Before the confinement nanny went back, I got a maid in. She is from Indonesia and had a baby once but passed away when delivered. I took her despite she has zero experience with baby. She told me she help her siblings take care of baby. When she was at my place I even console her on her lost baby. I encourage her that after her contact end in 2 years, she can go back and try again and who knows the lost baby might come back to her.
She followed the confinement nanny for 3 days and my confinement nanny had full of complains about the maid. The maid does not speak English and she cannot understand the feeding schedule. I told her to write down all the feeding timing. She can't figure out am and pm. She can't figure out dates as well. I think I m very patient towards her... There was once I even invented a new method to teach her about feeding interval using 2 bottles to mimic baby tummy and feeding. The 1st week she was at home with me and baby during the day. 2nd week we start going to my mum place in the day as that would be the arrangement for her and baby when I return to work. Everyday she has to pack baby stuffs to my mum place and there are days she forget to pack milk. I wonder would she forget to eat her own meals.
Having trained her for 2 weeks I decided that she is really not cut to take care of baby. Considering that Clovy is a much easier baby than Charlotte... She can't really manage her feeding... Clovy is constantly crying when the maid feed her... Cos the maid doesn't know how to burp her. I do not know how is the maid going to manage it alone when I go back to work. I think Nick is constantly hearing my complain about the maid everyday. I spend so much effort to train her, forsaking the comfort of my own place to bring her and bb to my mum place early in the morning and teaching her how to take care of baby, yet nothing much goes into her brain. She is very stubborn and will take things in her own hands.
Initially, Nick is not keen for Clovy to go infant care as this would chalk up our expenses plus we might not need the maid which means housework for both of us. But after a few agony days with lots of blood boiling incidents, (I do not want to recall so I m not listing them) I convinced Nick that we really can't leave Clovy in the maid's care. He is supportive of my decision so I called up about 8 to 10 centers mostly Pcfs as the ntuc ones has long waiting list. I managed to find 3 centers near my mum place which has vacancy. I went to view the centers immediately. I dare not leave the baby alone with the maid for too long so using the interval during her feeding time, I walked to the 3 centers. After viewing, my ultimate choice is the one which a small area and they can only take in a max of 10 babies. Currently they have 5 and including Clovy, it will be 6. I ask around for advise on infant care and I decided that the smaller area IFC would be a better choice. I brought Nick to view the place the next day (Saturday) and place the deposit and enrollment on following Monday. Before placing the deposit, I asked around my mum place to see if there is any nanny. It happen that my mum Neighbour staying 1 level down is an experienced nanny. I went to look for her but she can't take in Clovy as she is currently taking care of 1 toddler.
As the center only take in baby every beginning of the month, they hope that Clovy can start in 1st Sept as they already have bb going to come in Oct. Clovy will only be 2.5 months old by 1st Sept. Nonetheless, I decided that it might be better to get her to kick start the routine fast. Whenever I tell people Clovy is in IFC, they will give me this horror look... But I rather she goes to IFC then in the hand of the maid which is so unpredictable. People start telling me how neglected the baby will be in the IFC... But I myself can't attend to here all the time when she was with me at home. I often left her crying and screaming when I need to attend to other matters.
I send the maid back to the agent by late of August. Initially I wanted to keep the maid for housework as my mum place need to clean up as well. But a lot of incidents that make my blood boil and I keep losing my temper. I am worried that one find day she will go crazy also. She really bo sim to work for us. By sending her back I lost about 1k. The insurance and misc about $500, her 2 weeks stay in the agent before she get a transfer will cost $210. The govt levy during the transfer another $120. It got me really upset and pissed. Now I am still waiting and considering if I want the replacement. If I do not take the replacement, I would lost the agent fee about 1k. Her prepaid salary about 2k I still do not know if I can get those back. Sian.... All in all, I might be paying 2.7k (1k misc, 1k agent fee and 700 for her 1 month salary) for her 1 month work with us! Bloody hell, it's even more expensive than the confinement nanny and yet useless. The issue about maid is when you get a good one, it will be helping hand. When you get a lousy one, you will have sleepless nights and training for your blood pressure. I am seriously considering not to have any maid.
