Some Tips for a New Mother

My baby tiger

Alexander is currently 4.5 months old and on partial breastfeeding supplemented by formula and solids. Yes Alex started on solids at 4 months old as his pediatrician gave a go ahead. I have also returned back to work for a month and returned to my pre-pregnancy figure(almost).

I thought it would help some moms by posting various tips that I picked up the last few months:

How to increase breastmilk

1. Use a double pump (would recommend Medela's double pump)

When I first gave birth, I was using Medela's swing, a single pump. It was a good pump but it was not fast enough and also tiring for me. I got the double pump and seriously it reduces my stress of producing enough milk.

Firstly I got almost twice the amount of milk by using the double pump (increased from 200ml to 400ml in total) each pump. I pump 4 times throughout the whole day- 9am, 2pm,6pm,10pm and slept through the night. Not a problem at all. However you got to keep your pumping routine regular

2. Drink double boiled chicken soup

Whenever I feel there is a dip in my milk supply (usually after pumping irregularly), this would be my SOS option. One whole kampong or black chicken, only 2 bowls of water, 4 scallops, some garlic cloves and some black beans, dump everything into a slowcooker for 5hours. Down that two bowls of soup. Works like magic.

3. Brew Mother's Milk Tea

Available in the organic shop on level 5, Paragon. Works for myself and most of other moms I spoke to.

How to know if baby's ready for solids

1. A dip in appetite or intake of milk
Alexander loves loves loves milk. However for a week, we have to literally force him to drink otherwise he would not show any indication that he wants to drink.

2. Fussing Increases
Checked the diaper? Fed already? Shower already? Sleep already? Still crying?

Probably teething. And he keeps chewing on his blankie and toys.

3. Excited when you are eating
Alexander just keep squealing and cooing excitedly whenever we are having our dinner. He would look at us longingly and drool at the same time. We found it utmost amusing in the beginning.

4. Pediatrician says so
We brought Alex for his 4 month check and told the PD all the symptoms. And Alex was also holding up his head very well, PD gave a go ahead that this little piglet is all ready for solids.

Will continue to post more tips in my other posts!

Comments

Manicure/Pedicure In Jakarta and Where to Go

I don't know if I am being overly critical or just plain fussy but I find that manicure and pedicure services in Jakarta are not up to par as compared to the other Asian cities like Bangkok, HongKong, and even Singapore! And by all means, the services aren't cheap as compared to overall standard of living locally. To have manicure/pedicure at somewhat a decent place with clean tools usually starts at 220,000 idr (22usd)...and you are not guaranteed OPI or internationally known brands. Nail salons at shopping malls will set you back about 450,000idr (45usd/52sgd)- funny how manicure in Jakarta cost the same in Singapore. Whoever said Jakarta is cheap?! Once, I accompanied my friend to a salon at Kemang where she wanted to have a hairwash and blowdry and I decided to have a manicure/pedicure there while waiting for her. The girl/manicurist came with a large plastic container (like the ones you store miscellaneous stuff in the wardrobe/storeroom) and inside it, the tools and ...

Prenatal Massage at Mom N Jo

The joys of pregnancy does not just stop at morning sickness. 2nd trimester arrives and say hello to Mr Backache! Oh you didn't experience either morning sickness nor backaches? Go away! You shouldn't even be reading this post..Just kidding! On a more serious note, most pregnant women like myself will start to feel aches around the body once 2nd trimester hits. The increased weight from the belly adds more pressure to our backs as well as legs, hence the aches begin. And for me, the need to gag into the toilet bowl at least twice a day causes my neck and shoulders to ache too. Yes I know, I feel like I've aged fifty years being pregnant. However as much as we need the comforts of a massage, one can't just step into any massage place now. Firstly we can't lie face down anymore...duh! Hence we need massages that are tailored for us while we lie sideways which means options are kind of limited. I decided to check with my good friend once again, Mr Google and ta...

Kado- Yakitori Restaurant at Intercontinental Hotel MidPlaza Jakarta

I had a huge Yakitori craving last week, and my friends suggested me to check out Kado at Intercontinental Hotel MidPlaza. Kado is apparently quite very famous for Yakitori in Jakarta and very popular with the Japanese travellers and expats. Hubby G and I had already tried couple of Yakitori places in Jakarta however we only found them pretty average; we certainly hoped Kado would be ' the Yakitori place' to go to. Tucked at a corner of the basement of Intercontinental Hotel Midplaza. Located at the basement of Intercontinental Hotel MidPlaza, Kado wasn't what I had expected of a restaurant in a hotel. It looks like a family-run Japanese eatery(though belonging a chain of restaurants), unassuming and easily missed- definitely not your usual high end intimidating hotel restaurants. This place is good for anyone who just want to come casually dressed and enjoy an easy evening with family and friends. The manager/chef is a very friendly Japanese lady and almost a...

Mummynista!

Search This Blog