mellomouse* » Awareness

Coffee – The Caffeinated & Decaffeinated.

mellomouse — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:49:31 +0000

One of my biggest vices (after chocolates!) since forever is coffee. I must have at least a cuppa a day. My crazy reasons are: 1) I love the taste and 2) It’s the only hot drink I always crave for. It’s a bliss to sip one after every fulfilling meal. Don’t you agree?

My longest record — about 17 months — of sans coffee was during my entire pregnancy till after Natey started sleeping through the night. I swear by to no caffeine intake during breastfeeding. So when he sleeps through the night, I have a grace period of 6-7hrs caffeine freedom: Woohoo! But that means, I’ll be wide awake after: Boohoo!

I cannot have a hot mug of coffee in the morning because I am breastfeeding. It is always at night after Natey has gone to sleep. There was a phase where I could only sleep after 5am and really wake up a zombie (-__-)||

Last Saturday, I bought this. It tastes like coffee and it smells like coffee. I have no complains as I savoured my drug cuppa that night. Sure enough, I was tossing and turning till 3am!

My Daily Bread Vice
Even SpongeBob gives it a thumbs up

In order to label coffee as Decaffeinated, its caffeine level must be reduced by no less than 97.5%

Decaf should range somewhere in between 2-4mg of caffeine per cup.

Yikes! No wonder I was wide awake. Did you know that decaf still contained caffeine? They should call it LessCaf instead! You’d think that after all these years of addiction, I’ll be immuned to its side effect of literally staring at the ceiling. It is only 2-4mg of caffeine *ftw*

Like any junkie out there, I couldn’t be stopped. I continued to enjoy my “coffee” after putting Natey to sleep as I complete the day’s chores. I call that: My Reward. After 2 days, I was immuned

I can now finally — after 2 years — have a hot mug of coffee with my breakfast every morning without the guilt. Although it still contains a tiny wee bit of caffeine, it is in a safe quantity that wouldn’t harm my son *yay*

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SAHM, The Misconception.

mellomouse — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:42:56 +0000

If you haven’t already know what the acronym above means, SAHM is short for Stay At Home Mom. And, if you haven’t already know — that is my label too — I am blessed with this opportunity since the birth of our darling Tiger.

What’s the misconception? Generally it is what it says it is: Stay-At-Home but not as just “staying at home” as many misunderstood us to be doing. It is completely the opposite. No pun intended but this (the opposite) is not applicable to those that have a maid/part time cleaner.

Two months ago, Coleen (also a SAHM) wrote this really inspiring post. She have 2 beautiful kids and doing a helluva good job! I’m already fainting with just one. I really loved how she summed it up and I’m sharing it with you

Working Mum

God forbid ANYONE say a SAHM doesn’t work! In fact, I think she works more. Because she doesn’t have a “work hour”.

Her day begins when her kids do, or long before. And ends way after they go to bed. Sometimes, when with young ones, she works through the night too, so the husband, who has a job, will not be disturbed through the night.

She often does the cleaning, cooking, laundry, and minding of the kids, often 3x a day.

Do I mop? Every morning. How can I not when Scubby is all over the floor? Do I vacuum? Whenever I can, if lucky. Laundry? Every other day for ours and every night for Natey’s. Cook? Only for the son and weekends for us. If my Mom weren’t helping out, the Husband and I would be eating takeouts and its leftovers everyday.

Bathrooms, bedrooms, study, kitchen, dust/fur covered tops (basically anywhere horizontal): There’s just not enough time in a day! With all the cleaning and washing, and chasing an energizer bunny Tiger around, I am lucky to have time to blog at all. Hence sleeping at 1am — startled by a wakeful toddler at 2am/3am/4am, 1st feed at 5am, 2nd at 7am — and waking up a zombie by 8am. The cycle continues.

I am not writing this to complain, but just to clear the misconception. I admit I get pretty defensive when friends or strangers claim I have it easy being a “staying at home” Mom. As though it means I sleep till noon, play with my son and goes shopping with my husband’s inexhaustible credit cards *humph*

I am a perfectionist and a time conscious freak. I do things quickly but not simply. The Husband always asked me to take it easy. I do try, but then I’ll slack behind on my chores and feel even more stressed out trying to finish everything in constrained time.

