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

What is weaning?

Weaning can mean two things:

•  introducing your baby to solid foods;
• stopping bottle or breastfeeding.

It's best to give your baby nothing but breastmilk for the first six months of her life. After that, you can start to introduce solid different foods as well as breastmilk. It’s advisable to continue breastfeeding till two years or more, which known as, extended breastfeeding. When you decided to stop breastfeed, due to own reason,this is what we called weaning the baby from the breast.

Breastfeeding is a very special time in a mum’s life, and giving up can be an emotional experience. You might feel sad it’s over, but also happy to get your body back. The good news is that weaning doesn’t end the close bond you and your baby have built up through breastfeeding. In fact, breastfeeding is just the beginning of your very special relationship.

When is the right time to wean my baby?

When to wean your baby is your decision and yours alone. The problem is that everyone seems to have an opinion about the right time to stop breastfeeding. There may be people in your life who think you’ve waited too long if you’re still breastfeeding after three months. On the other hand, there may be others who question you if you decide to stop after a year.

Terpulang kepada anda, kesesuaian masa dan keperluan hidup. I am still breastfeed my 25 months old baby. You may want to bear in mind that breastfeeding experts recommend child-led weaning. This means letting your baby or toddler decide when she wants to stop breastfeeding.

To your child, breastfeeding is more than just food. It is a way of getting close to you, and receiving comfort and reassurance. If you let her give up at her own pace, there’s less chance that you’ll encounter problems.

How can I make it clear to others I don't want to stop?

If you feel other people are putting pressure on you to stop breastfeeding before you and your baby are ready, here are some suggestions for what to do. Below are the most common types of pressures you may face in the coming months:

• My husband resents the time I spend breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is something only mums can do, so it’s natural for dads to feel left out. Your husband probably feels like a spare part right now, so find other ways to involve him in your baby’s care.

Put him on nappy-changing or bathtime duty, and encourage him to spend lots of time cuddling your baby. Your husband could try baby massage. This is a lovely way for dad and baby to enjoy skin-to-skin contact and feel close to each other.

You husband may also be unhappy that your relationship seems to have taken a back seat. He might even be resentful that your breasts are now off-limits. It can be hard when you’re focusing on your new baby, but try to make some time for your husband, too. If you want to win him round, talk to him about the benefits of breastfeeding. Remind him that if you give up, your baby will miss out on crucial vitamins, nutrients and protection against infection. If your husband suggests bottle-feeding, point out that formula is expensive and takes longer to prepare.

Finally, reassure him that breastfeeding doesn’t go on forever. Need more ideas? Read about a dad’s perspective on breastfeeding.

• My mum says I'm just doing it for myself, rather than my baby

Breastfeeding really is the best thing you can do for the health of your baby. And you have the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Unicef to back you up! Both say you should give a baby nothing but breastmilk until he is six months old. What’s more, WHO and Unicef advise mums to continue to breastfeed for at least a year, and preferably two.

The substances in your breastmilk that protect your baby from infections continue to be made and passed to him for as long as you breastfeed. Your milk doesn’t stop being of value just because your baby has reached a certain age.

Tell your mum breastfeeding is good for your health, too. In the long run, mums who breastfeed have a lower risk of ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and breast cancer.

• Babies don't need breastfeeding once they've started solid food

If your baby is over six months old, he should be getting all the extra vitamins he needs from his food.

However, this is not because breastmilk does not provide enough goodness. It's simply a precaution in case growing children do not get all they need from food. If your mum is urging you to stop breastfeeding when your baby is six months old, she’s probably expecting you to switch to formula instead. Remind your mum that breastfeeding is by far the cheaper option, and it’s eco-friendly, too.

Once your baby is a year old, your mum may say he doesn't need breastmilk, because he can now have cow's milk. It's true, he can. But that doesn't mean you have to stop breastfeeding! Some mums get told their breastmilk looks watery compared to richer-looking cow’s milk. However, you can’t tell the quality of breastmilk just by looking at it. It looks different from cow’s milk because it’s made up of different proteins, and reflects light differently.

• You can't breastfeed once you've gone back to work

That's not true at all. It’s fair to say, though, that breastfeeding mums don’t have it easy in the workplace. Offices today are often open-plan, with fewer private spaces where you might be able to use a breast pump. The good news is that employers have become much more clued-up about breastfeeding over recent years.