When I had the maid, I stop the part time cleaning service for my mum place... Then now I get the part time cleaner to come back... She increased our fee.... I really feel like a walking carrot all thanks to the maid... My wallet is feeling very very painful.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Breast feeding journal ~ chicken feet phase
I am now into week 12 of pumping... Comparing with the first 4 to 6 weeks of breast feeding journey, now is the phase I personally call it the chicken feet phase! Now I m really good at controlling my pumping time. I am doing 3 pumps a day, the longest I have dragged is 10 hours. It was Charlotte birthday celebration so that day I was so afraid of blocked duct. Now that the breast are regulated, when it's hard it won't become rock hard, sorry for being so detail, but pumping mothers would understand what I mean. It's really not easy because I m practically watching out for timing and yield. The good thing is I can control the interval better, meaning I can drag or shorten the timing if the I am not able to pump at the stipulated timing.
Before you continue reading.... Warning as content might get a bit graphical... Descriptively.
My regular pump timing would be 5-6am, 1-2pm, 9-10pm. Averagely my yield is 130 to 150ml on left and 50 to 70 on right. I read online that it's normal for unbalance yield. Clovy is feeding 130ml per feed, so I am supplying her with close to 90% breast milk. I would say with Clovy it really bring me new experience on Breastfeeding. I did not breastfeed Charlotte due to low or no supply. Charlotte is also not a milk drinker.
With my new breast feeding experience, I also thought of more tips to warm up breast milk. My newly discovery.... Instead of warming it via the traditional way of hot water in the mug and change a couple of times.... I warm it via a thermal mug. I found a thermal mug at home which the cover is spoilt, then I slot my thermal flask (for bringing outdoor) and it fit perfectly. When we are outside, I just pour 1 round of hot water to warm the chilled milk.
My next research would be on thermal bag to transport the milk as I am going back to work real soon. Currently I am using the daiso small thermal bag to transport 3 bottles of chilled breast milk to Clovy school. I also put in the 2 small iced cooler which I bought from daiso. The minus point is condensation. It often wet her clothes which is in the same bag... If I carry it separately, I am worried that I might forget to bring out. I am now trying to find a thermal bag which has minimum condensation on the surface.
The part about Breastfeeding is diet is no no in the equation...I don't know if I am in self denial stage or what... I haven lose my Preggy weight.... I just tell myself "it's ok cos I am Breastfeeding" and I eat a lot.... Hahahah ah.... Recently I am crazily into granola. Every morning I do look forward to the pumping session the the wee hours... I will feed baby when she wake up... Sometimes 4 sometimes 5am... Then I will wash up and prep for pumping. A bowl of chilled fresh milk and granola is what I look forward to every morning. Hahahah I used to suffer from constipation when I consumed too much cereal like this... But now I do not have this problem. I guess the loads and lots of water in my diet count. Yes! I eat while pumping... In fact I m typing this blog as I pump. I do not have a hand free set. Basically, I set up a small pumping station in my room consist of very simple stuffs, 1 ikea children child with cushion (the plastic is ok but with a cushion, it's more comfortable), a mat on the floor (cos I do drip and spray when I hand pump towards the end), sometimes I hand expressed in the toilet, and a small side table for my pump, warm water with hankie for cleaning, cereal in milk or water, iPad and handphone! Conclusion? I can do nothing when I m pumping... What I did is use my thigh to support the bottles and the height is just nice when seated on the ikea children chair. I used to pump sitting upright on the bed, but very hard for me to access to my stuffs on the side table as any movement will cause the funnel to leak.
The part of food intake... I only avoid broccoli, other than that I eat anything, everything... From coffee to seafood to wine... Yes, I do take red wine... Quite often because there are so much wedding dinner going on. :p I take a lot of dairy products as well, ice cream and cheese are my favorite. I m not taking any supplement. Let things take it's natural course.....
Before you continue reading.... Warning as content might get a bit graphical... Descriptively.
