Our 3-month old Baby

Our 3-month old baby boy 👶  is very different from his two elder siblings.

He is quite an easy baby and only cries when he wants to sleep or whenever his diaper is soiled.

We've started him on formula 🍼, to top-up the breastmilk, as he drinks quite a lot.

❗I couldn't afford to nurse him around the clock considering that we have two other kids under 6 years of age. 

Our second daughter was exclusively breastfed so I spent every waking hour nursing her and cuddling her. 

Thank goodness at that time our eldest daughter was quite independent so I needn't worry much about her in terms of her meals or entertaining her.

Hubby is able to feed the baby when I need my rest. 

I'm also able to task my eldest daughter to feed her little brother when I need to do chores around the house or when our second daughter needs my attention (most of the time).

Our baby boy is the only one who sucks his thumb and we find him able to soothe himself either just to calm down or when he wants to fall asleep. 

🎉  He never ever cries at night. 

When he fusses in his sleep at night, he would suck his thumb profusely and I know that he needs to feed. 

I guess I've been trained to wake up every other hour with my first two that I tend to do the same with my third, though he doesn't really need it.

We provide him with formula once in the morning and once in the evening, breastmilk is offered in between. 

He is such a happy baby 😇  chilling and relaxing most of the time and is all-smiles when he's awake. 

The only person who cries A LOT would be his second big sister. 😓

At times, hubby and I would be baffled with her cries, not knowing why she'd cry in the first place.

We're guessing that the baby is super easy to look after considering that we need to give our full attention to our second daughter. 

Hoping that this wouldn't last for long as she has begun to increase her vocabulary and is able to express her needs and wants, minimising her meltdowns. 😅

Going Out Sans Baby

My friends and I planned a gathering a month in advance, as we had to consider the different schedules of 10 people.

Up to the reunion date, I didn't think about expressing my breastmilk as I had initially planned to bring the 2 kids and hubby along. 

Unfortunately, the haze condition worsened and as we didn't want to expose The Baby and Lil' Tot to the harmful air, we decided that the kids should stay home and hubby was more than happy to look after them. 

So there I was, pumping away for The Baby's supply and reminisced the memories of pumping for Lil' Tot approximately 4 years ago.

My first experience of expressing breastmilk was a bit rocky. 

You see, before I returned to work, I was pumping every single hour, making sure that the bottles were full to the brim. 

Little did I know that the more I pumped, the more I stimulated my milk production. 

Imagine my horror when my breasts became even more engorged as a result! 

I was flabbergasted, didn't know what to do. 

I thought that the only solution was for me to pump and empty my breasts. 

It obviously didn't work. 

Every single morning when I woke up, my PJs would be soaking wet and breastmilk would be dripping from my breasts. 

I'd spent most of my time in the bathroom trying to express milk because it was engorged and painful.

Whenever I fed Lil' Tot, milk would be spraying onto her face like a water faucet and I'd be scrambling to minimize the spraying. 

I asked my mom how she handled it when she had us back in the day. 

She said she would put cabbages in her bra to manage the pain. 

I thought to myself, Nope, I'm not going to put any form of vegetables in my bra and walk around feeling like a mobile salad. 

As I sourced for information on managing engorgement and maintaining adequate milk supply, I breathed a huge sigh of relief and was able to return to work without worrying about engorged breasts or heavily leaking boobs.

I wrote about it here:
Engorged Breasts

Upon returning to work, lunch time meant spending time in the "Mother's Room" to express milk AND lunch in as well. 

I had the opportunity to chat with other mothers behind curtains too :) as each space is covered by a curtain.

As I pumped for The Baby this time around, after 4 years, I felt the same sense of emotions. 

I'm thankful for the breast pump as it allowed me to go out and leave The Baby at home, knowing that she'd be well fed even when I'm not around. 

Lil' Tot was so excited when she saw me dispense milk into The Baby's milk bottle and she was looking forward to feeding sessions with The Baby.

It was the first time, after being stuck to The Baby like glue, that I was able to go out alone without worrying about The Baby's milk. 

I went out that day, for the first time ever, to catch up with friends, and limited it to approximately 4 hours. 

I guess, being a mom, you can't stop wondering how the little one is so I ended up checking on them with the hubby after 2 hours being away. 

As I drove back home later that evening, I practically sped and kept updating hubby about my whereabouts and that I'd reach home soon. 

When I opened the door and stepped inside the house, Lil' Tot came running towards me and hugged me as if she hadn't seen me for ages! 

The Baby was calmly sitting in her swing chair, watching TV, oblivious to the fact the mommy was away for several hours. 

I knew that The Baby missed me so much because when I held her and fed her, it looked like she didn't want to let go and guzzled hungrily when she latched on.

At that moment, I knew, my decision to stop working was the best decision for our family. :)

Babyzen Yoyo 0+ (Newborn) Stroller

Our quest this time around when looking for a stroller needed to meet these criteria:
* lightweight
* compact
* easy folding and unfolding (one-hand fold)
* easy manuevering (one-hand steer)

Considering that we not only have a newborn to handle but a toddler to attend to as well. 

