LittleMiss Car Seat Update

It's been two months since I posted our family car seat outburst so here's an update.

LittleMiss no longer argue's whenever I put her down and even manage to have a good snooze.

How did we do it?

1. Stay strong. Yes, it really is difficult to see your child crying (my heart is torn to pieces when this happen) but having your child strapped in the car seat is the safest way to travel.


2. Ignore. She cried in her seat begging me to get her - ignore! V would start singing and tell stories but we all ignored her and she eventually stopped and started laughing with whatever Kuya V was doing.


3. Mirror. 6ambabies at twitter gave me the  advise. It did wonders! She was busy for a good 20 minutes staring at herself :)


4. Toys. Something to keep her busy.

 

We don't have any plans just yet on moving her to a forward facing seat specially after reading that rear-facing seat is the safest choice. Read links below.

The Swedish (rear facing) car seat approach - Children sit rear facing in our Swedish seats which provide unbelievable  protection.  We keep our kids rear facing mainly for the great protection of head and neck.  As doctors say, "we can fix arms and legs – we can't fix head and neck"

One-in seven parents put their children at risk by moving them to a forward facing seat.

 

 

World Breastfeeding Week 2013

Happy Breastfeeding Week! All milking mama's





Breastfeeding week starts today till August 7. Here in Dubai though we celebrate it in November because the country observes Ramadan this month.





LittleMiss turned 13 months and still breastfeeding. I weaned V from the breast weeks before he turned 2 years old, this time though I have no plans of weaning her by that age.





I would like to thank my MIL for staying with us when I gave birth and for my husband C for the support and always cheering that we can do it.





Thank you also to Breastfeeding Q&A UAE Group for the listening, advise and stories that accompanied me on the wee hours while I feed my baby.

Read more abouth this years theme at World Breastfeeding Week

Reach out and share your breastfeeding journey Mama's!

Breastfeeding in Public

You are sitting in a cafe enjoying a cup of coffee when suddenly you overheard someone asking a mother to breastfeed her child somewhere else because that person thinks its inappropriate and disgusting.

What would you do?

Sian from our UAE breastfeeding group posted the following videos conducted by abcnews.com on how customers in a cafe reacted to the situation.

Breastfeeding an infant in public.



Breastfeeding a toddler in public.



I am very happy that UAE is a breastfeeding friendly country. I have breastfed Vierte when he was a toddler and now Chloe who is 11 months, in public with and without a cover and I haven't had a bad experience.

Some malls and establishments here have dedicated baby rooms where a mom can breastfeed her baby.

On the Breastfeeding Q&A UAE Facebook group, the most common question asked for new expat families is whether they can breastfeed in public.

Here's an excerpt from Sian's article on breastfeeding in public.

The great news is that both Islam and UAE society are in favor of breastfeeding (the Qur’an in fact teaches that babies have the right to breastfeed for two years), and it is common for mums and babies to breastfeed in public places wherever you are in the country. The Ministry of Health has publicly affirmed the right of a mother to feed her child wherever she is without being hassled, and the Department of Islamic Affairs confirms that this is perfectly acceptable, as long as the mother remains appropriately covered and follows normal dress etiquette if men are present -

See more at: http://brightbabyhood.com/breastfeeding-public/?wpmp_switcher=desktop#sthash.XIVqozNi.dpuf

Link to the complete article here

Just like any hungry adult, when a baby is hungry that baby needs to feed.

To be able to breastfeed a baby is a blessing. God blessed each mom that gift and power to nurture her child.

Next time you see a mother breastfeeding her child be thankful that you get to witness such blessing.

Don't ask her to move to the toilet to feed her child unless you're willing to enjoy your meal in the stall next to them!

 

 

Preparing for our flight

We are counting 43 days till our annual vacation back home, I am excited and a little stress out thinking about it.

This is the first time I’m travelling with 2 kids- Kuya V 5 years old and LittleMiss C 11 months. I’m reading on tips on how to keep them busy and make our flight fun. I do want to avoid the stares of fellow passengers when the LittleMiss starts to cry; those look of “What kind of Mom are you?”  and “Can you not do something to make your baby happy?”

