Saturday, 14 May 2011
Friday, 13 May 2011
Weaning
My 18 month old never did wean off the breast totally. Yah, you heard me, I still latch her on still. I have reduced it down to just once a day, reason I will reveal a little later.
Why??????? Oh, because she didn't take to the bottle kindly. We tried all the brands we can get our hands on, no luck. Nothing works. We got her really hungry, I bottle fed her, other people fed her, I 'disappeared'. Nothing works. In short, she just wants to get straight to the milk source. Fresh mah.
Weaning her off the breasts was easier than I thought it would be. She is a toddler that comfort suckles a lot. She wants to latch on and then doze off to sleep. Very bad I know, but I didn't know how to undo that habit. She cried every time I refused her her latch on on the first 2 days, after that, she was surprisingly okay with not latching on anymore. So yes, the weaning was pretty painless. She didn't have epic bouts of crying her lungs out, more like angry, unreasonable toddler tantrums kind of crying.
Degressing.....
So anyway,
Good thing that I am a full time mum, so I didn't have to resort to drastic measures. But that meant that I can't be away for her too long. That was when I bought those doidy cups. I would express milk and leave it to whoever is baby sitting her and have her drink out of the cup. It is a little more troublesome in the beginning because she was drinking quite slowly compared to if she would have been drinking out of a bottle. Sometimes, she took just enough to starve off her hunger til I (more accurately, my boobs) return. But slowly, she was going pretty well. We used the cups when she started taking juices, water and other liquids too.
We did try to get her to use sippy cups, because it was less messy, but she wouldn't take to the sippy cup either. It was a relief when she finally figured out how to use the straw when she was about 10 months old! She hates formula milk, preferring whole fresh milk instead, and she wants them cold. We tried a few brands, nothing caught her fancy til she had a go at Pediasure Chocolate flavoured milk. I make it cold and gave it to her in a bottle with a straw. Think she is the only toddler who drinks her milk cold. I am using the doidy cup more for milk now since she is able to use the cup on her own a lot better. I will place the cup on the table next to her food. It could be milk, juice or water. It is very heartening to see her feed herself. She does it in the most orderly way too. When she wants to drink, she will push her plate of food to one side and pick up the cup. These days, she is more careful not to spill any liquids. When she is done drinking, she will put the cup down and push it away and then pull the plate closer to her and start eating again. All the months of messy eating and drinking have finally paid off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As much as I would love her to take to the bottle like most babies and gradually to sippy cups, giving me a little freedom and less mess. Looking back now, it isn't entirely a bad thing either. I didn't have to wean her off bottles nor sippy cups!
Now is time to think about potty training!
Why??????? Oh, because she didn't take to the bottle kindly. We tried all the brands we can get our hands on, no luck. Nothing works. We got her really hungry, I bottle fed her, other people fed her, I 'disappeared'. Nothing works. In short, she just wants to get straight to the milk source. Fresh mah.
Weaning her off the breasts was easier than I thought it would be. She is a toddler that comfort suckles a lot. She wants to latch on and then doze off to sleep. Very bad I know, but I didn't know how to undo that habit. She cried every time I refused her her latch on on the first 2 days, after that, she was surprisingly okay with not latching on anymore. So yes, the weaning was pretty painless. She didn't have epic bouts of crying her lungs out, more like angry, unreasonable toddler tantrums kind of crying.
Degressing.....
So anyway,
Good thing that I am a full time mum, so I didn't have to resort to drastic measures. But that meant that I can't be away for her too long. That was when I bought those doidy cups. I would express milk and leave it to whoever is baby sitting her and have her drink out of the cup. It is a little more troublesome in the beginning because she was drinking quite slowly compared to if she would have been drinking out of a bottle. Sometimes, she took just enough to starve off her hunger til I (more accurately, my boobs) return. But slowly, she was going pretty well. We used the cups when she started taking juices, water and other liquids too.
We did try to get her to use sippy cups, because it was less messy, but she wouldn't take to the sippy cup either. It was a relief when she finally figured out how to use the straw when she was about 10 months old! She hates formula milk, preferring whole fresh milk instead, and she wants them cold. We tried a few brands, nothing caught her fancy til she had a go at Pediasure Chocolate flavoured milk. I make it cold and gave it to her in a bottle with a straw. Think she is the only toddler who drinks her milk cold. I am using the doidy cup more for milk now since she is able to use the cup on her own a lot better. I will place the cup on the table next to her food. It could be milk, juice or water. It is very heartening to see her feed herself. She does it in the most orderly way too. When she wants to drink, she will push her plate of food to one side and pick up the cup. These days, she is more careful not to spill any liquids. When she is done drinking, she will put the cup down and push it away and then pull the plate closer to her and start eating again. All the months of messy eating and drinking have finally paid off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As much as I would love her to take to the bottle like most babies and gradually to sippy cups, giving me a little freedom and less mess. Looking back now, it isn't entirely a bad thing either. I didn't have to wean her off bottles nor sippy cups!
