5 Quick Tips on Baby Vaccine: Things you need to be aware before bringing your baby for vaccine

There are things you will need to be aware of before bringing your baby to vaccine to avoid panicking after the vaccine. Vaccine usually comes with side effects and for new parents it will be very terrifying. Sometimes, your baby might not have any difference after vaccine, sometimes your baby might be unwell.

1. Speak to your child specialist 

First you will need to understand what vaccine will your child be taking. Google it up and check on the side effects. Ask around if you could how did other baby react to the vaccine. Know more, if anything occurs you know it is normal.

2. Get a Thermometer 

Most vaccine causes fever, you need a thermometer to monitor your baby’s temperature. Anything above 37.5 is not normal. Baby E’s doctor advise us to get the ear thermometer as it will be more accurate.

3. Stock up some baby paracetamol at home 

Talk to your child specialist do he suggest to give your baby paracetamol if your baby got fever after the vaccine.

4. Stock up some baby Probiotic 

Some vaccine will cause diarrhea. Again speak to the doctor if it happens can you give your baby some probiotic. Baby E is using the Met Gala probiotic which is working just fine for him. Baby E’s doctor actually told me is totally fine to give Baby E probiotic daily.

5. Get your child specialist email or phone number 

Baby E’s doctor gave us his email address. He always email me before a vaccine to get prepared and understand what Baby E’s will be getting. After that he will also send me article on how to handle if the side effects happens.

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5 Easy Smoothie Recipe for Working Moms

Are you on the smoothies game? Lately smoothie bowls has became a trend and almost every single instagrammers and youtubbers are showing you how to make the colourful nutritious yet delicious smoothie bowl. There was a secret you weren’t being told thou, to make it looks pretty requires a lot of hard work. I do not have the luxury to do so, thus I dump everything into my blender and I have my to go smoothie every morning and enjoy it during my morning traffic.


First, how to speed up your smoothie routine and making sure none of the fruits or vegetables gone bad before you even using them? FREEZE EM! You got to believe me sweetheart, Freeze em all! Prepare a few ziplock bags and put all the cut fruits into the bag. Place all the bags into the freezer and easily blend it every morning! I usually go with low fat milk when it comes to my smoothie as I love the thickness of the milk but it is not as fattening as the usual fresh or full cream milk . However, for all the recipes you are welcome to replace the liquid with any kind of products you like such as almond milk, fresh milk, soy milk or others.

I would advise to stay away from store-bought juices as it really sweet and why do you need that when you are blending a whole lots of fruits/ vegetables already. Below are my favourite combination and hope you will give it a try too!

1. Power Green Monday 

A handful of Baby Spinach
Half of a Cucumber
Half of a Red Apple Oatmeal (soak it with Low Fat Milk overnight)
Low Fat Milk

I am not going to lie, this doesn’t taste as good as it suppose to be. However, it is packed with all nutrition I need in the morning and enough to keep me full until lunch. You can replace the red apple with Honey if you wish too. I just added some red apple for the sweetness.

2. Berry Tuesday 

Half a cup of Blueberries
Half a cup of Strawberry
Half of a Banana
Chia Seeds
Low Fat Milk

This will be champion as the best taste smoothie of all, it is sweet and the banana just made it all. Don’t you agree? Berries are very nutritious and jam packed with antioxidant . This smoothie is in a beautiful hue of purple as well which makes me extra happy when drinking it!

3. Fiber Power Wednesday 

A slice of Papaya
Half of a Green Apple
Half of a Red Apple
Half of a Carrot
Half of a Banana
Oatmeal (soak it with Low Fat Milk overnight)
Low Fat Milk

This is a super formula is packed with fiber and it is one of the best solution for anyone suffering from constipation. The taste might be a little weird or some told me the banana has covered up all the taste of it. However, it is really a great source of fiber and a great break up formula with constipation!

4. Happy Melon Thursday 

2-3 Slices of Honeydew
Soy Milk
Oatmeal (soak it with Soy Milk overnight)

This simple smoothie does has a touch of Asian taste in it. Perhaps was due to the Soymilk? It is pleasant to drink and the kids will love it too! Honeydew is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin C actually plays an important role on producing Collagen!

5. Super C Friday

Half of a Cucumber
Half of a Celery
Half of a Carrot
Chia Seeds
Water

Calery is famous for improving blood pressure and cholesterol levels. I can prevent heart disease too! Carrot is a great source of fiber and it is rich in antioxidant!

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10 Cities that is actually child friendly

Leaving your child at home for traveling is something every mom will hesitate to do no matter is your child with your parents or your in laws or even your nanny. Sometimes, it just doesn’t seems right. Of cause, I mean wouldn’t you want to have fun with your kids? Capturing 100x images on your mobile to save the perfect memories? I got you really!

