Breastfeeding may diminish the risk of diabetes and heart diseases

Hi folks,

Just came across this article in Baiboo, a portal which has a lot of interesting articles for parents!


Excerpts:

A new study suggests that Mothers who breastfeed seem to have a lower long-term risk of developing a collection of risk factors for diabetes and heart disease than women who bottle-feed.

Researchers found that among 700 women followed for 20 years, those who had breastfed were less likely to develop metabolic syndrome — a cluster of risk factors for type 2 diabetes and heart disease that includes abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure and blood sugar, lower-than-desirable levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and elevated triglycerides (a type of blood fat).

What's more, the apparent protective effect was stronger among women with a history of gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes that arises during pregnancy and goes away after childbirth.

Although it is temporary, gestational diabetes does raise a woman's odds of eventually developing type 2 diabetes.

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For more on this article, check out Baiboo's site here, they have lotsa other useful articles on parenthood!

What a good one! So breastfeeding not only helps to reduce Breast Cancer risk, but also diabetes and heart disease! So mommies out there, Breastfeeding is the way to go!

Cheers!

My first experience BF a toddler

Dear folks,

Remember my posting here about trying to BF as long as Shone wants it probably till he is 2 years old.

Now, this is my first time BF-ing a toddler as KY weaned at 12 months old.

Now I must say it is yet another new experience for me being a BF mom.

There are a lot of mommies out there who BF beyond 1 year old and it's an inspiration to me really!

Now,coming to BF beyond 1 year old experience,I have the following items to note(don't we love point form to speed up reading and remembering :) )

• I am surprised to find Shone's reaction when I BF him at night. As we are still co-sleeping, he would search and cry for nen-nen(a.k.a milk) with his eyes close and then he would either smile or keep his eyes shut while he starts filling up his midnite hunger strike or comfort strike
• After BF session, this toddler boy can go showing "good"sign,then clap his hand and say hurray!! (don't that encourages and marvels you further to continue BF :P..well I doubt he does that after she drank his milk using milk bottle- oh yes, I currently mixed BF as my supply is insufficient to fulfill his need as I am not pumping as often as I should)
• He recovers within 2-3 days from diarrhea and vomit recently without needing to take any antibiotics(I THank God for this!)

And I shall update more about my experience about BF a toddler as I continue on this superb journey! God willings, Shone persevere and mommy shall continue to enjoy this bonding and special with my boy who shall soon be a grown up boy like his jiejie KY ;) and I bet I will miss these moments in future...holding my little baby close to me....oh... :D

Cheers!

Giveaway at Sandier Pastures: The Belly Band for pregnant and nursing mommies

I actually saw something similar to this SwellyBelly Maternity Belly Band and Nursing Cover I used to purchase many of my nursing wears, nursing bras and baby stuff earlier this year during my Chinese New Year shopping spree. So this giveaway showcasing SwellyBelly Maternity Belly Band and Nursing Cover from an online shop aptly called Nine Moons caught my attention.

What is a SwellyBelly Maternity Belly Band and Nursing Cover?

From their website:

Our SwellyBelly Maternity Belly Band and Nursing Cover is the fashionable accent every belly has been looking for. It provides coverage and support as your belly expands under the shirt and doubles as a nursing cover once the nine months are over.

The idea behind this design is so handy as we can use it while being pregnant and later on when nursing just by pairing it with our normal blouse..why didn't I come across such invention earlier? haha...so that I get to splurge on nursing attires maybe..hehe

At Nine Moons, there are so many beautiful patterns to choose from, or we could choose a basic color as well.

WHAT'S UP FOR GRABS:
One lucky winner will get to choose a SwellyBelly Maternity Belly Band and Nursing Cover of their choice of design/color and size from Nine Moons!

HOW TO WIN:
Browse all the SwellyBelly Maternity Belly Band and Nursing Cover collection from Nine Moons and pick a favorite and leave your comment at Sandier Pastures!

That's it!

For additional entries check out Sandier Pastures blog :

DRAW:
A winner will be chosen at random on 29th September 2009.

WHO CAN WIN:
This contest is open to all!

So folks, if you think you like to win this...give this a try!

Cheers!

