Archive for September, 2006

The Baby Bedding Challenge

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

Having a baby is the most wonderful experience a woman can have as it is a fulfillment of the biological function of the female species. After the giving birth process, the real work begins. Feeding bottles, diaper changes, immunization records are just a few of the things the new mom have to learn quickly. And one important thing to consider in the arrival of the baby is the kind of baby bedding he or she will use.

According to Dr. Mark Brandenburg (http://www.baby-place.com/crib_safety.html), the number one rule to follow in choosing the right baby bedding for your precious infant is safety. The second rule says safety and the third rule emphasizes safety. We are to conclude that it is not enough to say it, it must be emphasized that baby bedding is critical for the comfort of the baby.

In his article on how to find the perfect baby bedding, it must be neither too hard nor too soft. In the past, sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS was attributed to very soft baby bedding. This happened when the baby’s mattress is too soft that his nose and mouth gets covered and the air he exhales is the air he breathes. This is dangerous for him since he would breath carbon dioxide rather than oxygen and the effects could lead to drowsiness, coma or even death.

There are a lot of styles and makes in choosing the baby’s bed. And with that, it follows that the baby bedding must be a perfect fit with the chosen equipment. The three major selections are: a bassinet, a crib or a cradle. What differentiates one from the other? A bassinet is an oblong-shaped basket that serves as a bed for an infant. But sometimes, round bassinets are also available. A crib is a bed that is flanked with high side bars for a baby or young child’s safety. Cribs are usually more economical since the baby can use it from infancy to two years. While a cradle is a small low bed that an infant uses that has rockers on its stand. In all these, the material used to make the equipment should alert and signal to the mom how much safety precautions are needed.

Bassinets are usually lacey and full of trimmings. The baby bedding must fit the bassinet so that the baby’s space is enough for him or her to be able to roll from side to side. The crib is usually square, thus, mattresses can be fitted to the size of the crib. The baby bedding usually is a set of coverlet and small pillows. Hotdog pillows can also be placed inside. However, the pillows should not be more than two or three lest the baby can stand on them and could fall over. The cradle can come in various sizes and shapes. Some moms prefer cradles so that when the baby is cranky, he or she can be rocked to be calmed down. The baby bedding for a cradle should follow the shape of it. Not much can be placed inside it since it is used mainly to rock the baby to sleep. However, one need not the three to keep the baby safe, warm and secure. One will do and this would depend on the parent’s preference. The most preferred would be the crib since it can be used for a long time.

Now that we’ve covered the basic equipment, how do we furnish it with baby bedding? We have already established that the baby bedding should fit the sleeping equipment to avoid accidents and other untoward incidents. The most suitable material to use is cotton as it is absorbent and cool to the baby’s skin. Different designs must be used to stimulate the baby’s color and pattern recognition. Therefore, the baby bedding is a crucial factor in keeping the baby happy and healthy.

Why Baby Crying?

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

Waaaaaaahhh!…..waaaaaahhhh!… I’m crying…. every babies crying.. Why am I and other babies crying? COMMUNICATION – that’s what a baby’s crying is for. This sweet thing that suddenly turn into a fit of tears is just craving for your sweeter attention. All cultures in the world nod to this pattern all infants are accustomed to… Here is some info about baby crying….

A baby cries the most during his or her first three months. Though the amount of crying steadily increase, the crying time period may vary from an hour to most of the day and this could still be considered within normal range. Like, whoah, right? Babies are also known as howling tear factories.

Some thought that a baby cries more during the afternoon accounting it to the anxiousness of the mother or the stressed mood of the father after going home from work. But the most accepted assumption now is that babies have this automatic screening ability they use to shut off all the noise that may stimulate some response from them so they could get enough rest. But in the long run, this filter weakens and totally disappears during the approximate age of six weeks. This, then, make a baby very sensitive to the external factors such as noise, movements, etc. And these generally elicit a reaction from a baby and how best could he or she respond but only through crying.

There are many reasons why a baby succumbs to crying. Deciphering these reasons is the major feat a parent must surmount. Here are some of the things your sweetsome baby is making you understand through crying.

Hunger. Yes, your attention-hungry baby is craving to let you know that his tummy is grumbling. This is the most common reason for a baby to cry, especially, during his early months. The pattern of the hunger howl could be characterized as being persistent, demanding and almost rhythmical. But that rhythm is not at any rate close to becoming musical, of course.