Your child should be travel friendly when they are 2 years old and above. If your child is a quick talker it will be even easier. Let me share you a list of cities that is child friendly, and you can consider it for your next trip!

1. Gold Coast & Brisbane, Australia 

Gold coast is no doubt the best place to bring your child with all the theme parks around. In Brisbane, you could easily chill a day off the busy theme park at Southbank. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with some delicious churros in the afternoon and have a evening walk along the riverbanks! Fantastic! The public transport is easy access and it is not as busy as Melbourne or Sydney. Definitely the number 1 choice for parents with kids!

2. Osaka & Kyoto, Japan 

Osaka & Kyoto is rich in traditional cultural of the Japanese. The city is not as busy as Tokyo yet there are lots of amazing temples and museum to visit! Rent a traditional Japanese Kimono in Kyoto and you are ready to capture all the amazing time with your child! Love it!

3. Queenstown, New Zealand 

Queenstown, the amazing tourist destination of New Zealand. Love Queenstown because it is surrounded by mountains and it is very clean. Rent a car and travel around the place! If you child is slightly older they might enjoy some of the not-so-extreme sports too! If your child is over 30kg, do consider Skydiving!

4. Edinburgh, United Kingdom 

The best place to visit if you would like to make this trip as an educational trip. There are tons of historical landmarks that you will enjoy telling your child about it. For example: Edinburgh Castle, Craigmillar Castle and Greyfriars Bobby. Have a fun picnic at the Princes Street Garden to enjoy the weather if you will be visiting in Summer!

5. London, United Kingdom 

I remember traveling with my mom when I was a child to London. The castles visit were so fun! The famous castles and palaces in London is a must visit! Not to mention the excitement of riding a double decker bus and falling asleep in it!

6.  Glasgow, United Kingdom 

Source: https://peoplemakeglasgow.com/

Glasgow is cold, very freezing cold. Well at least for someone from a tropical country, I would say it is so cold and I love it! The city is safe and it is really nice to visit some historical landmarks. I find that most cities in the UK is quite child friendly comparing with those we have here in Asia. People seems to be very helpful and friendly too.

7. Taipei, Taiwan 

Source: https://www.travel.taipei/

A friendly city that full of lovely people. Most of the people I meet during my trip to Taipei, they are very kind and very helpful. At certain areas like Ximending or Jiu Fen will be crowned and I don’t advise to bring stroller to places like this or to be even more straight forward don’t bring kids to places like this. Especially Jiu Fen, I can guarantee you, you will cry if you are with kids that are not very excel in walking yet. However, there are other beautiful places such as Taipei 101, Tamsui, Jin Shan and etc.

8. Perth, Australia 

Another quiet city in Australia that worth visiting. What’s better than hugging a Koala at the Whiteman Park with your little one? Enjoying a glass of beautiful red wine while your kids is munching on the wonderful cheese. You can also visit the Fermantle market with your little ones, tasting all the food that’s available there. Simple and quick trip.

9. Singapore, Singapore 

A beautiful, vibrant, young city that happens to be safe and clean. There are a few place to drop by with your child in Singapore such as The Singapore Zoo (Wonderful Zoo, one of the best so far), Universal Studio, Orchard Road and the Sky Gardens.

10. Florence, Italy 

The special reason Florence is being one of the top place for family visit is because of the organized landscape of the city which allow your stroller to move freely. Do you really need a better reason? Well, is the food. Italian food is really child friendly and every loves it! The city is beautiful and almost every corner of it is #instaworthy!

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7 Mobile Apps that will Make your Parenting Life Much More Easier

Sometimes we tend to glued on our phone so often that most of our tasks are done on the phone itself. However, parenting life can be hectic especially when you need to use different source to do your records, notes, shopping, and etc. Wouldn’t be nice, if some of your parenting task can be done in your phone too?

1. MammaBaby 

This app is great for mommies with infant. You can start tracking the feeding pattern, diapers changing counts and sleeping hours if your baby! Now, you can ditch your usual book record to a simple and quick app!

2. Baby Center 

This is the best baby encyclopedia! Key in your baby’s age or if you are a soon to be mummy, key in your due date! Every week the app will have updates and articles according to your needs at the time.

3. Happyfresh 

This is my to go grocery delivery service because it covers quite a number of area in Kuala Lumpur. Simple and quick especially on those days that Baby E decide to be a koala and treating me like his favourite tree.

4. Tasty 

This is the place I get all my simple and delicious recipe. I always view this at night when Baby E is asleep to get some inspiration for the next time when I have the opportunity to cook (only provided Baby E willing to hang out with his daddy).

