Breastfeeding.. My thoughts at 3 weeks.

31st May 09, Sunday, Will the weather get any Better ?? So Darn Hot !

Breast Feeding.. So far so good. Good for Baby, damn tiring for mummy.

I was one of the lucky ones who had supply the moment Nigel was born. I suckled him 1 hr after he was born. Like many others, It was pretty little. Poor Nigel looked really hungry to me but the nurses kept assuring me that Nigel was fine. Newborn can go without milk for a few days. But as a mum, of cos my heart aches. I wanted to give him formula but the nurses didn't want to. As a result, he didn't pass out much poo, which resulted in his jaundice problem. Luckily for me, My dearest buddy, Ting pass me 2 packets of her precious BM and a tin of NanHa. So Nigel had supply of BM when he's home from the hospital.

Now, my milk has gone up a lot! The first week, I had only about 50 to 60 ml per pump at every 3 hrs. Now maximum, I can pump almost 500ml in the morning, 300ml to 400ml at noon and nights. I pump about 3 times a day every 6 hours. Duration is unfortunately, 1 hour !! YA !! One Long Hour! My frens, Joo and Ting took only half an hour !! My milk flow from my left breast is pretty slow. I hope the milk flow will increase as time goes by.

These 3 days, maybe due to stress and fatigue, my supply suddenly dropped a lot. Once I got only 120ml. But today was good. It went up again too about 400ml in the morning.

Storage of Breast milk is another issue. I prefer to freeze BM in glass bottles or BPA free bottles. But due to space, I might have to think about milkbags. I'm using them now due to lack of bottles too. I just gotten another 3 storage bottles from Pigeon which are BPA free can store 150ml. For milkbags, Ting had helped me to get Blue Bird, 25pcs for $6.80 but not BPA free. But since my mum prefers milkbags so I will pass my milkbags to store at her place. She will be taking care of Nigel when I'm back at work so need to store some milk there too.

Another Big issue is how I'm going to continue with breastfeeding when I'm back at work.. My break is only one hour. I will have 2, 12hr shifts. So let's say if I start work at 1030, I had to wake up early to pump, at work my lunch will be at 3pm which I need at least half hour to pump, then have to wait till I'm back home at almost 1130am or later to pump. In between, there's a 8 to 10 hrs gap which I can't pump. So how ?? Sighz.. Still trying to figure it out. Government should have laws to protect us breastfeeding mums too !! Hahaha !!

Nigel is 3 Weeks Old !

Nigel's Lil Niu Niu !! So Cute !

Nigel's Sweet Smile !


Grumpy Old Man !

So Grumpy !

Nigel Smiling at me !

So Darn Cute !

Smiling for the Camera !

Nigel is 3 Weeks Old today. My Confinement Nanny has left on Tues. Been managing him alone for 2 nights. First night was ok, he woke up at 4am for feeding and every 2 hour after that !! Yesterday was worst. He woke up at 4am and refuse to sleep. Was up with him till 11am. My mum came over and finally I can get some sleep. Both my Sis, My Mum and Dad been coming over to help me take care of Lil Nigel. If not for them, I will definitely be burnt out ! Nigel's Daddy been working till really late so I have to care for him alone. But then Again, even if Shawn is back home, He's too tired to take care of Nigel. Nigel been drinking a lot more now. I have up his feeds to 90ml. He's getting more fats under his skin now. Hope he will get really cubby soon !

Niu Niu is 1 month old !

Niu Niu is really cute now ! Look more like his Dad. Hard to get any photos of him cos he can't keep still !! He's teething now and love to bite my feet !! He's really greedy and eats a lot ! He's so fat and big for a Lil Shih Tzu puppy !

Grumpy Nigel !

Sleepyhead !!

Who turn on the light !! GO away !! Grumpy Grumpy !!

Taken the photos yesterday night at 3am (2 weeks and 3 days old). Trying to wake Nigel up to eat ! He's so grumpy ! Complaining why is his stupid Parents waking him up when he want to sleep and making him sleep when he wan to wake up !!

Bottles Crisis !!

