My Breastfeeding Experience - Part 2.5 (5th Month)

Saw this article today in babycenter.com and I feel so proud:

If you're able to hang in there (exclusive breatfeeding) for at least four months, it makes a big health difference for your baby. "Breastfeeding for one month may offer some benefit, " says Nancy Krebs, a pediatrician and nutrition specialist, "but the studies that show reductions in ear infections, diarrhea, and so on, are for babies who were breastfed exclusively (or close to it) for the first four months." (http://www.babycenter.com/0_top-5-things-doctors-wish-youd-do-for-your-baby_10319215.bc?scid=adhoc_20091030_cobrand_target_baby:1&pe=2UwY8wU)

Reading this makes me feel so satisfied. At least all my sacrifices are worth it.

I am currently breastfeeding Shern for almost 5 months and am hoping to reach the 6 months period minimum.

This week, I feel that my breastmilk supply is less than usual. Either I dont drink enough water or my milk supply is dwindling down gradually. I hope it will last for at least another month or so.

I am so so so proud and satisfied everytime people ask:

Aunty: Wow, you baby looks so healthy. What formula do you feed him?
me: mummy's milk @ breastmilk
Aunty: Fully? never mix with formula ar? Not many people can do that!
me: *nod head - feeling so proud* *beaming non-stop*

She just made my day! :D

Click here to follow Shern's Breastfeeding Journey:

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 1 (2 mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 2 (4 mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 2.5 (5mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 3 (7 mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 4 (10 mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 5 (1 yo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 6 

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 7 (16 mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 8 (17 mo)

Shopping Craze!

I spent about 7 hours shopping at Parkson, Gurney Plaza! This is the longest time I've ever spent shopping since Shern pop out nearly 5 months ago. (thanks to my parents & ah yee who took care of Shern)

Parkson is celebrating it's 22nd Anniversary and Bonus Link members who spent RM200 and above in a single receipt will get 22x Bonus Link points. In addition, you will also get RM10 Parkson voucher for every RM150 spent.

Pls dont ask me how much I spent. *blush*
Let me give you a hint - I am eligible to apply for Parkson Elite Card.

Ok. Not every item I bough is mine. I bought stuff for my mum and my sis which I am gonna demand for my money back.
And almost every item I bought are baby stuff - baby wipes, liquid cleanser, pacifier, etc. Baby items don't come cheap ok.

Oh ya...I splurged on 1 item. I bought Shern a jacket from Pumpkin Patch! If you all know me, I seldom buy clothes for Shern. Other people buy clothes for Shern. :P

Oh ya, I also managed to get myself a FREE Manicure (for those who spent RM200 & above). I was having perfectly manicured hands with pastel pink nails - until I stuffed my hand into my handbag to dig out my handphone. Darn...there goes my left thumb nailpolish! Arghhhh...

Min-yee with Shern

Look at how my sis, Min (Shern's Min-yee) made Shern chuckled and laughed so gleefully.

28 October 2009

Yiu-Shern - week 20

24 Oct 2009

Yiu-Shern's 20 weeks Milestone

4 Months Traditional Ritual
As mentioned in previous post, Shern went through his 4 months traditional ritual on Tuesday 20 Oct 2009. Mum was the one prepared everything. We did as she said.
Hope Shern grows up healthy and happy.

Like Father, Like Son
I am getting more and more comments from friends and even strangers who saw 3 of us walking by and said 'Baby looks so much like Daddy', 'Muka macam bapa ya'!
Doesn't Shern even have a speck that looks like me?

19 Oct 2009

2 Bottom Teeth
His 2 teeth are getting longer and clearer now that a week has gone by. He now sinks his teeth into anything that he can grab his hands on. That includes his bibs, my shirt, all toys. Hopefully, my nipples are not in line.

22 Oct 2009

Cheeky Faces
With him teething, I guess he has an itchy feeling in his mouth as he keeps on pursing and sucking his lips like a goldfish. Anyhow whenever he smiles with his mouth close, he looks so adorable and cheeky.

24 Oct 2009 - Cheeky Smiles

Propped Up
Being propped up is still his favourite position. Either by pillows on my bed or in his Bumbo Seat is alright for him.

One thing though, I don't put him into his Bumbo Seat straight after his feed because he tends to lean forward (to reach out for his toys that dropped onto the floor) and it somehow pressed against his stomach and he can vomit out his milk.

19 Oct 2009 & 25 Oct 2009

25 Oct 2009

Playmat
He still fancy his playmat. And him looking at the mirror to chat still fascinates him. It makes me happy that the playmat is such a good buy. Definitely my money's worth.

24 Oct 2009

How Is Mummy Doing?

- Feeling somewhat depressed that at my supposed peak, I can only express 6oz every 3 hourly. Depressed but not discouraged.

My Breastfeeding Experience - Part 2 (4th Month)

27 October 2009 - My breastmilk storage in the freezer

Looking at the photo below, one seems to think that I produce a lot of breastmilk for Shern. In actual, I don't have that much. I only have enough for Shern for the time being. I have just about a week+ supply with the ~50 bottles in the freezer.

