What is in your breastmilk? - new mother diary Ep4

What's in your breastmilk?
Part 1

Bonjour everyone! Am gonna spread some goodness about breastfeeding today.

Back to basics: How does breast milk protect your baby from falling sick?
That is indeed the million dollar question, how? Not that simple when you think about it again really. Mommy has gotta maintain her supply, must ensure that she eats well enough and what not, but, it is totally worth it.
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Breastmilk is like a living complex substance, similar to blood. It has a long list of health-promoting and active germ fighting ingredients. Hence it protects little ones from all kinds of infections, common and not so common ones.
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A drop of breastmilk contains around one million white blood cells, called macrophages ("big eaters"), they gobble up germs. It is also power-packed with immunoglobulin A (IgA), which coats the lining of babies' immature intestines, preventing germs from leaking through. By coating the intestinal lining, it acts as a protective paint, it prevents molecules of foreign foods from getting into the bloodstream to set up an allergic reaction.
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Colostrum (breastmilk from first few days after birth), is especially rich in IgA, appears at the time when the newborn is first exposed to the outside world and needs protection from germs as well as foreign substances entering his body. Think of colostrum as your baby's first important immunization... Amazing isn't it?
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The contents of breastmilk is always tailor-made. Custom-designed to protect babies. Mommy will produce antibodies to fight a specific germ when baby's in contact with something new and bad. Hence when mommy falls sick, best is to continue to breastfeed.
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There's also this myth I constantly hear most parents say. 

-When I am sick, I shouldn't breastfeed. *shakes head*

It is the total opposite of what you should do when you're sick really. I'll talk about this another time.

Sharing by Daphne Lee-Yang, Certified Hypnobirthing Educator

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Breastpump Review Ep1 - Spectra S1 vs M1

Spectra S1 or M1 

After mummies (or you) have decided the decision tree on which breast pump suit you best, you would probably looking for a home or travel base used pump. Often, you may want to buy a dual purpose use of pump right?

I have personally used both pump. Let me summarise my review as follows:

Pumping time : 30 mins
Let down : S1 1min and M1 28sec
Yield S1 and M1 : S1 7.5oz and M1 7oz

Pumping time : 20 mins
Let down : S1 50sec and M1 13sec
Yield S1 and M1 : S1 6oz and M1 7.1oz

Pumping time : 10 mins
Let down : S1 56sec and M1 29sec
Yield S1 and M1 : S1 4oz and M1 6.8oz

The pump do give different yield and different let down time. Conclusion is, M1 is good for a quick pump for me but I find that S1 give me a better simulation. I feels that S1 works like a milk booster pump.

As I am an EP mummy, I need a hospital grade pump to sustain my supply thus, I would consider buying a S1 at home and M1 due to the weight and size.

More specification review for your reference below.

Love,
Hot MaMa

Give me a like at my FB to keep me sharing <3

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This is meant to share with mummy who considering S1 vs M1. 

This review is by Audrey Yeo, a singapore mummy. 

(Experiment conducted by Drey Drey Yeo)

S1 is a hospital grade pump.
It has a very unique suction where it vibrates ur nipple during suction, triggering your letdown to come faster and also helps to stimulate milk production unlike other pumps which will just pull and release.
It allows you to customize your pumping experience. You can set the suction power and suction duration separately. It is Close System, has a timer(auto off at 30mins) and night light(under handle) to make it easier to pump at night. Has a massage button to help achieve a letdown faster. In-built rechargeable battery which can last around 3hours of pumping.

M1 is a normal usage pump.
It has the same unique vibration suction like s1, just that the vibration is much faster for m1, therefore it might not be noticeable.
It has a Joint suction power/suction duration control, as u increase the suction power, the suction duration will also get longer. It is Close System and will auto switch off at 30mins. Has a massage button to help achieve a letdown faster. In-built rechargeable battery which can last around 1.5 hour of pumping.

Comparison of S1 Vs M1:
S1 is 1.12kg and M1 is at 300g
S1 is much bulkier(C:64cm, H:19cm), M1(C:37.5cm, H:7cm).
S1 battery last longer.
S1 may be able to help achieve more yield due to its unique suction.
S1 is much silent than M1.
S1 has stronger suction power.
M1 empties the breast much faster due to its longer suction duration(lv3,4,5)

Verdict:
S1 is more for serious pumping where your concern is more about increasing yield and also to have a more comfortable pumping experience. Recommended for Home use and Office use.
M1 is very portable due to its size and weight. It can empties the breast much faster due to it’s long suction duration, good for people who need to get pumping done in a short duration. Recommended for pumping on the go or for multi tasking(cooking, playing with kids while pumping).