Kuya V was 1 yr and 3 months when we travelled from PH to DXB, but he was a happy baby who only wants to sleep, cuddle and breast feed, well he did cry 10 minutes before landing.

I’m not worried much on how to entertain V, he’s happy with his Ipad games and movies. LittleMiss C on the other hand doesn’t like to stay in one place, the longest time she stayed happy inside the playpen was 30 minutes.  I am assuming she will get bored constricted to just sitting with us and not be able to move around.

I still have month to prepare for our trip.

So far here are some of the things I have in mind to keep our plane ride stress free:

1)      Games – to keep them busy, this includes card games and ipad applications.

2)      Food – V is not happy with airplane food, he once called the attention of the FA and told her that the chocolate and food she gave was not good. I have to pack healthy snack for both Kuya V and LittleMiss.

3)      Blanket – not really a blanket but a piece to keep them comfortable and “familiar” when it’s sleeping time

4)      Clean Kit – wet ones, nose spray to decongest nose, eucalyptus salve, and extra clothes.

I might do a series of making "airplane fun" posts when LittleMiss give me some blog time.

Can you share your tips on keeping kids happy on a long flight?

Guess how much I love you

There's a new show over at eJunior - Guess how much I love you - The adventures of little nutbrown hare

 

I bought our book before I gave birth to V, and read it to him when he was still swimming inside my tummy. Now he's helping me read the story to her sister.

 

Now I'm searching for a DVD on the series.

 

***

 

 

Product Review - Merries Diaper

 

As a mom you only want the best for your children, looking for the best brand to use that will work for you and the baby is a priority. It has always been a hit and miss when it comes to looking for that perfect disposable diaper that is worth every penny and makes your baby's bum happy.

 

I was given the opportunity to try out the leading diaper brand in Japan - Merries Diapers.

 

I am using cloth diaper for daytime and disposable for night, and although we are happy with the current brand that we use I am much happier after a week of trying out this magic Merries Diaper!

 

Let me list why:

1) Absorbent - LittleMiss C's bum feel dry even after using the diaper for almost 9 hours.

2) No stinky smell even if it is full pee.

3) Soft that it's inside feels like my cloth diapers.

4) Holds its shape. Have you notice that when a diaper is full it's sagging when the baby stands up. Well Merries doesn't sag at all that it still looks pretty snug even when full.

5) No leakage. Even if it's full of pee plus a bomb of poo the diaper didn't leak at all.

6) Merries has a wetness indicator that tells us parents when it's time for a nappy change.

 

7) LittleMiss C's bum is happy since it didn't develop any rash and even after using it for more than 9 hours no sign of redness at all.

***

Merries can be delivered to your door for free by calling 04-368-5191 at AED140 per pack (same price for all sizes). Also available in the following stores in Dubai: Union Coop supermarket branches in Safa Jumeirah, Al Barsha and Al Wasl, Quick Buy Super Mart Palm Jumeirah. Online at supermart.ae at AED145.00. Also available through importer website with free delivery.

You can also 'Like' Diapersbox Facebook Page for deals and competitions to win these premium diapers!

 

 

 

Chloe Isabelle - 6 months

 

A month back we entered the world of messy food fun in baby world!

 

[caption id="attachment_1362" align="aligncenter" width="428"] Carrot & Potato mash[/caption]

Her first official food on the table with us was boiled pumpkin, she was not too happy eating it but she did have fun squeezing the mash and putting some on her hair, face, arms and to the floor. It was such a big mess but the little miss sure did have fun.

She can now sit up for more than an hour but I still surround her with pillows since we had an incident of her falling. We also have to say bye bye to her bouncy chair since she's always leaning forward to grab things.

As of today she is 6 months and 18 days, she manage to move around doing a belly crawl + turning to back & front. She one noisy little miss with all the screaming, moaning and oohing, when this happen V calls her a dinosaur - Chloe-saurus.

I find myself very busy attending to her needs as she seem to be more clingy to me, to the point that she would sometimes demand to see me even when I'm taking a bath! During her nap I spend time with Kuya V as I've been a bit impatient with him.

