Wednesday, December 11, 2013

What every parent should know before choosing to vaccinate

1.) Understand the diseases that for which we have vaccines for. 

It is better to research each individual disease, than to take someone's word for it. The best most reliable source of information would be an official source, like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 
The CDC's Pink Book is an up do date record of infectious diseases and can be found here: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/index.html#chapters

In the CDC's own words:
"The Pink Book provides physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and others with the most comprehensive information on vaccine-preventable diseases.

Typical chapters include a description of the disease, pathogenesis, clinical features, laboratory diagnosis, medical management, epidemiology, risk factors, trends in the United States, vaccine details, vaccination schedule and use, contraindications and precautions to vaccination, adverse reactions following vaccination, vaccine storage and handling, and reference or publications.
The appendices are a wealth of reference materials including: minimum age and interval table, current and discontinued vaccines, ingredients tables, vaccine administration guide, etc.

2.) Know and understand what adverse events are associated and reported after vaccinations. 

Parents who choose to vaccinate should know what to do in the case of an adverse event, severe reaction, and the like. Physicians are required to report adverse events to VAERS (The Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System), however the CDC and FDA "the keepers" of the VAERS database estimate that only 10% to 15% of adverse reactions are ever reported at all.
Parents may, and (even after reporting the reaction to your child's doctor), file a report with VAERS. When accessing the VAERS database, if there were 5,485 reports associated with the MMR vaccine, the CDC and FDA suggest that you can multiply that number by 10-15 for a more accurate count. 5,485 x 10 is 54,485. 

An exerpt from the VAERS database:
"Underreporting" is one of the main limitations of passive surveillance systems, including VAERS. The term, underreporting refers to the fact that VAERS receives reports for only a small fraction of actual adverse events. The degree of underreporting varies widely. As an example, a great many of the millions of vaccinations administered each year by injection cause soreness, but relatively few of these episodes lead to a VAERS report. Physicians and patients understand that minor side effects of vaccinations often include this kind of discomfort, as well as low fevers. On the other hand, more serious and unexpected medical events are probably more likely to be reported than minor ones, especially when they occur soon after vaccination, even if they may be coincidental and related to other causes. "
Many parents who do vaccinate have never been told about VAERS at all. Know that it exists.

3) Understand the vaccination laws where you live

Many parents are led to believe that immunizations are mandatory for school admission. All states have exemptions. And all states but two allow exemptions for philosophical or religious reasons. Mississippi and West Virgina are currently the only two which only allow a medical exemption.  

4) Read the package inserts for each and every vaccine you are considering for you or your children.  


Often doctors will hand out information sheets to you in advance of the next appointment. Do not mistake the one sided, often inflammatory accounts of the infectious diseases for the package inserts written by the vaccine manufacturers and included with the actual vaccines. Package inserts will give you information like studies and outcomes, contraindications, and adverse reactions associated with the vaccine. All admitted and written by the manufacturer. 

5) Know the ingredients in each vaccine. 

Vaccine ingredients are often not studied at all, let alone studied for long term effects, or how they work (or do not) in conjunction with one another. Research this topic in depth. Twenty-three vaccines on the market currently contain aborted fetal tissue, which contains human DNA. 

It is important that every parent has a thorough understanding of the diseases that they are trying to prevent. Vaccines do not necessarily make anyone immune, and the manufacturers will tell you on the package inserts that the vaccine is not 100% effective, if even 80% effective. All the "immunity" you may have received from vaccines eventually wears off making the need for booster shots.  



credit to source : http://www.examiner.com/article/what-every-parent-should-know-before-choosing-to-vaccinate

8 ways to keep your sleeping baby cool in hot weather

Your baby will sleep most comfortably in a room temperature of 24 or 25 degrees C. It is also extremely important to ensure that the room is well ventilated. If the room your baby sleeps in is not air-conditioned, make sure there is a fan in the room (but a standing or sitting fan should not be pointed directly at your baby).

Turn the fan on before your baby's bedtime to allow the room to cool. If possible, leave the windows open as this allows cross ventilation to ensure the room will not get stuffy (to keep mosquitoes at bay, you want want to consider installing wire mesh or special screens on all the windows).

Here are eight quick tips for keeping your baby cool and comfortable while he sleeps:

1. Remove unnecessary bedding. A baby wearing a nappy, long-sleeve top and long pants will only need a light cotton sheet as cover if the temperature in his room is 24 degrees C.