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WRONG Income Tax e-BE filing what to do? Money matters #1

WRONG Income Tax e-BE filing

Nightmare as I smell Tax Audit is coming...

Honestly, It is not by purpose. I reiterate it is not by purpose!

Seriously, when I found out that I missed out my another EA form (yes I have two employment during the same YA), I literally SREAMING out my lung. It's like, OMG! Why I never never never thought of I am being employed two different employer in the same year.

What to do?

1. Called up IRB hotline 1-800-88-5436 to find out where is your tax filing office / cawangan

2. Call up your cawangan and inform them about your situation and check out what documents they need for you to revise your e-BE.

2.1 You cannot do it yourself so you need to prepare a manual submission of revised e-BE so print out the original and start amending it.

2.2 Prepare the supporting documents of your relief. However, this is optional. 

2.3 Attached your EA with the revised e-BE

2.4 Prepare a Surat Pindaan stating what is the "wrong doing" 
2.5 Fill in the Form Pindaan

3. Submit to the cawangan by hand and get a copy of acknowledge (important)

4. Make your payment.

Let me know if I miss out anything. Drop me a comment at my FB. Thank for your support <3

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Lavishly Frugal #2 Auntie Anne's Pretzels at RM1 after all the GST chain effect price increase?!

Needless to say, this is awesome! Groupon is having a MYR1 for AA pretzels!

Pretzels are like the only infinities one can attain, aside from grandparent’s never-ending stories of the good old days. Today’s Groupon thinks about the good times with pretzels from Auntie Anne’s, valid at 36 outlets in Peninsular Malaysia. Choose from:

• Monday: Cinnamon raisin pretzel for RM1 instead of RM5
• Tuesday: Cinnamon sugar pretzel for RM1 instead of RM3.80
• Wednesday: Sesame seed pretzel for RM1 instead of RM3.80
• Thursday: Green tea pretzel for RM1 instead of RM3.80
• Friday: Sour cream and onion pretzel for RM1 instead of RM3.80
• Saturday: Garlic pretzel for RM1 instead of RM3.80
• Sunday: Original pretzel for RM1 instead of RM3.20

Monday - Cinnamon Raisin 

uesday - Cinnamon Sugar


Wednesday - Sesame Seeds

Thursday - Green Tea


Friday - Sour Cream Onion

Saturday - Garlic


Sunday - Original

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Every mother have milk, enough milk, produce sufficient for baby need - new mother diary Ep3

Supply = Demand = Supply

Have Faith because you have MILK!

It is tough, tougher as I thought because my milk is not kicking in and I am in depressed with a crying baby and unsupportive CL. CL who tells me I do not have milk and my breastmilk is not good enough. 

When you are already in this depression mode, what you can do is, find a support group or someone to motivate you. Gina is a certified LC and a mother of four. Very experience and big heart to share, she write this as follows that I want to share it out to you. 

Read this many many times and print this into your heart..

Love,

Hot MaMa

Give me a like at my FB to keep me sharing <3

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By Gina,

What's the #1 worry for pregnant mommy in TBAN? Worry of not enough milk right? Do you know our ancestors (from about 100 years ago) never have this problem/worry? Because there were no Formula milk! With the creation of FM, and with its unethical marketing gimmick, they have successfully convinced mothers in the past 100 years that modern mothers would most likely not have enough milk! Our grandmothers and our own mothers are victims of this!.

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And today groups like TBAN are spreading the awareness that human beings are born to be breastfed, that ALL mothers will have colostrum and only a very small percentage (about 1%) might have difficulty producing enough milk. It really does not help the new anxious pregnant mother to receive advice to “supplement first la, it’s ok to top-up, don’t let your baby starve, don’t so insist on DL DL DL DL, don’t  put stress on the new mother". 

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Just because you did all those things and you ‘turned out ok’ does not make it ok. Your ‘turned out ok’ case may be because you were lucky.