Eunice Nursing Bra @ RM10

Dear mommies,

Just like to share a good news for nursing mommies, 

Fabulousmom is having good deal on RM10 nursing bra!

Check out here for more details!

By the way they are having Breastfeeding Talk(FOC) at their TTDI showroom.

Title:  Things You Must Know About Breastfeeding

Check out more details at Fabulousmom.com for more info.

Plus, they are also having promotion on breastpump which i think in time to support the upcoming 

World Breastfeeding Week 2009 • 1-7 August 2009

Happy Breastfeeding Mommies!

Cheers!

Nursing wear on sales at Fabulousmom Online Store!

Wow..Aren't this lovely?

These are just some of the nursing wear on sales at Fabulousmom!

Wow..Wow..wow...lovely lovely..

Did I tell you that I am a 100% nursing wear fans.. hehe..

They have now extended their stock clearance sale to online from 9 to 12 July 2009!!

So mommies check it out here at their store if you are looking forward to breastfeed in style ;)

Cheers!

Breast is Best for College..wow..

I came across an article lately saying that, Breast is Best for College...wow...

Another reason to continue my BF journey.....hoping to conduct my own small experiment, what the difference of BF for a year and for 2 years be? What would be the benefits (for child and mom) to Go for the Gold (which is 2 years breastfeeding).

Keep my finger crossed but I would do my best to continue BF as long as I could and as long as Shone wants it. Pray for me :)

Cheers!

Breastfeeding Awareness Talk by Mothercare

Dear All,

Got this in my newsletter. Would like to share with all mothers-to-be
or anyone interested to learn about breastfeeding.

This talk will be held at KLCC. Check more details in flyers below or at their site here:

Cheers to Breastfeeding!

Need your help..Vote for my nursing wear idea..

Hi folks,

Remember my post on My Love for Nursing Wear?

In fact, nursing wear has been my "uniform" for my many shopping trips, wedding dinners, family events (the picture above is CNY-like nursing wear I got from Fabulousmom.com...doesn't looked like one right.. hehe.. I can wear it post-nursing period too) which made me quite interested in seeing or experimenting with any new and pretty nursing wear design or style.

 

Now, frens..I need your help in helping me in winning a contest on nursing wear..How you can help?

1. Type VOTE if you vote for me. (in this blog comment box),each VOTE comment earns me 1 point.

2. Go to mysuperkids.net and vote for my nursing wear (Type I vote for #1 alohamolly) in the comment box on their blog .

Contest voting ends on 13 June..ha this will be a very good birthday gift for me...thanks everyone for casting votes for me! Win or lose it doesn't matter...would be delighted just to know that breastfeeding becoming a trendy act to be for all moms!

Thanks for your support!

Cheers for breastfeeding mommies and breastfeeding-friendly dads…and friends!

Breastfeeding Talk @ Fabulousmom

I thought of dropping a short note here for the benefits of mommies who are:

1. Currently breastfeeding and faced some queries, problems or lacking in willpower to carry on
2. Pregnant mommies or trying to pregnant mommies who plan to breastfeed their child.
3. Anyone (including prospective dads or any male) who are interested  to find out how or the way working mommies can continue breastfeeding their child.

I personally am encouraged to carry on my mission and vision to breastfeed KY despite the odds against me last time just by reading the inspiring stories of these wonderful and powerful women! 

Check out the talk organized by Fabulousmom this Saturday, 23 May 2009 at their showroom. I might be there as well (I ordered few items from their online store lately and am collecting them). Hehe..shopaholic itch strikes me again..bought two cloth books for KY :P

Date: May 23, Saturday

Time: from 11am to 12pm

Venue: The Breastfeeding Cafe, Fabulous Mom showroom

Topics covered:

1) How to maintain milk supply while being away from your baby?
2) How to time your pumping schedule? 
3) How to store your milk correctly?
4) How to transport your milk safely, especially if it's a long journey, i.e. from overseas, etc...
5) Will there be any challenges await you when you come home to be with your baby?
6) Any tips to share with the carer of your baby when you are away? 

For more info on how to register(yes pre-registration is required). Check out at their blog here.

Map can be found here. It is near Puchong and OUG.

Cheers folks and gambatei to all breastfeeding mommies!