Our toddler currently uses Quinny Yezz, which we're extremely happy with as it meets our 3 criteria above. 

We searched online, reading countless reviews and made a few trips to the baby departmental store, engaging with the retailer by asking questions and seeing demonstrations of them handling the strollers available. 

After much consideration and going back-and-forth by listing down the pros and cons, we were hooked with Babyzen Yoyo.

The icing on the cake was that we were able to purchase a pink stroller, the most favoured colour amongst all! :)

It may be pricey but it is definitely a great investment for us and it definitely suits our lifestyle. 

Before making any purchases on a stroller, it is best that you not only weight in the price factor but your lifestyle too. 

Click here for FAQ

4 Ways to Handle Leaking Breasts

You know that feeling?

When you are breastfeeding your baby on one boob and the other one seems to want to dispense milk too?

When you wake up in the morning and you realize that your nursing wear is drenched, not with sweat but with milk?

When you try to breastfeed your baby and the milk seems to be spraying all over and hitting poor baby's face?

Well, here are 4 tips that might help you handle those leaking breasts, for now:

1) Pump more ... NOT! 
You know what pumping does? 
It'll stimulate your breasts to produce more milk. 
I've learnt it the hard way with my first born. 
I pumped my breasts until they're both empty. 
It feels so good to pump engorged breasts because you'll see the empty bottles filling up pretty fast! 
Unfortunately, I realized that my breasts quickly became fuller and so I've had to frequently pump every hour and I'll wake up in the mornings with an entirely soaked PJs just because I missed my pumping session. :( 
It was tougher at work because I just can't afford to step away from my desk to pump for 10 minutes every single hour.
So I had to control it and looked up online for answers.
No unnecessary pumping for me and breastfeeding-on-demand is a better option to control my milk production.

2) Nursing Pads
Please do invest in nursing pads!
The first couple of days when I returned to work after maternity leave, I forgot to wear my nursing pad.
It was so embarrassing whenever I experienced a let-down reflex and two round circles will form itself and can be seen on my shirt.  
You can't imagine how many times I've tugged on my shawl just to cover those two areas!
So I've invested in washable cotton nursing pads as they absorb leaks and keep clothes clean and dry (instead of smelling like sour milk by the end of a working day).
If your leaks are severe, you may want to bring extra pairs to work so you can change them and this also helps to avoid irritation.
They also do sell disposable pads.

3) Stem the Milk Flow
In the first few weeks, do not attempt to do this as you'll prevent a let-down or cause your milk ducts to clog.
You'll need to ensure that your milk production and feeding schedule is already in full swing.
Stemming the flow is by pressing on your nipples with your hand or folding your arms tightly against your breasts.
This helped me stop the spraying on baby's face when I attempt to breastfeed her.

4) Change in Dress Sense
You may opt for darker colors, I prefer black (the safest bet), for now until the leaking stops or is more under control.

The First Post-partum Poop

I thought it was over and done with when I safely delivered Baby No. 2. 

Considering that I had Baby No. 1 approximately 4 years ago, I forgot how daunting it was to answer nature's call number 2 post-delivery. *grimaces*

You see, during pregnancy, I suffered from constipation and hemorrhoids.

So I had to worry about my diet to include tons of liquid and fiber AND suffer in silence with the oh-so-painful-hemorrhoids and kept thinking to myself why-can't-you-just-go-away???

During labor, I had to worry about accidentally emptying my bowels on my birthing bed and embarrassing myself (as if showing my Miss V for all to see in the labor room isn't embarrassing enough for me).

Hence, on the first night after delivering baby, the idea of even having to pee scares me, let alone poop.

I always had this visual where I'd probably tear my stitches apart when I take that first dump. 

I was too scared to make that first push and I'd hold off on it until I really had to go. 

I know, it isn't healthy but who could blame me for being horrified of pooping?

Did you know that the longer you wait to poop, the harder that stool will become? 

It'd probably turn hard like a brick ...

It took me several days to finally empty my bowels and I must say, it wasn't a pleasant one! 

I cried and was sweating (honestly felt like I was about to give birth ... again!) 

I cried because I was too scared that my stitches would come off. 

I was sweating because it was a tough job for me, really.

I adjusted my sitting position a few times, breathed in and out to calm myself down and started to push.

What helped me was the stool softener liquid which the hospital provided me.

For my successive passing motion sessions, I made sure that I drank tons of water (minimum of 2-3L to be exact), included oats in my diet in addition to having dates for breakfast on top of my butter and toast.

I couldn't adhere to the confinement rule of restricting my fluid intake (can't drink too much water as your womb will not shrink properly) since I'm the one who has to suffer the pain!

In that first week post-baby delivery, I'd spend around 15-20 minutes just to empty my bowels because I was being too careful not to split my stitches. 

At that point, I'd be thinking to myself, "I ain't gonna get pregnant after this!"