Talk to your HR manager about what you need. You may be able to use an empty meeting room to express on a regular basis. If your HR manager needs convincing, remind her that breastfeeding mums are less likely to need time off work. This is because their babies are less likely to be ill.

It can be tough if your workload leaves you short of time for expressing. You might have to consider working through lunch, or coming in earlier. Remember that breastfeeding is temporary, and things will get easier.

You might also consider breastfeeding only in the morning and evening. Your body will adjust to this change in a matter of days.

There'll be times when you miss your baby during your working day. Your reunion can be all the sweeter in the evenings when you snuggle together for a feed. Breastfeeding may well help both of you to cope better with the daytime separation.

·         What if no one else I know is still breastfeeding?

It can be lonely being the only mum in a group still breastfeeding. Good friends, though, shouldn’t give you a hard time. If any of them do, remind them that breastfeeding for six months and beyond has proven health benefits for both mums and babies.

If you’re feeling under pressure, try contacting a breastfeeding support group. They will almost certainly have members who are breastfeeding older babies and toddlers. You will also be able to find like-minded mums in our Parenting community forum and Pumping Mummies community group.

And finally, breastfeeding is more than just a food, or even a medicine. It is a way of nurturing your child. Tell any breastfeeding doubters you come across that breastfeeding has been proven to help mums be more caring towards their children.

How do I go about weaning?

Once your baby is eating a wide range of foods you may find she cuts down on breastfeeding of her own accord. If you want to help the process along, follow these stages:

• Stage one:

Let your baby finish a full breastfeed, then offer her a small portion of food. At this point you are just letting your baby experiment with flavours and textures. She'll still get most of her nourishment from breastmilk.

• Stage two:

Once your baby is eating well (you will notice changes in her poos if she is), you can switch things around. At some mealtimes, try offering food first, before you breastfeed her. Then you can start offering something to eat before every breastfeed.

• Stage three:

Eventually, offer your baby water in a soft-spouted beaker instead of a breastfeed.

How long will weaning take?

You may find it takes only a few weeks to stop breastfeeding, especially if your baby is becoming bored with it anyway. Or you might find it takes at least a month, up to six months, or anything in between. Believe me, I took more, as if Syakir would never wean-off. I just go along with him, keeping in his mind that he is already grew up and need no more his ‘nenen’ yet so far nothing succeeded. 

It's different for everyone, and it depends on how quickly and how well your child adjusts. Weaning may take longer if you try it before your baby is ready. It's best not to stop breastfeeding abruptly, as it can be upsetting for your baby and uncomfortable for you. It could leave you with engorged breasts and possibly mastitis, a painful breast inflammation.

A gradual approach is best. But however quickly you try to wean, you will still need to follow the three stages listed above. If you do this, your milk supply will slowly reduce as the demand drops.

What if my baby doesn’t want to stop breastfeeding?

If your baby shows no sign of being willing to stop breastfeeding, try to be patient. She enjoys being at your breast because it soothes as well as nourishes her. With this in mind, you can help her adjust:

• Comfort her in other ways

Gradually, replace breastfeeding with other ways to nurture your child. If you’ve often fed your child to comfort her, try other things to make her feel better. You could read a book together, sing to her, or play a game instead.

• Try postponing feeds

Putting off feeds works well if you have an older child you can reason with. When your toddler asks to breastfeed, tell her you’ll feed her later and distract her with some other activity. Instead of breastfeeding her in the early evening, you could explain that she must wait until bedtime.

• Pick your moment

Major life events can make weaning more difficult. Has your child been poorly? Often babies who aren’t feeling well will want to feed more often. In fact, breastfeeding may be in a sick child's best interest.

Similarly, if you’ve recently gone back to work, or moved house, your child may still be adjusting to this change. If so, perhaps now is not the time to make another change in your child's life. Try again in another month. Sooner or later, it will happen.

courtesy internet source:

http://www.babycenter.com.my/a3272/weaning-your-baby-from-your-breast?scid=my_en_mbtw_toddler_post13m0w#ixzz2RpuXdUS3

http://www.babycenter.com.my/a8495/how-to-handle-pressure-to-wean#ixzz2RpzymxbY

Weekend Syakir's schooling

Last weekend, we focused on motor skill for syakir. So here are some of the activity he had. His 'school' is in Sushi King, alasan kan mak Syakir? He developed a skill of getting the peas outta the shell. It won't easy for the first timer though.