Reminiscing and Reflecting on Breastfeeding Journey

Recently a sudden thought came across me as I reflecting on my breastfeeding(BF) journey....

Throughout the journey I have many people to thanked for to make my breastfeeding journey bearable if not enjoyable (*winks*)

1. My DH, he's my first and strongest ally in terms of breastfeeding especially during my first born with an ignorant me(first-timer in BF) and lotsa bullets and M16 from all corners(sorry for saying this...but that is what I felt then (sniff* sniff*)

2. My BF buddies....whom i consulted via sms, e-mails, IM throughout my confinement, and throughout my about 6 mths battle (yep, after 6 mths, you can considered yourself semi-pro as BF mom and you can generally handle the M16 confidently and suprisingly, you might even win yourself a pat on the back and some praises or admiration(applause and flowers....hehe)

3. My supportive and understanding bosses, for allowing me to pump @ work(which is so crucial in maintaining the milk supply and maintain the BF journey on-going....

4.  All the BF consultants, allies, supporters and educators plus nursing attires, equipment, helpers designers/manufacturers who has made our journey so much more enjoyable and achievable!

As I am writing this, I have come across this article by Mommy Lyna, 

Mistakes and Misconception in Handling EBM (Expressed Breast Milk), head over to her blog to check out the informative and interesting articles yourself!

Cheers to all BF moms...and BF-friendly Dads....!

My Love for Nursing Wear

My first encounter with a nursing wear is one month after delivering my first baby. After my confinement, DH and I got a 3 hrs off (my in-law offered to babysit for us) and we went shopping for some additional essential baby stuff at Kiddyplace located in Cheras Leisure Mall.

My first sight of nursing wear are two lovely black and turquoise green blouse (I bought two of the same design) and now they looked bit worn out as I’ve been using them for more than one year! They’ve been like my "uniform" everywhere for that whole one year of nursing life…everywhere I went with my daughter, shopping, dinner function, you named it!.

Another not-that-frequently-worn nursing wear I have is an office-like striped blouse. The striped blouse was not that easily accessible for breastfeeding (BF) with zip(which I don't quite fancy because it might hurt the baby if I am not careful), thus I only used it once and it’s been hanging in my closet ever since.

Then as I started to shopping online more often after having my baby (nope can't always leave baby with in-law as she's been taking another grandchild during the weekdays and Saturday as well...Sunday being her only Off day). As I researched and does my "ONLINE" window-shopping on nursing and baby stuff, along the way,  I bought another two nursing wear (haha..both as a "need" as well as a way to encourage myself in breastfeeding mission). 

One was a very comfortable shirt(am still using it for my second nursing journey simply because it is just so comfy) which was priced at RM12 during a warehouse sale and another one is a white spaghetti strap which was used extensively with my other non-nursing attire (this is a must have and a good buy because you can pair it up with normal attire and even use it later after your nursing journey ends..). 

And I also got another two nursing tube (black and cream white) which I used it along with my other attire as well…very very stylish and useful for BF. Easy to flip no strap or buckle or button to detach.

Then this year, I added to my collection another two sleeping bra(whoot), one orange collar shirt nursing wear(see picture on the left), another Chinese New Year like blouse (you may view it at the online shop which sells it here)…altogether how many attires I’ve got I think more than six! :P

I simply love the ease of wearing nice-looking and easy to nurse nursing wear. I am also crazy at scouting for affordable and stylish nursing wear designs.

Talking about my dream nursing wear, below are the sketches I made which is something I have in mind in terms of practical, useful, comfortable and wearable nursing attire for all occasion. 

Ta dah...may I present "My Dream Nursing Wear" design of the year 2009!

Theme - practical, stylish, wearable, baby-friendly(made from cotton) and long lasting for all-occcasion!(haha..just for fun of it!)

This is a nursing spaghetti strap which can be used along with a blouse with such zig-zag flapped design which can easily flip over to access the inner side which is the nursing spaghetti strap.

Note: Most of the nursing wear I mentioned can be found from one of those online shops which sells nursing wear listed under in my blog(see under USEFUL MOTHER & BABY ONLINE STORES).  

