not going to do the lumpectomy this time. Apparently, I found out I'm having lots of lumps in both breasts and doc suggest to do lumpectomy to take some samples to send to the lab. I've met 3 doctors so far, all suggest that I do but I can still postpone if I want to and I'll be put under observation. So for now I opt for the latter suggestion due to the current situation I'm in. Mom has been hospitalised since last week and going to hospital a lot can risk infection. I'm afraid the wound from lumpectomy won't be able to heal in time for delivery and may cause unnecessary risk/difficulities for me and the coming baby. So - KIV first.

Last check-up I was only 59kg and baby estimated weight 1.98 kg. Well, I didn't gain much weight after a lot of walking the past weeks. Still plan to fully breastfeed baby with current condition, it is even riskier not to breastfeed. I hope the lumps are just lactation cycst that will go away with breasfeeding.

Life is difficult right now. But praying hard that I'll be strong and nothing will go wrong.

Breastfeeding for Jaundice Baby

*** I found this article is useful in preparation for the coming birth.
*** Another tips I got from a teacher at my son's school while attending PTA meeting 2 weeks ago - boil "tulod-ulod" or if cannot get the fruit just boil the leaves and bathe the jaundiced baby. Not sure how true is this but can try with the next baby.


The diagnosis of jaundice in their newborn baby is often very frightening to new parents. They immediately begin to think that something is very wrong with their infant, and may not be fully informed about the facts, which are actually very reassuring. Because jaundice is such a common condition, some medical professionals don't take the time to explain all the details, because they deal with jaundiced babies every day. However, when the baby in question is your own precious newborn, you need to get as much information as possible to put your mind at ease.

Nearly all infants are jaundiced to some degree. In the vast majority of cases, newborn jaundice is a normal process, which many researchers feel may even serve protective functions, such as guarding the infant from the effects of oxygen free radicals. It makes sense that something that occurs in the majority of babies so routinely may be part of nature's plan for the human infant.

Jaundice occurs when a yellow pigment called "bilirubin" accumulates in the tissue, especially the skin, where you can see it as a yellowish or orangish tint. In adults or older children, jaundice is considered a pathological condition, but this is rarely the case with newborns. The very common type of jaundice that most babies experience is called normal, or "physiologic" jaundice. Physiologic jaundice is not a disease; it is nearly always a harmless condition with no adverse after effects, as long as the bilirubin count doesn't reach dangerous levels.

Before babies are born, they need high levels of red blood cells in order to get oxygen from their mother's blood. Immediately after birth, when they begin breathing high-oxygen blood outside the womb, they no longer need their fetal hemoglobin. The red blood cells containing fetal hemoglobin now need to be broken down and eliminated from their bodies. Bilirubin is a by-product of the breakdown of these extra blood cells, and is removed from the bloodstream by the liver and excreted in the stool. It accumulates in the meconium (fetal stool-the black, tarry stuff that the baby excretes the first couple of days after birth) and if not excreted, can be re-absorbed into the baby's system. The newborn's immature liver may not be able to process and excrete the bilirubin fast enough in the first days after birth, so jaundice often develops. This is especially common in premature infants.

Bilirubin is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood, or mg/dl. The average level for an adult is 1mg/dl. The average full-term newborn will have a peak level of 6mg/dl on the third or fourth day of life. Levels usually go down to about 2-3mg/dl by the end of the first week, gradually reaching the adult value of 1mg/dl by the end of the second week. It usually takes the newborn's liver a week or two to mature enough to handle the build-up of bilirubin in the blood. It is important to know that there is no evidence that bilirubin levels of less than 20mg/dl during the first week of life, and less than 25mg/sl after that have any harmful effects of healthy, full-term babies.

So, if jaundice is such a normal condition, why all the concern? Because there are rare medical conditions which cause bilirubin to rise to dangerous levels and can cause brain damage. Years ago, before we had the diagnostic tools and treatment options that we have today, some babies with very high bilirubin levels suffered from a condition called bilirubin encephalopathy, or kernicterus. This is rarely seen today, and then usually only in very premature or sick babies. Doctors today monitor bilirubin levels very carefully, and initiate treatment well before levels get high enough to cause problems.

