Night feeds.. and panda parents

So.. JY is around 7.5 months old, n JE at 29 months. These couple of days, we struggle with an extremely feisty , hungry lil babe screaming at the top of his lungs if milk is not prepared fast enough every 2.5 hourly in the middle of the night.. he has awoken JE on a couple of occasions, and I'm thankful she has managed to sleep through his screams while hubby scramble to make milk amidst his groggy state. Initially, I used to latch once or twice and ask him up to make milk once or twice. Usually a night feed is about 3 hours apart alike day feeds. I will then do one diaper change and place him together on our bed or back in his playpen. however, he doesn't sleep as well in his playpen and wake more often, I wonder if he's colder there alone and wants to join the three of us on our Queen sized bed.

Lately, he will make all the milk while I soothe the noisy babe.. after the feed, he thankfully falls fast asleep again, until the next scream about 2.5 hours later. Once, we made the milk after he screamed, but he took a sip and went back to sleep. I brought in a cup to warm the milk, thinking that he may wake an hour later to drink, but the bottle went into our oats for breakfast instead when daylight came.

Once, he went back to sleep immediately, while I was sore at having to change diapers and JY was still making lil cries as he was disturbed when he wanted his Zzzs after milk. Although he woke again to help me when he heard me tear open the diapers, I threw the wet wipes on the bed a little and was abit angsty. Next morning, hubby asked why I was angry during the night change and I told him I was upset he went back to sleep immediately when I was sleepy as well after feeding. He said I could always ask him up if I needed help, and he would. He had thought that a change wasn't needed so dropped back on his pillow.

But after talking about it, I did find myself being silly about my earlier behavior. I am thankful that he's been so helpful during night feeds, although he only prepares the milk and snoozes while I sleepily feed JY. And he would help to hold the diaper or grab his legs while i wipe the lil butt. It's still quite an effort considering he's quite a heavy sleeper. And I always make him turn when he snores cox I'm a light sleeper..

I hope that all hubbies will endeavour to share night feed duties, it's tiring, but it's some form of bonding when we commiserate the next morning about the tiresome night.. it would hopefully only be for a year or so.. JE has stopped night feeds, but if disturbed enough, will still cry for milk.. I hope JY can learn to sleep through the night soon.. it been almost 3 years since I last did that. Then again, I may wake up in fear checking if the kids are breathing and sleeping well when the time comes..

What an irony...

My Taobao purchases for JE & JY

Many parents have jumped on the bandwagon to shop for baby stuff from Taobao. I used to raise my eyebrows thinking about MIC products as there were times when news of horrendous inhumane merchants made lousy products made for babies. There are of course hits and misses at times, but so far, most of my purchases have been ok.

I use ezbuy.sg, a shopping concierge to shop my Taobao purchases after hearing from my Malay colleague who shopped wondrous stuff before I did. I have tried 2 - 3 times buying directly from Taobao and using thier shipping firms but as I order from various vendors, there were dozens of boxes sent in a huge gunny sack. I didn't like it. Ezbuy.sg collates my purchases and takes out most of the boxes, does inspection and delivery fees are quite reasonable. There are also multiple collection points around housing estates and MRT stations, highly convenient. I'm now on the 1 year Prime membership offering $2.99 flat shipping for eligible items to Singapore. One jewelry stand i bought was smashed, have yet to get a refund, but otherwise, it's been so far so good.