Secret Recipes for Better Milk Supply and Rosy Glowing Looks

Well, maybe the title is slightly exaggerated, BUT, this is a recipe or special concoction shared by one of my friend who seems to be blessed with blushed rosy cheeks (minus the make-up..yep…natural rosy glow)

And her secret is…diligent daily dose of the following ever since her pregnancy, 9 month breastfeeding and till now (I think)

Tong Sum Codonopsis Pilosulae (dang shen) 黨參 – 2 long stalks

Red dates – 20 seeded/pitted= seedless (add more for sweetness and if only you are not heaty)

Black dates – 5-6 (optional)

Black Beans – two big tbsp pre-socked (3-6hrs), discard the soaking water before cooking

Gei ji  (枸子)/Chinese wolberries – 1 tbsp

Water – 1.5-2 litres

Put in slow cooker for 4-6hrs (low). Drink it hot/warm.

Note: For confinement period, they would add ginger to this concoction. ;) 

Enjoy.........lovely pinky lady and lovely drink to boost up our milk supply!

Cheers!

 

The Benefits of having a 3 Years Gap..

There are many parents who would wait till their child is 2 years old before planning to have a second one. Me too..but hehe..God has a better plan…I had mine arriving when the jie jie is almost 2 years old.

 

Lately while talking to some of my peers, we were discussing about what is the IDEAL gap year before having another child. Both my friend(who like myself had a second one before our first child turns two) and myself inevitably agreed totally to the 3 Year Gap.

 

Why? There are some obvious benefits whether is emotionally, physically as well as FINANCIALLY:

1. By the time your first child is 3 years old , he/she would be toilet-train so you won’t end up paying for two batch of diapers (unless you are using cloth diapers) like me
2. By the time the first hits 3, slowly he/she would be switching to growing up milk and would be taking less often, thus you save a bit on monthly spending on milk powder(and of course if you decided to breastfeed your child, this can again offset a lot more on your monthly baby milk powder expenditure)
3. Seems that 3-4 years old, the child earn to be a big brother/sister, thus less sibling rivalry, and the elder one can be trusted to keep an eye on the younger one which relieve a lot on you
4. I guess for those who opt to send their kids to childcare centre/ babysitter, they can save up a bit more on childcare services as baby cost a lot more for most babysitters.
5. From 1-3 years is the golden years you won’t want to miss each point of emotional and physical development  of your child, thus by having your second one later….you have more time and energy (it’s not so when you are heavily pregnant with a demanding two years old!) to guide them.
6. For mothers who had c-section, their body will have chance and time to recover fully, thus the chances of having VBAC(vaginal birth after c-section) is higher.
7. For mothers who planned to breastfeed their child to 2 years old, this would be another reason to plan for second one after two years, well of course there are moms who can handle tandem nursing, BUT, for working and pumping mom, this is a real challenge to be able to have enough supply for both child and her own health too.
8. What else..i think there are more..perhaps moms with more than one kid out there would like to give their views?

 

All comments are welcome!

 

By the way, these are just my own views…for those who have one coming (and your older child has not turned 2), don’t worry….like my case…I always believe, God will not send you a mission which you couldn’t handle!- I think there is a better quote ..I can’t recall the exact phrase but the meaning is there! So fret not…we can and we will survive with more than one child! Mom have amazing hidden POWER!

 

Cheers to all moms!

My son's turn...fever, flu and cough..oh..dear...

After my daughter caught the throat infection from the babysitter's son(or maybe it is not..I am not too sure)...now is my son's turn.

It is sad seeing baby falling sick...and again i would prefer Shone being actively crawling or actively seeking our pampering and to carry him than being sick...

I am sure breastfeeding does helps to make them recover faster....even though it won't prevent them from falling sick if the bacteria or virus is too strong..

I wonder mothers out there, do you have any ideas, tips or tricks on:
1. How to boost immune system for babies and toddlers
2. How to make them "healthy" enough not to catch the fever, flu or cough from others
3. And lastly how to make them feeling better and recover faster from the three common illness?

I tried giving my toddler, KY, manuka honey active 15% and it does help in curing her throat infection..faster and avoid having to take antibiotic...any other methods i wonder?

Hope to get some ideas and tips from all :)

Thanks!

Have a good day!