I am not those fortunate mums where milk comes easy to them. I went through a very difficult time before I reach here.
I had longer than normal engorgement period. I experienced pumping out blood. Nipple crack and sore nipples were a normal thing for me initially.
I'm glad I persevered.

And although I'm into my 4th month which supposedly should be my peak, I can only express 4-6 oz every 3 hourly.
Most mum can express 10 oz during their peak. So I am not those mums who have so much milk. But I have enough for Shern and that is all that matters.

To exclusively breastfeed my baby is not easy. I try to express every 3 hourly. Which means no matter where am I, I need to do the job. Before I go anywhere, I need to make sure there is a suitable place for me to pump. When there is no suitable baby room, I make do with wherever I can find.

I have pumped in FOS changing room, Nichii Changing Room, Jusco's Baby Room, toilets (clean ones of coz) and even in a moving car on the highway (with car shades blocking the windows)! :)
Basically, I can't go to places where I can't find a decent place for me to pump.

I am a cow now actually. Kinda no life.

Anyway, many soon-to-be mums ask me how do I store my breastmilk and how do I prepare them for baby. I think it is good to explain briefly how I go about feeding my son breastmilk thus far.

I keep all my expressed breastmilk in the freezer, which they can lasts for 3 months.
The night before, I bring out tomorrow's feed and keep in the the fridge to defrost/to be thawed. It takes about 12 hours to be thawed in the fridge.
And about half an hour before my baby's next feed, I pop the bottle into my Lindam Food & Bottle Warmer. It takes about 5-6 mins to warm 4 oz if it's from the fridge.

Lindam Food & Bottle Warmer - something I cannot do without

There was once when I was in KL's Swiss Garden Resort where my room was not equipped with a freezer. I brought my own icebox and requested the hotel staff to keep my breastmilk in their freezer.

I am very proud when people ask what formula do I feed my son as he looks very healthy. I told them I feed Shern with 'Shu-Yin brand' - he is an exclusively breastfed baby.

I hope I can reach my 6 months exclusive breastfeed milestone!

22 October 2009 - Exclusive Breastfed Shern

Click here to follow Shern's Breastfeeding Journey:

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 1 (2 mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 2 (4 mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 2.5 (5mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 3 (7 mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 4 (10 mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 5 (1 yo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 6 

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 7 (16 mo)

Breastfeeding Shern - Part 8 (17 mo)

Happy 2 Years Wedding Anniversary

There are so many dates to remember.
The date we started dating. The date we first kissed. The date we got registered. The date we had our wedding dinner reception. The date we first made love *wink

Anyway, Happy 2 Years Wedding Anniversary to Us. I love you more and more each day.

Shern's 4 months Traditional Ritual Celebration

I don't know what they call this but somehow my mum said we gotta do this traditional ritual for Shern during his 4th month.

It is supposed to bless him with good teeth, good health & so forth.

3 of us took a photo with Marie biscuits around Shern's neck.

Shern with mummy & daddy

Look at the table spread:

Shern with mummy & daddy in front of the table spread

Here is Shern being fed Marie biscuits, pear, orange & phong pneah.

Look at his happy & 'tham chiak' face!

!

Here's a pic with Wen & Rainbow

Shern with Charlie's Angels

Shern with mummy & Min-yee & Wen-yee

And here comes Ah Yee & Hubby. Aiks..where is mum & dad?

Shern with mummy & daddy, Wen-yee, Min-yee & Yee-pho

Ashley Khoo is born

Baby Girl: Ashley Khoo (chinese name to be announced later)
DOB: 25 October 2009
Weight: 2.99 kg
Proud Father & Mother: Justin Khoo & Siow Sen

Visited them on Sunday. Went again on Monday because we forgot to pass them the angpow (Hubby's fault!)

So now we have 2 baby boys & 2 baby girls in the gang. Woo hoo!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Omg...Sue Mei 's back!

What a sweet surprise to receive a phone call from her this morning. Even more surprised to converse with her through such clear reception - no buzzing sounds, no lagging - clearly not a long-distance call. Sue Mei is in Penang. Yay!
The last time I saw Sue Mei should be nearly 4 yrs ago!

I know Sue Mei since the college/uni days. We spent many stressful yet fun time partnering in many assignments. We also went Street Latin Dancing together. Played mahjong together. Stayed over in my room in a sleeping bag - and left the next day for work early morning, often forgotten her shoes, towels, etc.

Ahhh...typical Sue Mei. I really look forward to seeing her.

Here are some pics of me & Sue Mei:

2003 - On my bed, Aus
(Jas, Sue Mei & me)


2003- MMH299 Business Communication, Deakin Uni, Aus
(Suki, Deb, me & Sue Mei)

.
2005 - Christmas @ Sue Mei's place, Penang
(me. Adrian & Sue Mei)

I am a Partial SAHM

SAHM stands for Stay-At-Home-Mum (some says Hot-And-Sexy-Momma :P) for those who are not familiar with the motherhood jargons. So am I a SAHM?

