Breastfeeding Schedule

Out of curiosity, I did a simple breastfeeding schedule in excel in January but I did not have the time (and energy!) to key in all the data for further analysis. Sleep and "me time" is a luxury to me, let alone doing all the initial mundane keying. Of course, I did the recording in a notebook for reference.

Example of schedule

If just by scanning through the data, 1 obvious conclusion:

her timing is almost very accurate. Drink 3 hourly except in the evenings and past midnight.

By human intuitiveness, it is quite safe to just estimate when and how much to feed her, it's only when she is cranky, and suddenly her schedule becomes inconsistent then I find it quite useful to refer to historical information (of course, this is for bottle feeding. Latch on will not be able to know exactly how much, but only when. Demand feeding via latch on is encouraged but sometimes in life, not everyone can, like me.=\ )

It is quite interesting to see that her demand patterns is quite consistent throughout, any major deviation is very often related to a major reason such as over-stimulation, growth spurt, colic, teething etc and will tend to drink more when she crosses each milestone. 

My general experience: If her per session feed volume is irregular say, 60ml, 30ml, 110ml and then 90ml as long as her total feed volume for the day (eg 700ml) is reached, she doesn't need an additional feed cos most likely her stomach is full and force feed will only result in reflux. 

I also incorporate her day of poo and frequencies in the same schedule but not in soft copy. I guess it is good enough to have them on paper just for own reference unless you are really interested or for research purposes.

Grumpy Look

Look of the day: grumpy

This is how she look like occasionally when she is tired but it is hard to capture her smiley face cos whenever she is happy, we just want to be around her and see more of her smiles. must stand by my camera more often next time. =D

Plagiocephaly (flat-head)

It saddens me to see that yx has moderate plagiocephaly (flat-head). I have contacted cranialtech but they replied that they do not have any affiliated therapy centres in Singapore.

Previously, pd mentioned that she has torticolis and mentioned that we do the neck muscle exercise. We did that conscientiously everyday and she seems to be more flexible in turning though she still prefers the right.

hub thinks her head has improved but I see her head is still far from round. =(

What I have done so far:

1. change her sleeping direction so that she has to face us on her left
2. neck exercise with her
3. tilt her head towards her left whenever she sleeps towards her right
4. keep reminding her to tilt more to her left when sleeping (when she is awake) and show her actions
5. speak to her on her left more often 
6. do tummy time whenever she is awake but not too long else she will get bored, tired and fuss.
7. get her to sit up more (and she kindda like this)
8. massaging her head in circular motion gently like mixing flour 

My concern now is her head shape as I can't control 3. at night when everyone is sleeping.

I am still deciding if I should get her to see a kids physiotherapist. 

Why do I have to face this ??!!

What has changed since being mummy ......

How's motherhood for me till now:

General

1. I think I have mellowed 
2. everything seems yx first
3. no girly nights
4. no more adventurous stuff 
5. no super long travelling
6. bathe faster now, used to take at least 20 mins now 10 mins done!
7. tend to look more at kids section now instead of women's section 

Body

1. wider hips
2. sweat more often
3. flabby, bulgy tummy
4. more hair dropping
5. toner arms and biceps (thanks to yx =| )
6. slightly bigger boobs (ya, slightly only =\ )
7. linea nigra lightens but not disappear =\
8. still eat quite alot, tends to get hungry at night (esp after expressing milk)
9. tend to get into mood swings 

BUT what remain unchanged is : I still wanna look pretty !!!!

How ah? =|

Exasperated yet funny/heartwarming moments

1. you changed her diaper but she pooed or peed again on her new diaper and she can still smile at you!
2. she smiled at you when you wanted to scold her for not drinking/finishing her milk
3. her eyes open suddenly when you want to put her down onto her cot/bed
4. you creeped slowly out of the room thinking she is fast asleep but to hear "aeh" sound
5. she farts while drinking - and it smells real bad but she continues to drink happily
6. she leaves a big pile of poo on your pants while drinking
7. she babbles non-stop when you want to coax her to sleep
8. she indulges in sucking her thumb and stares at you with her innocent eyes when you frown at her

...

..

.

Perhaps more to come ?

Visit to Gynae

No, not that I have dragon baby but it's a follow up session on the aftermath of my c-section.