My point is, unless you are also a SAHM as described, you can’t begin to imagine what our days (and nights) are like. You clock off work, you go home and that’s it. Me time? Whenever. End of the month? Salary. End of the year? Bonuses and annual leaves.

Do I see myself retiring soon? Not so. Because although the hours are tough, the reward is greater. Priceless is an understatement.

If you ask me, SAHM is the most exhausting job blessed by God to us women. And blessed we are indeed to witness and be there for our children. There is definitely no misconception about that

It is almost 1am and I think I have said my peace *waves goodnight*

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Skinz Infinite, Eye Revive Therapy.

mellomouse — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:46:37 +0000

After my Eumora scare last year, you’d think that I’ve learn my lesson and trust my body’s warning. The alleged Miracle Bar gave me twice facial rash that needed medical intervention. Why twice? I was silly to give it a 2nd chance *bah*

This time around I’m once again silly. Sillier because now is Three! The experience is much more scarier as well because I could loose my sight. OK maybe that’s a little exaggerated, but it certainly didn’t feel that way when I couldn’t keep my eyes opened *boo*

Renew and Rejuvenates
Unfortunately, it was the other way around

Some of you might recall me tweeting/FBing about a 3x eye infection I had. Well there it is above. That’s what caused it and the medications that I had to apply. Not forgetting the antibiotic I had to take while breastfeeding *sigh*

On 3 separate accounts — starting from April 26 — a small white bean grew in my outer and inner lower eyelid on both eyes. It was inflamed, itchy and felt like I got punched in the eye. I went to see the Doctor twice and the 1st one told me that I might need surgery. If that didn’t scare the sh*t of me, nothing would *shudder*

I’ve learnt my lesson. I promise! No more experimenting with over the counter skincare. No more 2nd chances or incredibly stupid 3rd time’s the charm. And of course, I should listen to the beloved husband *yaya*

So what should I use now? My dark circles and freckles can be seen from a mile away *pouts*

What would Charmaine Sheh says about this? *ha*

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Toxic in Baby Products.

mellomouse — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:41:40 +0000

Did you know that most over the counter baby products are harmful? Just simply pick one ingredient from the label, Google it and you’ll be shocked to the revelation.

Ignorance is definitely bliss. But now that I know, how could I still continue using them on Natey?

A Wake-Up Story
by Healthy Child Healthy World

Stay informed to make the right choice

Top 10 Toxic Baby Products
Guide to Less Toxic Baby Care
Your Guide to Choosing Safe Products

You Might Also Be Interested:
Baby Wearing, pt 6 – Baby Carrier vs Baby Sling.
Angel Baby Bottom Balm.
BPA-Free Baby Bottles.
Cloth Diapers, pt 2 – Baby Nappies.
Baby Car Seat vs Stroller, pt 3.

Anterior & Posterior Birth, pt 2 – Homework!

mellomouse — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:31:49 +0000

I’ve been trying to figure out LBJ’s exact position in utero since last Thursday and I am simply hopeless. The husband can’t seem to understand why I’m getting so worked up over it *humph* But thankfully, LBJ is definitely head down!

Even with a Compass
Mommy is so hopelessly lost with her imagination

L: Left, R: Right, O: Occiput, A: Anterior, P: Posterior, T: Transverse

LBJ is facing left because his fetal hiccups are always felt on that side. The right side of my bump is bigger and there are more stretch marks because of his weight. So that means he could be either OP, ROP or ROT.

What I need to do now is help him turn Anterior (OA) before labour or while delivery. 3 of the common positions I could do daily is going down on my hands and knees like the lady below.

Hands & Knees or Kneeling

Does the position looks comfortable? Surprisingly it is not so. At least the 2nd & 3rd visual is not. The weight of my body – thigh pressing onto my calves – causes a numbing burning sensation after a minute. Will I be able to go through with this position during labour?

I do these a few times a day for 5 minutes each. Every time it does feel like forever because of the pressure. I hope with more practice, LBJ would turn anterior effortlessly and help speed up delivery *fingers crossed*

Did the Fetal Compass above help you in visualising your baby’s position? If not, maybe these telltale signs may.