5. P Tracker 

I always keep track on my period to avoid any embarrassing moment. As a working mom I find it even more important because I really don’t have extra time to clean some unnecessary mess.

6. Go Get 

As mentioned, sometimes I will not have the opportunity to cook when Baby E is being sticky. I always use Go Get as a food delivery when both my husband and I are tired of fast food or instant noodles.

7. Netflix 

I would recommend this for parents with older kids that has started the youtube fever. I do not recommend youtube as we cannot control what is being shown to the kids. Even on Youtube Kids is not trustworthy. Netflix kids has a safer range of videos selections.


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Considerations before planing on having a baby

Having baby is a big deal and a game change of your life. As mentioned in my previous post about becoming a mother, Baby E was not planned and it did made my husband and me having a lot of argument along the way and did not getting any better until lately. To avoid both your partner and you having any argument after child birth or even during pregnancy, do consider the below consequences.

1. Financially Ready

This is important. If you do not plan to giving birth at a government hospital, this will be even much more important.

I delivered at a private hospital and I am going to give you a rough breakdown cost on just checking up. Each check up will cost you about RM 150- RM 300 (at least). You will be visiting the doctor's office once a month and by weekly when you hit 7 months. You can do the math by this.

You will be advise to do a down syndrome test which cost you RM700 for the basic one and the advance one will take about RM 2000.

Delivery will cost about RM 8000 - RM 12000 depends on how smooth is your delivery and it is a C-section or natural delivery. Remember some delivery can be complicated.

Epidural will cost you about RM 1000 or lesser or more. Depends on the hospital of your choice.

After child birth, in the first 3 months your child will visit the doctor quite often, might be due to rashes, fever, cough, flu or other illness because your baby anti body is still weak. Each visit to the child specialist will be range from RM 50 - RM 200.

2. Emotionally Ready

During pregnancy can be really stressful especially if your baby is having some issue inside you. Well, you never know. You might to keep count on baby's movement for some reason or need to visit the doctor's office more often. Bleeding or water leakage, everything is possible.

After labor will be the non stop crying and guessing what your little one needs. Not easy, it took me a month to get used to it. Also if your partner is very dependent on you, you might need to take on the role as a mother and the wife. If you will be a working mother, this will be even more critical.

3. Career Path

Are you an employee or an employer? Speak to your boss if you are an employee because trust me you will not be 100% focusing on your work anymore. Is not easy and if you have a very short maternity leave like me which is only 2 months will be even more difficult. You might need to take a lot of time off to send your baby to the doctor's office or when your nanny is busy.

As an employer, lucky you! You will have more flexible time but try not to plan any business expansion until your child is at least 1 year old. Is not easy, really.

4. Be Socially Isolated

You will want to spend as much time with your baby as possible. You might ended up giving up your social life, your friends just to focus on your baby. Your me time will be very limited.

5. Understands Ignorance is Bliss

After having a child, you will need to deal with your in laws more often than usual. Is their grandchild anyway, they will want to visit them from time to time. They method of bringing up a child might not be what you expect and you will start to see the different. If is little thing, try to smile and ignore. otherwise, don't be angry and start screaming. Speak to your partner.

6. Be a Smart Talker

Again, when you need to talk to your partner about your in laws. Speak as if you are in his shoes. In a nice way with reasons. You are a mother now, you don't want to be treated badly when you have a daughter in law. Stay rational.

7. Be very Independent

At sometime, you might need to face your baby all by yourself. For example, when your partner is busy. You will need to bath your child, feed your child, entertain your child and put your baby to sleep all by yourself.

Be ready and do not breakdown in front of your baby. never leave a baby crying for too long. It is bad for your baby health and also will affect your baby emotionally.

8. Be Ready to say "It's okay" when your child prefer others more than you

If your parents/ in laws/ nanny is the one who is taking care of your baby on weekdays and you only take over on weekend, you might face a problem when your baby is not used to you especially at night. Is normal, and it's okay. When they grow up, you will always be the one they go to.

9. Physically/ Health Ready

Be healthy. Stay away from your usual caffein break and cigarette break if you are a smoker. Those habits will harm your baby and you don't want it to happen. Stay away from sugary products to avoid diabetes.

10. Be ready to face a short-term Depression

Hormones will do the trick. You might think it will never happen on you but trust me it very likely will. I am not saying you are a negative person or anything like this. Is hormones, they are the bad guys. If it really happens, stay cheerful and stay happy. Kick the negative thoughts away!

Good luck!