Touch Therapy - Baby Massage

At least once in our life we have all experienced the magic of touch. Touch in the form of that one single pat in the back that congratulates your for doing good job; when a friend holds your hand after crying out all your troubles assures you that she's always there for you - the magic of touch.

 

Chloe and I along with other Mum's from the Breastfeeding Q&A UAE group won a complimentary baby massage course from The International Association of Infant Massage and Infant Massage U.S.A. with Nurse Midwife and Trained Instructor Sahar at Loving Care.

 

Everyday life can be so stressful. We may sigh and say "I need a good massage." It's not only us adults who feel stress but our young ones as well specially our babies who's only way to communicate with us is with a cry; oh how frustrating can it be when no one seems to understand what you need little baby.

 

 

Benefits of Infant Massage:

• Helps relieves discomfort from gas, colic and constipation


• Improves Blood Circulation


• Aids in Digestion


• Enhanced Development of the Nervous System 


• Stimulates Neurological Development


• Increases Alertness/Heightened Awareness


• Reduces Stress Hormones


• Improves Immune Function


• The Release of Oxytocin, the Nurturing Hormone


• Relaxes and soothes


• Deepens Bonding


• Improves communication


• Contributes to development


• Empowers


• Helps baby sleep better

(from International Association of Infant Massage - http://www.iaim.ws/Benefits.html)

 

Comfortably we choose a spot in a circle with our babies and talk about our week (talking to other mom's somehow re-assures one that you are not alone); Sahar our lovely instructor talks to us the benefits of each massage stroke we are doing, we then get our grapeseed oil carefully rub it between our palms and before we start we look our babies eye-to-eye and ask "Can I give you a massage?" 

 

The course is 4-5 sessions for about one and half an hour each. We have spent 5 wonderful Saturdays with the group and we all have seen how each baby has changed from a fussy one when started to a more calm behaviour with each massage stroke. Chloe and I have a much better bonding after class; we both look forward to 10 am for our massage time before she takes a bath. I tell you she demands one; well she gets all fussy when the clock strikes 10 am but when I ask her "Would you like a massage"  I get a little smile of YES.

I did notice that she gets better sleep after I give her a massage and when I've done just every trick I know to calm her down the one thing she needs is a good tummy massage along with her favorite song with it - skid a ma rink a dink.

***

 

Loving Care:  is a comprehensive program to empower women with knowledge, tools, and experience to connect with themselves and their baby, as they become centered themselves. These are done through consultation
and programs we offer. Loving Care prenatal and breastfeeding sessions, postnatal home visits and lactation consultation/breastfeeding support, and Baby massage classes. These can be done in private or as a group.
Lovingcare@inspiratus.us 

 

Sahar Alhusseini is a U.S. Certified Nurse Midwife and lactation consultant with experience in women’s health,
childbirth, lactation consulting and infant massage. As Loving Care's resident prenatal and postnatal health
practitioner, she provides education, and support in many different areas of women and baby's health including
breastfeeding and baby massage. Sahar holds a Masters of Science in Nursing from University of Illinois Chicago
and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University, USA.

 

 

Chloe Isabelle - 5 months

 

Look see! Lil' miss turned 5 months and we didn't have any cake to celebrate. I promise to make one for her 6th month when she starts solid food.

 

 

V is having more fun with her sister now that he is getting a reaction when he does something. Chloe likes her brother so much that she laughs at all the silly things V does. We are collecting points as who make her laugh the most and V is a sure winner.

 

Dad put up her playpen where she stays in the morning while I do some chores, sometimes I find her asleep with one toy in each hand. Yes she tends to grab everything she can reach and puts it in her mouth, which also means I can no longer wear earrings I almost lost one at the mall.

She is demanding more attention from us entering 5 months. Protests when her dad holds the ipad or phone while carrying her. When she wakes up in her cot oh dear she hysterically cries and would refuse to go back in to sleep that's why most nights all 4 of us sleep in the bed.