It's a sequential of previous lesson, also in Sushi King.

Syakir practiced how to use a chopstick. It's a skill, i bet. It's not easy but he remained focus till he got his first bite. See the happy face. So, it's a happy schooling time over the weekend.

As a reward, another class for Syakir. Class that Syakir enjoyed the most.

What is shaken baby syndrome?

Shaken baby syndrome can occur from as little as 5 seconds of shaking. Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a  brain injury that happens when an adult violently shakes a baby or young child. It is also also known as abusive head trauma, shaken impact syndrome, inflicted head injury or whiplash shake syndrome — is a serious brain injury resulting from forcefully shaking an infant or toddler. Shaken baby syndrome destroys a child's brain cells and prevents his or her brain from getting enough oxygen. Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse that might result in permanent brain damage or death.

Shaken baby injuries usually occur in children younger than 2 years old but may be seen in children up to the age of 5.

When an infant or toddler is shaken, the brain bounces back and forth against the skull. As the brain hits against the skull, it can cause bruising of the brain (cerebral contusion), swelling, pressure, and bleeding in as well as around the brain. The large veins along the outside of the brain may tear, leading to further bleeding, swelling, and increased pressure. This can easily cause permanent brain damage or death.

Shaking an infant or small child may cause other injuries, such as damage to the neck, spine, and eyes. The impact often causes bleeding in the retina — the light-sensitive portion of the eye that transmits images to the brain. A child with SBS may also have a damaged spinal cord or neck, as well as bone fractures. The amount of damage depends on how long and hard the child is shaken, but in just five to ten seconds a child can suffer permanent, severe damage or even death.

Could SBS could happen accidentally while you're playing with your baby? Fortunately not. The normal ways that most parents interact with their infants don't cause SBS: Bouncing your baby on your leg, swinging him in his baby swing, jiggling your baby in your arms, or tossing him gently in the air are not going to cause shaken baby syndrome. SBS is also extremely unlikely to happen because of an accidental fall. 

It takes deliberate, violent back-and-forth motion to produce SBS. Unfortunately, an angry adult can quickly unleash that degree of violence on a baby or a small child.

How common is SBS?

A study presented in May 2010 at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies looked at data from children's hospitals in three states and found a worrisome increase in the number of  SBS brain injuries since the beginning of the economic recession in December 2007. Poverty and stress are risk factors for child abuse, which may may explain the rise in SBS during hard economic times.

There are no accurate statistics, but experts estimate the incidence to be between 1,000 to 1,500 infants per year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the almost 2,000 children who die from abuse or neglect each year, shaken baby syndrome accounts for 10%-12% of them. Most commonly, the victim of shaken baby syndrome is between 3 and 8 months old; however, it has been reported in newborns and in children up to 4 years of age. In addition, 25% of all children diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome die from their injuries.

Causes

In most cases, an angry parent or caregiver shakes the baby to punish or quiet the child. Such shaking usually takes place when the infant is crying inconsolably and the frustrated caregiver loses control. Many times the caregiver did not intend to harm the baby. Still, it is a form of child abuse.

Injuries are most likely to happen when the baby is shaken and then the baby's head hits something. Even hitting a soft object, such as a mattress or pillow, may be enough to injure newborns and small infants. Children's brains are softer, their neck muscles and ligaments are weak, and their heads are large and heavy in proportion to their bodies. The result is a type of whiplash, similar to what occurs in some auto accidents. It also is very unlikely to occur from accidents such as falling off chairs or down stairs, or accidentally being dropped from a caregiver's arms. Short falls may cause other types of head injuries, although these are often minor.

Unlike other forms of inflicted head trauma, abusive head trauma results from injuries caused by someone vigorously shaking a child. Because the anatomy of infants puts them at particular risk for injury from this kind of action, the majority of victims are infants younger than 1 year old. The perpetrators in these cases are most often parents or caregivers. Common triggers are frustration or stress when the child is crying. Unfortunately, the shaking may have the desired effect: although at first the baby cries more, he or she may stop crying as the brain is damaged.

When someone forcefully shakes a baby, the child's head rotates about the neck uncontrollably because infants' neck muscles aren't well developed and provide little support for their heads. This violent movement pitches the infant's brain back and forth within the skull, sometimes rupturing blood vessels and nerves throughout the brain and tearing the brain tissue. The brain may strike the inside of the skull, causing bruising and bleeding to the brain.