2. If he is still hot, and there is no air-conditioning in the room, he could sleep in just his nappy and a thin short-sleeve top.

3. Remove any padding around his cot to allow the air to circulate.

4. Open windows in several rooms to create a through breeze.

5. Hang wet towels over chairs or windows when it's really stifling. The evaporating water will help the air to cool.

6. Keep curtains and blinds drawn in the middle of the day to prevent the sun from heating up the room.

7. Keep a careful eye on him if he falls asleep in his pram. Prams can be hot and airless, and you may need to buy a small, battery-powered portable fan to clip on to the pram if you are regularly out and about during your baby's nap times.

8. Never leave your baby sleeping in his car seat in the car. Even with the windows open, temperatures inside a parked car can rise frighteningly quickly.

http://www.babycenter.com.my/a1004500/8-ways-to-keep-your-sleeping-baby-cool-in-hot-weather?scid=my_en_bulletin_all_toddler#ixzz2eesaTEMI

Monday, September 2, 2013

Berpuasa dan Menyusukan

My last entry was May 23rd and it's been a month long..No, I haven't stop writing yet juggling with routine and unusual schedule these days plus thinking of things to write..

It's approx. 8 days before Ramadhan comes, InsyaAllah and Alhamdulillah...And for most breastfeeding mothers, the most thought of going thru a month fasting is 'How would my supply be?', 'What supplement shall I start taking' and d list of Qs goes on..

I've posted before on macam mana susu terhasil for u to refer, something about breastfeeding.. I am totally understood as I've went thru 2 Ramadhan while breastfeeding my junior superhero, the first Ramadhan he was only 4 months old while the second Ramadhan, he was 16 months old. Alhamdulillah we've been thru ups and downs of breastfeeding journey, siapa cakap menyusukan ini mudah namun ianya bukan sesuatu yg mustahil..

Before I went thru the 1st Ramadhan while nursing him, I went to almost every talk, seminar or classes on Breastfeeding during Ramadhan, read almost every mags or book that having the same topics and not to forget, bloghopping / facebook grouphopping..It's not a simple thing but it's fun to do..

So, humbly here, I would more than happy and love to share the experience I've been thru 26 months of breastfeeding, 2 times of Ramadhan and the breastfeeding still stay strong till now..

1. Mind-setting

Saya suka nak mulakan apa2 pun dgn mind-setting, apart from niat la. Niat + mind-setting = keberhasilan tindakan. Positive mind-setting is noteworthy in setting goals and achieving targets. Kalau mula-mula dah pk, "isy, nnt ada susu ke?", "susu merudum tak kalau puasa", 'Nnt baby tak cukup zat" and the list goes on, macam mana kita nak kuat n tabah in facing thru a month fasting while pregnant / breastfeeding / pregnant + breastfeed.

Jadi, mula dari saat ini, tanamkan SEGALA yang positif dalam diri. STOP fikirkan negatif. JANGAN compare diri kita dgn org lain kalau kita tak dapat nak terimanya dgn positif. Saya adalah saya n anda tetap diri anda.

STOP fikir:
1. susu takde
2. susu sikit
3. susu tak cukup zat
4. susu tak pekat
5. bla bla bla

ingat macam mana susu terhasil? baca sini dulu and selebihnya adalah dari Allah jua. Dia menciptakan kita sempurna untuk menyusukan, Dia menciptakan bayi kita sesuai dengan kelebihan pada ibunya maka Dia jugalah penentu rezeki untuk kita, bukan kerana makan supplement itu and minum goncangan ini. Wallahu'alam.

2. Pumping

Satu supplement saya untuk susu yang cukup supply, POWER-PUMPING. It does sounds cliche but it is true indeed. Alhamdulillah, I never took any supplement, synthetic food while I breastfeed my baby for the whole 27 months. Alhamdulillah, Subhanallah, terima kasih atas kemudahan yg telah saya dapat ni. so, tak salam untuk saya berkongsi. Ilmu tu tidakla banyak, setitis air di lautan cuma secubit pengalaman sahaja.