I'm Spending most of my time being a Moo Moo CoW nowsdays. Doing nothing but pumping Milk or Suckling Nigel. I have been Pumping about 3 to 4 times a day, every 6 hours, each time roughly about 45 mins to 1 hour. I have too much milk now.. Each time I can pump about 300ml. At first I though I had too many bottles.. Now, I do not have enough !! In the freezer currently, I have 14 Glass Bottles (which I have gotten from NUH) each storing about 120ml each. I have 3 Dr Browns, storing about 300ml each. In the Fridge, I have 5 bottles storing 120ml each. What a Pain !!

My thoughts on Motherhood @ 2 weeks...

Nigel is 2 weeks old today. Lots of changes since his arrival into the big big world. I dun really feel like a mum sometimes, still in shock and re-adjusting. Now Everything is no Longer about Shawn and Moi, there is a little one to consider. Gone are the carefree times where we can just go out for movies, coffee and makan. But why does Nigel have to come out when there is so many nice movies to watch !! My Long awaited Star Trek !! Angels and Demons ! and many more !! SobS.. I have to wait for the DVD release or Mio TV. SobS SobS... And I was planning to watch Star Trek on 8th May ! But no matter, I wouldn't give him up for anything.

I still remember the first time I saw Nigel, actually more like Nigel's legs.. I was wondering why is he so long and thin ! Where has all his fats gone to ?? They have gone to my tummy area. Now I had to engaged Cathy for 7 Malay Massage sesssions to get back in shape. I have done 3 so far. $55/time. It's really relaxing but after that, the body binding is really a pain. It itches a lot, due to the hot humid weather plus my sensitive skin. I had to keep the bind on frm 330pm to 11am. But mostly I cannot tahan, I would remove them by 9am.

So far, caring for him is pretty relaxing for me, as I have my confinement Nanny around plus My Mum who drop by every afternoon and evening to see her precious Grandson. But my Confinement Nanny due to unforeseen circumstances have to leave on the 26th May. Then, I'm on my own. Scared?? Not really. I have prior experiences with babies. Only have problems with Bathing. Never tried on my own yet !! But Shawn's company has stock take on the 27th May, which means he will be home only after 1am on the 26th and had to leave for work at 7am. My 8 characters and his company seems to clash all the time !! I will have to handle Nigel on my own at night and in the mornings. My Mum will be here to help in the afternoons onwards. My Sis, Nicole also.. Paying her $200 to babysit in the mornings if I need to pump milk or bathe.. Thanks Heavens for Family !! But good thing is since my mum has to take over my confinement, the confinement nanny is teaching my mum and maid. My mum has to do confinement for my sis in Nov since she's not hiring any nanny to help. So my mum can now openly learn all the stuff instead of being sneaky about it. I wonder how would I feel next week when I'm all alone...

Nigel is 2 weeks old !!

Lil Nigel Winking. So Cute !

Taken at 2 weeks

Lil Nigel Luffing !!

Taken at 2 weeks

Lil Nigel Orr Orring
Taken at 2 weeks

Wat is Lil Nigel Looking at ??
Taken at 2 weeks

Lil Nigel Smiling Away, Hope his days will always be filled with Smiles !
Taken at 2 weeks

Poor Baby is Crying.. Cranky Boy !

Taken at 12 Days

Lil Nigel's fave sleep position ! Daddy's fave too !

Taken at 12 days

Nigel Hugging his Beanie Pillow !

Taken at 13 days

Lil Nigel sleeping so soundly

Taken at 12 days.

Lil Nigel getting Notti now. Doesn't really sleep much. Always want attention. Loves to be talked to. Everytime I carry him, He wans to suckle. Meaning, everytime I carry him, he cries for "Nah" which means he wans milk! Dunstan Baby Language is a great help. So far, it really helps me to know what he's crying about. It's a lot less frustrating.

He's getting really strong for his petite size. Always Box his Daddy when his Daddy is carrying him like when he was in my tum tum. Still Can't believe he's here sometimes. MotherHood been really sweet, so far... hehehe ..