The damage can be even greater when a shaking episode ends with an impact (hitting a wall or a crib mattress, for example), because the forces of acceleration and deceleration associated with an impact are so strong. After the shaking, swelling in the brain can cause enormous pressure within the skull, compressing blood vessels and increasing overall injury to its delicate structure. Normal interaction with a child, like bouncing the baby on a knee, will not cause these injuries. It's important to never shake a baby under any circumstances.

Babies have weak neck muscles and often struggle to support their heavy heads. If a baby is forcefully shaken, his or her fragile brain moves back and forth inside the skull. This causes bruising, swelling and bleeding. Shaken baby syndrome usually occurs when a parent or caregiver severely shakes a baby or toddler due to frustration or anger — often because the child won't stop crying. Nothing justifies shaking a child. Shaken baby syndrome isn't usually caused by bouncing a child on your knee, minor falls or even rough play.

Symptoms

The symptoms can vary from mild to severe. They may include:

• Convulsions (seizures)
• Decreased alertness
• Extreme irritability or other changes in behavior
• Lethargy, sleepiness, not smiling
• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of vision
• No breathing
• Pale or bluish skin
• Poor feeding, lack of appetite
• Vomiting

There may not be any physical signs of injury, such as bruising, bleeding, or swelling. In some cases, the condition can be difficult to diagnose and may not be identified during an office visit. However, rib fractures are common and can be seen on x-ray. An eye doctor may find bleeding behind the baby's eye or retinal detachment. There are, however, other causes of bleeding behind the eye and they should be ruled out before diagnosing shaken baby syndrome. Other factors must be considered.

Other shaken baby syndrome symptoms and signs include:

• Difficulty staying awake
• Tremors
• Paralysis
• Coma

Other injuries that may not be noticeable include bleeding in the brain and eye, damage to the spinal cord and neck, and fractures of the ribs, skull and bones. In mild cases of shaken baby syndrome, a child may appear normal after being shaken, but over time he or she may develop health, learning or behavior problems.

When to see a doctor

Contact your child's doctor or take your child to the nearest emergency room if you find abnormal behavior or action. Getting medical care right away may save your child's life or prevent serious health problems. Health care professionals are legally required to report all suspected cases of child abuse to state authorities.

In any abusive head trauma case, the duration and force of the shaking, the number of episodes, and whether impact is involved all affect the severity of the infant's injuries. In the most violent cases, children may arrive at the emergency room unconscious, suffering seizures, or in shock. But in many cases, infants may never be brought to medical attention if they don't exhibit such severe symptoms.

In less severe cases, a child who has been shaken may experience:

• lethargy
• irritability
• vomiting
• poor sucking or swallowing
• decreased appetite
• lack of smiling or vocalizing
• rigidity
• seizures
• difficulty breathing
• altered consciousness
• unequal pupil size
• an inability to lift the head
• an inability to focus the eyes or track movement

Effects

AHT often causes irreversible damage. In the worst cases, children die due to their injuries. Children who survive may have:

• partial or total blindness
• hearing loss
• seizures
• developmental delays
• impaired intellect
• speech and learning difficulties
• problems with memory and attention
• severe mental retardation
• cerebral palsy

Even in milder cases, in which babies looks normal immediately after the shaking, they may eventually develop one or more of these problems. Sometimes the first sign of a problem isn't noticed until the child enters the school system and exhibits behavioral problems or learning difficulties. But by that time, it's more difficult to link these problems to a shaking incident from several years before.

Some of other effects including:

• damage to the neck and spine
• behavioral problems
• permanent vegetative state
• paralysis
• death

Prevention

• NEVER shake a baby or child in play or in anger. Even gentle shaking can become violent shaking when you are angry.
• Do not hold your baby during an argument.
• If you find yourself becoming annoyed or angry with your baby, put him in the crib and leave the room. Try to calm down. Call someone for support.
• Call a friend or relative to come and stay with the child if you feel out of control.
• Contact a local crisis hotline or child abuse hotline for help and guidance.
• Seek the help of a counselor and attend parenting classes.
• Do not ignore the signs if you suspect child abuse in your home or in the home of someone you know.

