tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103644841913685412024-03-19T18:23:48.579+08:00Mommy MusingsiLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-31332107144511343422016-04-04T04:22:00.000+08:002016-04-08T11:46:00.524+08:00Diaper Shopping and More at thelittleonesinmylife - tlo.com.sg<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello hello! Ooooooohhhhhh....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been privileged to be given an opportunity to make a sponsored $50 purchase at <a href="http://tlo.com.sg/" target="_blank"><b>thelittleonesinmylife</b></a>. Can you believe it? My very first sponsored post!!! Anyway, here's my review of the entire experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let's start off with some background...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/" style="color: #5991ee;" target="_blank"><b>thelittleonesinmylife</b></a><span style="color: purple;"> is an online shop that specializes in good quality baby products from Korea.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The lovely thing about this online shop is that the owner, mummy of 3, Audrey, personally sources for the best products from Korea and has tried out the products on all 3 children of hers before she actually brings in those which she thinks are the best. I have previously bought several items, most worthy of note being good quality teethers, baby feeding utensils, breastmilk and milk powder storage bags from <a href="http://tlo.com.sg/" target="_blank"><b>tlo.com.sg</b></a>. I was first attracted to the great value for money as she sells good quality disposable milk bags at very very affordable prices. I have also ordered personalized wet bags from her. Audrey is an avid seamstress and she does beautiful customizable baby blankets, taggies, buckwheat husk pillows, key tags, wet bags, cloth bags and even soft toys like teddy bears. More sewing products can be found at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tlo.audrey/" target="_blank"><b>TLO Audrey's Sewing Madness' Facebook Page</b></a>. As her showroom is at Kovan, which is very near my house, I always opt for self-collect instead of delivery. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>thelittleonesinmylife</b></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> provides various delivery options from the typical normal mail by Singpost (free for orders above $15, for example) to registered post to courier (various prices available for different <a href="http://tlo.com.sg/pages/shipping-options-duration" target="_blank">shipping options</a> on the website).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here's a list of baby items I have previously bought from <b>thelittleonesinmylife</b>:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/collections/teethers" target="_blank"><b>Teethers</b></a> (Made of good quality materials and includes a clip for the teether to be clipped onto baby's clothes so it won't drop and get dirty)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/collections/breastfeeding/products/baby-joy-breast-milk-storage-bags" target="_blank"><b>Breastmilk Bags</b></a> (Look out for special deals during Baby Market fairs!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/collections/spectra" target="_blank"><b>Spectra Breastpump and Parts</b></a> (Spectra S1 or M1 is the best pumps I have tried thus far - way better and cheaper than my Medela PISA)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/collections/thelittleonesinmylife/products/thelittleonesinmylife-washable-bamboo-breast-pads" target="_blank"><b>Bamboo Washable Breast Pads</b></a> (I've been using since baby number 2! Still very resilient, can withstand high temperature washing and is environmentally friendly)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/collections/javalock" target="_blank"><b>Javalock Wet Wipe Covers</b></a> (I even use these covers for my make-up remover wipes. I hate those sticky tape things that don't work after a while. I love Javalock for all wet wipes packets, be it for kids or for my own use.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/collections/bottles-accessories/products/baby-one-milk-powder-bags" target="_blank"><b>Milk Powder Bags</b></a> (For travelling - just pack them all in the luggage, use and throw.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/collections/diapers" target="_blank"><b>Diapers</b></a> (What I bought for this sponsored purchase!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Silicon feeding spoons with case (BPA free. Not featured on website. I bought from her showroom.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Feeding silicon teat and cloth mesh (BPA free. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not featured on website. I bought from her showroom. Great for feeding in the early weaning months.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wet bags (</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not featured on website though. I bought from her showroom. I bought one customized with name sewn for a friend and a few for my own kids. Really cheap and good quality. I think she sewed them herself! I'm not sure. Just guessing.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If I were to have another baby again (I don't think that will happen, haha), here are some items I wish to have, or I feel are great investments for any new parent:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/collections/sterilizers/products/haenim-uv-steriliser" target="_blank"><b>Haenim UV Sterilizer</b></a> (Wow, I should have bought this long long ago! This would have made sterilizing anything a breeze! Plus it keeps everything dry. Although it's pricey, I can foresee how incredibly useful this gadget will be, especially for parents who have to deal with baby thrush, HFMD, frequent colds, or simply who just want to keep things clean, dry and hygienic. Sadly, I only discovered this product like much much much later, when Timothy had already turned 1. If only I had this sterilizer back when I <a href="http://priscillakek.blogspot.sg/2016/04/tandem-nursing-1.html" target="_blank">tandem-fed</a> my first two children and thrush happened. If only I had this sterilizer when the two girls had HFMD. Hot washing is so troublesome and steam sterilizers makes and keeps everything wet, which I really hate because wet breast pump parts are no good for breast pumps at all! If I were gonna have another baby, I would buy this for sure, and I'd be happily dry-sterilizing everything I want and need to have sterilized!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/collections/play-mats/products/yelly-mat-magic-sound-pen-6-languages" target="_blank"><b>Yelly Mat</b></a> (This is a super tempting luxury item. I still wish I had it! I am pretty sure ALL MY KIDS will have lots of fun being entertained by this play mat, and it'll be great for an infant to hang out on from immobile to toddling stages. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxqwalpw5XA" target="_blank">Watch this video</a> to see how it works. But I already have a very good quality play mat that cost $120 back in 2009. It's still in great shape after 6 years. For those who want to indulge in a talking and musical play mat, try this. Look out for special deals. The discount code at the end of this post is a fabulous deal for you if you're gonna get this mat!