Nigel Havings Hiccups !

Poor Nigel having Hiccups. He has inherited my hiccups problem. Once we start, we can't stop ! Taken when he's 9 days old..

Yang Warriors !!

The 3 Yang Warriors ! Daddy, Grandpa and Lil Nigel !

Taken at 10 Days Old.

Lil Nigel is Bathing !!

Taken when he's 8 days old. He's enjoying his special bath, Red Dates Cum Guniness Stout !!

Lil Nigel is 8 Days Old !

Lil Nigel is Getting more and more playful by the day. He doesn't want to be left alone. He likes people to talk to him !

Studio Photo of Lil Nigel

This is Taken when he's 3 Days Old at the Nuh by Peter Pan Studio.

Nigel Playing with Cow Cow !!

Nigel is 1 Week Old !!

Nigel Hugging his Beanie Pillow !

Nigel is so Grumpy !!
Taken when he's 6 days old

Isn't he adorable !!

Taken at 1 week

Lil Nigel 3 Days Old photos !

Lil Nigel Sleeping Soundly at Home on his Portable Bed

Lil Nigel and Shawn at Hospital

Lil Nigel attire before leaving the hospital.

Baby Nigel 1 day old

Lil Nigel And Auntie Juile

Lil Nigel with My Grandmum and my Auntie Wendy

Lil Nigel Looking so Cute !!

Big Big Face !!

Jaundice.. Tear Ducts.. SighS

My Poor Baby got admitted to NUH again for Jaundice on 12 May 09. On 11 May, his level was 270 which was pretty high. On 12 May, it was at 319 !! He had to go for phototherapy overnight ! My Poor Lil Nigel ! Shawn and I rushed back home to get breastmilk for him which I had pumped out. Also I brought my pump along. My Poor baby had scratches and rashes all over. My heart really aches when I see him. I was crying the whole day, not only because of Nigel, but also cos Shawn had to go back to work the next day !! Nigel is due to check out then ! I was so pissed off and Angry ! His Son is in the hospital and he can go back to work !! I'm damn piss with his Damn Company !! No paternity leave and plus his Damn Company due to lack of staff cannot extend his leave and had to go back to work !! What kind of BIG company is that !! Luckily I left his company long long time ago !

Luckily My sis, Pam offered to help. She and her hubby picked me and my Confinement Nanny up and drove me to NUH. Her poor Hubby had to wait for us for more than 2 hrs. Finally Nigel was discharged at 230pm and the Doctor told me he could leave at 1pm ! Sighz.. His poor feet had so many needles marks as they had to do blood test for him every 6 hrs.

Next day, I had to bring him to the PD, Dr Allyson at Kids' Clinic to check his jaundice again. His tear duct on his right eye has not fully open. Happen to only 10% of babies. Will be Prone to eye infection. 99% of the babies will recover by 1 year old if not, have to go for operation. My Poor Poor Boy !! But Good news also, his jaundice has improved, droped to 158.

Birth Story (",)

07 May 09

9pm

Had Show Again. A really Big patch this time. I called Shawn to inform him to come home asap cos I got feeling maybe this time it's the real thingy. Chatted with Ting online, She also had the same Feeling..

10pm

Contractions started but still pretty far apart. So I didn't bother to time. Called Shawn Again. But No Answer.. Sighz. Tried to call him 5 more times !! Still no Answer.

08 May 09

1230am
Shawn is Finally Home !! Contractions still pretty far. I suddenly had cravings for Fried Oyster. Shawn drove me out to eat.

3am

Reached my home carpark, got out of the car, walked a few steps and OMG !! My Water Bag Leaked. I felt lots of water dripping down. Luckily I was out of the car otherwise my poor leather seat. Quickly took a cloth, cover the seat and drove down to my Blk. Shawn was in a panic. I was still pretty calm actually. I took a quick shower, called the hospital while Shawn was packing the laptop and camera.