My regular pump timing would be 5-6am, 1-2pm, 9-10pm. Averagely my yield is 130 to 150ml on left and 50 to 70 on right. I read online that it's normal for unbalance yield. Clovy is feeding 130ml per feed, so I am supplying her with close to 90% breast milk. I would say with Clovy it really bring me new experience on Breastfeeding. I did not breastfeed Charlotte due to low or no supply. Charlotte is also not a milk drinker.
With my new breast feeding experience, I also thought of more tips to warm up breast milk. My newly discovery.... Instead of warming it via the traditional way of hot water in the mug and change a couple of times.... I warm it via a thermal mug. I found a thermal mug at home which the cover is spoilt, then I slot my thermal flask (for bringing outdoor) and it fit perfectly. When we are outside, I just pour 1 round of hot water to warm the chilled milk.
My next research would be on thermal bag to transport the milk as I am going back to work real soon. Currently I am using the daiso small thermal bag to transport 3 bottles of chilled breast milk to Clovy school. I also put in the 2 small iced cooler which I bought from daiso. The minus point is condensation. It often wet her clothes which is in the same bag... If I carry it separately, I am worried that I might forget to bring out. I am now trying to find a thermal bag which has minimum condensation on the surface.
The part about Breastfeeding is diet is no no in the equation...I don't know if I am in self denial stage or what... I haven lose my Preggy weight.... I just tell myself "it's ok cos I am Breastfeeding" and I eat a lot.... Hahahah ah.... Recently I am crazily into granola. Every morning I do look forward to the pumping session the the wee hours... I will feed baby when she wake up... Sometimes 4 sometimes 5am... Then I will wash up and prep for pumping. A bowl of chilled fresh milk and granola is what I look forward to every morning. Hahahah I used to suffer from constipation when I consumed too much cereal like this... But now I do not have this problem. I guess the loads and lots of water in my diet count. Yes! I eat while pumping... In fact I m typing this blog as I pump. I do not have a hand free set. Basically, I set up a small pumping station in my room consist of very simple stuffs, 1 ikea children child with cushion (the plastic is ok but with a cushion, it's more comfortable), a mat on the floor (cos I do drip and spray when I hand pump towards the end), sometimes I hand expressed in the toilet, and a small side table for my pump, warm water with hankie for cleaning, cereal in milk or water, iPad and handphone! Conclusion? I can do nothing when I m pumping... What I did is use my thigh to support the bottles and the height is just nice when seated on the ikea children chair. I used to pump sitting upright on the bed, but very hard for me to access to my stuffs on the side table as any movement will cause the funnel to leak.
The part of food intake... I only avoid broccoli, other than that I eat anything, everything... From coffee to seafood to wine... Yes, I do take red wine... Quite often because there are so much wedding dinner going on. :p I take a lot of dairy products as well, ice cream and cheese are my favorite. I m not taking any supplement. Let things take it's natural course.....
Monday, September 01, 2014
Breast feeding journal ~ finale?
As I progress into week 6 onwards, things get better for the pumping. I manage to drag my pumping session from 3 hours to 4 hours (couple of days) and increase to 5 hours then 6 hours... By week 8 I am dragging about 7 to 8 hours... So I m pumping 3 times a day.... Getting all ready for a good routine for returning to work... My pump timing is now at 6 plus am, 2 pm, 10pm.... Each time I am able to yield about 200ml... Not equally from both sides... One side is more competent than the other... So with 3 pumps a day, I am still able to give bb breast milk for the day and supplement with formula at night...