I guess there are mothers out there who probably said the same thing and had since delivered more babies. :D

Set Bersalin: Rangkaian Herbanika Bersalin Nona Roguy

Ini merupakan kali pertama saya menggunakan set bersalin lengkap Nona Roguy.

Masa bersalin anak pertama, saya mengambil ubat yang disediakan oleh tukang urut masa tu.

Kali ini selepas bersalin anak kedua, saya mengambil tukang urut yang lain dan dinasihati untuk menunggu selesai tempoh berpantang baru cari barang-barang untuk penjagaan selepas bersalin kerana dikhuatiri anak demam kuning.

Rangkaian Herbanika Bersalin ini mengandungi barang-barang berikut:

PhytoNatal - 90 biji

Akar Herbanika - 10 paket

Minyak Herbanika - 100 ml

Herbanika barut (krim) - 60gm

Uncang Cuci Herbanika - 10 paket

Herbanika Lulur - 100gm

Kotak Set Bersalin Nona Roguy

Tidak perlu khuatir kerana set ini turut disertakan buku panduan penggunaan seperti di bawah (ditulis dalam Bahasa Malaysia dan Bahasa Inggeris):

Buku Panduan Penggunaan

Panduan di dalam Bahasa Inggeris

Saya sangat suka set bersalin ni sebab ianya sangat mudah digunakan, terutama sekali jika anda berpantang sendiri di rumah.

Di sini, saya nak kongsi pengalaman saya menggunakan set bersalin Nona Roguy yang mungkin sedikit sebanyak dapat membantu kaum ibu di luar sana membuat keputusan di dalam pencarian set bersalin semasa dalam pantang nanti, Insya Allah. :)

PHYTONATAL (90 TABLET)

• Mengatasi masalah sembelit.
• Mengelakkan terjadinya bentan.
• Sebagai pembersih dalaman semulajadi untuk menyahtoksik, pelembab, dan perapi dalam sistem dalaman tubuh badan bagi mengeluarkan kekotoran, angin toksik, darah nifas, darah bantal, lendir berlebihan, retensi air dan sembab.
• Menurunkan berat badan, melangsingkan tubuh badan dan merampingkan pinggang, mengempiskan perut, serta mengatasi masalah geleber.

Cara pemakanan:  2-4 tablet sehari.

Saya hanya mengambil 2 biji pil sahaja selepas sarapan pagi.

Alhamdulillah, jika dulu saya mempunyai masalah sembelit, namun selepas makan Phytonatal ni, senang sangat lawas!

Kalau pil diambil pada waktu pagi, Insya Allah anda akan membuang air besar pada waktu petang atau malam.

Bersedialah untuk membuang ya. :D

Amat berguna sekiranya anda ada jahitan di bawah tu, terutama sekali yang perlu membuat episiotomi. 

Kalau nak buang air, saya memang takut sangat, walaupun saya mempunyai first degree tear dan bersalin normal.

Lagi satu yang best Phytonatal ni, dah tak rasa kembung perut!

Legaaaa sangat!

AKAR HERBANIKA NR (10 uncang)

• Melancarkan pengeluaran darah nifas.
• Membanyakkan susu badan.
• Membersih, melancarkan serta menyegarkan darah yang bercirikan stimulasi dan lactagogue yang dapat memperbanyakkan pengeluaran susu ibu.
• Melancarkan pembuangan air kecil

Cara Penggunaan: 1-2 uncang direndam dalam 1 mug air panas mendidih. Biarkan ia suam atau mencapai suhu bilik. Boleh juga masukkan madu lebah untuk kesan yang lebih mujarab. Amat di syorkan pengambilan sebanyak 3-4 mug sehari dengan mengulangi rendaman paket yang sama sehingga cair warnanya. Selepas itu, gantikan dengan paket yang baru.

Saya guna 1 uncang sebab nak jimatkan penggunaan :D

Kalau nak minum, saya akan pastikan ianya panas sebab rasa lega sangat minum air panas.

Bau herba tu juga memang best!

Alhamdulillah, susu badan pun banyak sampaikan kalau sedang menyusukan anak, susu akan keluar di kedua-dua breast.

Setiap hari saya kena tukar baju atau mandi jika terlalu banyak yang keluar sehingga baju pun lencun.

Selalunya susu yang keluar agak deras juga sampai baby terpaksa tunggu seketika sehingga ianya kurang deras.

Ok, itu untuk makan tablet dan minum air herbanika, sekarang ni kita tengok bahan-bahan untuk cucian serta minyak dan krim barut juga.

Uncang Cuci Herbanika : Minyak Herbanika : Krim Herbanika Barut

(Bengkung tidak termasuk di dalam set)

UNCANG CUCI HERBANIKA (10 uncang)

Air rebusan herba untuk mandi dan mencuci bahagian sulit.

• Sebagai cucian berkesan untuk bahagian sulit ibu, membantu mengatasi atau meredakan jangkitan fungus, keputihan dan mempertingkatkan kesihatan di bahagian sulit.
• Amat berkesan dalam rawatan rendaman sulit, hidroterapi dan sebagai herba bunjut dalam terapi tuaman.