There are three types of jaundice: Normal, or physiologic jaundice, affecting the majority of newborns; pathologic jaundice, caused by medical conditions such as blood type incompatibilities (the most common cause), as well as prematurity, infection, liver damage from rubella, syphilis, or toxoplasmosis, and metabolic problems such as hypothyroidism; and late-onset, or breastmilk jaundice (probably caused by a factor in some mother's milk that seems to delay or prolong the excretion of excess bilirubin).

It is important to understand the different types of jaundice, because each has different causes, consequences, and treatments.

Physiologic jaundice affects nearly all newborns to some degree. It is more prevalent in certain ethnic groups, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hispanic, and Native Americans. If you define jaundice as bilirubin levels of greater than 10mg/dl, one study found that Japanese newborns were more than three times as likely to be jaundiced as white newborns. Babies who are premature or are low birth weight are more likely to become jaundiced. Babies who don't feed often enough during the early days, and who don't stool often, are also more likely to become jaundiced. This underscores the importance of early, frequent feedings. Colostrum (the sticky yellow fluid produced before the milk comes in) acts as a laxative. Bilirubin accumulates in the baby's stools, and if it isn't excreted, it re-circulates in his system. Frequent stooling helps lower bilirubin levels.

In the baby with physiologic jaundice, bilirubin levels will usually peak between the third and fifth days of life and are usually less than 12mg/dl. Occasionally they will go higher than 15mg/dl. Most doctors will monitor levels closely during this time, checking the baby's levels with a blood test, pricking his heel, toe, or finger. If the levels are rapidly rising, or are 20mg/dl or higher (lower levels are used with premature infants), phototherapy is often suggested. This is a treatment which involves exposing skin to blue range light which breaks down the bilirubin and makes it more easily excreted. Years ago, nurses found that babies who were in beds near sunny windows had lower bilirubin levels. Researchers then found that phototherapy can make bilirubin levels drop quickly. Until the past few years, babies with high bilirubin levels had to be in the hospital for phototherapy treatments. Now, with new technology, babies can receive phototherapy at home using bili-blankets, provided by home health care providers. In most cases, bilirubin levels drop rapidly after phototherapy is initiated, and once the levels begin to go down, they almost always continue to decline. Usually only a day or two or therapy is needed. Most cases of physiologic jaundice will resolve without the use of phototherapy.

Here are some suggestions for preventing and/or treating normal, physiologic jaundice:

Feed your baby early and often. Remember that colostrum acts as a laxative, and frequent stooling lowers bilirubin levels. Keep track of urine and stool output (see article on How to tell if your baby is getting enough milk).

Avoid water supplements. Only 2% of the bilirubin is excreted in the urine, and 98% in the stools. Colostrum and milk contain fat, which stimulates bowel movements, and water can fill your baby up so that he is less interested in nursing.

Encourage your baby to stay awake and to feed at least every two hours. One of the things jaundice does is make your baby sleepy, especially is he is "under the lights". (See article on Waking sleepy babies).

Supplement with your expressed milk. If your baby is sleepy at the breast, and is having fewer than three large bowel movements in 24 hours, consider expressing your milk after feedings and giving it to him (preferably not with a bottle at this stage; he may become confused by rubber nipples if he is only a few days old). Use a dropper, syringe, cup, or tube-feeding device if possible. If your only option is hand expression or manual pumping, you may want to consider renting an electric pump for a few days until the bilirubin levels go down. Babies are often sleepy and lazy nursers as long as their levels are elevated, and the pump can provide extra stimulation to ensure an adequate supply.

Expose him to indirect sunlight. Undress him down to his diaper and put him in a room that gets a lot of light. His skin is very sensitive, so never put him in direct sunlight.