Anterior Baby

The baby’s back feels hard and smooth and rounded on one side of your tummy, and you will normally feel kicks under your ribs.

Your belly button (umbilicus) will normally poke out, and the area around it will feel firm.

Posterior Baby

Your tummy may look flatter and feel more squashy, and you may feel arms and legs towards the front, and kicks on the front towards the middle of your tummy.

The area around your belly button may dip in to a concave, saucer-like shape.

Find Out More

As for me, I am more lost. Now it feels like a little of both positions because: 1) I normally feel kicks under my ribs and 2) The area around my belly button does look concave.

Headaches aside! I’m going to ask the husband to draw it out for me this Friday when Dr Tan does the ultrasound scan for our 8th check-up.

So will I be delivering this Sunday / 1st day of CNY / Valentine’s Day?

You Might Also Be Interested:
Anterior & Posterior Birth, pt 1 – The Research.
Giving Birth On All Fours, pt 1 – The Research.
Pregnancy Goodness: Birth Ball, pt 1 – Research.
My Birth Plan, pt 1 – The Draft.
My Birth Plan, pt 2 – Approved!

Pregnancy & Soya Beans.

mellomouse — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:10:36 +0000

A chilled glass of Soya Bean Milk is simply heavenly on a warm day, or whenever. Don’t you agree? That’s exactly what I’ve been having almost daily for the past 2 months. Whenever possible, we would buy a large bottle and that could last us for a day or 2.

This is not uncommon among us Asians to include soy into our daily staple. Often Expecting Mothers would go out of their way to consume more because we were told that soy will give our babies fair and beautiful complexion. I did it simply because I enjoy the drink

So you could imagine my shock when I found out last night that all this health talk is really just pure garbage. Soy is probably one of the most misconceived myth that it is some sort of miracle food that prevents and cures diseases. Soya Bean is not a Health Food!

My immediate reaction was: OMG, what have I done!?! And you would too after reading what I have excerpted below. Especially if you are expecting a baby boy!

BBC NEWS Reported in 2004

The humble soya bean may play a role in the problem of male infertility, a team of researchers in Belfast has found.

If boys eat a lot of soya when they are growing up, it can damage their reproductive capability. The key time for that is when a male foetus is developing and in the early toddler years and up to puberty.

Too much soya affects the development of the male’s reproductive tract. It increases the structural abnormalities like undescended testes and testicular cancer.

Continue Reading

The Truth About Soy
Another interesting Article

There’s still a half bottle of Soya Bean Milk in the fridge. After that is finished, I don’t think I’ll be drinking anymore until after LBJ is born or longer.

Even though I am making an informed choice now to not drink it, there are still a multitude of food products in the market that I would not be able to escape from, that are made from soy

2 weekends ago, we stocked up a carton of Soya Bean Milk to serve our guest during CNY. Will you drink it if/when you visit us after reading this post?

You Might Also Be Interested:
Pregnancy Updates 38: Fat Mama!
Pregnancy Updates 40: Cinderella No More.
Pregnancy Updates 09: Morning Sickness gone Nocturnal.
Pregnancy Updates 35: Water Retention.
Pregnancy Updates 13: PUPPP Pregnancy Rash.

Anterior & Posterior Birth, pt 1 – The Research.

mellomouse — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:56:22 +0000

I’ve been very happy and relieved to know that LBJ has continued to stay head down since Week 27. But at this moment, he is still facing forward in the posterior position. I hope during delivery, LBJ would be a good boy and turn 180 degrees for his Mommy

Posterior Position

The baby goes down into the pelvis with the back of his head towards his mother’s spine.

The close proximity between the baby’s bony skull and your spine can be very uncomfortable. You will have a lot of backache during and in between contractions, and labour is slower.

He might need forceps or ventouse to help him out.

Anterior Position

This position is also known as the Optimal Fetal Positioning. The baby is head down, with the back of his head slightly towards the front of your tummy.

In this position, he fits snugly into the curve of your pelvis and it’s easy for him to move gently down during labour.

Labour is nearly always shorter and easier if the baby is anterior.

Find Out More

For LBJ to turn backwards, I’ll also have to do my part to help him get into position. That’s why by opting to give birth on all fours, I can help quicken the rotation from a posterior to an anterior. But of course, there are also alternative ways to get your baby into an optimal position.