Boredom. What can I say? Aren’t these babies just plain spoiled? Crying because of boredom, errr, I’d find that a bit more twisted or weird if it’s with an adult that is. But babies are really built like this. Crying is their way of telling you, “Hey get me a life here!” Aside from attention and food, consequently, babies need a lot of stimulation. And when they don’t get this, there you get your waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!! The trick is to pick the baby up and play with him. This move may be frowned upon by some because of its amounting to spoiling the baby. But it is important to know that stimulation is also one of the major necessities of an infant and it won’t hurt to provide him with some while in his growing age. This boredom cry is said to be also rhythmical and full of sobs and moans.

Discomfort. Pain is another precursor of the baby’s crying. Who won’t cry when in pain, right? Babies are not Major Paynes to endure the most excruciating discomfort they could undergo. They are little, vulnerable beings that need to be attended to when injured or when in an inconvenient situation. This cry could be more persistent, louder and more demanding. Shrieking and screaming, those are words that better describe the crying pattern roused by pain.

Another cause may be disturbance; surely, howling will proceed just when they’re about to sleep or are already fast asleep and suddenly gets surprised by some noise, or movement. An illness that causes discomfort to a baby may also be the reason for a baby’s bursting into fit of tears.

Kehamilan Dan Puasa

Sunday, September 24th, 2006

Assalamualaikum!
Hari ini 24 September 2006 bersamaan 1 Ramadhan 1427 kalendar Islam. Bagi umat Islam, bermula hari ini sehingga genap sebulan, mereka diwajibkan berpuasa.

Namun, bagi ibu hamil mereka dibolehkan mendapat pengecualiaan berpuasa sekiranya memudaratkan kesihatan diri atau anak dalam kandungan.
Bagi ibu-ibu yang masih ingin berpuasa, bolehkah mereka? Ya, semestinya boleh… Asalkan ibu berkenaan sihat tanpa penyakit kronik yang membahayakan

kesihatan, mereka boleh berpuasa seperti orang lain. Berikut adalah artikel yang depetik dari berita harian berkenaan kehamilan dan puasa…

Tajuk: Anggapan salah sekat ibu hamil berpuasa
Oleh Halina Mohd Noor

Mitos anak kelaparan dalam kandungan, terpaksa makan berganda wajar diketepikan

BANYAK mitos yang didengari mengenai ibu hamil dan amalan berpuasa. Ramai percaya, ibu hamil perlu makan kerana takut anak dalam kandungan kelaparan terutama

yang masih pada peringkat awal kehamilan. Malah, ibu hamil juga dikatakan perlu makan untuk dua orang (ibu dan anak dalam kandungan) menjadikan kuantiti

pemakanan ditambah dua kali ganda. Justeru, puasa tidak digalakkan sama sekali.

Pakar Pemakanan Jabatan Pemakanan dan Dietetik Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof Dr Fatimah Arshad, berkata meskipun anggapan berkenaan sudah sebati

dengan masyarakat hari ini, kajian menunjukkan mitos berkenaan salah sama sekali.

“Tiada halangan yang menyekat ibu hamil untuk berpuasa. Tidak kira pada awal kandungan atau pada peringkat akhir kehamilan. Asalkan ibu berkenaan sihat tanpa

penyakit kronik yang membahayakan kesihatan, mereka boleh berpuasa seperti orang lain. Dalam Islam dibolehkan mereka tidak berpuasa sekiranya memudaratkan

kesihatan ibu atau anak,” katanya.

Puasa yang memudaratkan ibu hamil ialah apabila kandungan gula dalam darah menurun. Namun dalam kebanyakan kes penyakit kronik seperti diabetis, tekanan

darah tinggi dan sebagainya, puasa adalah sebaik-baik langkah mengurangkan risiko yang dihadapi.

“Lazimnya, ibu yang sihat tanpa risiko boleh berpuasa. Bagaimanapun, amalan berpuasa sebenarnya adalah jalan terbaik untuk merancang diet terutama mereka

yang menghidap penyakit seperti diabetis atau darah tinggi. Waktu makan lebih teratur dan tidak berselang seli dengan makanan yang tidak diperlukan. Misalnya

waktu sahur sama dengan waktu sarapan dan makan malam, makan tengah hari adalah sama dengan waktu berbuka puasa dan moreh pula sama dengan snek.

“Jadi, aturan ini secara tidak langsung menyekat ibu hamil daripada makan berlebihan yang menyebabkan kandungan gula di dalam darah meningkat. Ini kerana ibu

hamil mudah mengalami peningkatan gula dalam darah,” katanya.

