How to: Know when to breast pump ??

I got different info from different sites. I think all info is correct for it all falls back to own personal needs. However, as for me.. I like the info I got from Pa&Ma magazine, August 2009 released, pg: 2. Let's check it out, shall we.

When to start breast pumping:

1. Make sure both the mother and the newborn already got the hanged of breast feeding (this shall take about 2 to 3 weeks from delivery date).

2. Then, try out the various breast pumps in the market before you bring one home (to ensure you're comfortable when using it especially when it is pricy !!)

BTW if you have to go back to work, it would be better if you introduce the pumped breast milk to your baby 2 weeks before your working date. Start of by giving it to the baby 2 to 3 hours within the first 3 days then gradually increase to 5 to 6 hours. However, bear in mind that you should not be the one who feed your baby at this point because baby would want to breast feed rather than having the pumped milk !!

How to: Know your baby (1-6 mnths) is hungry ??

Got this info from Pa&Ma magazine, August 2009 released (unnumbered page). For a first timer, of course I want to do the right thing. Hence, I hope this information will come in handy for me as well as for you too :) Was advised by the magazine that if you ignore those signs, you well face a tough time of feeding your baby because his / her already expressing tantrum.... OOhhh....

Step to know whether your lil' one is hungry:

1. The baby's mouth shows action of wanting to have something (I am not quite sure what this is like, however will let you know once I discover it).

2. The baby open his / her mouth widely when the mouth touches an object; i.e. your finger etc.

3. The baby put his / her hand into his / her mouth.

4. The baby's mouth shows a suckling action.

5. The baby clench his / her fist and raise his / her feet towards his / her tummy or chest.

How to: Kegel

Why Kegel??

Hmm.. learn the Kegel from my antenatal class last 18th Jan 2010. It is basically a breathing exercise combined with controlling the pubococcygeus or PC muscle (some muscle in the pelvic area). If you are familiar with Kegel, then you would know that it is a very easy exercise. However, it always slipped my mind to perform it until the hemorrhoids got to me :-( Was told that Kegel can help get rid of the hemorrhoids. Believe me.. this is one last trimester pregnancy syndrome which you really want to avoid !!

Well, come back to the Kegel..to do it..you have to imagine and act as you are restraining yourself from urinating. By doing this, you will be controlling the urethra muscle by squeezing it for a count of 10.

It is advised to perform Kegel at least 3 times a day and to do it while standing, sitting and lying down.

Anyway, please do click the above title to go to "Remembering to Kegel" site to read more about it.

Let's KEGEL baby !!!!

How to: Bathe a baby

Got this information from Mami&Baby, Oct 2009 released. pg. 76. For a person who never had any close encounter with bathing a baby before... this comes out EXTREMELY handy !! Oh, by the way.. the article advises that a newborn only needs to be bathe a few times a week and not every day. Quite true if the baby is placed in a well air conditioned room, I supposed ...

Steps:

1. Locate a place which is not too cold / not too windy for the bathing process (this is to avoid baby from shivering before.. during and after the bathing process).

2. Filled in basin / baby bath tub with 3/4 of warm water (use own wrist / elbow to check the water temperature).

3. Undress the baby. Wet a small clean towel, rinsed it and wipe baby's whole body (by giving extra attention to clean the baby's back of neck, behind ears, toes and hands). For newborn, normally soap is not a requirement. However, if desired.. have to avoid anti-bacterial soap and foamy shower bath (can cause urinary infection) !! Use a mild shampoo for baby's hair.For newborn, use wet towel to wipe baby's body until the umbilical cord fell off.

4. Use a dry clean towel to dry the baby by light dabbing to avoid skin irritation.

5. Avoid massage lotion / oil which contains petrochemical or mineral base (can cause irritation) !!

6. Avoid using talcum (can cause irritation and cancer) !! Instead.. do regular diaper changes to ensure baby's bottom always clean and dry.

How to: Know baby has gotten enough milk ??

I got this information from Mami&Baby, Oct 2009 released. pg: 70. Very informative and I summarized it here for my own benefit and others who need to know.

i. Baby needs to be breast feed at least every 8 - 12 times / 24 hrs (Means.. wake the baby up if needs to!!)

ii. Mommy needs to ensure that the baby's mouth covers the large area of areola & NOT JUST THE NIPPLE (fail to ensure will cause mommy to have swollen breast**OOuuccch**).

iii. Mommy needs to listen to the sound 'suck-gulp-suck-gulp-suck' coming form the baby while nursing.

iv. Occasionally, baby will release mommy's breast when it has enough of drinking for that session.

v. Baby will have soft, yellowy and tiny granuled pooh.

vi. Baby will do at least 6 peeing and 3 to 8 pooping within 24 hrs!!

vii. Mommy will feel that her breasts are light and empty after every breast feeding session.