Cara penggunaan: Rendam 3 uncang dalam 1 liter air panas mendidih. Biarkan warna air bertukar kepada kekuningan herba. Masukkan sedikit air biasa supaya panasnya tidak melecurkan kulit dan masukkan garam untuk lebih berkesan. Guna airnya untuk mencebuk atau gunakan kapas untuk mencuci alat sulit wanita.

Uncang cuci NR ini juga boleh dijadikan sebagai herba mandian dengan merebus 6 Uncang Cuci Herbanika dalam 2 Liter air tanpa garam. Air rebusan dicampurkan dengan air biasa dalam bekas mandi atau besen untuk disuamkan sebelum mandi. Gunakan uncang-uncang yang di rebus itu sebagai tuaman urat saraf, otot dan payudara semasa mandi untuk lebih berkesan.

Jika di hospital, mereka akan ajar macam mana nak basuh alat sulit menggunakan air dan garam.

Dengan set bersalin NR ni, mereka menggunakan Uncang Cuci Herbanika di mana garam akan ditambahkan sekali di dalam air cucian.

Memang bau herba agak kuat dan ianya akan memberikan kaum ibu rasa segar selepas cucian.

HERBANIKA LULUR NR

• Mengurangkan kesan parut serta pigmentasi disamping mengeluarkan sel-sel kulit mati dan menghaluskan kulit.
• Mengencangkan kulit dan otot badan, mengecutkan bengkak urat varikos, meredakan sembab dan memelihara kesihatan urat saraf badan secara luaran.
• Mengatasi kebas-kebas dan seram sejuk dengan menghindari daripada kemasukan angin sejuk.

Cara Penggunaan: Sediakan 2 sudu besar Herbanika Lulur NR, campurkan dengan air panas suam, kacau sehingga menjadi pes yang sederhana cair. Sebelum mandi, lulur seluruh badan. Kemudian, mandi dengan air herba mandian Uncang Cuci NR. 

Penggunaan lulur ni untuk scrub di seluruh badan.

Jangan terperanjat ya jika selepas mandi tu nampak tangan warna kuning disebabkan lulur.

Bau lulur ni pun sedap juga.

Kalau nak scrub di bahagian belakang badan dan tak sampai, bolehlah minta tolong Encik Suami :) 

Selepas mandi, mari kita tengok pula penggunaan minyak Herbanika dan krim barut.

MINYAK HERBANIKA (100ml)

• Minyak urut.
• Diletakkan 3-4 titik di pad untuk melancarkan pengeluaran darah nifas dan membantu mengeringkan luka bersalin (normal) dengan cepat.
• Disapu pada kaki dan bahagian yang sakit dan tegang, untuk kelegaan yang cepat.
• Disapukan di perut sebelum menyapukan Krim Herbanika Barut, untuk menghilangkan stretchmark dan membantu Krim Herbanika Barut untuk bertindak dengan lebih berkesan dalam menghilangkan lemak-lemak.

Saya suka sangat minyak ni.

Kadangkala kalau pakai pad, memang terasa sangat gatal di bahagian bawah sebab kulit saya agak sensitif dengan plastik pad tu. Jadi kalau saya sapukan di bahagian situ, rasa dingin dan melegakan.

Kalau rasa sakit kepala, saya akan sapukan di bahagian tengkuk. 

Kalau perut terasa kembung, saya akan sapukan di bahagian perut serta kaki sebelum memakai stokin kaki untuk pastikan kaki hangat.

KRIM HERBANIKA BARUT (60gm)

• Mengeluarkan darah nifas dengan lancar, darah kotor, lendir dan angin keracunan dan darah bantal daripada rahim.
• mengejapkan otot bahagian perut yang longgar dan menggeleber.
• Mengurangkan jalur kulit (stretchmark) dan memutihkan kesan parut.
• Mengembalikan kelangsingan badan yang terserlah di bahagian pinggang, perut, pinggul, baha dan lengan.

Cara Kegunaan: 

• Sapu Minyak Herbanika NR terlebih dahulu di bahagian perut, pinggang, pinggul sebelum menggunakan Krim Herbanika Barut di tempat tersebut.
• Pakai bengkung atau kain barut untuk mengikat rapi bahagian tersebut. 

Krim ni akan memberikan rasa hangat pada badan. 

Saya akan sapukan minyak Herbanika dahulu sebelum memakai krim ni kemudian akan memakai bengkung.

Saya cadangkan jika anda mempunyai kulit yang agak sensitif, mungkin boleh guna dalam kuantiti yang sedikit dahulu. 

Jika tiada kesan sampingan seperti rasa tidak selesa dan anda rasa seperti ianya terlalu gatal, bolehlah sambung penggunaannya. 

Kadangkala kita terlalu menggaru sehingga mendatangkan kesan pada bahagian perut.

Alhamdulillah, memang lengkap set bersalin ni dan amat mudah untuk menggunakannya juga.