Avoid medications such as aspirin and sulfa drugs. Make sure your doctor knows which drugs you are taking, so that you can discontinue or find substitutes for drugs which might cause problems.
Pathologic, or abnormal jaundice is caused by medical conditions, and usually shows up at birth or within the first 24 hours after birth. The levels often rise quickly (0.5 mg/dl or more per hour). The baby may need immediate treatment, but breastfeeding can and should be initiated and continued. The colostrum and milk he receives will help him move his bowels, speeding up the elimination of bilirubin from his system. A sick baby needs the benefits of breastmilk even more than a healthy baby. In some extreme cases babies may be given exchange blood transfusions. This is the fastest way to bring down the bilirubin level, but is seldom needed these days since phototherapy is usually effective. If you are separated from your baby during his treatment, ask for information about where to obtain a hospital-grade breast pump to use while in the hospital and after you go home. A sick baby with elevated bilirubin levels will often be too sleepy and weak to nurse effectively for a while, and you may need the extra stimulation from the pump to ensure an adequate supply of breastmilk for him.

There is a third type of jaundice called late-onset, or breastmilk jaundice. This type of jaundice shows up during the second week of life, and peaks around the tenth day or later. It affects a very small percentage of infants (between 2% and 33%, depending on how you define "jaundiced" -- usually a level of 5-10mg/dl). The bilirubin count can remain elevated for weeks or even months, but will eventually level out at adult levels of 1mg/dl. The diagnosis is usually made in a healthy, thriving infant, and only after all the pathologic causes of jaundice have been ruled out. Often, this type of jaundice runs in families, and breastfed siblings are likely to be jaundiced as well. No one is sure why this type of jaundice occurs, but there seems to be something in some mother's milk that increases the reasbsorption of bilirubin, or decreases the liver processing of bilirubin. When the baby is temporarily given formula, either as a substitute for, or along with mother's milk, the levels drop quickly, rising again as the baby returns to total breastfeeding. Even though we are not sure of the cause, what is important to remember in cases of late-onset jaundice is that the baby is not harmed in any way by continued breastfeeding. There has never been a case of kernicterus associated with this type of jaundice, or any detrimental after effects. Because we know the well-documented benefits of breastfeeding, the baby should not be denied the advantages of breastfeeding, given the fact that the slightly elevated bilirubin levels will soon return to normal levels without any intervention. Once pathologic causes are ruled out, nursing should continue. Sometimes babies are taken off the breast for 24-48 hours just to make the diagnosis of breast-milk jaundice, though this is seldom necessary. If your healthcare provider wants to go this route, and the levels drop significantly, then breastfeeding should be resumed.

In most cases, jaundice is a normal, possibly even beneficial process that can be managed without interrupting breastfeeding. The treatment for physiologic jaundice is more breastfeeding rather than less, and sick babies with pathologic jaundice need breastmilk even more than healthy babies. Even in rare cases where the jaundice is caused by the breastfeeding, there is no reason to wean and every reason to continue giving your baby the best possible nourishment -- mother's milk.

Jaundice
by Anne Smith, IBCLC,
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/breast/AS-jaundice.htm

It's CLEAR again!

I just can't be happier than now (well since yesterday actually when hubby announced the result at home). Theodore's urine culture result was out yesterday and the result - CLEAR from the nasty bacteria (second time).

Actually the docs ask me to take his urine sample since last month but I've been postponing as I'm not in favour of giving antibiotics (just incase the result turn bad) to treat UTI as well as any unnecessary invasive method to treat (especially if it's just a trial and error and not proven to be working). Anyway, Theodore was also visited by the Coxsakie Virus a month ago so I don't think if we take the urine at that time it will be a good sample.

As soon as hubby sent his sample on Saturday to the clinic, my mind also started worrying and guessing what the result will be. Finally after 2 tests - the first was in July and second done on Saturday (26 Sept 09) both showed CLEAR urine. Which means no need to do MCUG and circumsicion. Thank God!

While worrying, I also did some research on UTI and found very useful info from Health Freak Mommy's blog (my SIL told me about this on Saturday night while the kids play with each other). So I shall leave the link here for my own reference in case I may need them in the future.

And oh... Little Handsome Theodore is now 9 months. (Perhaps I will measure his stats when I can find the time)

Sitting straight for his 9 month photo-shoot

Public Breastfeeding – Indecent Exposure?