Abusive head trauma is 100% preventable. A key aspect of prevention is increasing awareness of the potential dangers of shaking.
Finding ways to alleviate the parent or caregiver's stress at the critical moments when a baby is crying can significantly reduce the risk to the child. Some hospital-based programs have helped new parents identify and prevent shaking injuries and understand how to respond when infants cry.

The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome offers a prevention program, the Period of Purple Crying, which seeks to help parents and other caregivers understand crying in normal infants. By defining and describing the sometimes inconsolable infant crying that can sometimes cause stress, anger, and frustration in parents and caregivers, the program hopes to educate and empower people to prevent AHT.
Another method that may help is author Dr. Harvey Karp's "five S's":

1. Shushing (using "white noise" or rhythmic sounds that mimic the constant whir of noise in the womb, with things like vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, clothes dryers, a running tub, or a white noise CD)
2. Side/stomach positioning (placing the baby on the left side — to help digestion — or on the belly while holding him or her, then putting the sleeping baby in the crib or bassinet on his or her back)
3. Sucking (letting the baby breastfeed or bottle-feed, or giving the baby a pacifier or finger to suck on)
4. Swaddling (wrapping the baby up snugly in a blanket to help him or her feel more secure)
5. Swinging gently (rocking in a chair, using an infant swing, or taking a car ride to help duplicate the constant motion the baby felt in the womb)

If a baby in your care won't stop crying, you can also try the following:

• Make sure the baby's basic needs are met (for example, he or she isn't hungry and doesn't need to be changed).
• Check for signs of illness, like fever or swollen gums.
• Rock or walk with the baby.
• Sing or talk to the baby.
• Offer the baby a pacifier or a noisy toy.
• Take the baby for a ride in a stroller or strapped into a child safety seat in the car.
• Hold the baby close against your body and breathe calmly and slowly.
• Call a friend or relative for support or to take care of the baby while you take a break.
• If nothing else works, put the baby on his or her back in the crib, close the door, and check on the baby in 10 minutes.
• Call your doctor if nothing seems to be helping your infant, in case there is a medical reason for the fussiness.

To prevent potential AHT, parents and caregivers of infants need to learn how to respond to their own stress. It's important to talk to anyone caring for your baby about the dangers of shaking and how it can be prevented.

When your crying baby can't be calmed, you may be tempted to try anything to get the tears to stop — but it's important to always treat your child gently. It only takes a few seconds of shaking to cause irreversible brain damage in an infant. If you're having trouble managing your emotions or the stress of parenthood, seek help. Your child's doctor may offer a referral to a counselor or other mental health provider.
If other people help take care of your child — whether a hired caregiver, sibling or grandparent — make sure they know the dangers of shaken baby syndrome.

Courtesy sources :
http://www.babycenter.com/0_shaken-baby-syndrome_1501729.bc
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000004.htm
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/shaken.html#
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shaken-baby-syndrome/DS01157/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

What is an overabundant milk supply?

An overabundant milk supply is when you have lots of milk which may leak and spray. Your baby may struggle to latch on and may come off the breast, frequently coughing and spluttering. She may also refuse the breast and become upset. This situation is often attributed to an "overactive letdown". In reality the letdown reflex isn't overactive, although it can be quickly triggered. An apparently overactive letdown is in fact a symptom of an overabundant milk supply.

What causes such a big letdown of milk?

In the early days of breastfeeding, when your milk "comes in", your breasts will produce lots of milk. This is because your body will produce enough milk to feed twins or even triplets, in case it needs to. As soon as your baby starts to breastfeed well and effectively, milk production should begin to regulate to provide your baby with just the amount she needs.

Usually overabundant milk production will correct itself in a few weeks, once breastfeeding is established. For some mothers, the problem carries on after their milk supply is established.

What can I do to help my baby?

Check that your baby is latched on well. Many mums struggle to latch their baby onto their breast when milk is leaking and spraying.

You may find that the following "tricks" may help your baby to latch on.

• Before each feed, hand express or pump just enough milk to slow down your flow. (You can either discard this milk or express into a sterilised container to store for later use.) The more you stimulate your breasts and the more milk you take out, the more you'll produce to fill demand. Remember the Supply vs Demand?
• When your baby starts to suckle and triggers your letdown reflex, gently break the suction and allow the initial spurt to spray into a towel. Let your baby latch on again, when the flow slows down a bit.
• You may find you can latch your baby on to the breast better if you vary your feeding position. If you normally use the cradle hold, try sitting your baby up facing you to feed (As always, you will need to let her head tip back a little). Some experts suggest that you try lying back or leaning backwards and feeding with your baby on top of you, as if trying to use gravity to slow the flow. The evidence for this is purely anecdotal, but it does seem to help some mothers, probably because they have improved the way that their baby latches on with their new position.
  