During one of my antenatal appointments previously, I did ask Dr Tan about his opinion on this. He nonchalantly replied that it doesn’t really make a difference for him — why would I care if it does for him or not! *blek* — but it would be easier on me. That’s all I wanted to hear: Easier on Me!

Wouldn’t you do just about anything for an easier birth? Especially if you’re anti-Epidural like me

You Might Also Be Interested:
Anterior & Posterior Birth, pt 2 – Homework!
Giving Birth On All Fours, pt 1 – The Research.
Pregnancy Goodness: Birth Ball, pt 1 – Research.
Cloth Diapers, pt 1 – The Research.
My Birth Plan, pt 1 – The Draft.

Cord Blood Stem Cells.

mellomouse — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:01:13 +0000

If you are currently an expecting mother too, then you would know how it feels like to be a prey to many salespeople that target our hormones as a successful business closure. No kidding!

Among many are those from the private Cord Blood Banking companies that use “Emotional Marketing” to brainwash us into swiping our credit cards *twilight theme*

What are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are cells with the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. They serve as a repair system for the body.

They can be found in umbilical cord from babies, bone marrow and peripheral blood from adults.

Cord Blood Stem Cells

Umbilical cord blood could supply the same kinds of blood-forming (hematopoietic) stem cells as a bone marrow donor.

These cells are capable of developing into the three types of mature blood cells present in our blood — Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells and Platelets.

The collection of Cord Blood is non-invasive and can only be collected once in a lifetime.

We were previously approached by Stemlife’s Consultant during our 1st appointment with Dr Tan. As we waited for our turn, I thought it wouldn’t do any harm to just listen. But of course it did! Because we finally decided yesterday to sign up with that Lady when we go for our antenatal check up next Tuesday.

Thank God for the Internet! *phew*

Is It Right For Me?

The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend cord blood banking for families who don’t have a history of disease. That’s because research has not yet determined the likelihood — 1 in 2,700 or lower — that a child would ever need his or her own stem cells.

Other doctors and researchers support saving umbilical cord blood as a source of blood-forming stem cells in every delivery – mainly because of the promise that stem-cell research holds for the future.

However, it is unknown how long cord blood can be successfully stored!

Continue Reading

If you wished to find out more — not from their “Consultants” of course! — I have here a list of great insights contributed by the Mommies at MsiaBrides. After reading it, you might just think otherwise

I hope this post got to you in time. Just as these articles did me and the husband last night! At the end of the day, it is still your decision. At least now, it would be an Informed Decision!

Find Out More

Reviews from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Advice from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, UK
Medical Experts Warn Against Commercial Cord Blood Banking
FAQ on Private Cord Blood Banking
FAQ on Cord Blood Banking
Survey: Few Physicians Support Private Cord Blood Banking
Is it worth banking your baby’s cord blood?
Plea to women banking cord blood
10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use StemLife

Added 2/2/10, 7.03pm
We asked for Dr Tan’s opinion on this and he also doesn’t buy into the idea because currently cord blood can only cure Leukemia.

As usual, his advice is and I quote: If you have the extra money to dump in, go ahead! *LOL*

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Giving Birth On All Fours, pt 1 – The Research.

mellomouse — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:55:10 +0000

While most people — including myself — have been conditioned (by television) to believe that all deliveries are done on the bed with legs propped up and the Doctor’s head between her thighs, there are certainly more ways than this to bring new life to this world.

I was reading a discussion from the UK Midwifery Archives on this topic, where a midwife feedback that a husband told his friends and family that his wife had given birth “like a cow”. Don’t you dare laugh! *makes evil eye*

Before you decide to make a joke out of it, you might just think otherwise after reading that this position is kinder to Mommy and Baby. Especially if you are the one doing the pushing

Why is this a Better Position?