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What to prepare at home before going to labor

Welcoming your little new member home is a big deal and it is extremely exciting! However, to make sure this experience is a really good one, remember not to leave out anything that will make your life easier!

New parents tend to forget some minor things that are essential when your little one reach home. Today, I am going to share a list of item that will come in handy for new parents. Well, lets get the list ready!

1. Nappy Rash Cream

I didn't know there is such thing and luckily my confinement lady bought one along. This is an essential one as it will avoid your little sweetheart from having nappy rash.

2. Diapers/ Nappy

Get some disposable ones and also the cloth ones. The cloth ones are useful as you can use it to swaddle the baby.

3. Rubber Changing Mat

This is important as it will avoid any leakage when you change your baby's diapers. It is very easy to clean, most of the time I just wipe everything off with baby wipes!

4. Baby Wipes

The ultimate gear that basically cleans everything. Best use for cleaning poops!

5. Toiletries and Face & Body Care

This includes the body wash, face cream, body cream and baby powder. I would suggest parents to get a better brands for these like Cetaphil, QV, Sebamed, Lactacyd (I heard they have stopped production in Malaysia) or others that do not have fragrance in it. Baby skin is too gentle to include fragrance in their daily wash yet.
** Btw, Baby E is using QV after having an allergy on the Pigeon body wash I bought. Every baby is different but to be on the safe side, consider fragrant free toiletries.

6. Handkerchiefs

You will need this for a lot of purposes including bottle feeding, bathing and etc.

7. Clothing

I guess this is the one thing that mommies will never forget! What is more fun than dressing up your little one?

8. Small Basket with handle

This is personal but I find this handy to bring the bottles to my room during night time and bring it to the kitchen for cleaning up at the morning.

9. A Little Stool

Use it when you bathe your baby. Squatting is serious not fun.

10. Baby Detergent for Clothing and for Bottles 

I would suggest to have these to avoid any allergy from babies.


Good luck and happy parenting!

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Epidural Injection For Labor: Personal Experience

Do you really need epidural and what are the side effects of having one? If you are going for a C-section, I would say that you basically don’t have a choice but to get it as you will need it to numb the lower part of your body during the operation. However, for the mommies who choose to go for the natural way, do you really need it?


Speaking from experience, I was given 3 choices when I deliver Baby E. I went with Epidural because the nurse told me it will wear off 80% of the pain. However, it my case it was 100% no pain after injecting the epidural.

I did some research and asked around about the epidural injection, is it painful and what are the side effects. I thought I will share my experience so that you can have a better understanding. I am not a doctor or any medical advisor, and please be noted everyone is different so the decision is on you.

During the injection 

The anaesthesiologist will asked you to curve your body to a C shape (I was being told, people who are more flexible will hurt less) while he inject first an anaesthetic to numb the area around the part of spinal cord that he will inject the epidural later. Then, he will inject the epidural to your spinal cord. To me, the entire procedure was painless. I heard people said they can feel it when the epidural hits the spinal cord but to be frank, I felt very minimal of it. It was less than an ant bite.

After the injection 

The medical team will have you drip on an anaesthetic to prolong the epidural effect until you have delivery the baby then they will remove it. Downside Some mommies might have difficulties to push the baby out because you can’t feel anything. For me my pushes was quite successful the only complication was Baby E came out facing up.

Side effects 

There are a lot written online but I am just going to share mine with you. You will shiver like mad right after childbirth and feeling really cold and sleepy. Some people feeling like puking but it did not happened on me. I felt extremely sleepy and cold, then I passed out. After I am awake, I fainted in the washroom twice. I was told the reason I fainted because I have not been eating for more than 12 hours.

Will I take it again? 

Most likely yes! Contraction hurts like mad and the epidural did helps a lot on it. I cannot imagine if I gave birth without it. I might already kill myself during the process of delivery. Yes, I had a 0 pain delivery for Baby E and thank god about it.

My Advise 

Be ready and curve well during the injection. No matter what, do not move during the injection or the needle might break (This is serious). Be noted, you might have difficulty to push because you can’t feel anything. Just tell yourself, push hard and trust the medical team. Trust is very important because worrying will make you feel stress. Believe that everyone is doing their best, is your baby they are dealing with, a new life. There is no reason for them to not be serious about it.


Good luck!

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Top 4 Tips Before Choosing Your Gynae

First of all, congratulation and I wish you all the best! Choosing the right gynae is important, during check up and also childbirth. It would be the best if you can have the same gynae for check up and childbirth. So, how do you know which is the best gynae?