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/collections/uinlui/products/uinlui-sugarcane-utensils-from-korea" target="_blank"><b>Uinlui Sugarcane Utensils</b></a> (Yup, you didn't read wrongly. It's sugarcane alright. And nope, they don't taste like sugarcane! They're made of eco-friendly, baby-friendly, non-toxic and resilient sugarcane. I can't buy any more utensils because my kitchen drawers and cabinets are bursting. I have too many plates and bowls and kiddie forks and spoons. I had a Skip Hop craze back then and after the fad died, it's back to the usual metal spoons for the kids. I *might* just get the bowls... maybe... but JD will kill me. Haha.)</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://tlo.com.sg/" target="_blank">thelittleonesinmylife</a></span></b> also often has booths at reputable baby fairs like <a href="http://www.babymarket.com.sg/index.php"><b>Baby Market</b></a> so I have friends who actually do pre-orders and collect at the baby fairs (usually at Singapore Expo) because there are often very good deals during fairs and my friends like to shop at such baby fairs anyway. Why do I say reputable? It's because apparently there is a frequently occurring baby expo fair that sells fake products. I was incensed to find that out and am careful to only go for the reputable ones that sell genuine products. Baby Market so far has been quite good. I would recommend that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anyway, back to my sponsored experience...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was so excited to be given a $50 voucher to purchase something and blog about my experience at <a href="http://tlo.com.sg/"><b>tlo.com.sg</b></a>. I was so tempted to get the Yelly Mat. After some deliberation and intense browsing through the website, I thought it would be a better idea to buy something we haven't tried before, yet will be useful and will allow me to write a review about. Eventually, I chose 2 sets of <a href="http://tlo.com.sg/collections/diapers/products/happy-blossom-premium-pants-diapers-m-l-xl?variant=12338297414" target="_blank"><b>Happy Blossom Diaper Pants</b></a> (XL84) for $30 each set. Each set includes 4 packs that total 84 diapers. That works out to be about $0.36 per piece. I always compare diaper prices using the per piece price. I am currently paying about $0.47 per piece (tape) and $0.52 per piece (pants). I buy GOO.N diapers. $30 for 84 diapers? That's a steal! I am gonna continue with Happy Blossom since it's so much better value for money, is of superb quality, has wetness indicator (GOO.N doesn't)... and diaper PANTS lor! PANTS, I repeat. Diaper pants in the market aren't cheap. Go check out Merries diaper pants at NTUC. And Huggies diaper pants are itchy and scratchy. Mamy Poko is so thick, it's terrible for Singapore's crazy hot weather. Pampers are toxic, I feel, or rather, my kid's butt feels. My kids cannot wear Pampers <i>lah</i>. Only Tiffany could tolerate Pampers but both Stephy and Timmy couldn't. We have been trying Happy Blossom for almost a month now. BOTH Timothy and Stephany react fine with Happy Blossom diaper pants. Woohoo! I am so happy with Happy Blossom!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here are some pics featuring only Timmy as Stephy refuses to have any picture taken with her diaper on. She doesn't want anyone to know that she wears diapers at night just in case and anyway she is daytime toilet-trained since 2 so really... SHHHHH. It's a secret ok!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><u>HAPPY TIMMY IN HAPPY BLOSSOM DIAPER PANTS!</u></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZkOGxmbHJ0E3XVt4cQ25uQtEYYjsGHPKIG7LjdoTnF8_gADpFG0fVbMAvBx4q_mUEEw2-Gga0_LNPTDXpAcompaGkzV1LSuQz4LeSHpMfuRkhuVeifpJrSYimDqH7pyHaM1Evh8BvStt/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZkOGxmbHJ0E3XVt4cQ25uQtEYYjsGHPKIG7LjdoTnF8_gADpFG0fVbMAvBx4q_mUEEw2-Gga0_LNPTDXpAcompaGkzV1LSuQz4LeSHpMfuRkhuVeifpJrSYimDqH7pyHaM1Evh8BvStt/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First time wearing the new Happy Blossom diaper pants.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiZ1cwjHfpj-z-pTiZ7fgMRZ7Dp3EBEM80edaKR3r4w6_Lx-wVgPlWQ8lhX40LU3W-jd7p1N33Nkb9OR-_yB4byvU9MDy0pqEXzkLQjIwYMsz9zW781xIwEW5O4_FiUukFBrvRGQYIQhd/s1600/FullSizeRender%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiZ1cwjHfpj-z-pTiZ7fgMRZ7Dp3EBEM80edaKR3r4w6_Lx-wVgPlWQ8lhX40LU3W-jd7p1N33Nkb9OR-_yB4byvU9MDy0pqEXzkLQjIwYMsz9zW781xIwEW5O4_FiUukFBrvRGQYIQhd/s320/FullSizeRender%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Perfect fit! He is maybe 11kg or so and is wearing the new XL diaper pants.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_3mAUe0du8TIFo7ocVQloHVBipAc2pqYdP4b_Y6ceY8JMVz5gKUslZl5lW-g7s_o7EwD2m-85aUnoleHTc3bDtwPVP20Zp-HsjRS5wZ-WbO5kvTZXlwkoeSyDHGZ-9O4vcI8U8PygldF/s1600/FullSizeRender%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_3mAUe0du8TIFo7ocVQloHVBipAc2pqYdP4b_Y6ceY8JMVz5gKUslZl5lW-g7s_o7EwD2m-85aUnoleHTc3bDtwPVP20Zp-HsjRS5wZ-WbO5kvTZXlwkoeSyDHGZ-9O4vcI8U8PygldF/s320/FullSizeRender%255B2%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Waseh. Nice or not?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNOzslni_lzAFmDaOwkOOx72sYp_h-gkjChjb5TDoIRvTYVd0QebDjhbwrvMKns9_TyUza5h-b4ULkINO4mtNR6uXUvDOfYPo2C3VnXRnf3JQBZJHiVf0znDvi_s9HUB6B9AUluXvypgU/s1600/FullSizeRender%255B3%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNOzslni_lzAFmDaOwkOOx72sYp_h-gkjChjb5TDoIRvTYVd0QebDjhbwrvMKns9_TyUza5h-b4ULkINO4mtNR6uXUvDOfYPo2C3VnXRnf3JQBZJHiVf0znDvi_s9HUB6B9AUluXvypgU/s320/FullSizeRender%255B3%255D.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I love the wetness indicator that comes with the Happy Blossom diaper pants.<br />The GOO.N diaper pants that we have been using have no wetness indicator.<br />On the left: Dry - 3 Faint yellow lines<br />On the right: Wet - 3 Clear blue lines</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi145dTMndjXeojIKBF5x8XWB7iPPuGThIRwAX8Vjs9l61cqjo9dTeRNMYUnZ_yP2qoSjn3aV0zTlHvqhtwcj7TSLqt2sQRKwf5zLmeugTyvVMDDipyeGa5AwEbuUBu-1ua-awzq2ZI9B00/s1600/FullSizeRender%255B4%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi145dTMndjXeojIKBF5x8XWB7iPPuGThIRwAX8Vjs9l61cqjo9dTeRNMYUnZ_yP2qoSjn3aV0zTlHvqhtwcj7TSLqt2sQRKwf5zLmeugTyvVMDDipyeGa5AwEbuUBu-1ua-awzq2ZI9B00/s320/FullSizeRender%255B4%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Okay, I am quite particular about the thickness of diapers, especially with Singapore's hot weather.<br />This picture shows the increase in thickness after about 4 hours of daytime wearing.<br />Not bad right?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Okay, now... the Diaper Rash History. I have to explain a bit about my EPIC battle with diaper rash and how the right diapers made such a huge difference in getting the rash to go...