Now is time to think about potty training!
One for the Parents
I love books, and I love buying books for The Little One. Well, partly for myself sometimes. The beautiful illustrations, the innocence of the story, the simplicity. They can be quite good de-stressers. I came across this book that looks like a children's book but for tired parents who have problems putting their children to bed. I can totally relate to that! I feel like buying it, but of course I got it hide it well away from little little hands, until they are old enough to understand the humour in that 4 letter word.
A sample verse..
The cats nestled close to their kittens now.
The lambs have laid down with the sheep.
You're cozy and warm in your bed my dear.
Please go the fuck to sleep.
This is so rude I love it! I am so tempted to buy this, should I should I????????????? Am I a bad mother for liking this?
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Elections 2011
Usually I don't write about politics. Heck, I don't even write about anything other than parenting and my little toddler these days! Yes, I do want some form of my own life back as much as I love being a mother. :)
Anyway, I thought every Singaporean should read this before voting....
http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/imagining-electoral-calamity/
Anyway, I thought every Singaporean should read this before voting....
http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/imagining-electoral-calamity/
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Saturday, 9 April 2011
My 10 Favorite Baby Things
After being a mother for 16 months, I have things that I come to love.
One of the first few things that come to mind is California Baby's calendula cream. It was great for The Little One's ezcema, was great when her skin was too dry, great for rashes, great even for small scratches! I like it that it is organic, smells wonderful and has none of those nasties that a lot of other baby creams have. It is even wonderful for me as a night cream! It was so good, we started using the bath products for her as well. They do cost quite a bit more, but I LOVE LOVE their products. Speaking of which, I ordered some stuff online, and they would be here next week. HAPPINESS!
I know of some parents who shy away from using Desitin diaper rash cream. Some aren't too comfortable with it containing zinc oxide. But hey, it works for her! She used to have pretty nasty rashes, so we slapped on a generous amount of her butt at every diaper change. we tried other brands, nothing works as well as Desitin for her. These days, I just use it when we are out and that she hasn't done her poop of the day yet. Yes, she is done to a poop a day now, forever gone are the days of multiple poops! Further digressing.... ever since she was able to stand well, I have taken her to the shower stall to wash her butt every time she does a poop. Cleaner and it saves on the wet wipes. I know I can still wash her butt in the shower stall even before she can stand, but being the clumsy person that I am, I didn't know how to hold her, wash her butt, and try to stay dry at the same time. When she was a newborn, we put her in one of those sleeping bags instead of using a blanket because I was really paranoid that she might suffocate! It worked like a dream for us!
I love Grobag, it being soft and lightweight. She was happy, I was happy, knowing she isn't freezing her little ass off. I can't remember when she started to protest being in the bag, it should be at about the same time she started walking - around the 10th or 11th month. She hates the blanket, even now, so she goes uncovered most of the time.
Everyone seems to have a Sophie these days. It used to be her most chewed on toy! Actually, it is the only toy she seemed to like chewing on. We are lucky that she doesn't fuss too much when she was teething. I know of babies that are cranky all the time, couldn't sleep, and very very difficult. She is a little more difficult than her usual self, being a little more whiny and clingy, not eating too much, but most part of it, she was OK. She didn't really need to gnaw on her teething toys, no fever, no runny stools, no excessive drooling. I can only pray that the second one is the same!
Not exactly baby products, but I can glad I got her books. She loves her books, more than her toys. In fact, I given up buying toys already. Ok, we bought her a kitchen set, but that is because she likes to pretend play and I am hoping that she can pretend cook along side with me while I cook! Ok, back to the books... When I first started shopping for her books I was still pregnant with her. I always love children's books, especially those with beautiful illustrations. I was pretty enthusiatic with the buying, in the end I ended up with books that weren't age appropriate. They were too complicated, too wordy and most importantly, too FRAGILE! I did buy some small simple board books, like Pat the Bunny, Spot and some others. Her favourite ones are the ones with photos of real objects, not illustrations. I never thought those were great, but those are the ones that she likes. I went on to buy more of those. She likes pointing out the things that she knows. Lately, she is showing more interest in the other books, and to my present surprise, was willing to sit with me while I read the book to her. She likes it when I read and use my fingers to point at the words. I love wearing my baby.