And while everyone says she looks more like me, I see a lot of similarities between her and Dad. Excited to start her with solid food next month :)

Breastfeeding Week 2012

Chloe and I just came home for our first Mama meeting at City Hospital and we also celebrated UAE's breastfeeding week with all the Mums & Bubs.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="403"] Breastfeeding Week 2012 Celebration at The City Hospital[/caption]

 

It was nice to see Sameera & some Nurses who was a great help to us during our stay at City Hospital. I will be forever grateful for the care and support (especially for breastfeeding) they gave us during and after our stay.

 



 

All Mum's who managed to exclusively breastfeed their babies till 6 months was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation & The Golden Bow.

 

I didn't know that there is an official symbol for breastfeeding which is the Golden Bow, read more about it here.

 

If you're wondering whether mothers can breastfeed in public places here in UAE, the answer is YES!

"Islam promotes and protects the right of a baby to breastmilk"

I breastfeed Chloe everywhere (cafe, restaurant, grocery, & mall) with a feeding cover and sometimes just using a burp cloth or shawl. If you do want to feed your baby privately you can do so in baby rooms (but not all malls have one).

 

Breastfeeding can be hard to some women and a good support from your family or a group like Breastfeeding Q&A UAE on facebook really helps.

 

Here's some breastfeeding article in UAE:

Breast feeding: Natures food for thought

Support for breast feeding families

 

 

Chloe Isabelle - 4 months old

Oh October what a busy month that I almost forgot to post that our Chloe turned 4 months old. Time is flying fast but each day we are full of joy. Chloe is such a happy baby that just lights up a gloomy day! His Kuya V loves to cheer her whenever she tries to roll to her tummy and back. Although she would sometimes shower her brother with vomit kisses he just adores and love her to bits.

 

 

We have been attending a baby massage class and she just loves every stroke. It's also our first mom-baby group activity, there's just some joy when you are around babies and listening to stories of other Mum assures one that we are doing the best thing we can for our babies.

 

 

At four months old:

• Weighs 6.2 kgs and is 63.5 cm long


• Received her 2nd dose of DTap, PCV, and Rotavirus vaccines


• Manages to sleep on her own (I put her down on the crib half awake).


• Sleeps on her back or tummy and no more swaddling


• Laughs! (Just gives so much joy to her brother)


• Responds with coo's and giggles when we talk to her.


• Rolls to tummy


• Reaches for toys

 

We have been out on most weekends attending birthday parties and she's such a people person giving each who greets her a smile (except when it's her sleeping time).

Thank your for giving us so much joy my love!

 

 

Pwera Usog

Usog is a similar concept to a evil eye hex which usually affects a child who is greeted/praised by a visitor or stranger. According to our elders once affected by usog the baby/child gets sick or would just become restless and would cry for hours.

To prevent this visitors are requested to ("lawayan ang bata" ) put his saliva in a finger and rub this on either the baby's tummy, forehead or feet and say "pwera usog" before leaving. I just find it utterly disgusting to mark a baby with saliva! Whenever someone did this though I would secretly (didn't want to offend the elders)  wipe the area with antiseptic wipes.

Another practice is to let the newborn where a red bracelet (some a mix of red & black) called corales (beads are made from corals).  The beads is believed to catch/block away the usog and would draw the visitors attention to the bracelet first before the baby.

When Auntie Bing found out that baby #2 is a girl she suggested to let the baby wear a corales bracelet, I requested a gold corales but they didn't find any to their liking (they were looking for a design which was similar to what I wore when I was a baby). Her Lola Bing (grandma) bought her 3 bracelets and yes she wears them everyday.

I defied a lot of pamahiin (traditions) when V was a baby. He didn't  wear any corales and to the horror of my MIL didn't even put aceite de manzanilla (believe to prevent baby from getting stomach ache) before and after bath time. The only thing I did though was to not let V out of the house (except for doctor visit) till he was baptized.