Fatimah menasihatkan ibu hamil supaya bijak merancang pengambilan makanan dengan mengatur keperluan khasiat dan zat pemakanan. Perancangan itu menjamin ibu

hamil memperoleh semua zat yang diperlukan janin dalam kuantiti diperlukan saja.

“Ibu hamil perlu memastikan berat mereka tidak bertambah secara berlebihan ketika hamil. Anggaran peningkatan hanya sekadar 1 kg setiap bulan iaitu jumlah

maksimum sebanyak 9 kg saja. Pertambahan berat badan lebih daripada 10 kg hanya menyebabkan ibu berisiko mengalami kandungan gula bertambah dan tekanan darah

tinggi. Justeru, perancangan menu amat penting bagi memastikan ibu dan bayi terus sihat,” katanya.

Kalsium adalah zat paling penting untuk pembentukan tulang janin. Bagi mendapatkannya, ibu perlu minum dua gelas susu skim (tanpa lemak) setiap hari iaitu

pada waktu sahur dan berbuka.

Jika ibu mengalami diabetis, amalkan minum susu dan buah-buahan berserat tinggi seperti betik, epal, tembikai atau oren. Jangan makan buah-buahan manis.

Pemanis mulut seperti bubur kekacang dapat melawaskan penghadaman.

“Selepas terawih, minum minuman bersusu seperti susu bersama oat, emping jagung, kacang kuda atau tauhu sumbat. Elakkan makan nasi secara berlebihan iaitu

tidak lebih 3/4 cawan kerana nasi mengandungi gula. Kalau boleh gunakan beras perang atau beras basmati.

“Memilih spageti lebih baik berbanding mi atau bihun biasa. Lauk seperti sup sayur satu mangkuk, lebihkan ikan atau ayam satu potong. Banyakkan minum air

kosong berbanding air bergula,” katanya.

Ketika bersahur, ibu boleh mengambil sandwic tuna menggunakan roti berkalsium tinggi atau nasi yang dimakan bersama sayuran yang banyak. Bagi menambah darah,

pastikan ibu makan hidangan mengandungi zat besi. Ia boleh diperoleh dengan memakan organ ayam atau lembu seperti hati sekali seminggu.

Memakan sayur hijau dapat membantu menyerap zat besi dengan lebih berkesan, manakala ayam dan daging juga boleh membina sel darah merah.

“Bulan puasa menjadikan ibu lebih peka dengan pengambilan hidangan sihat mengandungi pelbagai nutrien yang mengikut semua keperluan seperti terkandung dalam

piramid pemakanan. Malah, menu terancang menjadikan bayi lebih sihat. Ibu hamil juga perlu bersenam walaupun pada bulan puasa. Ini boleh dilakukan dengan

mengamalkan sembahyang terawih.

“Sebelah petang banyakkan berehat untuk menyimpan tenaga. Apa yang penting, waktu berbuka jangan makan berlebihan kerana ia menyebabkan tubuh cepat letih dan

menjadikan kita mengantuk. Pengambilan makanan tambahan sebenarnya tidak menjamin khasiat diperlukan tubuh mampu diserap sepenuhnya oleh tubuh. Jika tidak

boleh minum susu, gantikan dengan dadih yang kini boleh didapati dalam pelbagai perisa,” katanya.

See My Photos

Wednesday, September 20th, 2006

Hi!

I’ve updated some of my photos… Pls visit Wonderful Life Photo Gallery page… or click here Wonderful Life Photo Gallery

Forcep Delivery

Sunday, September 10th, 2006

Hi!

As I promised in the last post, I’m going to tell your how mom delivered me out.

With size of my head is 34cm, body length 55cm, weight 3.7kg and I’m first baby, so mom didn’t have experience how to deliver me in natural way. Though around 7:45 p.m mom’s cervix already open 10cm, mom take a time to learn how to push. At the end she didn’t have enough energy to push me out.

She have pushed and pushed and I’m almost out but my head still can’t get out. So, Doc decides to help me out by used forceps.

forcep deliveryForceps are instruments specially made to fit in on both sides of the baby’s head. They look kind of like salad spoons. As the mom pushes, the Doc gently pulls until I moves into a better position. The forceps are taken off and laid on the table. As the mom continues to push, the Doc then guides me into the world with just his hands.

