Introducing Solid Food

Caedy is now 7 mo +. I enjoy preparing solid food for her. One of the main reasons is Baby Bullet set. It's this cute blender set that comes with date-dial cups to store the food, blend blade, milling blade, and easy pop batch tray to make food cubes. 

So far I've tried apple puree, pear puree, carrot puree, avocado puree, sweet potato puree and homemade pearled barley cereal... Except apple & avocado (which will turn brown if you keep in the fridge), I usually prepare 3 days food and store the food into the cute little cups. The good thing about these cups is it has date-dial system, just twist the date dial to the preparation date and store in the fridge. Easy peasy lemon squeezy... No more "oh man.. when did I prepare the food again?" U know... post-pregnancy brain.

For apple, pear, carrot and sweet potato puree, what I did was: steam the fruit / vege until it's soft, usually it takes about 20-30mins, cool them, and then blend it using baby bullet blender. And voila... you've got your healthy puree!

As for avocado, when it's ripe, scoop the meat out with spoon, add a little bit of water and blend into smooth texture. Mix with breastmilk. And... it's done. Yum yummm and healthy!

Whereas for barley, cook the barley until it's soft, then cool it and put inside the blender and blend until smooth. Alternatively, you can use the miller to make the barley into powder. then simmer in boiling water...

I'll start cooking porridge when Caedy is 9months.

I think all mommies are very excited when their baby is almost 6mo. For more info about baby's first food, do refer to http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/. One of the best websites that gives info about baby's food.

I usually fed Caedy solid 30-60mins after she drank her milk. i started with only 2-3 teaspoons of solid once a day, then slowly add another meal then slowly add the portion. Now she's eating about 2-3 tablespoons twice a day. And yeap she's growing healthy and happy!

 7mo & she has started pulling herself up! I'm definitely happy with her developmental milestones! Yippie!

No Wheezing - Breastfeeding

Caedy is now 5 mo 2 wks. She could hardly sleep for the last 2 nights, her nose was blocked, her cough was phlegmy ... Doc checked her, he said other than lotsa mucus in the nose, there is no problem at all. Her lung is strong and clear. 

I still remember Keira's lung constantly had wheezing sound since she was a little infant, she outgrew it when she was almost 3yo. Now I'm even more convinced that breastfeeding really benefits Caedy. If I could turn back time, I'd breastfeed Keira no matter how hard it was. Well, if only.

I have to say the first 2 years of raising Keira wasn't easy at all, we brought her to doctor very frequently. Even until now, her immune system is still quite weak. I know breastfeeding can be quite tough, but it's tougher to see our baby is weak & easily fall sick.

Keira when she was 2yo+

 Feb 2011, suspected pneumonia. lotsa wheezing sound in her lung.

Let me say again, the key to successful breastfeeding is support and persistence. 
You can do it, for the sake of your little one :)

xoxo

TRAVELLING WITH INFANT, WHAT TO PACK?

When it comes to travelling with newborn or infant, you won't want to forget to bring the important stuff. So what to pack in the luggage? Here's the list to help you get started:

(It depends on how many days you are away from home, in this list, let's make it 5 days 4 nights)

1. CLOTHING
i. Clothes for daytime - 6 sets (4 sets for the next 4 days and 2 extra sets, if you are using cloth diaper, you might need to bring more).
ii. Pyjamas - 6 sets (same as above)

2. DIAPERS (depends on the age & how frequent you change the diapers daily.) Usually, I just pack enough for 2 days, and I'll buy the rest when I reach the destination.

3. TOWEL

4. BABY HEAD TO TOE CLEANSER

5. NAPKIN / HANDKERCHIEF / BIBS

6. BABY OIL (if you do baby massage)

7. MOSQUITO REPELLENT (optional)

8. SOCKS (6 pairs)

9. HAT (optional)

10. SHOES (optional)

11. BLANKET

12. BABY SLING/ CARRIER (optional)

13. TOYS (2-3 toys)

14. STROLLER (prefer a light one)

15. LIQUID CLEANSER & BOTTLE BRUSH (to wash the bottles)

16. WET TISSUES

17. BOTTLES (at least 2 bottles)

18. PACIFIER (if using one)

19. BABY  LOTION (if going to cold weather country)

20. SUN BLOCK FOR BABIES (if going outdoor often)

21. DIAPER BAG

22. MEDICINE (don't forget this if your baby is prescribed any meds by her doc)

23. MILK POWDER (bring extra, unless you are sure you can buy the same brand in the destination).

24. THERMOS FLASK

25. NAPPY RASH CREAM

26. NAIL CLIPPER (infants' nails grow very fast) - make sure you check this into the luggage, instead of hand-carrying it.

If you are breastfeeding, you gotta pack more stuff:
1. BREASTPUMP (esp if you know you won't be able to direct-feed when you are not in the hotel room)
2. STORAGE BAGS/BOTTLES to keep the expressed milk in the fridge
3. COOLER BAG
4. ICE PACKS
5. BOTTLE WARMER (optional)
6. DISPOSABLE PADS
7. NURSING COVER
8. EXPRESSED BREASTMILK (if needed - but make sure it remains chilled in the cooler bag)

Probably you need to imagine how your days are gonna be like, what activities you're gonna have (i.e. if you're going to swim, then you need to add swimsuit, and so on).

Hope this list helps~

HAPPY TRAVELLING

Online Shopping

I bought most of Caedy's stuff online, cos I was in Singapore during most of the pregnancy and Keith wasn't in KL after I gave birth. So online shopping made it all easy and possible.

So these are the websites I purchased from (you need to check and compare):

1. http://www.fabulousmom.com - most of their stuffs are cheaper than other shops. I bought most of my breastfeeding accessories there, including breastpump and its accessories, nursing bras, nursing tea, nursing pads, baby carrier, etc...

2. littlewhiz.com - bought my net bouncer, bottle warmer, etc... and it seems like their baby cots are cheaper than others... 

3. QQbabyshop.com - bought most of Caedy's apparel and Keira's pyjamas here... All the rompers are so cute!!!

4. www.mybbstore.com - hmmm... bought a drying rack cum organizer... it was an impulsive buy :P

5. Summerglitz.com.my and mammahouse.com - maternity wear

6. www.momsbestgifts.com - bought some baby leggings here

I can't remember if I buy anything anywhere else... of course there are many more other online stores like: onebabyworld.com, kasihkusayangku.com, etc... but I can't remember anymore =.="

Happy shopping momsies............(.or dadsies????? hmm.. whatever....... :P)

My List of Important Things

So, after 2 months, these are the things that I consider "important" and they have made my life better (apart from those basic stuff):

1. The big net bouncer

2. MobyWrap (the sling)

3. Bottle warmer

4. Gina Yong's "Got Breast Milk?"

5. Bath Stand

From Avent to Dr.Brown's

I've heard that baby bottles which contain Bisphenol-A (BPA) will cause some harm to the babies. After reading some pros and cons about this, I've decided to change Keira's bottles.

So I've shifted from Avent to Dr.Brown's. I can't wait to go home and let her try her new bottles.