Masa Ramadhan, saya makin kerapkan mengepam (masa first year, anak 4 months saya pakai pump manual ya) dengan selang masa 2/3 jam. ambil dalam 30 minit atau 45 minit for both breast (atau ikut kesesuaian masa). Tipulah kalau saya kata xjatuh stok, for the first week tu mmg terasa. Yelah, dah biasa diteguk air xkira masa, cukup time makan. so bila ramadhan, badan pun pelik; pam time sama tp kenapa takde air masuk. tapi Alhamdulillah, the 2nd till end of Ramadhan masih boleh buat stok. s

Siang selalunya saya buat 3 sesi waktu siang tapi Ramadhan jadi 4/5 sesi. Masuk kerja 8 pagi, so before hantar anak ke nursery, saya susukan dia dulu sebelah n pump sebelah (double pump la tu jugak tapi non-freestyle la). Itu considered 1st sesi, di ofis jam 9.30-10.00 pagi mesti dah start for 2nd session. Then 12.30 -1.00 pm start another session. 3 - 3.30 pm start the 4rd. Then pukul 5, balik susukan dulu anak sebelum start preparing menu iftar.

1st session : 7.00 am
2nd session : 9.30 am
3rd session : 12.30 pm
4th session : 3.00 pm
5th session : 5.30pm

This is considering you managed to pump at ur station, while doing ur work. kalau tak dapat, adjust la masa. Jangan sampai mengganggu kerja hakiki di ofis sudah la. Masa tu Allah bagi memang cukup, kita yg buat dia bg lapang or sesak..

Malam pulak, anak saya jenis tidur paling lewat 8.30pm (Alhamdulillah Ya Rabb) so dlm 10.30 dia akan bngun semula untuk feeding. Then dalam 12.30 n 2.30am lagi. so for this time of feeding, saya power pumping n tandem pumping. masa dia menyusu, saya tandem pumping. bila dia dah stop latching, saya teruskan mengepam for power pumping. maka sesi power-pumping saya adalah 2x.

Bangun untuk sahur jam 4.00, pum dulu sekejap. insyaAllah, di mana ada kemahuan di situ ada jalan.

3. Water

Drink a lot of plain/warm water to make sure u weren't dehydrated while fasting and nursing your baby. It's important for breast-feeding moms to stay hydrated what more if you are fasting. Be sure to drink sufficiently during sahur, after iftar and during nighttime, preferably before you feel thirsty, and to drink more if your urine appears dark yellow. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) notes that the median amount of fluids typically consumed by breastfeeding mothers is 3.1 liters (13 cups), compared to 2.2 liters/9 cups for non-pregnant/lactating women and 2.3 liters/10 cups for pregnant women. Tapi bila kita berpuasa maka keperluan adalah lebih untuk menampung keperluan semasa siang hari.

IOM -  “Given the extreme variability in water needs that are not solely based on differences in metabolism, but also in environmental conditions and activity, there is not a single level of water intake that would ensure adequate hydration and optimal health for half of all apparently healthy persons in all environmental conditions… the AI [Adequate Intake] does not represent a requirement; it is an amount that should meet the needs of almost everyone in the specific life stage group under the conditions described.”

Have a glass of water nearby when you breast-feed your baby at night — or aim to drink as much as u can glasses of water or other liquids half of your non-fasting-time-of-the-day. Be wary of juices and sugary drinks, too much sugar can contribute to weight gain — or sabotage your efforts to lose pregnancy weight.
Too much caffeine can be troublesome, too. Limit yourself to no more than 2 to 3 cups (16 to 24 ounces) of caffeinated drinks a day. Caffeine in your breast milk might agitate your baby or interfere with your baby's sleep. 

Quoting Nancy Mohrbacher’s Breastfeeding Made Simple (2010) notes, “Contrary to popular belief, drinking more fluids is not associated with greater milk production.” while in Nutrition During Lactation, IOM summarizes: “It is widely assumed that milk production requires a high fluid intake on the part of the mother, yet the evidence suggests that lactating women can tolerate a considerable amount of water restriction and that supplemental fluids have little effect on milk volume… thirst may sometimes function too slowly to prevention dehydration among women with high fluid losses resulting from exercise or high ambient temperature (experienced by many women without air conditioning in the summer). Thus, careful attention to adequacy of fluid intake is warranted in such situations, but under most conditions there appears to be no justification for emphasizing high fluid intake as a way to improve milk production.” 

Tapi, bagi mak-mak yang mnegalami bengkak susu, cuba untuk mengurangkan terlebihbekal (oversupply) susu ibu atau cuba bercerai susu - kajian mendapati bahawa pengurangan jumlah air / cecair yang diambil sebenarnya tidak memberi kesan secara langsung kepada pengurangan bengkak susu atau penurunan hasil susu. Remember the  Demand vs Supply law of breastmilk production?