  What can I do if my milk supply doesn't slow down?

  For some mothers, the problem of an overabundant milk supply doesn't resolve itself, even after breastfeeding is established. If this happens to you, it is likely that your baby is not latching on properly. If your baby cannot latch on well, she may need to feed more frequently than those babies who can as she isn't able to feed effectively so she will need to feed more often. Very frequent feeds may keep milk production levels high for a while, even though milk is also accumulating in your breasts.
  
  If your baby is latching on well but the situation is not improving, you could try using only one breast for two to four feedings. Put your baby to your breast as many times as she desires - just use the same one for up to a two-hour period. You can pump your other breast to relieve pressure. This technique should reduce your milk supply within 24 to 48 hours. Keep an eye on your baby's weight in the following week, if you do this.
  

  What can I do if my baby is refusing the breast altogether?

  If your baby is getting upset and refusing the breast altogether, it's important to get some help from a breastfeeding counsellor or specialist. She will help you to latch your baby on successfully. In the early days of breastfeeding, you might simply need a bit more practice, or you may find that it is easier to latch your baby on to one side rather than another.
  
  While the problem is being sorted, if your baby is getting distressed and refusing the breast, you could express your milk and give it by some other means (cup or bottle) before trying the breast at every feed. This may help your baby to feed calmly without becoming upset. Gradually the expressed feeds can be reduced and your baby can go back to just feeding from your breast. Once your baby is latching on well, you should find that she is able to cope with the flow of milk.

But having an abundant milk flow will allow you to make a reserve of Expressed Breastmilk as those reserve are extremely needed if the mother need to be away from the baby, be it a working mother or a stay at home mother. If in case, the mother needs to work out of town or being on medication which isn't suit to breastfeed their baby, hence the usage of the milk reserved.

Low milk supply, What am I suppose to know?

It’s perfectly normal to worry about your milk supply, especially when you begin breastfeeding. In fact, the numero uno reason ibu-ibu give for abandoning breastfeeding is that 'susu saya sikit', 'saya takde susu', 'dah urut tapi tak keluar' and the list goes on. The good news, though, is that nearly all mums are capable of making plenty of milk for their baby. SEMUA ibu mampu menyusukan.

I don’t feel I’m producing much milk, should I worry?

The first thing to do is rule out false alarms about your milk supply. A good way of telling if your baby is getting enough milk is by keeping track of his/her weight gain or wet diapers.

Your newborn baby will probably have lost between five per cent and 10 per cent of his birth weight in his first few days. It's natural for newborns to take a little dip in their body weight. But after a few days your baby should start to put on weight again. If your baby is weighed when he's between seven and 10 days old, you should see that he’s starting to grow. There are other ways to tell if your baby is thriving, too. You can be reassured that he’s getting enough breastmilk if he:

• wets five to eight nappies a day;
• looks healthy and alert;
• does yellowy-mustard poos which lighten in colour about five days after birth.

Kita sering menganggap kita tidak menghasilkan susu yang cukup apabila:

• Your letdown reflex feels weaker or your breasts feel less full

       In fact, this is a sign that your body is adjusting to your baby’s feeding requirements.

• Milk stops leaking from your nipples

      Again, this happens when your body adjusts to your baby's feeding pattern.

• Your baby seems to want more milk than usual

      Check your baby is latching on well. Try changing breastfeeding positions to ensure he's able to feed      comfortably.

• Your baby’s feeds have become shorter

     Some babies simply become more efficient and faster feeders. You may feel you're not satisfying your baby, when, in fact, he's able to fill his tummy more quickly.

What causes a low milk supply?

Sebenarnya, apa yang dihasilkan itu adalah keperluan anak kita atau adjusting yang telah berlaku dalam badan. The more he feeds, the more milk you’ll produce. So if your supply does dip temporarily, there has to be a good reason. Jadi, kalau jadual pump ke laut, jangan kelam kabut mencari makanan dedak yang biasanya diwar-warkan sebagai penambah susu or milk booster bagai.