1. Trust 

My point of view, is not about other people recommandation but choose the one you trust and comfortable with. My gynae was quite fierce and strict when it comes to my weight control but with his professional advise and how he deal with me, I trusted him. His way of communication might not be the best, in fact a lot of my friends asked me to change gynae but thank god I didn’t and I felt because of him, Baby E is safe and sound with me now.

2. Research 

You may do some research of the gynae of your choice with trustworthy google. If it is a recommendation from your friends and family ask them about it. You need to understand not everyone will have a smooth delivery, complication might pop up and it will not only risk your baby but also you. Look at where did the gynae graduated from if you like. No, I am joking but you need to know both your baby and your lives will be on his hand.

3. Go for a second opinion if needed 

If the first gynae of your choice made you feel uncomfortable, try on another one until you find one that you trust. I understand some people would prefer a female gynae, if that’s the case look for one. 

4. Price checking 

I believe this should be the first consideration but I am going to give you a frank advise that might make you immediately hates me. Please budget well before planning on having a baby. Childbirth and the expenses after having one is never cheap.

There are many options on this, going to a government hospital? Semi government or a fully private hospital? I guess this would be the key factor when it comes to pricing.

Good luck!

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Becoming a Mother: I almost killed my baby

I have shared my experience to many people and I would like to share this again because it is just an amazing journey!

When We Found Out

We never expect to have a baby this soon. It wasn't plan at all. I realised I was pregnant and we went to the gynaecologist on the next day. After consulting the gynaecologist, I am confirmed with 2 weeks pregnancy. It was a surprise and both my husband and I weren't ready at all yet we decided to keep the baby and we never regret it.

During Pregnancy

Everything seems normal during my checkup until on my 7th month. There was this one day I realised baby movement has slowed down. I rushed to the hospital and I was informed that the umbilical cord is around Baby E's neck. The doctor did asked if I would consider a C-section as it might be dangerous. At that moment I have decided to go for a C-section but if contraction comes earlier I would try on natural. It was a terrifying news, I started to monitor his movement everyday and getting really stressed up about it.

I rushed to the hospital a few times when I thought his movement slow down but it was all okay. Perhaps, I was too stressed up about it. I started my maternity leave slightly earlier because I can't take the stress at work while I need to work and also keep count on my baby's movement.

The Day!

Morning
The first day I started my maternity leave, I felt contraction in the morning. A very mild pain at my hips area and my husband sent me to the hospital. It was confirmed that it is a real contraction. I clearly remember it was 9.30am.

Afternoon
My gynaecologist broke my water when he saw me and told me it was opening at 3cm. The nurse advised me to take a shower and clean myself, so I did (Yes, I washed my hair). After that, I was asked if I would like to have any epidural injection and without hesitation I said yes because the contraction was getting more painful each time. The anaesthesiologist did the injection around 1.00pm and it of cause immediately numbed my legs and hips. After the injection, I was very relax because the pain went off almost immediately.

Evening
The gynaecologist came in to check again but it was still at 3cm. He was a little worried as baby heartbeat slowed down for a little while and it got back to normal. He told the nurse to monitor closely and I was being asked again would I like to consider a C-section. That moment both my husband and me decided not to and stick to natural.

Night
Baby heartbeat slowed down to a dangerous level and luckily I am all ready at the opening of 10cm for delivery. However, due to the heartbeat slowed down, I was asked to signed some document because it is a very dangerous situation. It was all planned to vacuum Baby E out. During the first pushed without even using the vacuum, I heard Baby E crying! But he went back in for some reason and I didn't know! I thought he was out. I was being asked to push again and the doctor vacuumed his head but failed! Baby E came out in a wrong position, he was facing up.

I was asked to have a last push otherwise very likely Baby E will die inside me. I pushed really hard and the doctor forcep Baby E out!

After delivery

He was purple, crazy purple and full of blood. I was very worried looking at him but I passed out. When I am awake after 2 hours or so, I shivered badly due to the side effect of the epidural. The doctor explained the situation to me and told me he did a Episiotomy before the last push and it might hurt bad after the epidural is over. Yes, it did hurt very badly on the second and third day! Crazily painful!

Did I missed something? Pain during delivery?

If you realised I didn't mention about pain during delivery. Due to the epidural, I don't feel any pain at all. Not even a little and I am not lying. You may find the article here on my thought of epidural, it is my honest opinion about it.

Regrets

I should have choose an emergency C-section when I was informed his heartbeat went down. If the last push didn't work, I will kill Baby E simply by making the wrong decision. The next time if something like this happened again, C-section without question.


I hope my experience sharing helps some soon to be mama to understand the process a little more. When I was pregnant, I was looking out for articles and stories like this to have a better understanding to avoid sudden panic during delivery.


To all soon to be mommies, good luck!

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