I love my sarong which is so versatile! I use it when I nurse her in public, I use it to carry her around. Even now, when she falls asleep when I am out with her, I will just sling her in the sarong and carry on with my business. We have another baby carrier - the baby bjorn, that we used a lot before she got too heavy. That was great too, but being me, I never put her in there for too long a period, half and hour max I will take her out. I have a mai tai that I hardly use, not because I don't like it, but she was just getting too heavy for such things, and besides, she wants to walk everywhere now!
Everyone seems to have a Sophie these days. It used to be her most chewed on toy! Actually, it is the only toy she seemed to like chewing on. We are lucky that she doesn't fuss too much when she was teething. I know of babies that are cranky all the time, couldn't sleep, and very very difficult. She is a little more difficult than her usual self, being a little more whiny and clingy, not eating too much, but most part of it, she was OK. She didn't really need to gnaw on her teething toys, no fever, no runny stools, no excessive drooling. I can only pray that the second one is the same! Not exactly baby products, but I can glad I got her books. She loves her books, more than her toys. In fact, I given up buying toys already. Ok, we bought her a kitchen set, but that is because she likes to pretend play and I am hoping that she can pretend cook along side with me while I cook! Ok, back to the books... When I first started shopping for her books I was still pregnant with her. I always love children's books, especially those with beautiful illustrations. I was pretty enthusiatic with the buying, in the end I ended up with books that weren't age appropriate. They were too complicated, too wordy and most importantly, too FRAGILE! I did buy some small simple board books, like Pat the Bunny, Spot and some others. Her favourite ones are the ones with photos of real objects, not illustrations. I never thought those were great, but those are the ones that she likes. I went on to buy more of those. She likes pointing out the things that she knows. Lately, she is showing more interest in the other books, and to my present surprise, was willing to sit with me while I read the book to her. She likes it when I read and use my fingers to point at the words. I love wearing my baby. I love my sarong which is so versatile! I use it when I nurse her in public, I use it to carry her around. Even now, when she falls asleep when I am out with her, I will just sling her in the sarong and carry on with my business. We have another baby carrier - the baby bjorn, that we used a lot before she got too heavy. That was great too, but being me, I never put her in there for too long a period, half and hour max I will take her out. I have a mai tai that I hardly use, not because I don't like it, but she was just getting too heavy for such things, and besides, she wants to walk everywhere now!I bought a dozen of those inexpensive muslin diaper cloths and they are fantastic! I always have one in my diaper bag. I use it to lay on changing counters in nursery rooms when we are out. I use it in the car in the even that we need to change her in there. We used to cover the stroller with one when she falls asleep and it is just too bright outside. That was when she was little tiny, now she doesn't even want to be in the stroller. We have also used it to cover her when we were caught in the rain! It was also a towel when she got herself too wet playing in fountains or water features or whatever you call those things. 
I never thought the Jumperoo would be so worth the money. She was always so happy to be jumping in that thing. She would go on and on and on in it if she can, but usually I would have pluck her out after 15 minutes. She jumped so wildly and so hard, I was afraid that she might break it. It is amazing that it survived. The thing gave me some time to rest a little back then when she didn't like to nap, didn't like her toys, and all that she cared was for me to be with her, play with her and interact with her. That time almost drove me nuts. 
As much as she doesn't dig the stroller anymore, I still love the Peg Perego P3 Switch. We were out an awful lot, and without it, we wouldn't be able to have meals, coffee or even a stroll in the park. we can't put her in a carrier for too long can we? It was sturdy and doesn't tip over like how some strollers could. She could be facing us, or facing the other way if she gets bored of us. It could recline all the way so that she can sleep, it has extensible handles for tall folks like us, so that we do not need to hunch. we will start trying her in the stroller again, because, I can't afford to be carrying her any too much longer.
Her Stokke Tripp Trapp. Yes, it is expensive, but it is a handsome little thing! I love the design and the fact that it blends right in with the rest of the house. It doesn't have its own tray, so she sits at the table with us, not away from us. Of course, without a tray, it means the mess isn't contained, and cleaning up takes double the time. That is the only gripe I have about it. So, this is the 11th thing that I am listing, but I am lor sor like that. The internet. Again, not really a baby baby product, but I never need to leave my home to shop for books, clothes, baby gear, read about baby stuff, like milestones, development, parenting, and other boring baby/parenting stuff that only parents care about. I never would know about the calendula cream if not for the internet.