By: Organic Motherhood with Cool Whip (View Profile)

On September 4th, a breastfeeding rally was held in a Giddings Plaza on the North Side of Chicago in support of Lauren Trost who was harassed for nursing her seven-month-old baby Hank in the same plaza. The month before, Trost was in the plaza helping her sister to open a jewelry store. During the course of the day, Trost sat down to nurse her infant son in the public plaza and was approached by a woman who accused of doing something illegal and indecent by publicly breastfeeding her son.

Approximately fifteen moms nursed their babies simultaneously to show support for Trost and for public breastfeeding at the rally. Surprisingly, there was a great deal of positive media coverage of the rally, both on television and in local newspapers. My father sent me a link to an article in the Chicago Sun Times, which bore the title, “Breastfeeding Moms Rally to Support Hassled Woman.”

I was thrilled to see that the media has chosen to cover public breastfeeding in such a positive light. But what I found disturbing was that even though the media coverage was positive, 90 percent of reader reactions to this article were shockingly rude, hostile, or perverse. Other articles that covered the rally in a positive light also had extremely negative reader reactions. Here is a small sample of these comments (I retyped the posts “as is” with grammatical errors intact):

• Can we at least get an advance warning next time???? Geezzzzzzzz, I want to have a chance to get into my baby costume.
• How come it is never a hot mom in public breast-feeding? It is always some hippie, angry at the world so I won’t shave my armpit liberal that does this kind of thing.
• I just don’t think it’s proper for women to show their breasts out in public unless they’re on the beach
• 7 months old and still on the teet?something tells me she will still be doing it when the child is 14 months as well
• No wants to see these women breastfeeding. Have some discretion and get a life.
• I don’t see why Trost felt she needed to stage a demonstration. If she used discretion and covered her breas ts. I hope Trost knows she opens herself up to perverts and freaks (voyeurism) by just whipping her breas ts out in public.
• Does no one have common sense? Both these women sound like typical spoiled shrews. Breastfeed, but cover up and be discreet. And the other woman should have just moved on. 10 bucks says no one had to take off work to do any of this, just a bunch of bored housewives.
• Is there a waiting list? Or do you have to know someone. My qualifications: 52 years old lactose toleration own my own teeth post-nibbler syndrome (sorry) sleeps through the night also, are there government grants to become part of this program? Ill sit down and suckkkk my thumb.
• Why would you want to do something so intimate with child in public? Are you looking for attention?
• Anyone who is really against it should go there with information on breast pumps and formula alternatives and pass it out to women there. Can we get a sponsor here? I don’t want to see a 20 or 30 (or 40) year old woman’s breasts with her kid sucking on them. I just want to enjoy the neighborhood food and shops. Can’t you feed your kid before you go out? I guess that would be too intimate, private, and simple.

The comments from the readers reflect the real opinions of the general population here in the United States in regards to breastfeeding. Essentially, the public opinion about breastfeeding can be summarized in the following belief statements:

1. Breasts are sexual objects and therefore it is indecent to nurse, whether publicly or privately. Additionally, women who breastfeed publicly should feel ashamed of themselves and deserve the harassment, perverse comments, and other negative attention they receive.

2. Babies do not need to breastfeed. Formula is just as good.

3. Women who are stubbornly determined to breastfeed should at least remain at home because it is unnecessary, indecent and perverse to do so in public.

In a country where breastfeeding is actually on the rise statistically, it is interesting that general public opinion about the subject is still so pervasively negative. When did feeding an infant in the way God intended become a sexually perverse act? Why should a mother feel a sense of shame when she is doing the most natural thing a mother could do—feeding her baby?

I am a staunch breastfeeding advocate. I have nursed both of my sons past the age of two. I know that breast milk has enormous advantages for my children’s well-being (emotional, mental, and physical) but I have to admit that I still feel slightly uncomfortable when breastfeeding in public. Why do I feel this way?

The truth is two-fold. The first half starts with the advent of infant formula companies and their corrupt marketing strategies. According to the National Fertility Survey 68 percent of mothers born between 1911 and 1915 breastfed their first baby, compared with 35 percent of mothers born by the early 1940’s.