Sekiranya ada sesiapa berminat, boleh dapatkan set lengkap ini dari Galeri Herba Orimura (pemborong/pengedar produk kesihatan & kecantikan) yang mempunyai cawangan di Giant Hypermarket Bandar Kinrara, Puchong dan Giant Bachang, Melaka.

Mereka juga menyediakan perkhidmatan penghantaran barang terus ke tempat anda. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHOrimura

Saya sertakan di bawah ini waktu urusan dan alamat cawangan di Bandar Kinrara (bagi sesiapa yang nak ke kedai terus), nombor telefon serta alamat emel untuk menghubungi mereka.

Why Miss V? Why?

Click: 10 Home Remedies

I've been having this problem ever since my second pregnancy and even now that my baby is a couple of months old, it still keeps recurring. 

A couple of nights ago I had a serious itch on Miss V. 

We're talking serious-itch-I-can't-sleep-and-it's-driving-me-crazy kind of itch.

I could barely sleep that night and it got me frustrated as I've planned a busy day with activities for my lil' tot the following day. 

Whatever ointment I used to apply during pregnancy and made the itch successfully go away didn't work this time. 

A week prior, I had my mensus so I started wearing my pads and towards the end, wore my pantyliner.

The itch started to develop from there but thankfully, it was towards the end of my mensus so I completely ditched my pantyliner. 

So that particular night, I literally had to go to the washroom every single hour to cool Miss V with cold water.

The baby diaper rash didn't work. The herbal ointment didn't work. The powder didn't work. I was at my wit's end! 

I started looking up for home remedies and so I immediately grabbed salt from the kitchen and proceeded to wash Miss V with concentrated salt water. 

It gave me some form of relief ... BUT not for long! *sob sob*

So this time around, I made a few trips to the bathroom to wash with concentrated salt water. 

I fell asleep as I was too tired to get up anymore, what with the night feeds that I had to give Baby No. 2.  The next morning, I rummaged through the kitchen cabinet and WALLA! Found a bottle of apple cider vinegar.

I immediately proceeded to wash Miss V with the concoction and even when the website mentioned to wash it twice daily, I think I went overboard and washed it with the concoction every single time I had to visit the loo. 

It worked! 

So this time around, just to keep it dry, I'd apply powder as it also gave a cooling effect and made sure that my panties were 100% cotton.

It's the third day now and I've been able to sleep well, though there are times I'd suffer from the occasional itch. 

It almost ALWAYS occurs at night (still figuring out why). 

I have no idea why this happens but I'm guessing that my hormones drastically changed after giving birth and Miss V has become more sensitive towards the materials of the sanitary pads and pantyliners. 

This would leave me feeling exasperated when my next mensus comes!

Gosh Miss V ... why? *cry cry*

I know for a fact that this is quite embarrassing to discuss but if it would help other women out there, I'd be glad to share.

Luahan Perasaan Ibu Berpantang

Hujung minggu lepas, ada jiran buat majlis aqiqah untuk anak lelakinya yang baru berusia 7 hari.

Mereka menjemput jiran tetangga di samping ahli-ahli masjid untuk hadir ke majlis tersebut.

Biasalah, kalau dah namanya buat majlis, ramailah yang datang berkunjung.

Nak2 kalau majlis aqiqah, ramailah yang naktengok, dukung, peluk dan cium baby tu. 

Kebetulan masa tu saya berada di dalam bilik bersama jiran saya serta baby yang baru dilahirkannya. 

Turut sama adalah rakan-rakannya dan saudara maranya. 

Ketika kami sibuk berborak, datanglah seorang rakan kepada jiran saya yang dengan tiba-tiba berkata, "Eh, saya nak ubat ni lah, nak beli, ada tak?"

Dia menyuarakan soalan itu kepada jiran saya yang masih dalam pantang dan dari segi percakapannya, dia seperti hendak ubat itu pada ketika itu juga.

Jiran saya pun berkata, "Oh, ada. Saya kena amik kat luar, tunggu kejap ya."

Masa tu jiran saya tengah pegang baby dia yang sedang menangis. 

Dalam keadaan begitupun, dia bingkas bangun dan berjalan ke luar bilik menuju ke sebuah kabinet di mana disimpan barang-barang yang dijualnya. 

Sejurus kemudian, dia tunduk untuk membuka pintu kabinet, sambil memegang baby, dan mencari-cari ubat yang diingini rakannya. 

Saya terkedu. 

Punyalah ramai rakan-rakannya yang berdiri sahaja melihat ibu ini tunduk membongkok untuk mencapai botol ubat, meskipun masih memegang bayi. 

Tiada yang kasihan melihat ibu ini ataupun yang sudi membantu ibu ini. 

Saya tidak dapat membantu ketika itu kerana saya juga memegang bayi saya yang sedang tidur dan kebetulan, saya tidak dapat keluar daripada bilik itu kerana laluannya dihalang oleh rakan-rakan jiran tadi.

Mengapa ya? 

Ini majlis aqiqah anaknya, namun, perlukah dibuat urusan jual beli ketika itu?

Tidak dapatkah mereka menunggu waktu yang lebih sesuai? 

