Another Big Deal

So the time is here, for B to start solids!

My intention was to let him be on bm exclusively until he reaches 6 months, as what is recommended by the whole world. Last visit to the pd, he suggested it's probably a good time to start solids. A part of me wanted to wait till he is 6mo, while another part of me can't wait to let him have his first taste at food. O...kay, baby food, not that yummy, but still.

Yesterday, B had his first taste of food!

I've only started him on oatmeal cereal. Next item on menu: sweet potato and pumpkin!

Yummmmmy.

Bradley's First Dip in the Pool

With B's first pd at TMC, we asked when can we bring him to the swimming pool. She said not until he's at least 6 months old, and I agree with her. With Dr Zainal, he said anytime as long as the water temperature is not too cold and each swim should not last more than 20 minutes. DH was excited and want to bring him for a swim. I, on the other hand, although excited, wanted to play safe and wait till he's 6 months old.

As he moves towards the 6-month mark, I started getting excited and bought his first swimwear. I would have love to see him in a rash guard and board shorts, but I guess that will have to wait till he's much older. Next item on the list to get him ready for the first swim: sunscreen! I always have very terrible reaction to sunblock and my face and body break out in horrible, itchy rash that often lands me in the doctor's clinic with an injection. So I am particularly careful with B's already sensitive skin. The things to look out for when getting sunscreen according to Babycenter:

* Zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide

* PABA free

* Paraben free

* Fragrance free

PABA stands for para-aminobenzoic acid and was once commonly used in sunscreen as an ultraviolet light absorber. Because of its high allergic reations, it was removed as an ingredient.

Parabens are a class of chemicals used in preservatives and in recent years have been found to link to some cancers.

With these in mind, I went in search of a baby sunscreen. Hah, actually not much searching required as all I did was to go into Mothercare and they only carried 2 brands.

Remember to do a skin test before using. Rub a small amount on the inner arm and wait for 20 minutes to see if there's any redness or reaction.

I was so worried he would catch a cold and used 3 towels on him.

Daddy's 1001 Things To Do With Bradley

In a random conversation we had in the car, DH said, "I can't wait till the day I can bring Bradley camping at Pulau Ubin. There's so many things I want to do with him, father & son." This triggered me to ask him to send across a list of things that he wants to do with Bradley.

I am surprised when he did send it over, and it was a long list. Some of it are ok for sharing, some he prefers to keep them private. As I go through the list, my eyes swelled with tears. It reminded me why I married him, and that our love are strong after all these years.

Here's his list (in no particular order):

1. Swimming

2. Camping - daddy first camped when he was 12 and it's fun for a 12-year-old

3. Visit the zoo

4. Early morning run to see the sunrise

5. Do a cross-country run 

6. Go to Universal Studio - have fun

7. Go to Disneyland - have more fun!

8. Taste a lemon - daddy just want to see your reaction

9. Build a book shelf

10. Wash the car

11. Take the first sip of Coke - who doesn't like Coke?

12. Spring clean the house

13. Cook dinner for mummy

14. Ball games

15. Walk you to your first year at school

16. Go to the beach - have fun and get very tired

17. BBQ

18. Chase away the lizards - relieve daddy of this crazy task

19. Fishing

20. Snorkeling

21. Shop for your 12" action figure

22. Build plane and warships models

23. Shop for your first exercise kit

24. Attend a football match

25. Attend a rock concert

26. Help dad cook prawn noodles

27. Visit Pulau Ubin

28. Hiking

29. Canoeing

30. CNY reunion dinner

31. Go to the movies

32. Visit Botanic Gardens

33. Staycation

34. Watch a football match in a bar

35. Go to a book store

I think #13,15 and 18 are so sweet.

Bradley, I look forward to the day where you can enjoy these activities with Daddy.

This Is The Way We Pump Our Breasts

Even before I got pregnant, I always thought breastfeeding is simple, that it should come to mothers naturally. But many friends were kind enough to share that it isn't the case. I have heard stories of how breastfeeding doesn't just come easy for some mothers and babies, but I didn't know it was THIS complex.

I dismissed the importance of a breast pump, thinking that I will latch baby directly. Well, I did latch B for 5 weeks before I decided to pump exclusively. Anyway, I had the "privilege" of trying 3 different types of breast pumps and wanted to share my thoughts on them.

1. Philips Avent Dual Electric

This happens to be one of the better pump in terms of clearing the breasts. However, it is so bloody loud. I'm glad I've sold it away now that I've bought a second-hand Ameda.

Pros:

Effective and efficient in clearing breast. Takes about 15-18min to clear but I often have another letdown at 18min but will be done by 20min.

Cons:

Too bulky and you have to stay plugged to a power point. The noise it makes is crazy loud. Not portable and no timer to show how long you have pumped.

My verdict: 3/5

2. Medela Freestyle

I got this as a hand-me-down from my cousin and it was very handy and useful as I can leave this at my mums place without having to drag the humongous Avent.