Sharing some kids' items from TB:

Girls' Shoes at $7	Learning Charts at $3
Babies' Socks - $5 for set of 5 Socks 2	Bamboo PJs 1, PJs 2- $7 - $8 Very soft, great buy!
Girls' Clothes	Foldable table and stool
Bibs	Finger puppet
Door Stopper	Dress 1 Dress 2 Dress 3

ezbuy.sg has put up some kidswear links for users to order from, do refer to these links for your shopping:Kids shopping 1,  Shopping 2

Baby habits by the month

Baby habits by the month: http://www.visualistan.com/2014/06/keeping-track-of-baby-habits-infographic.html

Baby-proofing tips

Another useful link for baby-proofing your house from: http://infographicsmania.com/baby-home-safety-tips/

I find that JE always find ways to put herself in danger despite my best efforts to baby-proof the house. Initially my sofa was in the middle of the living room separating the TV area and dining area. She started climbing and sitting high on the top of the sofa. I had to re-align my sofa against the window, and she started holding against the window grilles and even stuck a leg out the grilles once! Despite smacking her legs, scolding, she occasionally still climbs to the top of the sofa and sits up there. GRrrr.. bracing and praying no serious falls to come..

Baby bump

Another useful infographic from: http://www.ucollectinfographics.com/bump-grind/

Embedded from uCollect Infographics

Baby Nutrition

Found an interesting post at http://infographicsmania.com/baby-nutrition-guide/

Save while you shop, use diffmarts.com

Found this website called Diffmarts as I was surfing about baby laundry detergent. It finds, compares, or monitors groceries from all our favourite local stores. How wonderful and useful!! It's also available as an app! Why so many apps around?!

 Do use it and share it around! Mummies need to save all the money they have.. I saw this convo about young mummies starting to buy lottery, hoping to strike something so that we can defray baby expenses.. At least I'm not the only one who started this unhealthy and occasional habit.. oh wells..

This provides a better and more practical way to defray some expenses..   :)

Baby Pediatric Massage

All along, I've been bringing JE to Yu Guo Baby Massage at Kembangan ever since I got to hear of it in 2014 when my mummies' group was sharing about remedies for cough, wind in the tummy, etc for babies..

Yu Guo Baby Massage  (18B Jalan Masjid, #B1-01 Kembangan Plaza, 418944; Tel: 6447 4761) is non-invasive, and a experienced physician would diagnose your child prior to assigning massage therapists to massage your child according to his or her condition for around 30 - 40 minutes. Medicated tummy packs will be dispensed for the kids.. So far, we have been going there for the past 2 years..

However, I'm not sure if there's an epidemic recently or they have gotten more popular, the waiting time is rather mad during weekends. One Saturday, we rushed down from Senja to Kembangan only to be rejected for registration 1 hour before closing because the queue was too long. We have been rejected once cox it was 30 minutes prior to closing time, and thankfully given the grace to register once around the same time. We went down again early the next morning around 10am and waited 1.5 hours before we got to see the Dr, and finally finished our massage around 12.30pm..

So when JY caught running nose middle of the week, I was sourcing around for alternative clinics..
There's also not bad reviews for Herbal Basic at Havelock Road. It's sort of in the middle between the east and the west. Hubby's friend recommended it, so did one of the neighbours. perhaps shall try and then review them one of these days.. they go by appointment basis as well..

Looking around for clinics even nearer home, I found that BPP has a pediatric tuina at Eu Yan Sang. Also found that there's Shandong TCM at Jurong East, Chinese Medical Centre ( at CCK, Jurong East & West).

I brought both kids to try Shandong TCM on Saturday morning. They take appointments, we made one that morning for 10.30am but then were slightly late and so had to wait a little for our turn. The clinic was much smaller than Yu Guo's. There was a dispensary and 2 physicians who would diagnose the patient's condition. The physician we saw was Dr Tee Bee Lay, who had two assistants, one typing out the condition and diagnosis. After diagnosis, we waited to do massage at one of the three treatment beds available. Both kids were supposed to do the Herbal Vapour Therapy as both were having a bit of flu, but JE was awfully scared of it. (Pic is from Shandong TCM's website.)

I had to cox her for a long time with watching Youtube videos on my phone and even then, she was sitting abit further away from the machine and I had to fan it towards her to get more of the medicated vapours into her nose. JY, being only 7 months, just sat there on Brenda's lap while the therapy was ongoing. The treatment time overall was quite abit shorter than at Yu Guo's, perhaps only 20 - 30 minutes, whereas at Yu Guo the massage went on for about 40 minutes. I paid $95 for two kids' massage, HVT, and medicated patch for JY and oral powder for JE. Shandong TCM's price is available here. I guess I will go back again during Saturday for a follow-up, hopefully they are already well by then. JY pooped sticky poo on Sunday, hopefully he was dispelling phlegm after treatment and would be fine soon..