Perlukah disuruh ibu berpantang ini bangun untuk mendapatkan ubat pada waktu dan ketika itu juga? Tidakkah dia nampak bahawa ibu itu sedang cuba mententeramkan bayinya yang sedang menangis?

Saya sedih kerana tiada perasaan belas kasihan kepada ibu tersebut.

Saya juga ada pengalaman sendiri ketika dalam pantang anak kedua kali ini.

Saya berpantang di rumah ibu, maka ada juga saudara mara yang datang menziarah nenek yang turut tinggal bersama-sama kami.

Ibu akan mengatakan bahawa saya telah bersalin tetapi mereka tidak dapat melawat saya kerana saya sedang diurut atau saya sedang berehat bersama baby. 

Ibu tidak menggalakkan orang masuk berjumpa saya dan baby kerana baby masih dalam hari dan antibodi badannya masih lemah. 

Nak dijadikan cerita, ada seorang saudara ni masuk berjumpa saya kerana dia hendak melihat dan memegang baby. 

Tak lama kemudian, anak kecilnya turut masuk ke bilik.

Semasa anak kecil itu bercakap dengan ibunya, saya perasan bahawa suaranya serak-serak. 

Saya pantas bertanya kepada anak kecil itu, "Kenapa suara adik serak?"

Ibunya menjawab, "Dia sebenarnya baru baik selsema tapi sekarang ni batuk pulak."

Ya Allah, saya rasa macam nak nangis sebab risau akan dijangkiti baby pula.

Keesokan paginya saya perasan hidung baby tersumbat. 

Ya, baby saya pula terkena jangkitan selsema! 

Sedihnya saya waktu itu. 

Pada sebelah malamnya, baby saya tak dapat tidur dengan nyenyak kerana dia selsema. 

Kalau baby tak dapat tidur, memang saya pun langsung tak dapat tidur! 

Saya terpaksa memegang baby sepanjang malam dan cuba mententeramkannya yang asyik menangis kerana hidung kecilnya tersumbat. 

Saya sedih. 

Mengapa ya, walaupun sudah tau baby mempunyai antibodi yang lemah, masih juga mahu memegang baby walaupun sudah tau anaknya mempunyai batuk dan selsema yang boleh dijangkiti?

Saya mintak sangat2 kepada sesiapa pun di luar sana, janganlah teruja untuk memegang baby yang masih dalam hari. 

Sekiranya baby itu jatuh sakit, bukan sahaja ianya terpaksa ditanggung oleh baby yang masih kecil itu tetapi membebankan ibu dan ayah baby itu yang terpaksa berjaga malam untuk menjaga baby.

Yang lebih merisaukan adalah emosi ibu yang baru lepas bersalin agak tidak stabil kerana dia masih cuba menyesuaikan diri dengan baby serta perubahan pada dirinya. 

Jika baby jatuh sakit, ia akan turut menambahkan rasa risau kepada ibu baby tersebut.

Saya meluahkan perasaan ini berdasarkan kepada pengalaman sendiri. 

Kalau boleh, kasihanilah kaum ibu yang masih berpantang dan hormatilah privacy mereka. 

Tempoh berpantang pun 44 hari. 

Setelah tamat tempoh berpantang, bolehlah melawat ibu dan baby.

Tambahan pula pada ketika itu, emosi sang ibu lebih stabil dan baby juga sudah boleh berjumpa orang. 

Namun, jika hendak memegang baby, masih perlu berjaga-jaga dan pastikan anda membasuh tangan dan anda tidak sakit serta tidak mempunyai apa-apa alat solek di muka/bahan2 kimia yang berkemungkinan boleh memudaratkan baby.

A Sister's Love

I consider myself lucky and blessed to have our lil' toddler doting on her baby sister.

Even throughout my pregnancy, she had shown her love towards my baby bump by kissing and talking to my tummy every single day without fail.

We'd bring her to our monthly check-ups and she'd be the first one standing in front of the monitor whenever the doctor scans for the baby. 

She was the one who suggested that we make space for the baby in our room: 

"I'll sleep in my own bed in my room so that baby can sleep with you and Daddy."

On that same day, we went to IKEA to purchase her bed, consulted her first on the type of bed she desired. 

We picked out the bed, the comforter, bed sheet and pillow cases together. 

As the bed frame couldn't fit our car, we arranged for a delivery and anticipated it to be delivered over the course of 3 days.

Of course, she was excited and kept asking us daily as to when her bed would arrive. 

We engaged her in setting up her bed in a separate room and the baby cot in our room. 

She helped out in every way possible. 

When the baby came out, she would be the one watching the baby closely, being on standby in case the baby cries. 

She'd entertain her lil' sister with lullabies, read books or just talk to the baby. 

She's extremely reliable during diaper changes or when baby needs a shower, she'll fetch the diaper or bath towel or powder, anything she could get her small hands on. 

When asked if she loves baby, she'll kiss the baby first then say, "I LOVE baby!"

As how she'd kiss my tummy during pregnancy, she's now kissing the baby throughout the day, every single day without fail.

