Finally my confinement is over.. and now I'm really busy hunting for the perfect sling for Muhammad. Moby Wrap, Pouch Sling.. not forgetting the nursing cover. The thing is, this sling is just sooo expensive to buy. After a long time browsing the net (that's why I haven't been updating this blog), I decided to stick to my maid's "flannel kain gendong". It's amazing how the westerners mothers are also using "kain gendong". I remember using one in Langkawi, my 4th child was cranky being too tired going here and there, I bought myself one "batik lepas" and started carrying him. I could see that I suddenly became the centre of attention compared to those gamelan players at Kota Mahsuri. Then, I started talking like Indonesian to my husband (kikikik.. lagilah orang tengok, I just love the attention hehe)
My previous search was on nursing cover.. or called hooter hider. breastfeeding blankets and god knows what else they call it. I managed to sew my own but because I got the ideas from websites from overseas, I really had trouble trying to find the material here. "D-ring", for instance is called "buckle" here and "boning" had to be substituted with material used for stiffening shirt collar. It's still half way because I've been searching here and there for the material needed.. Maybe I'll just post the pics when they are ready!
As I was browsing the net, I could see some nursing mothers eventually became WAHM (working at home mothers), selling different types of sling, crafts etc etc etc. I bet all of them started when they were browsing the net for the perfect sling and nursing cover..
Will I be one of them? hahaha.. maybe I'll just stick to training. [wink wink]
Alhamdulillah.. after my 1-month check up with my gynae, we went straight to see the baby's doc. While waiting for my turn at the gynae's clinic, Muhammad had fed and filled up his diaper.. (he really thought it's a sovenir for his doctor). Carefully keeping the angpow Muhammad received for raya (yes! it was my doctor who delivered him who gave him the angpow, I wish I can tell you the name.. hehe), we went straight to the washroom to change..
We were the first patient.. I was even jovial than baby Muhammad when the doctor congratulated him for fully breastfeeding for the whole month (okay okay.. not fully fully.. I think the nurse managed to give him 3 feeds argggh!). He actually said "Tak ramai baby yang cerdik nak menyusu.. ada yang ilmu tak cukup, sebulan, susu dah kering..).
He gave us a few tips on breastfeeding as well as nappy rash
#1 Make sure you empty each breast by letting him feed for at least 30 minutes, if you keep on switching breasts whenever he cries, he will still feel hungry as he is feeding on the foremilk (which quench the thirst) from both breasts. It's the hind milk that gives him the fat he needs)..
#2 Since Muhammad's skin seems to be a bit sensitive, he suggests changing the diapers often or change to napkin. He did mention some parents buy really expensive diapers and avoid changing it often.. to save... hehe. Despite tonnes of diapers advertisement which promote their good ventilation.. he suggests buying the cheaper ones but change often.. This is my second brand.. and I notice that his rashes seems to be near the guard..
I do change the diaper quite often but I have to admit.. whenever he is a bit tired or colicky, I tend to let him sleep because the minute I change the diaper, he will wake up and I have to put him back to sleep and it's like a never ending story.. Bad mummy!
My sis-in-law came yesterday and suggested using 'tepung ubi' (tapioca flour), and the next morning, I could see the rashes not as angry as the night before.. maybe I should but (should have asked her some of hers so I can start immediately). In fact, I did use tapioca flour when I had my first son.. as suggested by my sister.. but totally forgotten about it!
Before we went out of the doctor's room, we were told that he weighs 4.00kg.. wow! he was born 2.5kg.. That's 1.5kg-weight-gain.. so.. who says breastmilk is not enough? anyone?
Congratulation Baby Muhammad.. I really enjoy your company during this confinement and the best part is, when you gain 1.5kg, I lost more kgs in producing the milk plus the fact that the womb contracts to be back to it's size every time you feed. Alhamdulillah.. Allah knows best!
A Trip from the Hospital (1-month check up), Congrats Baby Muhammad!
Watching Oprah for half an hour the other day helps me dealing with my baby. Amazing as it sounds, it's even more amazing when you practice it in real life. According to Priscilla Dunstan, babies have been trying to communicate with us with the only means of communication they have.. crying.. and believe it, IT WORKS! Don't get too excited though, if you don't react to these cry.. the sound of cries will definitely change. Trust me...
I remember having my first newborn during one night when he really cried the whole night. We tried almost everything to make him stop not knowing what actually bothered him from changing the diapers, rocking him back and forth, passing him to my husband again and again, asking / whispering anxiously. The next day, I read up my baby book and found out that everything we did made him stressed even more. Despite the number of kids I have now, I have never knew about this and how I wish I knew sooner... but it might not be too late for you!
According to Priscilla (she has photographic hearing), there are 5 distinguished sounds baby make and these cries really work wonders in making mommies understand what their babies want. Here they are..
1. 'Neh' - I'm hungry.. feed me..
This sound is produced because of the sucking reflex baby has. When a baby sucks, he will put his tongue to the palate causing them to produce the 'neh' sound.
My Own Reflection: I only heard this sound only once.. This is because, I notice that baby Muhammad makes this tiny soft squeek when he wants to feed and I quickly react to this immediately until one day I was too busy and quite far from him, I didn't realize until he cried the 'Neh' sound really loud I was shocked! he he..