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For both Stephany and Timothy, I have been buying GOO.N diaper pants. Expensive stuff okay. Both kids prefer diaper pants. Stephy is toilet-trained for daytime since 2 years of age and during sleep, she is usually dry, but she does have accidents every now and then. She hates the washing and waking from nighttime accidents, so she still has her diaper on at night, just in case. She absolutely cannot stand tape-diapers so we always buy diaper pants for her. It is also easy for her to remove and change by herself at night when she does have an accident. Yes, I won't even know it because she just does it herself. Yep, the magic of diaper PANTS. Haha. Timmy usually wears diaper pants when we go out. He wears tape diapers at home. GOO.N diapers are fantastic on Stephy's ultra-sensitive skin. She is eczema prone and has never had a good reaction to any other diaper in the market. We have tried Pampers (major rash!), Huggies (bad rash), Merries (still had rash that wouldn't go), Mamy Poko (rash rash rash, plus thick and hot), Petpet (only a few pieces my sister-in-law let me try), Bumwear Cloth diapers (very hot and very bad for thrush, trust me, cos cannot wash in hot water), etc. She could only take to GOO.N relatively well. Even until today, it was the one and only diaper brand that did not cause any diaper rash. So we stuck to it, even for Timmy when he was born. In the hospital, Timmy was given Huggies Newborn diapers (standard issue for Mount Elizabeth Hospital in 2014). When he came home, he had a bit of diaper rash, as expected, since I have fought the diaper rash battle with the first two kids. We switched diapers to GOO.N and voila! Problem solved. I must also clarify that I barely use wet wipes. Only for poopy diapers, I will use 1-2 wipes to clean up the excess poop and off we rinse at the basin with mild soap (Mustela Body Wash) and water. It was the same way of cleaning poopy messes for all 3 kids. I also use a thin layer of good quality diaper creams. It was always a matter of trial and error. What worked for one kid may not work for another. I have tried all kinds of diaper creams in the market... from the cheaper and milder ones like Drapolene to the atas ones, organic ones, those imported from the US (iHerb of course), paediatrician prescribed ones... in the end, it all depends on what works for each child and each of them reacted differently to different diaper creams! Here are what worked best for each of my kids:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tiffany used </span><a href="https://www.desitin.com/diaper-rash-products/rapid-relief-zinc-oxide-cream" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Desitin Creamy</a>.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The zinc oxide worked wonders!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stephany could only take </span><a href="http://solutions.3m.co.uk/wps/portal/3M/en_GB/Cavilon/skin-care/products/durable-barrier-cream/" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> because of her super sensitive, eczematous, thin and weak skin. She was allergic to zinc oxide and we had to give away all the Desitin Creamy that we had stocked up before she was born!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Timothy who has the thickest and least sensitive skin of all used <a href="http://bepanthen.com.sg/" target="_blank">Bepanthen</a>. He also didn't react well to anything with zinc oxide. I really don't understand why because I thought zinc oxide was the best thing for diaper rash but it didn't work for both Steph and Tim.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">TODAY, all three kids do not use any diaper creams. Only Timmy has a thin layer of Bepanthen for night time since I let him wear the diaper the whole night through and it is usually soaked by the next morning. And also, buy already must finish using right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Alright. I have come to the end of my super cheong hei review. But that's not all, folks. Cos there is a discount for all you readers out there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Audrey has given all of you a unique discount code for your purchase from <a href="http://tlo.com.sg/"><b>tlo.com.sg</b></a>. Just key in: PrisKek</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You will get <b>15% off</b> with a minimum purchase of $88.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This code is valid till <b><u>31 May 2016</u></b>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">If I were you, I'd get the Yelly Mat. That one can entertain and last for ages. Or if I were a new parent-to-be with plans to have more kids, I'd get the Haenim UV Sterilizer. But then, since I love Happy Blossom so much, I will get more Happy Blossom diapers!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">15% off leh! Let's go shopping!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-28514460412918381022016-04-03T23:56:00.001+08:002016-04-04T04:34:51.233+08:00Tandem Nursing 1<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wrote this 4.5 years ago... It was saved as a draft. Just decided to post it today:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"People ask me why I do it. It's very uncommon in Singapore. Baby Stephany is now exactly 3 weeks old. It's really been crazy. Ever since Stephany arrived, Tiffany, my 2 year old toddler, has been wanting to nurse like mad. Before Stephany was born, Tiffany was down to 1-2 nursings only at night. And this was all in her own time. I didn't push for her to reduce nursings. It all happened very naturally. Now, she drinks wayyyyy more than her younger sister does. So, think about that. At night, it is really impossibly crazy for me to deal with the two nursing 'babies' at the same time. It seems like they already have a connection with each other. As soon as Stephany wakes to nurse, Tiffany wakes too. And if Tiffany wakes to nurse, Stephany does so too. Did they plan this together? Why don't they both plan to sleep for 5 hours in a row so that Mother Cow can get some much needed rest?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So. Why did I choose to tandem nurse in a society where even nursing itself is frowned upon by the elderly and those who 'know better'? Like I've mentioned - it is for that special bond I am hoping to forge between sisters, that special inexplicable connection that only two nursing buddies will feel for each other."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">UPDATE:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stephany quit nursing at 9 months old. She self-weaned. I still tandem-nursed though. This time it is with no. 3 and no. 1. Yes, no. 1 started nursing again when her little brother was born. She had self-weaned previously when the wells dried up. Now that I have milk again, she wanted to nurse again. Why not? But she only gets her turn after Timothy is done. Still nursing the two big babies. One is 19 months old and the other is 6 years old! Will let them decide when they want to stop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-75245010344697870652015-12-16T11:46:00.000+08:002015-12-16T11:46:04.840+08:00Recipe for Strawberry Chocolate Tart (Eggless)Strawberry Chocolate Tart
330g Oreo Cookies
110g butter (melted)
Blend cookies and butter then freeze
Break into small pieces:
200g milk chocolate
100g bittersweet chocolate
Heat a few minutes over medium-low heat to warm:
200g Heavy Cream
Pour warm heavy cream over chocolate and let sit for 1 minute. Stir until you get a chocolate ganache.