We'd sometimes tell her that we'd let the baby stay with the grandparents, then she'll say, "No, that's my baby!" 

Just the other day, we were getting ready to go out and we left the baby in the chair whilst we were standing outside the door getting ready. 

I told my toddler, "Let's go, we'll leave the baby as there's food in the fridge and she can prepare the food herself, ok?"

Our toddler didn't budge and she let out an honestly sad cry, fearing that we would indeed leave her baby sister home alone for the night. 

Our toddler refused to close the door and cried and cried until we said, "Ok ok... we'll bring the baby."

She immediately wiped her tears and gave us a huge smile!

Even when the baby cries and I'm attending to chores, she'd be the one checking up on the baby and tries to calm the baby down by either singing or talking to her. 

Most of the time the baby would stop crying and just watch her big sister engage with her. 

When the baby stirs in her sleep, she'd be patting the baby's back and tries to soothe the baby back to sleep.

I can tell you that it is THE most beautiful sight ever! 

And here's hoping that the love demonstrated would last for many more years to come.

Pengalaman Selepas Bersalin

Assalamualaikum! 

Bila melihat cousins dan kengkawan yang baru menimang cahaya mata, teringat balik pengalaman sendiri lepas bersalin dulu. 

Pengalaman yang tak dapat dilupakan.

Tapi, itulah, pengalaman akan berbeza untuk setiap orang. 

Pengalaman saya ni masa deliver first born child.

Semoga dapat membantu sedikit sebanyak, khususnya bagi yang baru menimang cahaya mata pertama. :)

Waktu Tidur

http://www.istockphoto.com/

Kalau dapat tidur 1-2 jam pada waktu malam tu kira bernasib baik juga. 

Tapi masa baru bawak baby balik rumah, malam memang susah nak tidur lena. 

Baby nak menyusu dan kadang2 susah nak tidur balik lepas menyusu, especially bila cuba letak dia di katil semula.

Pernah saya tidur atas sofa je dengan baby supaya dia nyenyak tidur. 

Badan tak bergerak sebab pegang baby, nasib baik tak tergolek jatuh sofa. 

Memang sakit belakang dan bila tiba waktu siang akan mengantuk tahap gaban! 

Barang Kelengkapan Baby

http://kapastree.com/

Kalau boleh kan, hubby nak beli SEMUA barang kat kedai. 

Ya Allah, harga bukannya murah.

Masa tu kami pergi cari barang kat Mothercare dan sewaktu dengannya.

Tak tau kewujudan One Baby World.

Lepas bersalin, hubby jumpa One Baby World yang menjual barang2 baby dengan harga yang berpatutan. 

Kebetulan, One Baby World ada kedai yang dekat dengan rumah, 5 minit je naik kereta. 

Apa lagi, selama hubby cuti di rumah, dalam 2 minggu macam tu, setiap hari dia keluar cari barang kat One Baby World. 

Ada2 sahaja yang dia nak beli. 

Bila fikir2 balik, bukan semua barang yang kitorang perlukan. 

Tapi, yalah, first baby kan, jadi dia pun beli je lah. 

Bila dah ada pengalaman, esok lusa lebih bijak berbelanja. 

Sejak dari hari tu, kalau ada sedara mara atau kengkawan yang mengandung, terus kami beritahu pasal One Baby World dan kemudahan mereka membeli online juga. 

"Melabur"

Masa first day nak buang air kecil di hospital selepas bersalin, ada nurse masuk sekali tunjuk macam mana nak duduk dan basuh. 

Ya Allah, masa tu saya dok tahan nak buang air kecil sebab takut.

Saya kena jahit, jadi perlahan-lahan saya basuh. 

Bila tangan terkena jahitan tu, rasa seriau.

Kalau nak buang air besar pula, memang berhati2 juga. 

Lepas tu dok terbayang, "Eh jahitan ni nanti kena bukak ke lepas dah sembuh?" 

Sebab teringat yang selalunya orang kena jahit ni memang nampak benang jahit tu jadi bila dah sembuh baru bukak.

Dah start takut dah. 

Nasib baik bila tanya doktor dia cakap tak perlu bukak sebab benang tu akan jadi sebahagian daripada kulit, bukan jenis benang yang boleh nampak tu.

Phew! Lega. Yerlah, masa dulu tak terlintas pun nak baca pasal jahit menjahit lepas bersalin tu.

Sakit toksah nak cakap lah. huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu memang nangis dah.

Tapi, Insya Allah, ia akan menjadi lebih mudah.

Banyak makan sayur dan buat untuk senang buang air besar.

Komunikasi dengan Baby

http://www.istockphoto.com/

Memang challenging jugak masa awal2 tu bila baby nangis. 

Baru nak belajar berkomunikasi dengan baby. 

Agak kelam kabut.

Pernah buat semua ni ie check diaper, bagi susu, tidurkan baby, check perut (takut kembung) etc tak menjadi juga. 

Last2 baru teringat, belum sendawakan baby lagi lepas bf ataupun baby cuma nak kita dukung je dia.