And when all of the option above fail they say that boiling the clothes of the baby worn on the last place you came from will cure the restlessness and crying.  Coincidence or not but I did this 1 time for V - When we reached my Aunts place after attending a New Year celebration on my husbands side my poor baby who was sleeping on the way home was suddenly crying (he was 3 months old). I tried everything from feeding to bathing him but he was still restless and already vomiting from crying and finally after 30 minutes my Aunt mentioned "baka na-usog ang bata"  so she ask C to call his mom and ask for help. My MIL suggested we boil V's clothes worn on the party when the water started boiling with his clothes V stopped crying and slept peacefully.

Do I believe in any of them? Well I can't say that I don't; let's just say that there is no harm in following traditions as long as it doesn't hurt the child or would ask me to do something really crazy/disgusting.

*Sahar from our baby massage class told me that I need to cleanse the beads daily by soaking them in salt and water mixture.

What are the practices that your family/elders do especially with a new baby?

Vierte clowning to 5

V chose a clown cake design to celebrate his 5th birthday. He gave me specific instructions on how his cake will look like.

We asked him if he wanted to have a big party or special gifts from us. All he wanted was clown cake for school, chocolate muffins, Oreo bites and special gifts.

Baked a chocolate cake on a bowl pan so the face wont be flat but the cake turned out to be dry so I decided to use round 6" inches baking pan thus a flat face for this clown. So sorry for giving you a flat face happy clown.

Before leaving for school V made us promise that we bring his sister to school as well.

The joy on his face when we revealed the cake in front of his friends was priceless. "My mom made that for me!"

We learned a lesson from last years 4th birthday dragon cake to not make a mess on the classroom. Instead of slicing the cake for the kids to enjoy each one had a vanilla cupcake with nutella frosting, chocolate covered oreo bites and fruit juice.

At home we surprised him with gifts; he didn't know that he would still get gifts from us after giving him a school party.

Thank you Mum & Dad & Chloe! I got the best gift of all!

We love you Kuya Vierte!

Thank you for always making us happy.

You're the best big brother for Chloe.

Thank you for assuring Mum that you're still my baby.

Happy 5th Birthday!

Chloe's Tummy Roll

A  baby milestone happened today.

While I was preparing her clothes and water for bath.

I came back with a sight  of our little princess on her tummy.

Shrieked with joy and clap my hands, she laughed along with me.

I rolled her back with a camera on my hand and waited for her to do it again.

She just stared at me as if saying "What's the big deal Mum?!"

10 days till he turns 5

Mom I will be 5 soon right? When I'm 5 Kuya will be a big boy already!

October is a special month for us. I gave birth to a special surprise from up above. C and I welcomed a baby boy and we named him Markus Ezekiel.

Last week, while I was busy attending to Chloe's needs Vierte approached me and said "When I was a little baby you also take care of me all the time, right Mama?" I sensed that he badly need to have some mommy time so the moment Chloe took her nap I showed him my old blog posts when he was still a baby.

[caption id="attachment_1213" align="aligncenter" width="320"] V at 5 months learning to sit up[/caption]

"Ohh mama you love me so much when I was a baby right? and now I'm big boy you still love me right?" 

"Yes I do! Remember that you will always be Mommy's first baby and will always be my baby even when you have a girlfriend."

"Mom! I don't have a girlfriend. I will say I love you to you always Mama"

 

We spent a good time telling stories of him when he was a baby. Wasn't it just yesterday when he just started to sit on his own at 5 months?

Ma when it's my birthday, when I turn 5 years old can you make me a special cake?

 

I have 10 days to plan his school class party and thanksgiving dinner with friends.

 

 

Do you still remember when you turned 5 years old?

 

What kind of party did you have when your kiddo turned 5?

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday - I love my sister

***

This is my first wordless Wednesday post.

A thank you to my first born Vierte for understanding

that Mommy needs to spend more time with her baby sister Chloe.

***

Appreciate it if you could leave a comment.

Visit more Wordless Wednesday posts here

Chloe Isabelle is 3 months

Our Princess you're growing up fast.

You have rewarded Mommy with 3-4 hours of sleep at night and unlike your Kuya you sleep in your crib. Swaddling helped you sleep from my arms to crib and you can even sooth yourself to sleep.  For morning naps you either sleep on your bouncer our flat on your tummy.