Baby Fair Shopping 2

I gave the following advice to a friend who’s expecting their first child, and thought this would apply for many new parents-to-be:

If EDD is far away, then you should go check out the July fair, and buy the pre-order and collect during the October fair. Since its first born, a lot of stuffs you wouldn’t have, getting bundle deals is very value for money. There's baby fairs every other month of the year. Baby Market n Baby World are the best, in my opinion. Of course, there are good deals for the Baby Baby and Supermom fairs as well, one just have to do their research and price comparison if time allows. Recently, the fair organisers have upgraded their sites to allow you to add products to wishlists, so this is especially useful! Do refer also to 8 tips on surviving baby fairs.

Do use this SHOPPING LIST to plan your purchases.

I refined it from my cousin's list and have been circulating it around for my friends' use.
Re-copying what I shared during one of my first posts:

There will definitely be white elephant purchases, please don't buy a truck load home at your first fair. And there are baby fairs almost every other month.. the ones organized by Mummys Market have the better offers than the rest.. but I have also gotten a very good deal for milk powder and free Parklon playmat ($155) at a Baby Baby fair (if i didn't remember the fair wrongly).

So importantly, Customize your own baby checklist. Research and compare, ask around, fiddle around, then make your choice of the items you need. There would be lots of needs, and wants. Know that there are many purchases that would follow, so splurge sparingly and spend wisely.

Dont be shy to ask around if friends or relatives wanna pass down their baby stuffs to you, baby outgrow clothes and toys in the blink of an eye, those little clothes dont need to be all brand new. There are things that you would not be able to save on and request for no matter the price.. You need to save money for diapers, milk powder, insurance, education n a whole lot more.. Having good condition hand-me-downs are also symbols of blessings for your children.

Breast pump bundle, baby cot/ playpen, chest of drawers, stroller, carseat would be the biggest initial purchases at baby fairs. I strategize on my purchases such that my stroller, cot and carseat can take me from birth to toddlerhood so that i dont need to keep changing them so often.

These are the bigger items that are worth getting bundles for (image credits all from organizer's website):

http://babyworldfair.com/starbuy/product/935-philips-avent-super-breastpump-bundle-(breastpump-+-playpen-+-bathtub-+-sterilizer-+-warmer-and-more!).html  Philips Avent Double Pump Bundle:  Twin Electric Breast Pump + Newborn bottles  Electric Steam Sterilizer + Bottle Warmer  Support Pillow +  Swaddle + Bath Tub  Graco PNP Playpen  Skylight 4 Piece Abalone Set	http://babyworldfair.com/starbuy/product/808-tula-ergonomic-baby-carrier-+-joovy-balloon-lightweight-stroller-(use-from-newborn-&-up!)-bundle!!!!.html Tula Baby Carrier + Joovy Balloon Stroller BUNDLE
http://babyworldfair.com/starbuy/product/572-baby-one-breast-milk-storage-bags-(bundle-of-3-boxes)!.html Breast Milk Bags	http://www.babymarket.com.sg/starbuy/product/390-spectra-s9+-breastpump-bundle-with-free-gifts-worth-$195#  Spectra S9+ Breastpump Bundle But the free handsfree bra is just average, the Simple Wishes one is better
https://mummysmarket.com.sg/deal/new-mums-medela-swing-maxi-breastpump-bundle-plus-babyhome-emotion-stroller-my-brest-friend Medela Swing Maxi Breastpump Bundle: Medela Swing Maxi Breast Pump + Medela Breastfeeding Starter Kit BABYHOME Stroller + My Brestfriend Nursing Pillow Isa Uchi Sterilizer + Bottle Warmer	http://thomsonbaby.com/nursery/55-bon-bebe-4-in-1-baby-cot.html I got this Bonbebe cot prior to JE's birth, it has 3 adjustable levels. And during the fair then, there was a bundle with mattress and bedding set plus diaper organizer going for $499 plus delivery in total.