Hubby pandai tenangkan baby, dia pakai sebelah tangan je kendong baby yang kecik tu.

Sebagai ibu, Insya Allah, bila kita dah tahu lenggok baby kita nangis sebab apa, kita akan dapat menangani masalah baby dengan kadar segera. 

Tapi sebelum sampai tahap tu, memang kena banyak bersabar. 

Komunikasi dengan Suami

Agak terhad sebab kami akan bergilir jaga baby atau tidur. 

Jarang dapat berborak dengan hubby sebab masing2 pun akan kepenatan (tak cukup tidur) atau tengah cuba untuk bagi baby tenang.

Masing2 pun tengah belajar macam mana nak jaga baby yang tersangatlah fragile.

Akan terasa macam suami dah tak sayang kat kita sebab tumpuan dia kat baby. 

www.pinterest.com

Itu cuma mainan emosi ya, sebab dia sayang kat kitalah dia tolong jaga baby atau cari barang baby atau pastikan kita makan dengan betul etc. 

Bila kita bagitau dia yang kita nak bercakap dengan dia, Insya Allah, dia akan bagi tumpuan kat kita. 

Tapi kena bagitau dia, jangan pendam perasaan ya. 


Keintiman dengan Suami
Apa yang boleh saya katakan, para suami perlu banyaaaaak bersabar dan memahami keadaan isteri semasa dalam pantang dan ketika sedang sembuh di bahagian tempat bersalin tu. 

Ada yang amik masa 6 bulan, ada yang amik masa lebih lama untuk dapat intim dengan suami semula.

Alhamdulillah, suami saya sangat bersabar dan memahami. Alhamdulillah sangat2. 

Salin Diapers

Memang akan ada punyalah 'accident' kecil. 

Belum sempat pakaikan diapers baru kat baby (lepas dah bersihkan) dia akan buang air kecil atau besar (ikut mood dia). 

Kenalah bersihkan sekali lagi, ubah tempat (sebab tempat tadi dah kotor) dan cari diapers lain untuk dipakaikan. 

Kalau yang tak berapa bernasib baik, kita pun kena salin baju sekali.

Elok2 kita nak tukar diapers, terpaksa tukar baju kita juga.

Breastfeed Baby

Saya ingatkan yang baby kalau dah keluar perut, dia akan pandai bf. 

Sangkaan saya meleset. 

Baby pun kena belajar menyusu. 

Kalau baby tak 'latch-on' betul2, si ibu yang akan merana.

Ada satu masa tu, breast saya berdarah dan sakit sebab baby tak 'latch-on' betul2. 

:( Memang nangis lah saya masa bf baby. 

Hubby tolong carikan nipple cream, macam2 jenis ada.

Sebab terlampau sakit, hubby pun mintak izin bagi baby formula milk sementara saya sembuh sikit dan sambung bf baby. 

Alhamdulillah, dapat sambung bf baby balik tapi kena tahan sakit juga.

http://www.forestlanepediatrics.com/

'Baby Blues' & 'Post-Natal-Depression'

Saya dulu nangis tiap2 hari sampai hubby naik risau. 

Boleh baca blog entry My Baby Blues Experience

Itu normal sebenarnya. 

Orang panggil Baby Blues.

Kalau ada orang lain tegur cakap tak elok nangis etc kita nak kawal perasaan macam mana sekalipun memang tak dapat. 

Memang tak boleh nak tahan air mata. 

Kalau rasa nak nangis, nangislah. 

www.babymed.com

Tapi kalau tersangat teruk, elok jumpa pakar. 

Sebab tahap yang serious orang panggil 'post-natal-depression'. 

Kalau baca dalam news, ada ibu yang rasa macam nak bunuh diri atau paling teruk, bunuh anak sendiri.

Nauzubillah, semoga kita sentiasa dilindungi oleh-Nya. 

'Judgmental' People

Anda akan jumpa ramai orang yang judgmental, yang peliknya, diorang ni kaum ibu juga.

Kita nak buat apa2 pun rasa serba salah. 

Kalau boleh, minta hubby protect kita dari orang2 seperti ini. 

Sebab nanti kita akan jadi bertambah stress untuk menguruskan anak sendiri. 

Kalau tak dapat lari daripada orang2 sebegini, 'masuk telinga kanan, keluar telinga kiri' dan kita senyum sahaja. 

Kita lebih mengenali diri kita dan anak kita sebab bukan diaorang pun yang akan jaga kita atau anak kita.

Walau apa pun pengalaman anda selepas bersalin, rasa penat atau stress atau mengantuk tu akan cepat hilang bila kita tengok baby kita, Insya Allah. 

Kesusahan yang kita lalui tu akan rasa berbaloi-baloi bila melihat anak kita membesar dengan sihat. :)

Trust me, it will definitely get better and you'll have the most amazing moments with your little one. ;)

All the best in your motherhood journey dan sentiasa berdoa kepada-Nya untuk dipermudahkan segala urusan, Insya Allah. :)