2. 'Owh' - I'm sleepy..
I bet you can guess.. the fact that when baby gets sleepy, he yawns and tends to produce this cry.. This is because he cries with his lips shaped like an "o"..
My Own Reflection: I never really heard this sound.. to be honest with you. I guess baby Muhammad feeds all the time and dozes off as he feeds.. So, he never really needs to tell me that..
3. 'Heh' - Change Me
This cry shows discomfort. Check his diapers or sometimes he's just cold..
My Own Reflection: Baby Muhammad always make the 'heh' 'heh' 'heh' sound.. and if I don't change his diapers fast.. he'll start a very looonnggg 'hhheeeeeeehhhh' sound. When I hear this sound, I quickly check his diapers, it's either wet or filled with stool that makes him feel unconfortable. Baby Muhammad feeds totally on breastmilk, so he needs to be changed quite often as breastmilk is easily digested.
If the diaper is okay, I'll check his hands and feet if they are cold and I wrap him in a blanket (swaddle- bedung la tu)
4. 'Eh' - Burp me
This cry is from the baby trying to burp himself and it's normally higher pitched because it comes from the chest.. Just put him on your chest and try to burp him..
My Own Reflection: I do notice that this sound is produced while he looks uncomfortable.. I notice that baby Muhammad tends to be more restless compared to when he makes the 'heh' sound. I normally pick him up quickly and try to put him on my shoulder.. and now I make a habit of burping him after every feeds.. I tend to hear this sound lesser and lesser when I do this..
5. 'Eairh' - Lower gas
This cry sounds like you trying to pass motion.. if you know what I mean..
My Own Reflection: Baby Muhammad cries this sound together with the in-pain expression.. He'll just frown and his face will be reddish. He'll be squirming and kicking at the same time.. When I look at all these three things, I know exactly what to do.. I'll rub eucalyptus oil (minyak kayu putih) on his tummy.. pick him up, put him on my cheat and rub his back..
You might want to read Dunstan System pdf booklet to understand better..go to the link below.. and you can really hear the sound if you go to the youtube link.
After almost 20 days, I give up on staying at home. I really am a people person.. being confined in my home is killing me.. The kids are really bored I know, but they make the best out of everything.. with the PC being banned for them (they fought over it!), and the remote control in my hand most of the time.. they really need a break..
So, yesterday, all of us went for a car ride.. around town. Of course there was no jam yet! Most of the shops are open.. even Czip Lee was open.. I was really tempted to ask my husband to stop.. but then knowing much too well that I can be tempted by anything.. I went into the car with sarong.. so there's no way I could stop anywhere.. he he
The air-con was really cooperative.. it went down.. so.. I managed to burn a lot of calorie in the 1-hour-sauna in the car.. My sarong was wet and my allergy caused by the c-section plaster keep me occupied for the rest of the day.. scratching.. ha ha ha..
Though it's a privilege for most women to have their confinement.. I think I'm gonna go crazy soon.. Confinement after a caesarean section is basically not a confinement at all.. I can't "bertungku" or have regular massage.. and movement has to be restricted. God knows what really happens under the skin..
Really hope I can be as positive as I can.. I have no choice! At least I have the feeding to keep me occupied.. I'm good at it! Spoiling my kids.. giving all sorts of excuses to carry Muhammad.. Now he's crying! he he.. Chiow!
Baru balik hospital siang tadi dan baru bangun tidur.. Baby Muhammad baru lepas menyusu dan sedang lena tidur. Semalam pukul 2 pagi dia terjaga.. dan tak tidur sampai pagi..
Agaknya perut kembung sebab dia kurang menyusu. Teruk jugak 'thrush' dia.. Penuh sampai ke pipi.. rupanya ubat yang dipakai untuk ulcer bukan untuk 'thrush', patutlah tak berkurang.
Yang ibu dia pun bijak, pergi cuci dengan kain dan air suam.. It gets worse as it makes the mouth sore.. dah baca dah dalam buku baby tapi bila orang suruh tu, pergi ikut pulak..
What to do when you get thrush?
Go to the clinic immediately.. before it gets worse.. it's actually a fungal infection.. and it can be transfered to your nipple if you don't treat it. (Ni nipple tengah sore lah ni).. The doctor will give you oral drop..
Anak yang lain tak pernah pulak kena.. rupanya kalau mak masa mengandung kena keputihan, boleh kena. Doktor tanya tadi.. ada kena keputihan ke masa mengandung.. sebenarnya, tak pulak kena..
Bila baca kat net, mak yang makan antibiotik, anak boleh kena and it is very common for mothers who have cesarean birth to be given antibiotic.
Kesian tengok baby muhammad.. ubat dia pahit kot sebab dia tengah tidur pun terus terjaga, sampai nak termuntah-muntah. Lepas tu air liur jadi pekat.. terkulat-terkulat muka dia.. menangis tak berhenti... jadi sekarang ni dia baru lepas menyusu.. menyusu pun kena certain angle.. bukan macam biasa...
Tidur ya sayang.. nanti ibu kejut bagi susu.. nanti kembung pulak...