Hey Doc! I know you’re helping me out, but I can feel little bit pains on my head and my head become long round like watermelon.. fuhh! luckily it’s back to normal now… but I can still feel the pains a bit…

forcep effect

Before that, I forgot to mentions, the Doc made a small cut called an episiotomy at bottom of mom’s vagina. This cut makes the opening a little bigger so my head with the forceps can pass on through. After I am born, the Doc sews the cut shut with stitches. Unlike stitches on a hand or a belly, these tiny stitches fall out by themselves when the muscles heal. Mom do not have to worry about coming back to have them taken out.

That all for now… you can see my photos here… I love to sleep… :)

Bye!

I'm Arrived.

Saturday, September 9th, 2006

Hi!

Finally… after 3 days delayed from EDD, today September 9th at 9 p.m sharp, I’m arrived to this wonderful world.

Here are some of my pictures just after born…

me newborn 1
me newborn 2

You want to know how mom gave birth to me? I’ll tell you in next post coz I’m quite sleepy now.. :)

see you later… bye!

Labour Sign Is Starting.

Saturday, September 9th, 2006

Hi!

Today, September 9th, I’m already delayed 3 days… This morning, mom started to felt cramp-like pains.

At 3 p.m, mom can felt the contractions and some fluids running out of her vagina.. so, labour is starting… and dad rushed mom to the clinic.

Around 5 p.m mom already in the labour room. And by 5:30 p.m, the midwife said moms cervix has opened 5cm.. it’s fast..

Around 7:45 p.m, the opening is 10cm. So, mom is ready to push me out…

How does mom know labour is starting?

Friday, September 8th, 2006

Hi!

Not yet!.. the world is not yet ready for my arrival… I’m still inside..
Today, dad didn’t go to work coz mom feel like to go into labour this morning. But, it was false alarm.

So, how mom can know labour is starting?

The first sign that labour is starting may be when she becomes aware of cramp-like pains coming at regular intervals, perhaps 20 or 30 minutes apart. They are caused by the contractions of her uterus and are usually felt low down in the abdomen or at the bottom of the back. She may also notice the whole of her abdomen tightening during the contractions.

Sometimes the bag of waters bursts before she notice any contractions, and she feels fluid running out of her vagina.

When she goes to the toilet, she may notice that a small lump of mucus has passed out of her body. (This is known as a “show”.) It has acted as a plug in the middle of her cervix throughout pregnancy, but when the servix starts to open it, it drops out.
Till now, mom didn’t feel this real sign yet… so just wait for my arrival..

Bye! for today…

Still in the womb.

Thursday, September 7th, 2006

tic..toc..tic..toc.. the clock is 1:00 a.m, it’s already 7th September.. so, my EDD is past already.. but I’m still in my mom’s womb.

Don’t worry mom.. it’s normal coz only 5 percent of babies are born on their scheduled due date.. I’ll not make you wait indefinitely for my arrival.. As the Doc said, If the 40 weeks passes and i’m still inside, mom should visit him for fetal testing (usually a ultrasound scan) to ensure that it’s safe to continue the pregnancy..

Mom, if you don’t go into labor on your own, Doc said, he will normally induce labor when you’re between one and two weeks overdue. So.. don’t panic.. I’m OK here.. take your rest mom… :)

Preparing My Arrival

Monday, September 4th, 2006

Hi!

Today is 4th September 2006. So, just another two days to go… but, you know..two days ago mom went to visit her doctor again… since she still didn’t feel any sign like to deliver me soon, the doc said it might be little bit delayed… probably 9th September… mmm, it’s nothing to worry about coz the doc said it’s normal to have plus minus 2 weeks of actual delivery date from estimated delivery date. Well.. its fine for me… nothing need to rush..

By the way, let’s look at mom and dad’s preparation for my arrival..

Here is a list what are they prepared for me…

  • Baby car seat.
  • Crib or basinet/cradle (slats should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart.)
  • Bottles (ounce) and nipples
  • Brush for cleaning bottles
  • Large tote or diaper bag packed with:
    • Several diapers
    • Receiving blanket
    • Change of clothes
    • Plastic bag for soiled diapers
    • Washcloth or baby wipe
  • Diaper pail for cloth diapers
  • Plastic lined garbage pail for disposable diapers
  • Nursing Bras (2 cotton)
  • Changing table or place to change diapers

mmm.. thanks mom, dad.. there’re still many items on the list.. I’ll tell it later..

bye for today.. :)