There is a period time when I get lazy with pumping and try to latch her when pumping and feeding time collide. However after trying a few days I gave up... It's even more tiring... Because she din get to eat full and after the latching I still have to pump... (Normally this happen at night when I am so sleepy and lazy)... But the beauty about breast feeding is, when bb just had milk and after an hour or so still fussing and refuse to sleep (bedtime), just shove the "ready" supply and let her suckle... Sometimes it's a bad habit because she might refuse pacifier if this method is used too often... So there are times I got fed up with her suckle (she pull and nudge) I just put her back to her bed and let her cry and shove pacifier in her mouth... Let the daddy take over to pat her... The funny thing is bb is also quite smart... After a few cry... Knowing that nothing is going to happen... They will sleep.... (This only work when she is well fed, and dry diaper)
I have also some fozen breast milk during confiement time... I thawed a couple and try to feed bb... The 1st few bags are quite fishy. I gave them to her and she drank... But that period of time (it's just within a few days) she is suffering from colic... And I read in forum that some doctor actually suggested to stop giving thaw milk in the case of colic... I suspect the thawed milk might be too chilled (寒) for the body... So I stop.... After a couple of days, I thawed another few bags and tried to give... She seems ok with it.... Another few days I thawed another few bags... She cry and cry after a few feed... I start to wonder if it's the thawed milk issue or the fresh one taste of chili (I normally alternate betwwen fresh and thawed and it happen that day I ate some chili)... She was having a lot of wind... So no choice got to give anti coli med....
I decided not to thaw any more milk for the time being... Frankly speaking the taste of the thawed milk is very yucky... I tried to taste before giving bb... Every little taste I feel like puking.... Hahahah a.... Back to the colic issue, after observing bb for a few feeds... I notice the air could be caused by sucking of milk too fast... The breast milk is thinner and hence she makes a lot of "chuk chuk" sound during sucking and fuss after a few suck.. We got to make her burp really loud before she can continue to suck. With forumla, it's thicker and less "chuk chuk" sound.... Now that bb is reaching 2 months... Hopefully she can burp better and less "windy".
I am thinking thinking what to do with the frozen milk... I still have 10 over packets of them... I haven freeze anymore after the confiement since I started to drag my pumping interval. My supply is also not as much... In order to maintain the quality and quantity... I m taking oat regularly... Those quick cook oat with condense milk. Not very lasting for the appetite but good enough for quick fix lunch.
There is a period time when I get lazy with pumping and try to latch her when pumping and feeding time collide. However after trying a few days I gave up... It's even more tiring... Because she din get to eat full and after the latching I still have to pump... (Normally this happen at night when I am so sleepy and lazy)... But the beauty about breast feeding is, when bb just had milk and after an hour or so still fussing and refuse to sleep (bedtime), just shove the "ready" supply and let her suckle... Sometimes it's a bad habit because she might refuse pacifier if this method is used too often... So there are times I got fed up with her suckle (she pull and nudge) I just put her back to her bed and let her cry and shove pacifier in her mouth... Let the daddy take over to pat her... The funny thing is bb is also quite smart... After a few cry... Knowing that nothing is going to happen... They will sleep.... (This only work when she is well fed, and dry diaper)
I have also some fozen breast milk during confiement time... I thawed a couple and try to feed bb... The 1st few bags are quite fishy. I gave them to her and she drank... But that period of time (it's just within a few days) she is suffering from colic... And I read in forum that some doctor actually suggested to stop giving thaw milk in the case of colic... I suspect the thawed milk might be too chilled (寒) for the body... So I stop.... After a couple of days, I thawed another few bags and tried to give... She seems ok with it.... Another few days I thawed another few bags... She cry and cry after a few feed... I start to wonder if it's the thawed milk issue or the fresh one taste of chili (I normally alternate betwwen fresh and thawed and it happen that day I ate some chili)... She was having a lot of wind... So no choice got to give anti coli med....
I decided not to thaw any more milk for the time being... Frankly speaking the taste of the thawed milk is very yucky... I tried to taste before giving bb... Every little taste I feel like puking.... Hahahah a.... Back to the colic issue, after observing bb for a few feeds... I notice the air could be caused by sucking of milk too fast... The breast milk is thinner and hence she makes a lot of "chuk chuk" sound during sucking and fuss after a few suck.. We got to make her burp really loud before she can continue to suck. With forumla, it's thicker and less "chuk chuk" sound.... Now that bb is reaching 2 months... Hopefully she can burp better and less "windy".
I am thinking thinking what to do with the frozen milk... I still have 10 over packets of them... I haven freeze anymore after the confiement since I started to drag my pumping interval. My supply is also not as much... In order to maintain the quality and quantity... I m taking oat regularly... Those quick cook oat with condense milk. Not very lasting for the appetite but good enough for quick fix lunch.
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