I never thought the Jumperoo would be so worth the money. She was always so happy to be jumping in that thing. She would go on and on and on in it if she can, but usually I would have pluck her out after 15 minutes. She jumped so wildly and so hard, I was afraid that she might break it. It is amazing that it survived. The thing gave me some time to rest a little back then when she didn't like to nap, didn't like her toys, and all that she cared was for me to be with her, play with her and interact with her. That time almost drove me nuts. As much as she doesn't dig the stroller anymore, I still love the Peg Perego P3 Switch. We were out an awful lot, and without it, we wouldn't be able to have meals, coffee or even a stroll in the park. we can't put her in a carrier for too long can we? It was sturdy and doesn't tip over like how some strollers could. She could be facing us, or facing the other way if she gets bored of us. It could recline all the way so that she can sleep, it has extensible handles for tall folks like us, so that we do not need to hunch. we will start trying her in the stroller again, because, I can't afford to be carrying her any too much longer. Her Stokke Tripp Trapp. Yes, it is expensive, but it is a handsome little thing! I love the design and the fact that it blends right in with the rest of the house. It doesn't have its own tray, so she sits at the table with us, not away from us. Of course, without a tray, it means the mess isn't contained, and cleaning up takes double the time. That is the only gripe I have about it. So, this is the 11th thing that I am listing, but I am lor sor like that. The internet. Again, not really a baby baby product, but I never need to leave my home to shop for books, clothes, baby gear, read about baby stuff, like milestones, development, parenting, and other boring baby/parenting stuff that only parents care about. I never would know about the calendula cream if not for the internet.
Last one! I promise! We had a mobile for her cot. It was colourful, plasticky, moves and had music! Ignore the matching outfits and look at the plastic fantasic piece of mobile at the background. She loved looking at it go around and round and would get pretty excited, kicking her legs (perhaps to the music, I dunno...) It was heaven's sent for times when we had to get ourselves ready, or to distract her when we change her diaper. It was great, til one day, The husband decided to carry her up to where the mobile is, and with one mighty grab, she crippled it. It stopped moving totally.Monday, 28 February 2011
Baby Led Weaning
When my baby was almost 6 months old, I got myself a BabyCook. Next, I went to the supermarket to pick up some apples, pears, pumpkin to make them into purees. I was so excited I went straight into making them that night and freeze them in those puree trays.
The day she turned 6 months old, I dished out one portion of the puree for her. She made a face, gagged and spat it out like it was the worst thing that she had ever tasted. (OK, that was the onlything she had ever tasted apart from my milk and a teaspoonful of cereal we gave her when she was 5 months old.) I wasn't too discouraged then, thinking that she needed some time to get used to taste and texture.
I tried again, and again and again. I tried them warm, I tried serving them cold. I tried giving her before milk, I tried after milk, I tried after just a little milk. EPIC FAIL. Then I got a little desperate and gave her store bought ones. Again, I tried warm, cold, sweet, savoury. ALL FAIL. I was getting a little disheartened. I tried porridge and then I tried cereal and yoghurt too. FAIL FAIL FAIL. She would take none of all those things. She didn't even want baby fruit juice, drinking only water instead. (Not that that is a bad thing.) Soon, she doesn't even open her mouth when a spoon came close. That was when I decided to go BLW way. Basically, it believes in letting baby lead the way when it comes to starting solids food. When baby is ready, baby will eat. It skips the entire process of purees and spoonfeeding, and instead, giving baby chunks of food and allowing baby to eat however much he chooses.
We didn't get much success initially. She played with her food a little then got bored and decided she had enough and wanted to be out of her high chair pronto. There were some stuff that she will eat more, like bananas and pasta and leafy vegetables. Sometimes she would take a little fish. More often than not, 10 mintues and she is done with eating.
It was until she turned 1 that she started to eat a lot more. Even allowing us to spoonfeed her a few spoonfuls now! She had her phases, right now she eats nothing but white rice, grilled unagi, cheese, soup, vegetables and fruits and. She starts her day with a little yoghurt. Sometimes she will take a bit of bread. She snacks on cheerios and she adores chocolate! We just found out that she loves iced milo! She has been rejecting meat for a while now, don't really know why. She loves her bak kwa and bacon though!
Messing with the pumpkin puree that she refused to allow me to feed her with
Having a banana. Don't ask me how that mess could resemble a banana. If Van Gogh painted with bananas, it would look like what she is 
Eating bread
Stealing handfuls of my carrot cake. Got to be careful she didn't take any raisins or nuts.
Noodles and pasta were a hit for a long long while. Still is!
Having Indian food. She takes some pappadam, rice and paneer. We eat out quite a bit and sometimes when the cuisine isn't too suitable because it is too spicy, we pack some stuff for her. Most times, before she turned one, I do prepare her own portion because I was paranoid about the sodium levels in the food!