In the 1940s, evaporated milk formulas and commercial infant formulas began to seriously compete in the market. Commercial infant formula was touted as the new “scientific” way of feeding your baby which also liberated mothers from needing to be in constant contact with their infants. Women in the United States, as well as in other Western countries, rapidly accepted this new model of infant feeding and breastfeeding rates began to drop continuously from this point forward. At the same time, formula companies promoted their product in third world countries, ultimately leading to malnutrition, health problems and death in millions of infants abroad because of improper sanitation, weak or improperly mixed solutions of formula, and loss of the many natural benefits present in breast milk.

By 1971, breastfeeding the United States was at al all time low of 23 percent. Consider also, that this statistic includes any baby that was ever breastfeed, even a single time. It wasn’t until after July 4, 1977, when an enormous boycott was launched against Nestlé and other infant formula makers, that the public perception of breastfeeding began to improve again. Also, at this time, La Leche League and other lactavist groups began to rally to improve the public understanding of the real benefits of mother’s milk.

The second part of the equation is that while women’s breasts were no longer being utilized as they were intended (to feed human infants), media in this country became more and more explicit in using women’s bodies as sexual objects. Women’s bodies have become in our country an extraordinary tool for advertising, marketing and sales. As the standards for what is acceptable to appear on television deteriorate and you can see nearly naked women bumping, grinding and tantalizing viewers on practically every channel, it is not shocking that the American public cannot conceive of women’s breasts as anything but sexual.

At the same time, it is important to remember that this is a cultural phenomenon and does not represent anything more than the depravity, frivolity and density of American society. In plenty of other cultures around the world, women’s breasts are still perceived as utilitarian tools with which babies are nourished. None of the mystique and sexual aura surrounds them. Men and women of all ages congratulate women who breastfeed their children publicly and encourage them to continue for as many years as the children desire to do so.

In her wonderful, thought-provoking article, Breastfeeding in the Land of Genghis Khan, Ruth Kamnitzer talks about her experiences as a Canadian living in Mongolia. She explains that breastfeeding is not only accepted in Mongolian culture, but embraced, expected and encouraged. Children are expected not only to nurse, but to nurse “to term,” which could be anything from two to four years old and sometimes upwards of that.

In Mali, women go around topless, breastfeeding their infants without even a sideways glance from onlookers. Carolyn Latteier, the author of Breasts, The Women’s Perspective on American Obsession, wrote:

Well, we do have a peculiar obsession with breasts in this culture. A lot of people think it’s just the human nature to be fascinated with breasts but in many cultures, breasts aren’t sexual at all. I interviewed a young anthropologist working with women in Mali, in a country in Africa where women go around with bare breasts. They’re always feeding their babies. And when she told them that in our culture men are fascinated with breasts there was an instant of shock. The women burst out laughing. They laughed so hard, they fell on the floor. They said, “You mean, men act like babies?”

But the ultimate truth is we cannot escape from the society in which we live. It’s wonderful that breastfeeding is accepted and encouraged in other cultures, but if we live in America, we have to acknowledge the fact that many people are uncomfortable with watching mothers nurse their babies.

What is the solution? Plain and simple—more public breastfeeding. The more people see something, the more common it becomes, and the less it jumps out as a shocking anathema. So, get out there mommies and show those nursing boobies to the world. Breastfeeding moms everywhere will thank you and your baby will too.

First published September 2009

Find this article at:

http://www.divinecaroline.com/22108/82971-public-breastfeeding---indecent-exposure-

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Being able to breasfeed my babies up to now is a blessing for me - and still going to breastfeeding TeeTee until he is 1 year old or anytime he still want.

I think it's true to get more mothers to breasfeed their babies - we need to be open about breasfeeding - we need support from the society. After all it's God's gift to all mothers- to be able to nourish your own babies. I enjoyed talking to mothers in my office about the benefits of breasfeeding and really happy to see those who never breasfeed their babies are now breastfeeding (at least part-time).