Pros: 

Portable and handy, has a timer

Cons:

Unable to clear breasts as effective and takes much longer time. What should have been a 20min pump session becomes 30min and generating only the same amount or less that I get with Avent. As such I get blocked ducts. Can be rather loud.

My verdict: 3/5

3. Ameda 

This is by far my FAVOURITE pump! Mdm Rokiah recommends this and so did a friend before I delivered. It costs much less than a Medela but in my opinion, most effective!

Pros:

Quiet,very efficient in clearing, even better than Avent. Love that it has minimal pump parts so makes washing and sterilising its parts a breeze. Takes less than 20min to express and seems to have solved my quantity imbalance. With the Ameda, my problematic left breast which is often blocked and expressed less milk has balanced up! Medela or any other narrow neck bottles fit.

Cons:

Although it can be powered by batteries, it's a little too bulky to bring out if the need arises. No timer.

My verdict: 4/5

So there you go, I recommend Ameda. It's way cheaper than Medela but does the job better. But different pumps work differently for different people, let me know what works for you!

Playdate Part II

Last Saturday, our mummies group had another gathering in Punggol. It's amazing seeing how the babies have grown since our last "playdate". When we had the gathering at my place, the bubs were mainly lying on the floor, crying, fussing. This time one, some were sitting, some were flipping, most of them were playing or at least in a playful mode and able to respond/smile at you.

As a first time mum, I am very thankful for the support from this group. Many of them are experienced mums and are able to share many tips and advices. Since our babies are born so close to each other, it means we get to do the same things almost around the same time. For example, confinement, breastfeeding woes, and now, starting solids. I have been listening intently on how to tell if an avocado is ripe, how to purée what, what to freeze, when to feed etc etc. We chat everyday on whatsapp group chat, and unknowingly, they have become an important part of my life.

It's The Time of the Month Again

Bradley's monthly jab, that is.

Seriously, as he grows older, it gets harder and harder for me each time we visit his pd. It's true I can't wait for each visit, because I have so much questions to ask the doctor and to seek some assurance that my boy is doing ok, but I always leave home with a heavy heart because it pains me each time he cries. Granted, I always underestimate what a strong boy he is, but could you blame me? He is, afterall a baby!

Anyhoo, I took B for the appointment alone today as it was originally set for tomorrow but the doctor has something on so clinic won't be open. DH has meetings today, so why not I just take him alone since the clinic is just across the road. B had his second dose of pneumococcal jab, which is a vaccine against some of the worst childhood disease such as ear infections and meningitis. He hasn't put on much weight nor grown much taller - weighing 7.88kg as opposed to last month's 7.4kg, and standing at 69cm. Dr said after the 3rd month, babies tend to slow down in the growth and more so after 6 months, so there's nothing to worry about. He suggested we start solids for B since he's 5 months now and then spent some time to go through with me what are some of the first foods to start and how to go about it. What i like about B's pd is his patience and pleasant demeanour that make me feel really comfortable... you know, somehow I trust him with my child. So..... next Sunday we'll let B have his first bite... erm.. taste of food. DH and I are extremely excited!

I've prepared the following weaning set:

1. Bibs

Wonder bibs! Ever since I saw Melissa's Connor wore it, I fell in love. It is so chic, but unfortunately comes with a price. So I went on Qoo10 and got some and managed to get a couple from the Rise & Shine fair that was 1-for-1.

2. Spoons/bowls

I had some Robinsons vouchers and decided to use the balance on these. A good tip I picked up is to get soft tips spoons so that it won't hurt your baby's gums and as for the bowls, get those with a lid so that you can store it in the fridge or bring it out.

3. High chair

I really just want the Ikea's basic high chair, I think it's good enough but unfortunately when we went to Ikea last week, we couldn't find it. They were renovating the kids section at Tampines and we couldn't be bothered to ask as I had intention to check out the baby fair. I eventually skipped it as I heard how terrible the queues and crowd were.

Anything else I need? Do share!

Bradley's Little Actions

Recently, B has been so playful and cheeky I can't keep up.

1. Bring 1 leg forward 2. Lift buttocks 3. Lift 1 leg up 4. And.... we're ready for take off.

He's been doing a lot of this when he flips and before we knew it, he's at the other corner of the bed. This makes leaving him on the bed a lot of work then it's meant to be. I used to just place him in the middle of the bed and use the bathroom or go get something. Now, I cannot leave him alone on the bed without supervision.

Besides being a really smiley baby, he's been chuckling and giggling a lot. He always smiles at strangers, especially when we are in the lift. Our little entertainer for that boring ride.

At any one time, you will see him sucking his fingers and has drool all over. I tried so hard but it's useless. I gave up an just resign to the fact I have to clean his hands and face every so often.

He loves blowing raspberries. But usually when he's annoyed or getting impatient. It's actually quite a funny sight but wish he would stop doing that.

He was meant to have his jab on Saturday but the clinic called and asked if we could change it. So I brought forward to tomorrow and cancel my plans to go to the baby fair with Gwen. It will be my first time taking him for vaccination alone, hope he won't get too angry.