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Research has proven that the BEST way to increase supply is to DL DL DL. And because you didn’t DL all the time and still manage to fully BF and it ‘turned out ok’, please don’t go telling people that DL is not so important, because for the majority, they will have problems when they don’t DL. Do you want to be responsible for a new mother who took your advice, do not DL all the time, pump and let CL feed, and then eventually have to struggle with her supply. Or the mother who pump often and ended up with plugged ducts and mastitis because she did not DL all the time? 

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Your experience is just your experience. It’s just ONE case. Lactation consultants and breastfeeding specialists have the opportunity to encounter hundreds and thousands of cases, and we are able to see and understand what work or don’t work for the ‘majority’. We also understand that there is no ‘one size fits all’, but there are certain natural laws that hold true most of the time ie the law of gravity is true and real, unless you are on the moon! So the laws of breastfeeding and milk production are true and real unless you have ‘special conditions’ (which affects only about 1-2% mommies). 

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But what should a new mother do to ensure that she’s really doing her best? 

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First and foremost – Be strong and determined to breastfeed. LEARN about breastfeeding BEFORE baby’s arrival. Learn about normal baby’s behavior! 

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Secondly : when in the delivery ward, review all you have learnt about breastfeeding newborn. Many people actually forget what they have learnt because they attended one class when they were 7 months pregnant, and then never seek additional info on breastfeeding after that.

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3rd : seek help immediately from the right people especially if you are breastfeeding  non-stop, and cant even get to sleep. Be willing to get out from your comfort zone and out of your house to seek help. If your baby is sick, will you go to the doctor or do you call the doctor to come to you? Do you think breastfeeding your baby is important enough to seek help even if it means going out during confinement?

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4th: know what to expect ie poo and pee, and if your baby is not giving you the adequate amount, seek help!!! Don’t say things like “I was so determined to breastfeed until I cause my baby to be so dehydrated and have to be hospitalized etc etc etc. That’s why I think we shouldn’t be so nazi about breastfeeding”. Before your baby got so dehydrated until need hospitalization, there are tell-tale signs already, and you have to seek help.

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5th : shop around for breastfeeding friendly doctors and hospitals. Insist on this. You are the paying customer!

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6th : don’t let your CL / old folks etc bully you or spoil your breastfeeding dreams! You got to be strong and determined for your baby’s sake. Your baby depends on you to protect him.

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The newer threat today in the guise of helping mothers is the BREASTPUMP, misleading mothers to think they absolutely must pump their breast as early as possible to get more milk. Or using the pump to determine if a mother has milk or 'letdown'. This is utter nonsense! The pump can never replace the effectiveness of a baby suckle. Sure, breastpumps does have its benefits, but if someone encourages you to exclusively pump instead of helping you direct latch, or simply waving off direct latching as impossible due to whatever condition, ALARM BELLS should ring! Stay away from this person and seek help from a more experienced and knowledgeable person with good track record for helping mothers direct latch.

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Do you really want to breastfeed? Then breastfeed!! And arm yourself with the right info and knowledge! Do whatever it takes!

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DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL

All the best.

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How much breastmilk should my baby drink - drinking enough? - new mother diary Ep2

How much breastmilk should my baby drink?

This is a very common question that a mother would ask. Let me tell you, the answer is, nobody knows - exactly. 

Back to the equation that I always talk about, breastmilk supply = demand = supply. Therefore, how much you baby should be drinking is actually up to your baby! If you ask any, any paediatric, there isn't an absolute answer. Then of course you will ask, how the paediatric know my baby is drinking enough?

The indication? Baby weight. 

As long as baby is gaining healthy weight then it is all right. In fact, baby stomach is very small in the first few days of their life. Have you thought of the size?

Source: www.theperfectlatch.com

However, there is a rule of thumb that my LC told me (if I am feeding formula milk) which is 2.5ounce per pound of baby weight. Therefore, as you baby grow, the feeding will be more.

Let me share with you 3 indications that baby is drinking enough taking the rule of thumb aside because I do not really believe in that.

1. Baby is continuously gaining weight after 10th day. 
2. Baby looks satisfied after each feed.
3. Baby have at least six to eight wet diapers a day.

During my confinement, my CL have been nagging and nagging persistently that my baby is not drinking enough. The baby could not sleep well because my breastmilk is not thick (fats) enough, my breastmilk supply could not satisfy my baby need and etc.