It can be done even if you are working 8-5 or working away from home - trust me it's do-able. I'll bring my pump and cooler pack everywhere I go (even attending to a fire crisis in Sandakan recently). I know it's so out of the mind, but at the end of the day it's worth just to see my baby sweet smile and sleepy murmur at the breast.

New Development

Now it's the littlest member of the family turn - our happy little Theodore caught theHand Foot and Mouth virus apparently from the nursery. The first symptom appeared (fever) on the 4th September and followed by spots (like chicken pox) 2 days later. Moira already caught the virus last year, so we are not so worried at home. (Adults and children above 5 do get this virus but the symptoms are mostly mild)

With the newfound virus he was more clingy and cranky - perhaps the feeling of uneasiness, sticky and soreness made him like that. He enjoyed extra attention and care from us. Luckily he is still mostly breasfed, the symptoms is not as bad as Moira's last time. He still want to drink his milk and eat a little something. I gave him papaya and very watery baby cereal.

I was planning to take a week leave to take care of Theodore, unfortunately I was called for another meeting in KL middle of the week. So Darling Hubby, MIL and me take turns to care for Theodore during the week. I'm so very lucky and thankful to have hubby and MIL around.

At 8 months, Theodore is weighing 7.5kg and length 72.5cm. He can...
~Stand on his own (holding furniture)
~Crawl
~Clap his hands/toys together
~Say mama/nenen/papa when hungry
~Loves to play with Uaua & Momoi
~Grind his 2 visible lower front teeth
~Loves banana and apple
~Can take coarse porridge but shows dislike of the plain taste
~Started to eat on baby chair

Messy me on me Baby Chair

I still haven't tried any meat or fish on him. Perhaps will let him try when I've got time to buy some fish during the weekend. I'm not pro to putting anchovies in the porridge as fresh fish is better than preserved fish.

Huhu.. can't wait for the long weekend to spend more time with the kiddies...

I won these...

RM 200 Cash, RM 200 Hamper (from Johnson&Johnson),
Certificate and Silver Crown

I feel so proud, elated, adrenaline-rush, I-don't-know-how-to-explain feeling when the emcee announced my name as the 2nd prize winner for the "Outstanding Breastfeeding Mother Award" during the "Our Little Wonders - Our Future" Baby Contest held at City Mall today 06 June 2009. I registered TeeTee too for the baby contest. He cried as soon as he saw the judges (perhaps he was terrified by their un-friendly faces).

I didn't expect to win (though I hope to win) as there were so many people. I was tired and the kids need their afternoon nap but luckily hubby suggested we hang around a bit till the result is out.

We didn't manage to take any photo as me & hubby busy minding the kids.With 3 kids on-tow it's hard to move around, we even lost UaUa for a while when I went to take the prize.

I personally feel my breastfeeding experience really paid-off. Special credits to hubby too for the encouragement and support (especially when I'm outstation). Tomorrow, I'm going to watch the news. Most probably the news will come out in the Chinese paper. Heee... I'm just so happy.

I will post the photos once I got hold of it..

Taming Theodore

I'm doing this post just for my own record as well as reference for others who might need it.

Like the usual saying - taming a horse, some babies need to be tamed as well, particularly if one has been breastfeed exclusively for more than 3 days. Theodore is no exception, not to repeat the same mistake I did with his sister Moira whom I breasfeed exclusively for 1 month and then only introduce EBM(Expressed Breast Milk) in a bottle which she refuses to drink. So this time I try to introduce bottle earlier to Theodore at 1 week old. To my dismay he refuses to drink his milk from the bottle at even 1 week old!

When we went to check his jaundice on the 5th Jan, hubby suggested that I bring a bottle of EBM (just in case he might need them). So when we arrived at the clinic and the nurse finish taking his blood sample, we sat down and there I was trying to persuade a hungry baby to drink from his bottle. One senior nurse passed-by (after sending some hospital guests to the door) and asked why the baby not taking the milk. I told her that he is used to breastfeeding. So she smiled and said - let me show you the technique how to tame a breasfed baby taking their bottle. So here's the technique - she even taught me and hubby how to handle and properly bottle feed a baby and many other tips (really glad I met her but silly me forgot to ask her name).