Pour ganache into Tart base. Place strawberries and chopped nuts on top. Refrigerate for min. 2 hrs or overnight.iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-32122718510845093782011-01-02T10:56:00.001+08:002011-01-02T10:59:39.215+08:00Talking TiffanyList of words Tiffany can articulate (finally got it compiled):<br />Daddy, Papa, Mummy, Mama, Yeye (grandpa), Gugu (paternal aunt), Ah Ma (grandma), Ah Yi (maternal aunt), Kor Kor (elder bro), cheh cheh (elder sis), Didi (younger bro), Meimei (younger Sis), apple, pear, orange, peach, blueberry (but she says boobear), cookie, no (unfortunately, she learnt to refuse before learning to say Yes), baby, bubbles, bear, horse (she goes HHHHOr), moo (cow), ouou (dog), mehhh (cat), baabaa (sheep), oooh-ooh-aah-ahh (monkey), arrrh (crow), gagaga (duck), guaguagua (frog), more (literally, when she wants more of something) and momo (bf milk). There might be something I've missed out. Oh well.iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-2829286255047264932010-08-28T16:27:00.000+08:002010-08-28T16:28:28.109+08:00Breast is Best'Breast is BEST.' Have you heard this phrase repeated in books you read during pregnancy, on websites you surfed before you delivered, and during antenatal classes - an introductory preview to what your little bundle of joy really is about? Well, it can't be more true, but it also can't be all that easy...<br /><br />Before I delivered, I read all about natural deliveries and how your newborn baby can suckle immediately once delivered. I even saw this scene on YouTube videos. I was sure I was going to deliver naturally and have my baby feeding naturally straight after birth. My OBGYN was Dr Kek Lee Phin, and she knew what I wanted, but she also warned that my arthritic condition may impede natural delivery and having an epidural may also not be possible. Yet, I just so badly wished for a natural delivery that I almost expected it. I also thought that I'll start breastfeeding immediately after birth.<br /><br />Yes, you guessed it. Things didn't go my way. I was in labour for 26 hours. Dr Kek tried her best to help make my dream natural delivery possible and she explained each development every step along the way. After 25 hours, my cervix was only 2.5cm dilated and she knew if I didn't deliver soon, my baby would be in distress. Eventually I needed an emergency C-section. The anaesthetist's assessment was that it had to be done under General Anaesthesia because of my arthritic condition. I was promptly wheeled into the operating theatre and baby Tiffany was delivered in less than an hour, at 1747h on 21st July 2009.<br /><br />Late in the evening, when I woke up, I didn't see my baby. All I saw were my friends and relatives. I drifted off again. I didn't know how long had passed but nurses came in with baby Tiffany and started to help me initiate breastfeeding in a side-lying position. Tiffany seemed to have latched on and she looked like she was nursing so I thought, "Hey, this is easy." Little did I know that Tiffany wasn't latched on properly nor getting any colostrum or milk from me! Nobody said I was not going to have milk! I thought milk just appears once the baby is delivered. How ignorant I was! The nurses then handed me some pamphlets and in it, I read that for some, milk doesn't come in till 3-5 days after delivery. I freaked out when I found out that Tiffany wasn't getting anything despite suckling and crying so hard. I think the hormones were also surging at that time so I was frantic and fearful.<br /><br />Thankfully, the doctors, the lactation consultants and nurses of Mt Elizabeth Hospital held my hands throughout the entire trying phase.<br /><br />Dr Kek prescribed some medication to stimulate my milk producing hormones, and she also prescribed rest and relaxation. She asked me to reduce visitations, darken the room, listen to classical music and to sleep as much as possible. She kept encouraging me to eat nutritious food and to drink lots of water and soup. I guess her surgical skills were pretty good as on the very next day after the surgery, I was up and about, attending breastfeeding classes and walking to and from the nursery. I could very quickly start breastfeeding with the cradle hold. The quick recovery with no complications at all made it a lot easier for me to focus on breastfeeding.<br /><br />Dr Irene Chan, Tiffany's paediatrician, constantly updated and assured me of the health of my little starved infant and she encouraged me to perservere for the sake of giving Tiffany the best. She even shared her personal experiences with me and listened patiently to me as I broke down and cried in despair (I'm sure I had the blues then.) With Tiffany under her care, I was always assured that she was doing okay without the first few days of milk.<br /><br />The lactation consultants (LCs) were also going many extra miles to encourage and help me establish breastfeeding. The first thing they worked on was the latch. Tiffany has a very small mouth so latching on correctly wasn't easy at all. The LCs came to my room at almost every feeding just to see if I needed help. The nurses also helped me almost at every feeding and encouraged me to keep trying, giving me invaluable tips which worked. After the 3rd day, I still wasn't getting any milk, not even a single drop of colostrum! I was so envious of the mothers who had droplets of milk flowing just at the sound of their babies' cries. I attended breastfeeding classes religiously and worked on the latch. One of the staff nurses invited me to use the classroom to view a video by Dr Jack Newman to learn more about the correct latching technique. Although I was extremely tired, I asked the nurses to wake me when it was time at night to nurse. And during those wee hours of the night, the nurses would accompany me till Tiffany latched on properly before leaving and they always gently encouraged me to keep going. I always remember how comforting the nurses were when I was so fearful and tired then. That happened almost every 2-4 hours. One LC, Guat Choo was her name, was particularly candid and skilled. She tried to brighten things up with her chirpy disposition and she helped me to get my very first drop of colostrum. She was very skilled. She pressed and massaged my breast and nipples until eventually, my colostrum started flowing. Sure, it hurt, but it was only through pain that I gained my very first drop of colostrum! I was also taught how to use the breast pumps and I pumped when my baby was too tired to suckle because of jaundice. On day 5, my milk came in and I was the happiest mother on earth! Every drop I pumped was so precious. I almost couldn't bear to wash the milk bottles. Every drop Tiffany had was the result of perseverence, sweat and tears.