I stopped applying Lanakeloid E-cream after I saw that there are some redness (about a week later) but I continued Forsuderm - the antibiotic. It seemed to help but it doesn't really cure the middle portion as I can feel some tingling sensation when I pressed against it. Then again, there is no blood. The initial pus was already out and gone. Though the antibiotic cream somewhat worked, there is still some redness.

After some recommendation by an acquaintance and also reading several positive reviews from the forums, I went to see Dr Joycelyn Wong of ACJ Clinic at the end of February. My external infection was not fully cleared and she gave me 10 Clamovid 625 (amoxycillin [as trihydrate] 500mg and clavulanic acid [as potassium clavulanate]-125mg) pills (oral antibiotic) and a stronger cream:

Bactroban Mupirocin

She was very patient and assuring. Most importantly, she puts herself into the patient's shoes and address all concerns - be it major or minor - accordingly. I am also pleased that she is frank and forthright in her opinions (even though I may not be convinced yet) and share her experiences, or rather from a woman's perspective.

Actually I don't have to consult her again (for the 3rd time), but I am just kiasu and wanna make sure everything is really ok after 3 months+ of bandages, putting cream, cleaning with antiseptic lotion, ......you get the drift.

BUT I will still not be taking seafood at least for another 3 more months and will not exert too much around the abdominal area. So goodbye to my perfect size 8 for now.

My new sitting pose!

Mum snap a photo while trying to get her attention with the rattle:

Look ma, I can hold my head high up...only for a while. heh.

Left Over Milk

Left over milk since mid Feb till now:

I kept those left overs in the fridge and then just take it out to chill before using. As pouring away is too much of a heartache (since I 辛辛苦苦  pump but I did throw away before keeping this !!! I should have thought of keeping it then...can one imagine if I combine Dec and Jan's left over, it should be more than 1 big bottle!!!) for me, I kept it for cosmetic use - soak my leg. At first I thought of using it to make face mask, but er...I guess I am afraid if anything happen....

Soaking my legs while my mum is tending to yx,

Ugly feet turned Happy Feet !

Although I don't really feel super smooth and silky, maybe just a little more supple? or maybe I am just trying to 自我安慰? Anyway just tried once only, so effect will not be immediate. (but I wouldn't want to try another time cos that means yx is wasting my milk!) =|

Shopping is evil ?

Daddy's current matra to yx:

Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil. Shopping is evil.
........................

me:
ggrrrr............

Grabbing rattle & Sophie!

Following this, yx started to feel curious about her toys recently and she tried to pick them up. She was kindda frustrated that they kept dropping and my mum tried to stabilise her by holding her elbows, she grabbed them tightly:

Look ma, I finally grabbed them! yeay!

Drool drool drool .........

Guess her motor skills development still need some improvement. But I hate her drooling!!! =\

Ideal number of people to look after a baby

1. Person 1 = Mummy - pump milk 
2. Person 2 = Mummy's mum - cooking or any miscellaneous tasks etc
3. Person 3 = Mummy's mum-in-law - help to look after baby
4. Person 4 = Helper - to do household chores/cleaning & washing

Person 2 and 3 can rotate when mummy is pumping milk and there is always one who can take a rest at any point in time (unless any super big emergency the baby needs 2 person attention). 

So to me, 4 person is the ideal number.

Of course, person 2 and 3 can be someone else, preferably someone you know well.

It's only me, myself and I + my mum for now.

I wonder how my mum cope when she is alone with yx after my maternity leave ends. =\

Nan Mom & me Sample Review

I received the sample on 5/3 but I only drink it today. Guess Vanilla flavour is not really my cup of tea. It taste ssomewhat smell like HL milk but the taste is sweeter and has stronger vanilla essence in it. I don't think I can drink it on its own, but mixing with some butter bread crumbs or biscuit crumbs should be ok. I need some saltiness to tone down the Vanilla taste.

Currently I am drinking S26 Mama (not that it is super tasty but ok la, bearable after mixing with Milo). If I can still produce breast milk after S26 depletes, I would probably get Anmum Lacta (Chocolate Flavour).