This baby has rejected the bottle and we had never successfully got her on the bottle ever. We gave in and gave her the cup. So we went from the boob to the cup straight. We were only too happy when she got around using the straw when she was about 10 months old.
Roast chicken and rice.
There are days when she allow me to feed her some yoghurt. I allow her to play with the near empty tub.
The whole apple. These days, when I would share one with her, with me eating most of the skin because she hates it and would spit it out. The things I do....
Having a field day with whipped cream. It was Children's Day, I thought I indulged her. She messed up real good!
The beginning of more in the tummy and less on the floor days. 
Dad eating her leftovers and she playing with her food. 
She loves loves bananas! 
Trying to use a fork. Still trying to get a hang of using cutlery. When she tries, it gets really messy. 
Helping me with the salad. She loves cherry tomatoes. She chews and suck on them then, spits out the skin. Pretty gross I know, and she does that to meat and some vegetables too.
The day she turned 6 months old, I dished out one portion of the puree for her. She made a face, gagged and spat it out like it was the worst thing that she had ever tasted. (OK, that was the onlything she had ever tasted apart from my milk and a teaspoonful of cereal we gave her when she was 5 months old.) I wasn't too discouraged then, thinking that she needed some time to get used to taste and texture.
I tried again, and again and again. I tried them warm, I tried serving them cold. I tried giving her before milk, I tried after milk, I tried after just a little milk. EPIC FAIL. Then I got a little desperate and gave her store bought ones. Again, I tried warm, cold, sweet, savoury. ALL FAIL. I was getting a little disheartened. I tried porridge and then I tried cereal and yoghurt too. FAIL FAIL FAIL. She would take none of all those things. She didn't even want baby fruit juice, drinking only water instead. (Not that that is a bad thing.) Soon, she doesn't even open her mouth when a spoon came close. That was when I decided to go BLW way. Basically, it believes in letting baby lead the way when it comes to starting solids food. When baby is ready, baby will eat. It skips the entire process of purees and spoonfeeding, and instead, giving baby chunks of food and allowing baby to eat however much he chooses.
We didn't get much success initially. She played with her food a little then got bored and decided she had enough and wanted to be out of her high chair pronto. There were some stuff that she will eat more, like bananas and pasta and leafy vegetables. Sometimes she would take a little fish. More often than not, 10 mintues and she is done with eating.
It was until she turned 1 that she started to eat a lot more. Even allowing us to spoonfeed her a few spoonfuls now! She had her phases, right now she eats nothing but white rice, grilled unagi, cheese, soup, vegetables and fruits and. She starts her day with a little yoghurt. Sometimes she will take a bit of bread. She snacks on cheerios and she adores chocolate! We just found out that she loves iced milo! She has been rejecting meat for a while now, don't really know why. She loves her bak kwa and bacon though!
There are still days when she will eat little and days when she will eat a lot more. I try to trust her that she is getting in enough and not worry too much. That is so hard to do! Especially so now that she is an active toddler and losing her chubbiness. It makes me feel like she is not taking in enough. Got to constantly remind myself, children are healthier when they are not that chubby! Got to remind myself too, that as long as she is developing well, not losing weight, happy and contented, I really shouldn't be worrying so much.
Messing with the pumpkin puree that she refused to allow me to feed her with Having a banana. Don't ask me how that mess could resemble a banana. If Van Gogh painted with bananas, it would look like what she is Eating bread Stealing handfuls of my carrot cake. Got to be careful she didn't take any raisins or nuts.Noodles and pasta were a hit for a long long while. Still is! Having Indian food. She takes some pappadam, rice and paneer. We eat out quite a bit and sometimes when the cuisine isn't too suitable because it is too spicy, we pack some stuff for her. Most times, before she turned one, I do prepare her own portion because I was paranoid about the sodium levels in the food! This baby has rejected the bottle and we had never successfully got her on the bottle ever. We gave in and gave her the cup. So we went from the boob to the cup straight. We were only too happy when she got around using the straw when she was about 10 months old.No, not loving it.
Roast chicken and rice.There are days when she allow me to feed her some yoghurt. I allow her to play with the near empty tub.
Cream cheese.
The whole apple. These days, when I would share one with her, with me eating most of the skin because she hates it and would spit it out. The things I do.... Having a field day with whipped cream. It was Children's Day, I thought I indulged her. She messed up real good! The beginning of more in the tummy and less on the floor days. Dad eating her leftovers and she playing with her food. She loves loves bananas! Trying to use a fork. Still trying to get a hang of using cutlery. When she tries, it gets really messy. Helping me with the salad. She loves cherry tomatoes. She chews and suck on them then, spits out the skin. Pretty gross I know, and she does that to meat and some vegetables too.
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