(Perhaps if I have time I'll do the illustration later with baby Theodore)
1. Sit comfortably on a chair.
2. Hold baby head with one hand supporting baby neck. Baby held away from body in semi-recline position. (Looks more like sitting position)
3. Hold the bottle with the other hand. Place the bottle in between the thumb and index finger and use the thunb and index finger to hold the bottle. The other three fingers should be free to move.
4. When baby open mouth, push the bottle into baby mouth with the teat 3/4 or whole-length inside baby mouth. Put the three fingers below the chin and stimulate the baby to drink the milk by using the three fingers to lift the baby chin (so that baby closes his mouth).
5. Continuously use the three fingers to encourage baby to close his mouth with the teat inside his mouth until he begin to suck.

Baby may cry a little as a show of his preference- but it's a battle of the strongest - baby or bottle-giver. Once baby accept defeat, he will suck from the bottle.

It took around 15 minutes for the nurse to tame Theodore to take his bottle. Me and hubby were so delighted when at last he began to suck (can't believe can tame a baby like that). At first I was thinking of changing the teat to wide-neck size and other shapes, but since we manage to tame him I just stick to his ordinary teat. Ever since being tamed I give Theodore one bottle-feed daily just so he remember how to feed from the bottle. After my 1 month confinement, I will then breast pump to stock -up for work. I plan to fully breasfeed at least till his 6th month when we introduce solid food to his diet (dunno if I can last that long with the frequent outstation trips I have to make - we'll see how). Huhu... I'm now officially moo-moo in the house again.

Breast Cancer Awareness

Hehe... this is a tag by Miss Mathew. It's been a long time since I've done a tag (not that I'm looking forward to being tagged - more of a relieve actually... whew). Anyway, talking about breast cancer awareness, I wanted to do breast cancer screening many times but haven't decided how to go about it. I'm looking for a package deal - woman health screening (something like that). Perhaps will do it next year after I'm done with breastfeeding. Huhu... looking forward to the birth of our baby in Dec or Jan and breasfeeding thingy. Motherhood is such a joy.

-> Tag begins here ->

-RULES-

1. Put the logo in your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you. -> Miss Mathew

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

Aunty J

AgnesC

Jasica

Jppmom

Jessie

Tracy

Azq

so ladies... here is your turn to spread the Breast Cancer Awareness to others...

Phewww...

I went to get the GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) result from Pathlab yesterday. I'm so relieved the result turn out OK... Within normal limits. I have also done similar test during my previous pregnancies and the result were also the same. In fact, my O&G tell me no need to do but I'm worried as my urine glucose is always high. So I did the test again - don't want to take chances.

Hee... so happy with the result that Me and hubby went to celebrate at Hana Japanese Restaurant, Citimall yesterday. But darling hubby reminded me not to eat anything sweet - good result doesn't mean I can indulge. Thanks darling for reminding...


Since I got family history of diabetes I'm actually cautious about my diet - normally I would drink tea or coffee without sugar. Consume less carbohydrate, but sometimes this can be very difficult especially during the festive season. Do more exercise (for me house cleaning is an exercise).

So until then, I pray that our precious baby is doing well and will be delivered healthy and safely.

HFMD Outbreak

Huh... not again... After Moira got this virus few months back (here), I got to be more careful and perhaps warn the nursery of the outbreak and caution them on the importance of washing hands and putting sick kids away (far-far away... preferably send them home) from healthy kids.

I hope parents are extra-vigilant on their children and ownself cleanliness - that's the only way to prevent the spread of this disease. I'm definitely would not be bringing the kids to the shopping complex and public areas this time - although it's tempting to have family outing together.

Hate it when the kids are sick... Everything turn up-side-down.

Tuesday October 7, 2008 MYT 6:50:27 PM

Sarawak on high alert for HFMD

By SHARON LING

KUCHING: Sarawak is on high alert for hand foot and mouth disease following the detection of the EV71 virus sometime in the middle of the year.

The EV71 virus causes a more severe form of the disease.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the situation was currently under control and steps were being taken to prevent an outbreak.

A total of 5,686 cases have been reported in Sarawak this year as of Oct 4, compared with 6,286 in the same period last year.