For the rest of the items, they are smaller ticket items that you can ad-hoc walk around and shortlist. But please plan your route before heading down with loads of cash. What i usually do prior to the fair is:

1. Make a wishlist and print it out
2. Print out the event handbook, highlight the stalls on the map that i wanna visit
3. Plan my route
4. Take leave with hubby
5. Bring extra recycled bags / pull-along bag / trolley for small and carton purchases. Last time we walloped milk and diaper cartons and it was crazy carrying them from the back of the Expo hall to the carpark. So we got smart and bought pull-along trolley to stack up the cartons and whisk them home. What we got was actually a cheaper one, but i can't find the link on qoo10 anymore. 
6. Bring snacks and drinks.
7. Enjoy the fair, for about 1.5 hours, rest, snack and recharge, continue another hour, eat a proper meal. Go home with an empty pocket and boot full of baby stuffs. 

Diapers, I would save the effort queueing and lugging cartons by ordering from bbwarehouse.sg, they are fast and cheap. Milk powder we go to Kim Sang Medical Hall to buy, they do delivery as well. Recently, Nan has promotion at NTUC, two tins of Nan Pro 2 costs $89.90,cheapest so far, until 31st July only! We have grabbed 4 tins already.

For breast pumps in 2013/14, Philips Avent n Medela were the leaders. Now its Spectra in 2015/16. So ask around, of course, everyone have their own opinions, preference and budget. Make sure you know yours. The worse case is just that you have 2~3 pumps and strollers at home..

We got a Maclaren Techno XLR stroller at home, bought from Baby Hyperstore (69 Kaki Bukit Avenue 1 Shun Li Industrial Park Singapore 417947, Tel: 6844 1123) after much research but it's a semi-white elephant cox it's so heavy and seriously, baby-wearing is so much more convenient. If you are visiting Baby Hyperstore, do drop by Baby Kingdom (83 Kaki Bukit Ave 1, Singapore 41795, Tel: 6547 1677)  a few shops down.

Milk bottles are dependant upon your baby, i have Avent, Tommie Tippee and Pigeon in the house.. some mums will tell you they have tried almost every other brand in the market before bottle lottery struck.. we are women after all, but still, so don't buy too many first whenever you see discounts..

Another recommended store: Shen Kwong Trading Co (Blk 269 Queen Street #01-246 (S) 183269, Tel: 6338 3260. The block is opposite OG in Bugis area, and the shop is slightly hidden at a corner near the public toilet.) It's recommended as a wholesaler of old-school baby products. The clothes are plain and suitable for home wear; baby hankies are $3 for a pack at 12. There are also towels, PJs, and other little things.

I also find OG and BHG having good and simple baby clothes below $10. E.g cloth diapers are very cheap at OG, but they are not the all hyped up ones witih pretty snap buttons at baby fairs. Do check out Robinsons during their sales too, a box of Philip Avent breast pads (30pcs) cost me only $5.50!

There are lots of other ad hoc purchases like clothes, blankets, pacifiers etc that dont cost as much, but even then, do compare prices or go with the flow occasionally if you find something you really fancy.. Meanwhile, Enjoy the shopping!

Post-natal checkup at 7m

Went for a checkup 7 months post-partum. Generally ok, apart from my weight gain. Dr said I have to maintain my weight, as with my Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, too much weight gain would lead to hormonal imbalance and the cysts might grow thereafter. Some people with PCoS have fertility issues, thankfully I managed to have my two lovelies. 😘 Did a pap smear as well and awaiting results by post. Dr asked about our birth control, and I replied there were none. It's been too tiring and I'm still awaiting to have my sleep through the night.