Changing Pattern

Totally exhausted.
yx likes us to carry her upright or koala bear style instead of cradle style except when she is super tired.
And she sleeps lesser hours in the afternoon.
I will have to tweak her schedule again. =(

poo poo

1. 16/2 Thu - Visit to PD
2. 21/2 Tue - pooed x1 (diff of 5 days)
3. 24/2 Fri - pooed x2 (diff of 2 days)
4. 26/2 Sun - pooed x2 (diff of 2 days)
5. 2/3 Fri - pooed x2 (diff of 5 days)
6. 4/3 Sun - pooed x 2  (diff of 2 days)
7. 6/3 Tue - my forecast NO !
8. 7/3 Wed - my next forecast NO !
9. .
10. ..
11. ...
12. 11/3 Sun - pooed x 3 (diff of 7 days!)

Does it mean she likes to poo particularly on Sunday and Friday?

?__?

VBAC - email from another mummy

Email received on 9/3

Thanks Sasha for sharing your experience with me.  -__-

Baby's very First Touchy Feely Book

Thanks to my future sister-in-law from UK,

Pressie from cat

But after about 2 weeks of reading, yx kindda grew tired of it. Not sure if she fully understood the contents, but I know she was fascinated with the bright colours when we first showed her. 

EBM progress in March

7/3, 8:30 am: 260 ml 

10/3, 1:00 pm: 60 ml

I can produce more than 200 ml only in the morning, ie. my first pump of the day, else I can only produce maximum 150 ml per session (2 breasts combined).

On one hand I hope I can produce more, on the other, I just hope my breast milk supply will deplete so that I don't need to pump and experience the feeling of engorgement anymore. so contradicting. =\

Sleeping pose

I also feel like sleeping when I see her sleep ...... ZZzz

Free-style aka 大字 pose

After-Jab II

Since yesterday, we have been monitoring her after her immunisation jab (5-in-1 1st dose + Hepatitis B 2nd dose + Pneumococcal 1st dose) and seems like her body took it quite well. So far, no fever so should be ok ......

And then she pooed in the afternoon.

So as per previous post:

1. 16/2 - Visit to PD
2. 21/2 - pooed x1 (diff of 5 days)
3. 24/2 - pooed x2 (diff of 2 days)
4. 26/2 - pooed x2 (diff of 2 days)
5. 2/3 - pooed x2 (diff of 5 days)
6. 4/3 - pooed x 2  (diff of 2 days)
7. 6/3 - my forecast  NO !
8. 7/3 - my next forecast NO !
9. 8/3 - pooed x1 -- So what now ? Reset pattern as per (2) ?

Anyway, just record and monitor.

After-Jab Look

Thank goodness, she cried for a while and simmered down almost immediately after some coaxing and over-the-top encouragement. As the timing also coincide with her afternoon nap, she was so sleepy that she dozed off soon after. Phew!

Please don't disturb me, I want to sleep!

Colic !!!!!!

When yx hasn't pooed on the fourth day after her last poo day (26/2) , I began to feel something might be coming along. The fact that she hasn't been very smiley during her play time makes me uneasy.

But if I were to calculate based on the last PD visit:

1. 16/2 - Visit to PD
2. 21/2 - pooed x1 (diff of 5 days)
3. 24/2 - pooed x2 (diff of 2 days)
4. 26/2 - pooed x2 (diff of 2 days)
5. ???

My forecast for her to poo is on 28/2. Given that the range is 2-5 days, I waited. So on 1/3 morning, I gave her Dentinox as she was fidgeting the whole night on 29/2 - no loud crying but just kicking around the cot. On 2/3, she cried for no reason and fuss more often, and finally pooed twice in the afternoon. On 3/3, she cried even more for no reason, which is super unusual. So I gave her Dentinox which seemed to soothe her, make her farted but didn't poo. Finally, on 4/3, she did.

1. 16/2 - Visit to PD
2. 21/2 - pooed x1 (diff of 5 days)
3. 24/2 - pooed x2 (diff of 2 days)
4. 26/2 - pooed x2 (diff of 2 days)
5. 2/3 - pooed x2 (diff of 5 days)
6. 4/3 - pooed x 2  (diff of 2 days)
7. 6/3 - my forecast

I thought she will poo today but no.

And tomorrow is her jab day.

  

Urgh. I think there goes my sleep again. Good luck to us.

Is snoring considered white noise?

Urgh. I think perhaps babies wouldn't mind hearing?

cos she slept throughout her afternoon nap with daddy today.

knor knor knor ......

I hope her husband don't snore like daddy next time. ={