It's possible your milk supply might dip if breastfeeding is disrupted, for any of these reasons:

• Apabila puting anda luka dan proses penyusuan adalah menyakitkan.
• You’re giving your baby a pacifier, which cuts the amount of time that he’s at your breast in each 24 hours.
• Kecenderungan untuk menyusukan secara rutin 4 jam rather than on demand.
• Your baby is sleepy and needs coaxing to feed.

Bayi baru lahir cenderung untuk tidur as they are still adapting the new world situation. If your newborn is very sleepy, you may need to wake him and gently encourage him to feed more often. This will stimulate your breasts to produce more milk. If your baby is difficult to wake or doesn’t feed well, try expressing some colostrum or breastmilk and giving it to him in a feeding cup. This will satisfy your baby's needs, and encourage your milk supply to build up at the same time.

Milk supply is sometimes affected by medical conditions. See your doctor if any of these apply to you:

• You have a hormonal disorder, for example, if your thyroid level is low (or, in some cases, high).
• You’ve had breast surgery or a breast injury in the past.
• You’ve lost a large amount of blood during or after labour. Your milk supply may be affected until you recover.
• You’re taking certain medicines. Medicines such as the combined contraceptive pill or a cold remedy with a decongestant such as pseudophedrine can affect your supply.

However, in most cases of suspected low milk supply, the real problem is not about how much milk you have. It's about how much milk your baby is able to get at. If your baby isn’t latching on well, he'll struggle to get enough of your milk.

What can I do to boost my milk supply?

Once you've checked your baby is latched on properly, you could also try the following:

• Let your baby feed on demand, as often and for as long as he wants. Always allow him to finish the first breast before offering him the second.
• Give your baby only breastmilk. It may be tempting to top him up with a bottle of formula. However, if you satisfy your baby's hunger with formula, he will need less breastmilk and you won't produce as much.
• Try not to give your baby a pacifier.
• Try expressing your milk after each feed. Removing leftover milk in your breasts will help you to produce more milk.

Will a low milk supply affect my baby?

If your baby often needs more milk than he gets, he might grow more slowly than other babies of his age. This is called failure to thrive. In most cases, improving your breastfeeding technique will be enough to solve the problem.

How to boost milk production?

1. Fahami konsep penghasilan susu ibu, Demand vs Supply; lebih banyak demand, lebih banyak supply.
2. Plenty of plain, warm water.
3. Take more REALFOOD. We don't really those artificial food supplement and all. Setiap makanan semulajadi itu mmg penuh dengan zat.
4. Ibu yang menyusukan tidak perlu makan selahapnya. Cukup dengan moderation, well-balanced but frequent food intake.
5. There are numerous number of food yang boleh boost our milk production. Malt is one of them, sebab tu horlicks digambarkan sebagai milk booster. Banyak lagi and each and every person differ from each other. Tapi kalau sebeban pun mkn so-called milk booster tapi jadual pump ke laut mmg tak guna jugak.
6. Niat and mind-setting kena btulkan. Have ever heard of Mind Control?

InsyaAllah...Nak seribu daya, tak hendak seribu dalih.

Motherhood Expo Midvalley Megamall 5-7 April '13

Last week, Syakir wasn't feeling good. We initially planned for a trip to Pangkor but had to cancel to let Syakir get the best rest. Hari Sabtu hari mengemas rumah till Syakir asked his abah, "Abah, yayan" ibu n abah pengsan dgr syakir's request.

So, we decided to get to motherhood expo to get Syakir's essential supplies as well as to 'yayan'. Sampai Midvalley around 1030 and parking wasn't a hassle. As we reached the expo hall, they were calling for participants for crawling contest sponsored Cobyhaus. Apa lagi, cepat2 daftarkan syakir as their age limit is 24 months. First round went swiftly, Syakir tidak menerima saingan even dgn budak sebaya dia n ibu pun tak sempat snap his pic or record his move. Proceeded to final round and again, tak sempat record pun *itu camera dah on

Then, we went for our lunch. It's Sushi day and Syakir really enjoyed eating with chopsticks.

Afterwards, we went back to the expo hall for babywearing talk as a support to spread the love. The talk by Rita Rahayu, one of our famous Lactation Counsellor. Sempat interprem tau..

It's how our weekend spent, happy always..

Bentou For Syakir

Hari ni for lunch, Syakir bawak Oven Baked Macaroni Beef Casserole termasuklah lunch ibu n abah sekali. Senang cerita jer makanan Syakir ni. 