4am

Reached NUH. Went up the Labour ward. Doctor on duty came. Still only 1.5cm dilated onli. Contractions was getting more intense, 3 mins apart. I was put on monitor which Poor Nigel and Moi hates. I badly wanted to just walk around or sit up. I felt really uncomfortable laying down. But the Nurse insist that I'm put on the monitor. So I told her I wanted to go to the Loo. And Just sit up at the toilet bowl. They didn't give me any medicine to clear my bowls since I have already done it at home. Contractions getting painful. I felt the pain mostly at my back muscles. I'm still able to tahan but the pain is less intense if I walk or sit up. But as usual, the nurse insist I lay down cos the monitor doesn't detect Nigel's heartbeat if I sit up. Sighz. I was on the verge of killing the Nurse actually.

6am
Doctor on Duty came again. Onli 2 cm Dilated. She tok to Prof Mary and advised me to go on Epidural as my labour will be pretty long since I'm dilating pretty slowly. I'm didn't wan to as I have a BIG phobia of Drips !! The Nurses also advised me to go on Epidural. I decided to wait and opt for Gas Mask instead. I was given something to help my cervix dilate.

7am

The Doctor on duty came. I had to go on the drip as She feels that I'm dehydrated and She also need to take 3 vials of blood for Stemcord. I didn't wan the Drip at all ! Insist not to go on drip. The Doctor and Nurses insist. I was pretty panicky, contractions I can tahan but not drips !! Shawn asked the Nurses and Doctors to leave first and let me consider. Shawn tried to reassure me that drips are not that scary but of cos I dun believe him la !! Anyway I gave in (which I regreted !) and opt for Epidural also since I have to be on drip, so might as well. The Doctor came in, I thought she was an experienced Doctor but I was wrong. She started on my left hand, I was practically biting Shawn's hand. It's really Painful !! She couldn't get any blood out and had to redo !!! I was in tears !! Same thing happen the second time, another doctor came in. He flush my poor vein with cold water and I was like screaming !! Cos it's worst than contractions !! He decided to stop and use my right hands instead. I didn't wan to already. I wanted them to stop and let my rest but they insist cos they need to get the epidural in soon before my contractions get more intense. The Male Doctor did it this time and it was much better...

8am

I had my Epidural. A lot less painful than the Drip ! I'll never ever go on the DRIP again !!

3pm

I'm finally fully dilated and started pushing with the midwives. It was really bad cos I kept vomiting due to the Epidural Plus the antibiotics (If water bag broke more than 12 hrs, have to take antibiotics). Since I didn't had any food for more than 12 hrs, I vomited till there was nothing left to vomit. The Doctor gave me medicine to calm my tummy. After 1 hr plus, finally Nigel's head appear !! Prof Mary Rauff came in. And I started my lst lap of this journey. Finally Nigel came into the big big world at about 4**pm (cannot put actual time). I thought I would cry when I see Lil Nigel Finally when Prof Mary placed him on my tummy. I couldn't see his little face then, all I see are legs ! Long Long Legs !! Shawn ended up crying instead ! I was too tired. Prof Mary was busy stitching me up, I had 7 stitches. I couldn't see Lil Nigel's face still. I was pretty Pek Chek actually. I was pretty shocked at his weight, only 2.665 kg !! Why so little? SobS. But as long as he's healthy. Now Will be the start of my new journey into Motherhood.. Wonder what it will bring.. (",)

Lil Nigel Making Funny Sounds..

1st Post written by Daddy Shawn:

We knew Nigel is going to be a feisty one. As Prof Mary mentioned," It would be embarrassing to get him out via induction when over the past couple of weeks (week 8 to 30x) everyone is frantically trying to keep little Nigel inside. In this video fresh after his out of the womb, you could see his right hand grabbing onto a cord from the heating machine. *Proof of him grabbing for dear life not wanting to come out via his umbilical cord!?* Also hear closely to the smacking noises he made suggesting he was hungry. Happy viewing mates.

Lil Nigel Right After Birth with my Family Members !

Lil Nigel with Masked Aunt Nicole. She had a little flu bug.
Lil Nigel with Lovely Auntie Pam. You better be nice to Auntie Pam !

Lil Nigel with Grandmama and Grandpapa