<br /><br />Back then, I felt that breastfeeding was the hardest thing to do. Hearing my baby's cries and knowing that I couldn't nourish her with my inadequate supply of colostrum and milk was especially hard for me. But I am very thankful for the tremendous help I had received. In retrospect, the pro-breastfeeding culture at MEH could probably be what had helped me to eventually give Tiffany the very BEST.<br /><br />12 months on, I'm still breastfeeding Tiffany. She absolutely loves to breastfeed. Not only is it a source of nutrition, during difficult periods like illnesses, vaccinations and teething, it is also her source of comfort. I love cuddling her while she feeds and lying together with her as she nurses every day. I have also saved A LOT of money as I have not spent a single cent on formula milk. I don't have to wash any bottles now as I feed her directly every day. When she accidentally bumps her knee, breastfeeding comforts her. After her injections, she's rewarded with breast milk. When she wakes at night with a fever burning, breastfeeding helps her to feel better. I thoroughly enjoy the breastfeeding relationship I have with her and I don't intend to stop unless she wants to. In the meantime, let me savour this beautiful gift from God and enjoy breastfeeding for as long as Tiffany wants it! iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-56419517731122053302010-07-30T11:25:00.000+08:002016-04-04T04:36:35.150+08:00Mozzie Bites!<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh no there's a dreadful mosquito in the house.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm so 'sway', I got bitten thrice.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wonder why it finds my blood so nice.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Heng Tiff wasn't bitten, not once not twice.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ahh! Here comes another irritating bite.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Right on the previous mosquito bite site.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's itchy, it's scratchy, it's driving me nuts.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wait till I find it, I'll whack out its guts!</span>iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-10109347354386835742010-06-23T12:20:00.002+08:002010-06-23T12:30:06.214+08:00TWG @ ION OrchardSo I was saying the other day that I fantasized going downtown to have tea and cake at TWG.<br /><br />Well... I did it! My lovely colleague and friend, Jeya (actually she's Kavitha but for some bizarre reason, everyone calls her by the shortened version of her father's name, Jeyamalar) invited me to bring Tiffy put on an outing. It was hard with a baby who has naptimes to follow but we made it there.<br /><br />Well, we still had to queue, as expected, despite the fact that it was a weekday afternoon. Don't these people have to work?! When we finally got in, we crammed into a little table between two other tables. Soon after we ordered, my precious little baby needed to nap. Ahh, that makes the entire tea time all the more enjoyable.<br /><br />With Tiffy in my sling (cos the pram had to be parked somewhere else), I had the most delicious tea and cake and finger sandwiches. They don't sound like a lot but we paid $30 each for the tea set. I liked Jeya's tea. It was Sakura something. I had my favourite bergamot infused Earl Grey Buddha tea.<br /><br />Mmm mmm!iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-90305112612738650162010-06-23T12:12:00.002+08:002016-04-04T04:36:04.389+08:00My Beautiful Baby<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has perfect ears.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has perfect eyes.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has perfect lips.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has a perfect nose.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has a perfect mouth.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has perfect hair.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has perfect teeth.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has a perfect face.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has perfect arms.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has perfect little hands.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has perfect legs.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has perfect little feet.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She has a perfect little belly button!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And even if there's anywhere imperfect, she's still my perfect little baby.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I love her so much. With all my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Tiffany - my perfect little baby.</span>iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-48141347365074456742010-05-25T16:27:00.000+08:002010-05-25T16:42:12.309+08:00Tea at TWGLet me introduce all of you to Nat. She's my bestest friend since NIE (although we were supposed to have known each other in JC) and Tiffy's Godma. Her husband's Kugan and very aptly Tiffy's Godpa.<br /><br />SO. We were playing a game of Words with Friends (as usual, our daily battle against each other) when she said that she was at TWG at ION Orchard having tea and cake. Here I am, stuck to my Siamese twin Tiffy in a bid to nurse her back to nap, stomach growling and mouth watering at the very thought of tea and cake. So I asked Nat to tapow some tea and cake for me. I was kidding lah. And to my HORROR (not), she has left.<br /><br />Okay, yes, I'm kinda bored. So here's my reply to Nat using Whatsapp:<br /><br />I was kiddin. But yes, I'm still envious. I fantasize popping Tiffy into my slingalingaling and popping us together into a cabbycabbycab and riding it down to townytownytown and going up to TWG for tea and cakeycakeycake and going yummyyummyyum. Sigh. Pipe dream.<br /><br />Just fantasizing. In reality, I'll be too lazy to pack the diaper bag, and prep Tiffy for a long trip down town just for tea and cake. Besides, it's almost dinner time now.<br /><br />Uh oh, the Queen Bee has woken up and no amount of nursing would keep her asleep. It's time for singing and playing and reading (and pottying and diaper-changing) now!iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-42129124149729333042010-05-24T23:56:00.001+08:002016-04-04T04:35:20.402+08:00Boliao Joke #1<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Q: How many existentialists does it take to screw in a light bulb? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A: Two. One to screw it in and one to observe how the light bulb itself symbolizes a single incandescent beacon of subjective reality in a netherworld of endless absurdity reaching out toward a cosmos of nothingness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Got this joke from Autumn Sweater's blog. I enjoy reading his blog!</span>iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-52022058708349117012010-05-21T23:03:00.002+08:002010-05-21T23:22:00.531+08:00Lights! Camera! Action!We liken our precious little daughter to a queen bee. That's cos we work our ass off to make sure she gets the best of everything.<br /><br />Milk on demand? Check.<br />Daddy who is willing to change her diaper every morning? Check.<br />Mommy who sings and does action songs to entertain her (so that maybe she'll be cheery enough to allow another morsel of food through her tightly shut front gnashers)? Check.<br />Grandparents who visit every day to entertain her so that Mommy can get a lunch break? Check.<br />Godma who visits at least once a week just to cuddle her? Check.<br />Godpa who dances in the middle of the mall with her (and taught her the art of dance)? Check.<br />Laundry washed every other day? Check.<br />Company at night on a queen sized mattress (cos she's the Queen Bee after all)? Check<br />Tons of storybooks? Check.<br />Tons of toys? Check.<br />Fun bath-time? Check.<br />Play-yard with tons of toys? Check.<br />Play-mat so she won't graze her royal butt or knock her royal head against the cold hard floor within the play-yard? Check.<br />3 dish meals? Check.<br />Porridge with at least 1 veg and 1 meat every day? Check.<br /><br />The list is endless.<br /><br />And on top of all these, a Mommy who tries to chronicle every little development she has made in her journey through childhood.<br /><br />Here's a list of actions Tiffany (the Queen Bee) can do now:<br /><br />*LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!*<br /><br />Clap hands<br />Wave goodbye<br />Hold toy phone receiver to her ear<br />Show her tongue<br />Dance<br />Point to her ear<br />Point to someone else's nose<br />Point to Daddy's teeth (never works with anyone else's)<br />Point to Daddy when you ask her where he is<br />Search for 3rd Aunt's cat when you ask her where it is<br />Point to her dog when you ask her where it is<br /><br />All the above will be executed solely based on the Queen Bee's mood.iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-56822882574988930592010-03-26T10:59:00.004+08:002010-03-26T11:22:40.159+08:00Food! Glorious Food!Why doesn't little baby Tiffany have the same sentiment? Food is such a joy! It's so fun to buy, to prepare, to cook, and it's so nice to slurp and smack lips and feel it mashing up between your cheeks and gums! Oh, have we forgotten to mention the myriad of tastes and aromas that fill your nose as you taste something new each week?<br /><br />The purée business is so far so good. The following is a list I keep on my phone:<br /><br /> Rice cereal<br /> Potato purée <br /> Avocado purée<br /> Pumpkin purée<br /> Banana purée<br />Banana mash <br /> Sweet potato purée<br /> Barley cereal<br /> Applesauce<br /> Pearsauce<br /> Rice porridge<br /> Oat/Mixed grain cereal<br /> Carrot purée<br /> Butternut squash purée<br />Peach purée<br />Spinach purée<br /> Yoghurt<br />Pork rib porridge<br />Chicken bone porridge<br />Sweetcorn porridge<br />Carrot porridge<br />Brocolli porridge<br />Spinach porridge<br />Ikan bilis porridge<br /><br />For the foods that I've made and offered to Tiffany, I put a symbol to indicate her reaction to it. Those without iPhone will probably not be able to see those symbols. So far her favourite food requires no cooking or preparation. Sigh. It's yoghurt. I got her Petit Miam. Very ex. 6 tiny pots of yoghurt for $5.50.<br /><br />Currently, Tiffany's 8 months old. I'm giving her a bit more texture in her food and introducing more solid stuff to her. She's not used to it and resultantly gags sometimes. But I've got to keep trying. She has so far choked on:<br /><br />Baby rusk<br />Banana<br />Oat cereal (Stage 2 Cerelac)<br />Very mushy pork rib porridge<br /><br />My friend Edelweiss suggested I put sweetcorn instead of potato into the porridge to make it taste much better. It's stewing in my slow cooker now. The entire house is filled with the fragrance of JAGUNG. Mmmmmm... Mouthwatering aroma! I hope Tiffy will like her porridge better. I've tried cooking it for 4 weeks now, almost every day. After this nap when she takes her lunch, Tiffy will give her verdict.iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-40205188194109313632010-03-11T20:47:00.000+08:002010-03-11T20:49:01.505+08:00Rubber HeartieMy heart is made of rubber<br />Soft and malleable<br />It floats on a pool of sweet water<br />That flows with joy and laughter<br /><br />It's easy to melt my heart<br />It is a simple art<br />All you need is teardrops<br />And a sprinkle of tiny sobs<br /><br />Whom does my heart hold dear<br />My little baby Tiffany<br />A whimper, a sob, I freeze with fear<br />Instinctively I crave to hold her<br /><br />So how am I to sleep train her?<br />To opt for the extreme extinction<br />How am I to let her cry?<br />All alone in the crib by herself<br />How can I preserve my sanity?<br />When seconds seem hours ticking by<br />How my heart aches to hear each sob!<br />I'll feel I have to stop<br /><br />It's going to be so very hard<br />To sleep train my precious daughter<br />For I know she's bound to break my heart<br />With as little as a tiny whimper iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-90791309783775256522010-03-08T20:34:00.003+08:002010-03-08T20:39:56.220+08:00Magic Number FiveFive times.<br /><br />That's how many times Tiffany peed in her potty today. Do you think she has started associating peeing with the potty and the ssssssssss sound? I'm afraid to think so because I'm not sure a 7 month old can learn so fast, but somewhere deep in my heart I believe my daughter can do it! I'm a happy mommy!<br /><br />*Happy sigh*iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-15878636963776216332010-03-08T10:51:00.000+08:002010-03-08T11:04:53.993+08:00A Better ScheduleToday is a better day already.<br /><br />I've decided to follow the sleep trainer's advice to stop following popular sleep guides on the Internet and follow her advice instead. I've been doing a popular 2-3-4 waketime schedule but obviously it ain't working for my baby. Instead, the waketimes are adjusted to 3-3-4 and bedtime can be pushed back till 8-9 o'clock.