Selain itu, dengan memastikan pengambilan air secara optimum akan mengelakkan ibu-ibu yang menyusukan bayi dan berpuasa dapat mengelakkan beberapa perkara lain lagi iaitu :

a. pening kepala / sakit kepala
b. sembelit
c. dry mouth
d. dark urine
e. lemah otot

InsyaAllah, setiap yang dibuat, niatkan dengan baik dan Allah pasti akan melorongkan kepada apa yang terbaik buat kita..

Malaysia Book of Records: Simultaneous Breastfeeding of 500 Moms-and-Babies 2013

*blow the dusty*

It's been 3 months I left my writing habit behind, well it won't be long like before. I need the momentum and the mood back.

Well, I hope it wasn't too late to wish all Muslim across the globe Eid Mubarak!! And thoughts and prayers to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Egypt, InsyaAllah, Allah is the greater planner and what's been happening now and then, here, there and everywhere is what the best for us, Wallahu 'alam.

Hurm, a lot to write but too little time for it. So I chose the latest event that just happened last weekend. It wasn't a surprise like what happen in 2012 if you were been active in Facebook, seen my wall status or joined few groups. Oh ya, u've read it as well on the Post Title.

On 24th August 2013 in Grand Season Hotel, a history written and about 450 moms-and-babies had break the Malaysia Book of Record of Largest Number Mothers Breastfeeding Simultaneously. It wasn't a simple event, it's really HUGE, considering the organizers have only 10 days to gather all the participants. Such a great team work done by the admins of The Breastfeeding Advocates Network for organizing The Gift of Love Charity Bazaar so successful and memorable.

The event initially started at 9.30 am but we arrived around 10.30am to avoid hassle in 'car-park space hunt' as the hotel had a limited spaces for carpark. The idea was to park the car in the hotel parking area, register and off shopping in SOGO. But, as we arrived the venue, we stucked there till evening. It's a great well-organized event. As we arrived, the crowd wasn't heavy so it's a smooth registration for us. We stroll along the booths available there. It's a lot of baby's stuff sold there, not forgetting for mamas, biscuits, photography session and whatnot. It's really happening. Upon arrival, Sany Woo is demonstrating soap-making. She's an expert, not to mention it! We took a seat and listen to her before Syakir wanted to be freely go around the hall. So, not long after that he demanded for his quick sip. So, it's my 'uppy' time, hurray! mak royan nak kendong anak tau..




It's about noon when the emcee announced the special appearance of superheroes, Ironman and Spiderman (but neither Toby McGuire nor Robert Downey Jr. were available) which elated my babies (yeah, read it as both of my heroes) tremendously. And there were Hello Kitty as well.




But Syakir showed more passionate towards Spiderman, siap salam cium tangan kau..sopan anak mak! And he can't stop but to say hello and chat with Spiderman.




Ketarakan ke-excited-an my heroes
Oh, and eventually my husband agreed to join a contest "Fastest Diaper Change By Daddies" and he won the 2nd place, hurrah!! Among 6 contestant, hubby and my son is the only couple using cloth-diaper-with-4-button-to-snap against just-a-snap-away-disposable-diaper but he managed to beat the other 4 contestant..proud of u, Darl!! And the price wasn't that bad, 3 pieces of Grovia AIO which costing RM180. so balik modal la bayar fee, hehehe..

And there also babywearing talk by Adriana Thani and Norashida from Malaysian Babywearers. Such a great talk (yeah, i do enjoyed every talk on Babywearing and my hubby thought I am kinda weird) and the people get even crowded as the talk going.



As the clock ticking to 1630H, we we're all gathered in the ballroom for the climax of the event today, Largest Mothers Simultaneously Breastfeeding. It's massive, it's huge but the event went really well. Not forgetting, the presence of YB Hannah Yeoh and Puan Rokiah Dom, Director of Nutrition, Ministry of Health. And Alhamdulillah, the event were recognized and declared by Malaysia Book of Record as new record and the history changed successfully. We are now improved in terms of the awareness of breastfeeding the baby, the best milk ever in the world and women especially mothers were designed specifically by Allah to do so, InsyaAllah. Just full ourselves with knowledge and information, thus we won't anymore regretly said 'I birthed my baby but can't milk him/her coz i can't produce any' or 'My boobs are too small too have milk' etc..