And to the extend, she asked me to pump and show her much much in ml I am producing at that point of time. Well, if you have already read my "myth breastfeeding" and "breastfeeding tips" you knows by now, ALL THIS IS TOTALLY RUBBISH!

So people, stay calm and feed.

Love,
Hot MaMa

Give me a like at my FB to keep me sharing <3

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Lavishly Frugal #1 : Starbucks Chocolate Chip Cookie Frappucino Buy 1 FREE 1 Promotion Review

Starbucks Chocolate Chip Cookie Frappucino Buy 1 FREE 1 Promotion!

Another great surprise deal from Stabucks Malaysia! A special treat for all of you! For 9 April 2015 (Thursday) only, enjoy a Chocolate Chip Cookie Frappucino with a friend at the price of one. This buy 1 FREE 1 promotion is valid at ALL Starbucks stores in Malaysia. Terms and Conditions apply

Terms and Conditions

• Valid on 9 April 2015, Thursday at ALL Starbucks stores in Malaysia
• Not valid with other discount or promotions
• Complimentary Beverage must be a Chocolate Chip Cookie Frappuccino and of equal or lesser value that the purchased

LF comment:

Went there with my mates but counter told me that the complementary beverage and purchase both have to be Chocolate Chip Cookie Frappuccino! Disappointed because I was made understand otherwise, as mentioned at #3 terms above.

Me: Why the terms mention otherwise? It should be cater for different drink for purchase and complimentary?
Counter: No. It has to be the same. We are clearing our stock.
Me: But you see (show the screen) it did not mention the purchase and complimentary is same drink, right?
Counter: No. It has to be the same. We are clearing our stock.

Fine.

Not happy :( 

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Are you ready for Breast-feeding? Prepare emotionally and physically - new mother diary Ep1

Breastfeeding

when you think you know it all..

When I was first pregnant, I thought I knew it all, I thought breastfeeding is a natural thing that just come with the baby. As it is supposed to be a natural thing, taken it for granted, never ever in my life I would have thought to do research on it.

Baby was naturally vagina born. She is so beautiful and everything just fall into place like my desired birth plan. My gynae was very co-operation on my hypnobirthing and it is just... so beautiful...

I am ready to give my baby the first feed. Nurse put her lying on my chest and my baby just latch on. Thank god. She have the most perfect latch ever. The nurses just could not stop praising how smart my hours born baby is. The latch is just so awesomely-perfect. Baby was then carried away to the baby room and I am allowed to rest. 

The second feed came not much longer after that. I let her latch on and baby just keep sucking and sucking. For a few minutes she fall asleep and I then put her to the baby cot. Third feed came again not much longer after that and it continues with shorter and shorter interval.

Ok. Something is not right.

Next day, baby start crying after a sucking for a while. Panic mum button is on! Why? What has happened? Nurse asked a LC to came over for consultation. During the consultation, LC gave me some pointers that every new mum should know about breastfeeding or at least prepare themselves for it. Well, it is very much vary from individual but it is do apply for me, personal experience.

• Milk do not come immediately after birth. In the initial stage (1-3 days) only colostrum are produced. I call it the first gold milk. Colostrum is the best (full of antibiotic and immunoglobulins) and it is sufficient for your baby's demand. Read more here.

• Milk supply equal demand. Every mum would have sufficient supply for their babies. Supply = Demand = Supply. Read more here.

• There are a lot of old people saying (myth) about breastfeeding. Believe in yourself and believe  always believe that breastmilk is the best milk for a baby. If anyone else tell you otherwise, ask them talk to WHO. Read more here.

• Breastfeeding is NOT the cause of jaundice. Jaundice is NORMAL among new born babies. Read more here.

• There is no best pump, there is no best milk booster if you do not latch. Only with latching, breastfeeding journey can be a sustainable journey. But of course, some of us would have reason of why she could not DL. However, if it is possible do keep on DL. It helps you in every way and of course it is one of the reason why you want to breastfeed? DL is the best bonding time.

• Tips of success.

• Diet of a breastfeeding mum.

Keeping all these, I went back home and begin my confinement journey. Read my trouble confinement journey here.

Love,

Hot MaMa.

Give me a like at my FB to keep me sharing <3

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