<br /><br />I started this new schedule yesterday, a day after our Skype consultation with the sleep trainer. Tiffy slept better during her morning nap after we kept her awake for a longer time. We took a walk to the nearby coffeeshop to have breakfast and stimulate her senses a lot more. Afternoon's a no-go cos Tiffy slept during our grocery shopping in NTUC.<br /><br />Last night's bedtime was pushed to 8.15pm (instead of the usual 6.30-7pm). She actually slept a lot better last night! She woke at 12 and 4.45. After quick feedings, she was back to sleep promptly. Yay! To me, not waking at 2-4am to play and not sleep IS a great achievement!<br /><br />This morning I tried to drag her waketime to 3h but by 2 & 1/2 h, Tiffany couldn't hold out anymore. She was crying away and after quickly changing her diaper and clothes, she was alling asleep in my arms. After a quick feed and cuddle she was off to Lalaland! That was at 10am. Until now! It's 11.05am now. She's still sleeping. Yay! What an achievement!<br /><br />Everything is still in the experimental phase. More updates and better news soon, I hope!iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-57494071144456591972010-03-06T22:00:00.000+08:002010-03-06T22:13:34.057+08:00Baby LogOk, this post is kinda boring. It's for those who want to know how a 7 month old baby with sleep problems go through the day. This is what I record in my notepad every day. It's for my reference (but honestly, it's for me to record little successes with naps that are past 1 hour, poop in the potty, etc). It just makes me happy to look back on small achievements and remind myself "Today is going to be a better day".<br /><br />Some typical entries:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3/3/10</span><br />6am Wake & milk<br />6.45am Diaper off<br />8am Diaper on<br />8.10am Milk<br />8.25am Nap. Broken 1h<br />9.25am Wake & milk<br />10.25am Porridge & applesauce<br />11am Diaper off<br />11.30am Diaper on<br />12.30pm Nap. Broken 1h 45min<br />2.15pm Wake & milk<br />3.15pm Pork rib porridge, pearsauce and mixed cereal<br />4pm Poop in the potty<br />5pm Walk<br />5.30pm Bath<br />6pm Milk<br />6.20pm Sleep (...1030-130-430-5.30)<br />5.30am Wake & milk & carry<br />6am Sleep. Broken 11h<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4/3/10<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />7am Wake & milk<br />7.30am Diaper off<br />8.50am Diaper on<br />8.55am Milk<br />9am Nap. Broken 1h 30min<br />10.50am Wake & milk<br />11.30am Mixed cereal & applesauce<br />12.30pm Poop & diaper off<br />1.35pm Diaper on<br />1.55pm Milk<br />2.05pm Nap. Broken 1h 20min<br />3.30pm Wake & milk<br />4.30pm Milk, pearsauce & mixed cereal<br />4.35pm Poop & diaper off<br />5.30pm Walk<br />6.30pm Bath<br />7.10pm Milk<br />7.15pm Sleep (9-1130-130-430)<br />4.30am Wake, milk & carry<br />5.30am Sleep. Broken 11h<br /><br />5/3/10<br />7.10am Wake & milk<br />7.35am Diaper off<br />8.50am Diaper on<br /><br /><br />The word "Broken" simply means assistance was needed from me for Tiffy to get back to sleep. It appears every day in the log, which means she has never fallen asleep without my help.iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-52404121162001191962010-03-06T19:31:00.000+08:002010-03-06T19:47:49.305+08:00Sleep Consultant ConsultedToday JD and I got my mom to come to our house to babysit lil Tiffany while we Skype with our newly hired sleep consultant, whose name I shall not reveal until her action plan is carried out and proven to work.<br /><br />After the one hour consultation, here are some problems with Tiffany's sleep schedule and patterns that were highlighted to us:<br /><br />1. Sleep associations (Namely nursing and carrying. She needs be given an opportunity to learn how to self-soothe.)<br />2. Overestimation of her sleep needs (12.5h in total including naps. We doing 12h for night sleep and 1h each for the 2 naps.)<br />3. Bedtime too early (Currently at about 6-7pm. An age-appropriate bedtime is 9pm.)<br />4. Bedtime and naptime routine not soothing and obvious enough (Currently just a bath, cd and nursing for bedtime. No proper routine for naps.)<br /><br />Our sleep trainer is going to give us an action plan on Monday, which we will implement on 19th March, the weekend after our trip to Phuket. I'll have to dedicate 2 weeks of consistent sleep training to solve Tiffy's sleep problems. Wish me luck.<br /><br />Till then, it's still me using one of the only 2 tools in my box, nursing, to put baby Tiffany to sleep. I won't write much as I have too little sleep every day dealing with Tiffany's multiple waking and inability to soothe herself to sleep. Maybe when she can finally sleep on her own, I'll have time to work on my lappy and do more blog decor like putting up pictures and videos and all.iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-13254873865410495862010-03-01T19:06:00.000+08:002010-03-02T09:18:33.623+08:00Teething PainsTiffany's 5th & 6th teeth have started showing (little white dots). Today is cranky day with 4 patches of dribble rash on her chinny chin chin and countless bouts of unexplainable crying.<br /><br />God help me please.iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-7471030203138365012010-02-24T21:22:00.000+08:002010-02-24T21:30:39.534+08:00Sleep Consultation is PostponedThus, so will the actual sleep training.<br /><br />Yay - cos I don't have to go through my dear baby's cries yet.<br />Boo - cos I'm still a sleep-deprived mom whose mammary glands are overworked and abused, and whose back is breaking from carrying and pacifying the 8.4kg to sleep.<br /><br />Why is the sleep trainer's consultation postponed? She had an urgent trip back to the US. We've got to wait for her to come back to SG first. At the rate things are going, sleep training will have to be postponed at least till after our trip to Phuket in March. The procrastination has a valid reason after all. (The previous reason was CNY).iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-39536024780837194552010-02-24T14:33:00.000+08:002010-02-24T15:02:03.358+08:00Pot Pot in the PottyStarted potty training a couple of weeks ago thanks to good advice from Mother-in-Law. She said it was about time. Got kinda tired carrying my 8.4kg to the washbasin to do the Sssss-xercise. (Sssss-xercise = Holding Tiffany above the washbasin and whistling "sssss" in an attempt to make her pee.)<br /><br />Last week, while JD was on a week long leave (yay!) we went to Kiddy Palace to buy a potty. Its brand is 'Goodbaby' (what kind of a brand is that?!) and it fits Tiffy's well-endowed bum to the T! (Fit = She doesn't fall in!) We saw exactly the same thing at Mothercare but the Kiddy Palace one was way cheaper. Pirated potty.<br /><br />M-care potty: $30+<br />VS<br />Kiddy Palace potty: $15.90 w 10% member's discount.