Less pain in labour and birth

Have shorter labours and pushing times

Less Shoulder Dystocia — baby’s shoulders get stuck in the pelvis

Fewer Perineal Tears — space between the vagina and rectum stretches to make room for baby’s head and shoulders

Allows the pelvis to open 1-2cm, making adequate room for even a large baby to pass through

Benefits to Giving Birth on Hands & Knees

Fewer maternal and infant injuries

Fewer infant deaths related to Shoulder Dystocia

Less painful and more efficient contractions

Impressive rate of rotating Posterior babies to Anterior within 10 minutes

Shorter Labour

Decrease risk of both instrumental and Cesarean deliveries

Read this Article

After finding out more about this amazing yet simplistic position, I am certain that I will want to deliver in it. The only concern now is, will Dr Tan sign my Birth Plan?

I know I cannot control the unforeseen on that day itself, for example: I could be very tired after endless hours of contraction pain in 1st Stage Labour, so I cannot get into position — I will pray to God for strength and Mother Mary for her intercession. She delivered Jesus alone, 2000 years ago! *admiration*

If given the chance, will you try this position too? My review in Part 2 (coming in March!).

You Might Also Be Interested:
Anterior & Posterior Birth, pt 1 – The Research.
Pregnancy Goodness: Birth Ball, pt 1 – Research.
My Birth Plan, pt 1 – The Draft.
My Birth Plan, pt 2 – Approved!
Postnatal 00: My Birth Story.

BPA-Free Baby Bottles.

mellomouse — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:40:08 +0000

We are BPA-Free

Over the recent years, the media has time and time again exposed the content used in making plastic baby bottles as threat. What make these plastic toxic is the chemical called BPA, short for Bisphenol-A.

What is BPA?

__ BPA is a chemical present in the production of Polycarbonate (PC) plastic and epoxy resins.

__ PC plastic which is clear and nearly shatter-proof, is used widely in common products such as baby milk bottles, water bottles and food storage containers.

__ BPA is a potent endocrine disruptor chemical. It mimics the body’s hormones and may lead to negative health effects — baby’s brain development, breast cancer, thyroid, heart disease, affects reproductive system, etc.

__ Scratched and worn PC plastic bottles will leach this chemical into liquids.

__ Was first reported in 1891 and suspected of being hazardous to humans since the 1930s. It was formerly used as fungicide.

Newborn babies are fragile little beings and are at a very sensitive stage of their development. Any parent would agree that BPA would be the last thing they would want to be dosing their babies with. Especially if we are aware of such hazardous effects. Even we as adults are not discounted to these scary effects if we do not arm ourselves by being informed.

I’ve compiled some useful information below to help us be more aware, especially to expecting parents like myself. Please click on the links to find out more.

Hot Water Increases Baby Bottle Chemicals
by The Guardian

__ When you repeatedly scrub, dish-wash and boil polycarbonate baby bottles, they release BPA.
__ Boiling water released BPA from the bottles up to 55 times more quickly than the lower-temperature water.

Continue Reading

Is Tritan Material A Better Alternative?
by Pureen Gold

__ BPA-Free baby bottles made of Polypropylene (PP) is not as strong and robust as Polycarbonate (PC) bottles. They need to be replaced after 30 boilings!
__ BPA-Free baby bottles made of Tritan material is as clear and robust as PC bottles and can withstand more than 50 boilings.
__ BPA-Free baby bottles need to be changed every 3-6 months depending on wear and tear.

Although I’m not the expert here but I do hope this has helped us to understand a little bit more of the danger of BPA and its existent in our daily life. Besides Polypropylene (PP), Polyamide (PA) and Polyethersulphone (PES) are also BPA-Free plastic.

Do remember to look out for the BPA-Free logo during your next baby bottle shopping. As parents, we cannot afford not to. So do the right thing by choosing BPA-Free!

Find Out More
Is Your Baby’s Bottle Safe?
BPA-Free Baby Bottle Brands
BPA-Free Baby Bottle.Net
Recommended Brands to Avoid & Look for
Protecting Kids from Toxic Chemical in Plastic
Smart Plastic Guide
Plastic ID Codes and How to Identify them
Plastic Recycle Logo
Bisphenol-A Free Org

You Might Also Be Interested:
Baby Wearing, pt 1 – The Research.
Baby Wearing, pt 2 – The Purchase.
Cloth Diapers, pt 2 – Baby Nappies.
Baby Wearing, pt 3 – The Gift.
Baby Wearing, pt 6 – Baby Carrier vs Baby Sling.