Then again, I might jump up in alarm when the day first comes since I'm a worrywart., Wondering if my boy is breathing ok, sleeping ok, did my girl flipped herself into the pillows, etc.  Being a mum makes for anxious days. Coupled with that  mild anxiety disorder i have makes every little thing a mountain out of a molehill.. I occasionally pity hubby for the need to deal with a half-witted wife at times, but then again, he said he 上了贼船。I was a little mad when he first said that in jest !!! Then again, it's occasionally true, both for me and for him.. so from time to time, I will take a deep breath and pray for my rampaging heart to still for awhile..

Baby brands shopping list

Cot: Bonbebe from Mummy's Market Fair
Playpen: Shears from Mummy's Market with mattress from Metro
Bean pillows: lovingly from my Popo
Blankets:  Sg50 shawl, Thomson Medical Centre prenatal class by Mrs Wong Boi Boi, nappy cloths from Shen Kwong Trading (near Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple (Bugis), 269 Queen Street. It's nicely tucked in the left corner near to the public toilets. )
Bedsheets: baby fair
Yaolan: Mustafa, get one extra set of cloth for changing

Clothes:Carters.com, Fox, children's section at OG & BHG, Shen Kwong Trading , H&M, Uniqlo, taobao. I use ezbuy.sg to shop from taobao, so far, quality is OK. Got clothes, socks, shoes for both kids, more hits than misses. Don't overshop  since you will get gifts from time to time. Plus kids outgrow in no time..

Diapers: tried Moony, Merries, mamyPoko Mickey, Goon from bbwarehouse.sg. free delivery and good service and quality. Used pampers , pet pet , mamy poko and dryers from supermarkets but don't find them as good deal and cutting as the baby warehouse.sg ones.

Cotton roll: provision shops. Do use Cotton rolls instead of wet wipes all the time, more economical and good for bb's butts..

Breast pump: Philips Avent and spectra (qoo10)
Breast pads: Philips Avent n Pigeon
Milk bags: Pigeon n BabyOne from TLo.sg.
Milk bottles: Pigeon
Powder dispenser: Pigeon, tollyjoy
Bottle wash: Tollyjoy
Sterilizer: Philips Avent from Lazada
Thermal bag: Philips Avent (2nd hand one at $10 only!!)

** Do note, first time parents should get this category of items at baby fairs pre-order bundles, super good deal. They only introduced this when I was preggy with JY n had most stuffs.

Stroller: McLaren
Carseat: Safety First by Britax
Playmat: Parklon (free during Baby Baby fair for a carton of milk purchase)
Portable baby  chair: Fisherprice

Will add on my brand of use from time to time..

Philips Avent recommended products that I've used

Dual Electric Breast Pump (Get bundle from baby fairs,	Sterilizer (Get bundle from baby fairs)
Bottle warmer on the go (Can get second hand please!)	Thermal Bag (Get second hand too, I got mine at $10!)
Breast pads (30 pcs @ $7.90, Robinsons sale $5.50)	Thermo pads ($33) useful for softening breasts prior to feeding or pumping
Pacifiers (2 pcs @ $14.90)

Enslaved hubby

Came across a friend who commented on this article:

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jul/02/a-letter-to-my-wife-who-wont-get-a-job-while-i-work-myself-to-death

Hubby holds a sales position at dad's office and teaches cello and piano at schools and student's homes. He works 7 days a week. I do feel that he works too hard. For my own whims and expenditures， and maybe a third of all household bills, I earn my own keep. While I would love to be able to be a tai tai at home, I do love the challenges at my workplace. Though I may lament occasionally about stress, I don't think it's possible for a single income family to survive the way we want to. Something has to give, so in the article's case, sadly, the marriage and sanity and health of the hubby seems to be disintegrating. I hope we never come to this. I do consider changing jobs so that I will have time to spend with my kids once they need more guidance after school, but hopefully I can find something i like and be able to pay all the bills and a little more.. well, don't we all wish for that?