And among stories in media covered and written well :

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=21530
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/08/23/Supporting-breastfeeding-mums.aspx
http://manage.mmail.com.my/story/new-record-attempt-promote-breastfeeding-malaysia-62995
http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Family/NewsAndEvents/2013/08/30/Breaking-a-record-over-a-special-bond-450-breastfeeding-mums-make-it-into-Malaysia-Book-of-Records.aspx

phew, it tooks me 2 weeks to write and post this..

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Kid's E-World again!

This is 3rd time in this month..We've bought the voucher anyway so we just have fun again! This time we visited their outlet in IPC, Ikano Power Centre, level 2..it is just so Oh!sem...

Some of the pros n cons:

  • Least crowd in IPC KEW so I am more happy to let Syakir on his own
  • In IPC, they have 4 sections inclusive of main playground, baby's playground, food corner and party corner. Between those, u need to get out from one section to another. Kalau di The Garden, all in one place.
  • Di IPC, xde toilet, sofa mcm di The Garden
  • IPC have more games and toys. the built-up playground pun berbeza.
  • IPC kurang cahaya banding di The Garden. Dkt The Garden kan ada cermin yg besar di belakang
  • Banyak games utk babies even the crawling babies.
  • Di IPC, mudah nak control sikit anak, as for me.


















Conclusion nya, Syakir happy and enjoyed both.. Balik mmg flat dari otw dlm kereta till next morning.

Monday, May 20, 2013

GCDC2013

Wow, the longest pending post ever since April, phew.....Just a brief maybe.

This year Great Cloth Diapers Changing a.k.a GCDC 2013 held on April 20th, Syakir birthday!! Thus, we celebrated it by joining the event (2nd time) to support and bring more awareness for environment and the great benefits of using cloth-diapers. 

Memang happening with booths, talks and contests. Cumanya kali ni bukan untuk tujuan memecah rekod Guinness World Book Of Record macam 2012. (wah, Syakir involved in the history made for Malaysia Book of Record and Guinness World Book of Record). So, it's a bit relax and more fun. And this year, Syakir blessed with another birthday present (tahun lepas SSC Hootie Snuggbaby) from Sentuhan Qaseh Bonda (search it in FB ya!) which is a Wrap-Conversion-Ring-Sling from Natibaby oldrose/green. Other than that, let the picture do the talking. And as usual, the organizers doing their job greatly and the goodies bag so worth it..


The participants and organizers

The Cakes, 3 of them



Ini paling best

Monday, April 29, 2013

Syakir's Birthday Treat

It's been a week Syakir turns 2 yet we haven't treat him except celebrated with our cloth-diapering buddies in GCDC 2013 and won ourselves a wcrs from Natibaby, sponsored by Sentuhan Qaseh Ibu..

So, abah decided to treat Syakir with something he'll enjoy most, play gym visit. We chose to try on Kid's E-world as we had visited kizsport gym before. We headed to The Garden around 10.30am and reached there at 11.00am. Walked to 4th floor of The Garden to the Kid's E-World and we both were like wow-ed with the outer impression. Paid for a voucher worth RM100 for three visit instead of paying RM50 for a single visit. Harga hanya untuk Syakir, ibu n abah join main FOR FREE. And let the picture do the talking.



I would say the area were divided into 5 sections. 1st section adalah kawasan depan pintu masuk, tempat mainan untuk kanak-kanak riang ria. They have few rides.







1 section lagi adalah section panjat2. This is where Syakir enjoyed most. Ada Ball Pool after the slide, maze, titi gantung etc. We accompanied Syakir exploring the area as he can't go all by his own. So mak paknya pun main sama jugak. It's a great time of our bonding time..We let him explore under our supervision. You could leave your child under the supervision of staff there with the rate of RM50/hour for weekdays and RM80/hour on weekends.
















3rd section is only for kids. Main lompat2 dengan bola.


They have the 4th area, dining area. You could grab your snack or even lunch there with the price mostly RM8 per plate. The 5th area adalah tempat untuk birthday party. We bought for Syakir voucher worth RM100 for three visits on weekend within 3 months. 

WIFI free provided, ada sofa or bean bag utk mak2 n pak2 relax n rest and toilet. Sini pun ada pakej untuk birthday party with few types of packages. u can browse for more info here.. http://www.kidseworld.com.my/p/facilities.html