On Sept 30, a four-year-old in Sibu died from suspected HFMD. In view of the death, Dr Chan urged parents to bring their children to hospital immediately if they noticed signs of the disease.

These include high fever for more than two days, repeated vomiting, poor appetite, dehydration and lethargy.

“When we are on high alert for EV71, these danger signs must be watched for very carefully because early treatment can save the child’s life,” he told a press conference at his office here on Tuesday.

He also advised parents and child carers to practise good hygiene at all times as this was the most effective way of disrupting the spread of the disease.

“Don’t think that this is only a children’s disease, or that only children can pass it to other children. Adults who come into contact with infected children can pass the virus to others.

“So adults themselves must practise good hygiene, such as washing their hands before handling children,” he said.

Identified Foreign Object (Part 2)

In my previous post, I mentioned about the General Anasthetics (GA) and removal of small piece of rubber material from Uaua's ear.

Well, we had it done on last Friday, 12 September 2008. I served fried rice for him early in the morning and let him eat whatever he wants until 6.40 am. After that, Uaua fasted until the minor surgery was done at around 1pm and he is fully conscious by 3pm.

Uaua before the operation - wearing his Jedi cloth...

Getting ready to be wheeled to the operating theater

Poor thing he was screaming for food already at 2 pm but we cannot give him anything yet as he might vomit due to the GA side effect. Luckily, I got my handphone sudoku and snakes games that he can play until he is allowed to eat at 3pm.

The removal of the rubber material cost us approx. RM 1, 300 but glad all is fine after that. Very expensive piece of rubber. We (MIL & me) even make joke to Uaua that maybe he wanted to plant rubber tree in his ear. All the other nurses and doctors were also teasing Uaua about his mis-adventure. Hopefully he really learn something from this.

This is the rubber that was removed:-


According to the nurses, this year alone there have been few cases like this where kids put all sorts of things into their ear(s) like beads, battery, beans, etc and it doesn't happen to pre-schooler only. Even a seven year old kid also got a case like this last month.

It's definitely a learning experience for us... hubby, myself and Uaua especially.

Baby Sitting Again...

Huh... I'm on leave baby sitting again. I guess my leave entitlement this year will be used mostly for baby-sitting the 2 lovely kids - Uaua & Momoi. Darling hubby mentioned - hopefully when both of them has grown-up they will be strong as the immune system defense mature.

Well, Momoi was down with Coxsackie Virus (a.k.a Hand Foot and Mouth) this time. Well, that's the down side of sending the kids to nursery - they can always catch funny viruses from other kids.

I was pretty annoyed and frustrated when Momoi got another virus again. Two days before she got the virus I saw another baby already having fever for 2 days but still being sent to the nursery.

How irresponsible some parents can be!

How can you let someone take care your own child when they are sick and let virus got into another child who is healthy (in Momoi's case, she just recovered from Chicken pox then tummy upset and now this Coxsackie Virus). For all I know, for the month of July alone both me and hubby been paying doctor's fees and medicine, losing precious working days and paying the nursery for nothing.

Anyway, Momoi is showing signs of recovery now - thank God. Finally, she wants to drink her milk and eat her porridge and less cranky and clingy. The ulcers in her tongue are gone.

There is no medicine for viral infection - we can only soothe the symptoms - like ulcers. For the past few days, I've been giving her stepsils and some gel (Medi-gel) on the ulcer but it made Momoi shuts her mouth even more. Maybe because of the numbing sensation. So yesterday, I stopped giving the medicine to her and start offering her what she likes - fruits like Papaya and today watermelon. Lucky me it works - at least she can eat something and helps her recover too. It's pretty sad to see her hungry for 2 days but not able to eat anything because of the painful ulcers in the mouth.

Today, a few medical officers from the Hospital came to our house to do some investigation and I found out from them that the virus is currently active in Kota Kinabalu town area. So for those kids and adults who have not caught the virus - watch out! Stay at home as much as possible and avoid crowded places like shopping complex. Anyone can get the virus- adults and kids and spread it to someone else unknowingly.