Where did my old life go to

Came across an article awhile back about a mummy saying she missed her pre-kids life .. sometimes i feel the same.. while we lay on the same bed, me at the foot and hubby at the head, i wonder where did all those hugs, kisses and snuggles go..  i didnt want a big age gap between our kids so we actively tried for #2 as JE was turning one. After a few disappointed pee sticks, a horrible backache that had me limping somehow confirmed the start of my pregnancy. From an eventful pregnancy that had me puking my guts and leaking my bottoms, came JY. Actually, pregnancy woes are just the beginning of a long journey to come.

The first 2 months had me more weeping and staring depressingly out the window during middle of the night hourly feeds for that hungry little boy that will scream the house down and wake his sister up if i didnt latch him fast enough. I miss my bed, i told hubby occasionally, having been invaded by my wiggling daughter who kicks her snoring dad in the face during excited dreams. I've settled for sleeping at the foot of the bed and leaving her huddled between the bedframe n bed rail, so as to prevent her from rolling down the bed while we all snooze.. after at least sudden thuds n loud cries between dark and dawn.. i also miss my ME time, to be able to go out to do my own thing without feeling the need to rush home to relieve my babies'caregivers of their duties..

JY is now 6 months plus, and we get by shuttling between work and home. Occasionally, we date and drop the phones and nagginess behind.  To forget that we are a couple first and foremost can be dangerous, since busying ourselves sorely around the children and work threatens the sanctity of the family nucleus.

But well, people have gotten by surviving their brood since stone age like that.. grandfathers with their two wives and dozens of offsprings. Its the modern distractions that cause us to loosen our familial ties that have binded people together.. so sometimes both of us nag each other, have rants that go one ear in and out the other, but still kiss and make up each night or the day after..

I often tell my friends now, dont wait too long to have kids or you will lament the insufficient energy to chase after those little sprinters.. have them close together so as to grit and get it over.. there will be lots of tears of joy and sadness.. but hearing that sweet little "mummy 我爱你...” is so worth it..

Trying to raise kind kids

Got alerted to a good parenting article by my brother:

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/trying-to-raise-kind-kids



At the end of each day, the author's kids are expected to jot down a good deed in one book and recall a misdemeanour in the other. It has provided an entertaining and heartening read on days when the kids inflated good deed or whitewashed the not-so-good ones. 

I think it's a good practice we will follow when the kids are older. :)

Breastfeeding

There's no denying the benefits of breastfeeding. But it takes alot of effort, willpower, time and energy to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months as recommended by WHO. Be it latching baby directly or pumping to feed.. i prefer direct latch but then i wouldn't know how much baby drank, and he seems to be hungry soon yet again. But when i pump, now at day 19 post-partum, i can get 120ml from both breasts, more from my right side.. Half the time, he would latch on one side and fall asleep. Sometimes i would switch sides then he is good to rest.. by latching, i also don't hqve to wash up pump parts after that, saves time, water and energy.. babies can latch for anything from 1 minute to an hour, so be warned.. at night, to save your energy and sanity, do occasionally top up with formula milk. My boy is up  2-3 hourly and feeds between 3am to 7am seem like never-ending and felt like i never slept a wink, as after feeds are the mandatory burps, and poops.. and each cycle takes about an hour each time.. it leaves you a panda before 2 weeks is up.. relatives dont even need to go to Mandai to see the ones loaned from China ...

Power pumping

They are supposedly the way to go for building your supply, but it's too time consuming so I didn't follow it through. I got by with just enough and then topped up with formula.. less stressful.. at one point, I had quite a stash because I was pumping and storing , baby had jaundice and giving formula milk was the trick for clearing the jaundice as breast milk compounds inhibited breaking down of the jaundice stuff.. when I cleared jaundice and went full on breastmilk, the stash disappeared and so did money for milk powder.. At some point, I got lazy so supply dwindled.. but it's ok, i did mix feeding for my gal and she's growing up fine, so I'm gonna aim to do the same for my boy til about 6 - 7 months as well. 