Well, I was taking care of Shern full-time 'til he was 3 months plus. Then I started going to work for a few hours every morning. Basically, I dropped Shern in mum's place and Ah-Yee helps me to look after him from 10am-2pm on weekdays.
This gives me some time to get things done. Going to AIG and running some errands.

After 2pm, it is all about Shern again. I rock him to sleep, change his diapers, bottle-feed him, etc. I do get some help at times from Min (especially when I need to express milk) & also from Mum when she comes home after work.

So I guess I am considered a partial SAHM. Being that means a lot to me. Although I complain that Shern is driving me up to the wall, this is what I want.

I feel that I am lucky that I do not have to leave Shern in the care of a babysitter. I want to be there to witness all his 'firsts', all his milestones. His first smile. His first gaze. His first tooth. Etc.

Being a working mum gets good salary. But being a SAHM, I'm paid with love from Shern. :D

(image taken from http://roguequeen.wordpress.com/2008/08/06/faith-of-a-squirrel-glider/)

Shern said 'Hello'

Guess what? Shern kinda said 'Hello' just now. Min, Hubby & I heard all heard it!

I mean, all these while, Shern just blabs, and at most go goo-goo-gaa-gaa. Then out of a sudden, we heard 'Hello'.
Although I know Shern is not actually talking yet, but somehow I still feel so excited and happy. That is why I need to blog about it.

Crazy mum, huh? ;P

Yiu-Shern - week 19

Yiu-Shern's 19 weeks Milestone

From Funky Hair to Botak

Started the week with a haircut. Since Shern is already four months old, it is a tradition to have his 2nd hair cut. Anyhow, I find his hair too long and is sticking up. So off to haircut. The hairdresser is very skillful. In just less than 2 minutes, Shern's funky hair were all scattered on the floor.

12 October 2009 - 8.30am October 2009 - 4.30pm

Teething
My little baby is teething at 4 months...omg! I could feel the tooth replacing the white-ish gums I saw 2 weeks ago.
His first tooth erupted on 12 October 2009 while his 2nd tooth erupted on 16 October 2009. Shern is now smiling proudly with his new 2 teeth!

I sure hope he won't use them to bite the thing that feeds him - my nipples!

Happy vs Sad Face
Usually, Shern is a happy baby. But now that he is teething, he can be a very grumpy baby. He sulks and thrive for attention. He wants to be carried all the time and makes lotsa pitiful noises and faces.

Happy Shern vs Grumpy Shern

Crying fits
Wanted to go to QBM with my family since Wen came back from KL. She will be off to KL then back to South Africa soon. So decided to leave Shern with MIL for 2-3 hours.

Left Shern at MIL's house at around 1pm. Then hubby drove me to QBM to meet the rest of my family there. The moment I stepped into QBM, phone call came in. MIL called to say Shern was crying non-stop. She even mentioned that he seemed to have a little fever. MIL called me to go home immediately after my lunch and not to go shopping.

I panicked of course. So I did not even join them for lunch. I ordered McD RM5.95 take-aways and left QBM in a hurry. Halfway in the car, phone call came in again. Shern still had not stop crying. I could hear him through the phone. I told MIL I was on the way.

When I reached MIL's house, the moment I opened the car door, I expected to hear his cries. Surprisingly, the house was quiet. I went into the room and saw Shern smiling and talking to MIL. Haha. He had just calmed down and was happy chatting and smiling.
I touched his forehead and took his temperature but there was no fever. I suppose he cried til he 'seems hot'

Haha. My naughty baby just wanted to trick me into coming home!


Bibs
Look at his different bibs. Nowadays I can't seem to see his top. His oversized bibs are covering his clothes underneath!

13, 15 & 16 October 2009

Pho-pho & Ah Kong
My parents adore Shern. Dad is always singing to him. Dad sings to him oldies by the way. Shern is now very familiar with songs from the 60's.
Mum also always carries Shern the moment she came home from the office. She is the one who pampers Shern the most, carrying him and buying him toys.
Sigh...grandparents - their nature is always to spoil their grandchildren! ;)

17 October 2009

Shern's Mesmerizing Smiles
Shern's eyes are so small that they seem to disappeared everytime he smiles. But oohh...I still find his smiles so mesmerizing.
One minute I wanted to be angry at him for crying non-stop. The moment he smiles at me, I sayang him oh so much!

18 October 2009

How Is Mummy Doing?

- Cursing the damn washing machine for the whole week. Water could not drain out, thus need to use my bare hands to rinse the clothes. Hates rinsing those heavy stuff - jeans, towels.

- Breastfeeding is going on normal. Not much improvement. Still expressing 5-6oz every 3 hourly. Heard other breastfeeding mums expressing over 10oz @ 4 mths. Feeling a little depressed though.