<br /><br />Anyway, I have news. On 23rd February 2010, Tiffy did her first poop (aka POTPOT) into the potty. It was a fluke really, as I saw yellow goop spluttering out of her bum while I was just about to put on a fresh new diaper. I quickly sat her on the potty and encourage her by saying, "Nggggggggghhhhh, nggggggggghhhhh, pot pot into the potty Tiffany! Come on you can do it, just pot pot into the potty." And when the deed was done, I clapped my hands, showed Tiffany {^.^} face, pointed to the mound of mushy poop and said, "Yay! You pot pot into the potty! Good job! Well done!"<br /><br />Now I have better news. This morning at 7.55am while I was getting my teeth brushed, I told JD, "Why don't you try sitting Tiffy on the potty while you're waiting for me?" He did and voilà! She peed into the potty! And yes JD gave the whistle cue.<br /><br />Now things get even better. At 12pm or so, Tiffy had an NTP 'Need To Poop' face so my MIL (she has a wealth of experience reading NTP faces) immediately recognized the face, stripped Tiffy of the diaper and place her little bum neatly on the Goodbaby potty. Lil Tiffany was as good as the Goodbaby potty. She happily pot pot into it for the second time. Double yay!<br /><br />I scurried into the room to celebrate the moment with MIL and my little pot pot heroine!<br /><br />Happy sigh. Little successes always make motherhood very satisfying (and keeps one sane).<br /><br />Happy sigh again.iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-50474865250756672262010-02-24T09:46:00.000+08:002010-02-24T09:47:22.434+08:00The Elusive SleepSleep, oh sleep!<br />How elusive can you be!<br />No matter how I shut my eyes<br />You escape my grasp and slip me by<br />No matter how I'm rocked and danced<br />You briefly come by for just that once<br />Like the shadow that appears when the sun is in the sky<br />You disappear quickly when the clouds come by<br /><br />Sleep, oh sleep!<br />How I need you so much!<br />I work so hard to shut my eyes<br />But nothing happens, why oh why?<br />My schedule apparently is theoretically perfect<br />But sleep, dear sleep, you are a defect<br />I'm just so cranky when I don't have you<br />My ears start to bleed and my mom's heart too<br /><br />Sleep, sleep, I just don't get you.iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-57369574742348377802010-02-12T09:49:00.000+08:002010-02-12T10:22:18.963+08:00So How Does Tiffany Sleep Now?Here's what I do:<br /><br />NAPS<br />Nurse Tiffany. When she's getting quite drowsy, I carry her for a while and put her down on the mattress on the floor. She will wake between 15 - 30 mins. I immediately pick her and put her in my hotsling and dance away. After about 15 mins of rocking in the sling, I attempt to put her down again. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. If it doesn't work, round 2 of Dance Dance Revolution with my handy hotsling. This goes on till she manages to sleep onthe mattress. If dancing-in-the-sling fails, I'll nurse her again. If even nursing her fails, I'll pull my hair out and relook the schedule of the day. The rest of the day's schedule depends on what time she wakes.<br /><br />BEDTIME<br />Simple. Just nurse her. Carrying doesn't work. I mean the dancing-in-the-sling thing doesn't work. I've tried many times. Only one thing works: nursing. I just plop myself right next to her on the mattress on the floor and put her to the breast. Breastmilk is like liquid Valium. Helps Tiffy sleep almost immediately. So I'll shuttle between her room and the dining table during dinnertime to put her back to sleep while having dinner. However, at 4am, it's a different story altogether. Our friend wakes up and is like an energizer bunny. She'll entertain herself on the mattress, exploring the undulating terrain of pillows and bolsters while Mommy, in a state of melatonin-induced stupor, will shove her to the breast in the hopes of getting her back to sleep. It never works. Then Mommy will grope in the blacked out darkness (Sunout curtains from Spotlight) for her handy sling and do the dance thing again. For maybe a couple of hours. Sometimes I'm so tired I feel like collapsing on the mattress with her in my sling. She generally falls asleep at about 6am and wakes at 7am for the day.<br /><br />Honestly, I'm at my wit's end. I'm so tired of making Tiffany sleep but sleep training is so hard to do. Nevertheless, for Tiffany's good (learning self-soothing skills) and my sanity, JD and I have decided to start sleep training after the Chinese New Year. We found a sleep trainer in Singapore. If she's good, I'll put her URL here. If her action plan fails, we'll do Ferberizing. Wish me luck.iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510364484191368541.post-71845271418916806262010-02-07T14:42:00.000+08:002010-02-25T16:13:15.770+08:00The Facebook Application on my iPhone failed me so I Decided to BlogI started this blog when the Facebook application on my iPhone failed me for the tenth time. I've been writing musings as a new SAHM on Facebook as 'Status Updates'. I usually do these when my dear daughter (6 months old as of 21st Jan 2010) is napping. I actually am stuck in her bedroom with her as she wakes in 15-30 minutes after falling asleep. My job is to be armed with my hotsling over the shoulder and pick her up as soon as she stirs (if I'm a tad too late, she'll be too awake to fall back asleep).<br /><br />Yes, yes, I know this isn't the way to go. I've read enough Ferber, Weissbluth, Babycentre and Kidshealth.org websites to know that I should sleep-train her. Like NOW. But... (There's always a 'but', isn't there?)<br /><br />Dr Weissbluth's EXTINCTION method of sleep training was carried out a month ago and failed miserably. Basically what went wrong was this:<br />After the prescribed 1 hour of crying, poor baby Tiffany was covered in puke and poop when JD and I went in to rescue her. It was a heartwrenching sight. I can still hear her pathetic sobs and whimpers. I, being a mother WITH A CONSCIENCE, immediately picked her up and hugged her as tears flowed freely. I was so so sad to have put her through it! For a good five minutes I just held onto poor little sobbing Tiffany, puke and poop and all, and didn't want to let her go. JD was also heartbroken so he hugged the two of us and we all cried together. It was so hard. But for the greater good, we decided to try again. After 1 hour of relentless crying, we went in to rescue our poor baby. She was again lying in excrement. THIS IS CHILD ABUSE! We decided to stop sleep training once and for all.iLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559363362442399840noreply@blogger.com0