There's lots of info out there about breastfeeding, building supply, two useful info from the internet for reference. 

Do note that when breastfeeding, the diet is highly important. What goes in comes out as milk for your baby. So do watch it. Some baby are more sensitive than others, a little more broccoli or chocolate can cause a gassy tummy and whiny baby for the day. 

I got a US set Phillips Avent dual electric pump from Amazon back in 2013. Using it till now, but the wire is a little spoilt because I curl it quite tightly after use and also when i pump in the office it gets snapped in the doorway and the socket outside the door. I've gotten a Spectra M9 from Qoo10 which works quite ok, Best thing is that it's portable, quiet but less powerful than the Avent. I've also tried the MEdela Swing Maxi from my colleague when I forgot to bring my pump to office or when my Avent broke down, very small and handy too but needs a power source. Do research around before you find your preferred pump. A good one will take you a long way.. Happy pumping :)

Confinement

Confinement

Myths and traditions abound, some debunked as they are no longer true in current ages but sometimes you just gotta heck it n follow what the elders say..

The basis for such practices is to protect the new mother from future ill health, restore her strength and protect the family from ritual pollution. See here for practices across different races in Singapore:  http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/womenhealth/Pages/confinement-dos-and-donts.aspx 

Malay practices	Indian practices	Chinese practices	Me
44 days	40 days	30 days	30 days
• To purge out the “wind” in the body after delivery, promote “blood circulation”, strengthen the joints and promote milk supply • To avoid “cooling” foods
During confinement, a woman follows a special diet in which heating foods are encouraged and cooling foods avoided to restore the balance upset by the birth of the baby. Some Malay women who have just delivered often take a special drink called “jamu”. It is believed that the body's pores are opened during labour and “jamu” has properties that can keep the body warm.	Indians take garlic milk to prevent “wind”. Like the Chinese and Malays, “cooling” foods are avoided, especially tomatoes, cucumbers, coconut milk and mutton. Only chicken and shark fish cooked with herbs are allowed. Other seafood is not allowed. Chilli is not allowed. Consuming plenty of garlic cooked without oil is encouraged. Cooking is done with gingly oil. The oral intake of herbs is  encouraged to keep the body warm. There is a restriction on the intake of fluids/fruits/vegetables as well as cold drinks.	Traditionally, they use a lot of ginger, wine and sesame oil in their diet. Common dishes include pigs' trotters cooked with ginger and vinegar, fish soup, chicken cooked in sesame oil and a traditional tonic brewed from 10 herbs. Fish soup boiled with papaya is believed to be beneficial for milk production. It is also recommended that plain water be avoided during this period to reduce the risk of water retention. Instead, specially prepared drinks from a mixture of herbs and preserved dates are recommended.	Granny used a lot of Wen Dong Ginger, wine and sesame oil. Wen Dong Ginger is supposedly more heaty and powerful than normal ginger. Took 2 heavy meals a day of fish, meat, veg nad rice or vermicilli with ginger egg. Soups for dinner.                                             I also had mostly red date water and brown rice dry fried with ginger water rather than plain water.
Traditionally, childbirth is in the mother’s home attended by a bidan (Malay midwife) and the umbilical stump dusted with a mixture of spices. Fortunately, this has been replaced by hospital births that reduce complications and infection rates. Immediately after birth, both mother and baby should be bathed in heated water filled with herbs. The mother should “keep warm” through various traditional methods. These may include sitting near to or lying above a heat source, or warming the abdomen by applying a heated stone over it. During this confinement period, a female masseuse is engaged to help the mother regain her figure or at least to keep her extended tummy trim. The practice of tightly binding the tummy is called berbengkong, and is believed to help in maintaining the body shape. Sex is also strictly prohibited during the confinement period.	