Breastfeed

It has become popular now in Malaysia to breast feed your child rather than use baby formula. Even in the Putrajaya Hospital which I and hubby has registered for our 1st newborn delivery, has become a policy for mother to breast feed the baby within 1 hr after labour until 6 months of age without need to feed the baby with water or any soft foods.

And, if the mother is capable to proceed.. it will be a bonus for the child to breast feed for another beautiful 1 year and 4 months. I am not sure how natural and easy this can be to be able to breast feed for 2 non stopping years.. Hmm.

Anyway, in the magazine which I have read (well.. rather unusual of me to read magazine..but due to baby's sake.. JUST DO IT !! (Mami&baby Oct 2009 released, pg 69), it mentioned that:

i. On the first 3 days after labour, there will be only colostrum coming out from mommy's breast. Colostrum is viscous, yellowy liquid which is important for baby's growth and immune system!! Colostrum also helps to assist baby to do its 1st pooh easily - the 1st pooh contains meconium and its black in color (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meconium) and failure to dispose the meconium will cause baby to suffer jaundice...**yikes**

The amount of colostrum is small about 37mL within 24hrs.. however it is also mentioned that this is enough for the baby's small tummy which is as big as a peanut!!

ii. After the 3rd day, milk will start to come out from the breast. The amount of milk will increase through time- build up to 750mL / day from the 3rd to 5th months and becomes almost 1 L / day on the 6th months!!

34 weeks: Things to pack for Hospital

Routine biweekly CTG test for baby's heart rate.

I know I have another 4 weeks or you can even put it as a month before the big day!!

Well, don't want to panic on the last day. Hence, I with my hubby's help already have a list of what to bring to the hospital.. actually we did research on the net on the usual items people normally bring with them to the hospital.. as well as asking some of my reliable friends on their experience during their labour and valuable suggestion of what to bring from their experience to keep the parent-to-be away from panicky attacks !!

Okay..so follows is the list. Hope I could put them all together in 3 bags ( 1 small paper bag for baby to delivery hall + 1 big bag for both me and hubby + 1 bag for baby ~ for nurse easy access). Well to know whether the list is already exhaustive or not... have to wait until after I deliver, ok ;-)

Things to bring to hospital:

1. My handbag (Hospital appointment card + Mother's health record book + my IC)

2. Mobile phone

3. Toilet slippers

4. Camera / Video camera

5. Plastic bags (JIC)

6. Sejadah / Prayer mat

7. Cloth hangars

A. Mommy's bag:

1. 5 x loose, dark colored T-shirts

2. 2 x stockings

3. 3 x kain sarung

4. 5 x disposable panties (RM9/5 piece)

5. 1 x shower towel

6. 1 x face towel

7. 1 x wind breaker

8. 1 pack maternity / heavy flow menstrual pad

9. 4 x nursing bras (RM48/1 piece)

10. 1 x makeup bag (facial cleanser + tooth paste + tooth brush + Dettol body soap + shampoo / hair brush + hair dryer + compact powder + concealer + foundation + deodorant)

11. 1 x telekung

B. Baby's bag:

1. 12 x disposable diapers

2. 2 x baby's 2 piece long sleeved shirts

3. 1 x shower towel

4. 2 x Swaddling blanket

5 5 x Barut

6. 1 pack baby wipes (RM11/1 pack)

7. 1 bottle Telon oil (RM12/1 bottle)

8 4 x mittens and booties

9. 1 x hat

C. Baby's paper bag (to delivery hall):

1. 1x disposable diaper

2. 1 x 2 piece long sleeved shirt

3. 1 x receiving blanket

4. 1 x shower towel

5. 1 x swaddling blanket

6. 1 x med size baby oil (RM12/1 bottle)

D. Papa's bag:

1. 5 x T-shirts

2. 3 x Long pants

3. 3 x Kain sarung

4. 5 x undies

5. 1 x wind breaker

6. 1 x shower towel

7. Comb

8. Books / magazines

9. Wallet (IC + credit card)