Just recently you discovered your hands and feet. You would stare at them cute fingers and laugh when you get to lift your feet up. Daddy is having fun watching you lift your head while you hold on to his fingers.

to swaddle or not?

 

Sleep has been a main concern when I gave birth to Chloe. Our initial plan was to transfer V to a bed of his own so baby can sleep with me in bed (as I did with V before) but that didn't happen. On our first week at home, Chloe slept in her crib but she would wake up every 30 minutes and with my C-Section it was hard for me to stand-up and get her in and out. With lack of sleep and discomfort on the surgery I decided to co-sleep with her in bed with me.

[caption id="attachment_1147" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Chloe sleeping in a Boppy body pillow[/caption]

I would get 3 to 4 hrs of sleep when she's beside me and easier to breast feed her at night as well. One scary night came when I fell into a deep sleep and I woke up to a crying baby beside me with a pillow on covering her! Scared the life of me that I didn't get any sleep that night. I decided the following night to let her sleep in the crib .

[caption id="attachment_1148" align="aligncenter" width="308"] Chloe sleeping in crib[/caption]

 

It's the 2nd week since then and I've not gotten a good hour of sleep, she would wake up every 30 minutes crying. A twitter friend suggested that I swaddle her so she can sleep longer on the crib. See Chloe can sleep 3 hours straight in her bouncer but not in her crib.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="274"] sleeping in her bouncer[/caption]

 

I'm slowly introducing swaddling, for the first 3 days I wrap just her body and legs and tonight I'll start wrapping one of her arms and will continue to do so for 3 days. During nap though I swaddle her with both arms wrap and she manages to sleep for an hour the most. As my twitter friend Armineh said the key to swaddling is to not give in.

[caption id="attachment_1149" align="aligncenter" width="225"] swaddled & sleeping in her crib[/caption]

 

How did you manage to get a good night sleep with your newborn?

 

 

Chloe Isabelle is 2 months

We welcomed baby Chloe's 2nd month with a visit to her Pedia for her scheduled vaccines. She had 3, one injection in each thigh and the last one taken orally. I was breastfeeding her during the vaccination hoping she won't feel the pain but boy did she cry while looking at me as if saying "It hurts mama."

Days before her baby wellness check we had vomiting incident of more than a cup full which made me worry. According to her Pedia as long as she doesn't get any fever her spitting out after feed or during burp time is normal and even commented that she could be overfed. I was advised to feed her every 3 hours and burp her really well.

Kuya V was quite sad that I didn't bake any cake for Chloe's 2nd month. The reason why we didn't have any cake was fever, baby girl had fever for 2 days after her vaccine and she demanded to always be carried and won't even settle even when I carry her in a sling. She want some bear hug from Mama.

V absolutely adores her sister but would sometimes get jealous and tell us that nobody is playing with him or would often request that I give her baby to my MIL so I can sleep with him and read stories. Daddy C has been doing a good job in giving V the attention he needs. I do spend quality time with him when the baby sleeps.

Happy 2 months baby love!

Baby wearing: The BabaSling

We are slowly discovering the joys of baby wearing.

I had a chance to wear Vierte when he was about 3 months old and became a must have whenever we went out since he didn't like to stay in the stroller. For V I used the baby pouch and ring sling.

Before Chloe was born I was already searching for the best carrier available and was already interested in buying the Moby Wrap and BabaSling. Just before we were about to purchase either a surprise came when Grace and her daughter Pristine came to visit bearing gifts and one of them is a BabaSling.

 

[caption id="attachment_1112" align="aligncenter" width="500"] BabyWearing Chloe in TheBabaSling[/caption]

 

I've been watching TheBabaSlings how to videos and been reading the instructions for days and finally managed to wear Chloe comfortably in the sling, even managed to breast feed her in it.

 

Worn her twice while we were in the mall and we've got a few stares and praises on how cute she is inside, once I heard someone commenting that the baby might be having a hard time inside. Rest assured she is happy inside and once I hear her grunt or when she cries we take her out.

I have two other carriers Moby wrap & Ring Sling, I'm still practicing on how to comfortable wear them before I use either when we go out.