Indian mothers are also discouraged from leaving their homes during their confinement period. "Bathing is discouraged and if done, it should be performed with special herbal preparations and turmeric powder. Bathing is only allowed between 11 am and 2 pm when the temperature is at its highest." Daily body massages with oil are also encouraged. • Not allowed to enter the prayer altar room. • Warm water is splashed on abdomen during bathing to expel clots from uterus. • Washing of hair is done on odd days i.e. day 3,5,7… during the first two weeks. Dry hair after washing with incense smoke. • Place incense smoke in between legs to dry episiotomy wound. • Binding of tummy with six feet cloth. Sex is also strictly prohibited during the confinement period. .	The Chinese believe in staying indoors throughout the confinement period to avoid outdoor pollution.	I stayed at home except to go for jaundice follow-ups. If I went out, I was in a cardigan and long pants to avoid catching a chill being in and out of aircon and the sun.
		Strenuous physical activities are discouraged to prevent further “muscle weakening”.	I mostly rested and nursed baby, pumped milk, played a little with my elder girl.
		Some hire a confinement nanny to help with the housework and caring for the baby.	Granny was my confinement lady while helper did the housework.
		Other practices may include:
		• Not washing the body or hair during the month; especially avoiding contact with cold water.	Wet Shampooed my hair only after 12 days, prior to that used Klorane dry shampoo. and splashed myself in boiled lemongrass herbal water to wipe myself down for the first 12 days. Supposed to only do a wipe down, but I splashed the hand towel and wiped down for a reprive with boiled herb water. :) Bathed with herb water and lemongrass shower gel on alternate days and splash down after 12 days. My tap didn't have hot water function, granny said best not to touch cold water and if need be, always wash each warm or hot water. I flunked that rule, now sometimes I do feel finger joint ache , not sure if its over messaging or due to cold water confinement use..
		• Not going outside for the entire month (or at least avoid wind).	I stayed at home except to go for jaundice follow-ups. If I went out, I was in a cardigan and long pants to avoid catching a chill being in and out of aircon and the sun.
		• Not eating raw or “cooling” foods, or foods cooked the previous day.	Yep, I ate freshly cooked foods daily.
		• Eat chicken, especially chicken cooked in sesame oil; pork liver and kidney are also good; eat five or six meals daily and rinse the rice bowl with scalding water.	Ate mostly pork first as I had itchy skin earlier eating chicken. Drink pork stomach soup and other herbal soups. Not sure if my bowl was rinse with scalding water.
		• Avoid all wind, fans and air-conditioning.	Had the fan and air-con though not directly.
		• Avoid walking or moving about; the ideal is to lie on the back in bed.	Did this about 60% of the time.
		• Do not go into another person’s home.	Went only to mum's and doctor's where necessary.
		• Do not get sick.	Caught flu and sore throat,(granny says cox I bathed), but I wasn't sure it was because I was too heaty and thus got sick.
		• Do not read or cry.	Cried when baby got readmitted for jaundice.
		• Do not have sex.	Abstained
		• Do not eat with family members.	Ate at my dressing table alone since my confinement meal was always cooked first separately from the rest.
		• Do not burn incense or visit a temple or altar.	Yep, Think I didn't.

Got lemongrass confinement shower gel from here: http://www.mamaonlinestore.com/cart/en/blog/post/lemongrass-confinement-showergel-ginger-cream-and-lavender-cream-taiwan

Do get this in 2L bottle, very worth it, used it for half a year. I had got another bottle during a group.buy with fellow mummies, another brand and it was only 160ml each or something for shower gel and body wash, not even enough for half month's use.

During confinement, sweat and milk and menses are quite abundant, so do get enough hankies, breast pads, large sanitary pads. Also drink up so that you can be a cow for your baby. Please don't go dieting. Effective breastfeeding will take care of losing all the fats, should you have gained them during pregnancy. so just drink up and feast up. Do Note that when your milk output slows down a couple of months later, adjust your diet so that the weight stays away. I need to remind myself of that in time to come. Also rest up and enjoy the young one in your arms..

Any burning questions, ask your mummy support group or google them. I'm sure well-meaning friends, like me, would also love to offer their two cents' worth of experience. :)