Bahan:

Bawang Holland dicincang (kalau takde, bawang merah pun ok)

Bawang putih dicincang

Daging dicincang

Elbow pasta (macaroni, penne or zite)

Tomato puree (mine is homemade)

cheese

Herbs

Salt and pepper

* sukatan terpulang masing2 ya

Caranya:

1. Rebus pasta dahulu dgn sedikit olive oil dan oregano herbs (sebab itu jer yg ada). 

2. Tumis bawang sehingga layu dan masukkan daging. Biarkan sehingga masak daging itu. 

3. Bila daging dah masak, masa ni boleh la masukkan tomato puree. Cara nak buat tomato puree adalah di sini.

                                     

4. Agak keluar air daging, masukkan herbs (oregano, basil, or anything suits u), kacau dan tutup api.

5. Parut keju sebanyak yang diperlukan. Kenapa saya parut? Sliced cheese or grated cheese sometimes are processed cheese, which means there'll be added extra salt plus more processing step, less nutrient remain. But I found that block cheese contained least sugar (yeah, saya sgt kedekut garam dlm mknn saya) but few brand, have the same amount of sodium in both block and grated cheese.

6. Dalam mangkuk, gaulkan daging dan pasta. Saya memilih untuk memasukkan tomato puree saya ketika ini. Gaulkan beserta cheese kalau mahu.

7. Tuang ke dalam greased container and bakar di dalam oven preheated 150 degrees for 40 minutes. Boleh jugak ditabur cheese di atas permukaan hidangan sebelum dibakar. Bentou Syakir.

Tomato Puree Homemade

Tomato puree untuk masak spagheti syakir is wholly homemade. Sebab making puree is the simplest things to be done. Make it in the weekend for usage on the weekdays. Storage in a container one-time-use portion in the freezer, thaw it overnight before use.

So cara2 nya ialah:

1. Tomato sebanyak yang diperlukan, dikelar di bahagian dasarnya dan dibuang kepalanya (yg tempat tankai tu). Cuci bersih2.

2. Masukkan dalam periuk bersama air secukup tutup separuh tomato tu dan rebus. To retain more nutrient, it's best to steam them.

3. Bila kulitnya dah menggelupas, tutup api dan boleh cuba kupas kulitnya.

4. Then terakhir, blend bersama air rebusan. Letak dalam bekas dan tunggu ia sejuk lada suhu bilik sebelum disimpan.

Mudah sgt dan pelbagai guna. Boleh masaka pasta bolognese, baked macaroni, ayam masak merah dll.

Creepy Durian Crepe

Memandangkan oven minggu agak tidak keruan, timing knob berhenti sendiri half way baking so this week experiment tak yah guna oven. Cuba buat durian crepe lak. Tajuk tu saja ja kasik suspense. Tapi nak mencari watak utama dlm projek ni sampai ke equine kami melangkah.

Bahan2:

2 cawan tepung gandum
2 cawan susu segar (ada resepi guna santa so terpulang)
2 biji telur
1 sudu besar butter
esen vanilla
whipping cream
Durian
pewarna kuning (nak guna warna apa pun boleh)

Cara2 nya:

1. Pukul dulu telur dalam mangkuk asing.

2. Campur tepung, susu, telur, vanilla essence dalam blender (kalau blender ada sisa bahan pedas, boleh juga guna mixer)

3. Siap blend, tapis adunan kita dulu untuk dapatkan bancuhan yg halus mulus. tapi tak nak tapis pun mak ok jer.. model penapis adalah seperti di bawah, hehehe...

4. Then, letak sikit pewarna pilihan dan gaul rata.

5. Kemudian, bolehlah teruskan dengan acara melenggang atas non-stick pan. Macam buat kuih ketayap..

6. Let the crepe to cool down first. At this time, boleh la whip the cream till it's whipped (sampai kental)

7. Bila crepe dah sejuk, bolehlah kita mula assemble our crepe with the filling.

8. Final result, so keep refrigerated at least half an hour or so for a better taste.

Disclaimer : 

Do not assemble the crepe while it is still hot or your whipped cream will melt.

The best crepe is a thin crepe so it's easy to fold.

Keep it refrigerated after assemble so the cream will be at it's best condition.

Whip the cream after you done with your crepe so they don't to wait long a melt.