[Personal] Busy play day at Busy Tables @ Rochester Mall

Great minds think alike. Both my boss and myself agree that a person should not work on his/her birthday and therefore he had granted me the birthday leave on my birthday even before I asked for it. To make this birthday worthwhile, I've decided to bring Rena out for a play day. After searching through many online reviews on Indoor playgrounds, Busy Tables appealed to me the most.

Located at Rochester Mall, which is just a few minutes walk away from Buona Vista MRT,  Busy Tables is not so much of an indoor playground, but more of a place where parents can let their kids learn and explore through the different toys available. The location is perfect for me as I stay in the west area.

Due to the fact that it was a Friday afternoon, the whole play area was empty when we arrived. What I liked most about this place is the safe and gentle environment and the educational toys available. Though I didn't have to deal with any rowdy kids running around, I had to keep an eye on Rena to ensure that she didn't take those little toys and put into her mouth. There was no restrictions as to which area Rena could play so she was free to roam around the whole place which was perfect given her limited attention span.

There used to be a Dark Room but now the toys had been moved out and the room had became a store room.

The sensory corner required my supervision most as the table had lots of small objects which Rena could choke on.

She was attracted to this toy that allows the balls to roll down but she kept holding two balls in her hand and hit it against each other.

After awhile, she started exploring the rest of the place as she tries to stack on huge legos, played with cars, and other toys. She just continued playing by herself and doesn't even allow me to carry her. She even skipped her nap time and I had to force her to drink her milk.

There was also a book corner which doesn't seems to catch her interest.

She got frightened by this distorted reflection of herself. LOL!

While Rena was busy playing, I was happily resting in a corner and taking photos of her. Another plus point is that I don't have to worry about the mess she creates as the kind staff there will know where to put back each and every toys after the whole session. Overall, I would say my leave was well-spent and I would be back again next time.

Happy Mummy and a Tired Baby!

Cost: S$18 for two hours walk-in (for children 1 years old and up)
(One accompany adult gets to enter for free)
(Additional Adults at S$3 each)

Operating Hours: 10am to 6.30pm
12pm to 6.30pm (Thursday and Friday)

Address: 35 Rochester Drive
#03-22
Singapore 138639

Website: www.busytables.sg


XOXO

[PERSONAL] Celebrate Breastfeeding at Mount Alvernia Hospital + My Breastfeeding Journey

World Breastfeeding Week 2017 starts on 1st August to 7th August and to celebrate this, Mount Alvernia Hospital held an exclusive breastfeeding and postpartum health talk to encourage more mothers to breastfeed on 5th August 17.

Breastfeeding is a very important milestone for both mothers and the little ones. It is highly recommended to exclusively breastfeed an infant at least for the first six months. While we all know the importance of breastfeeding, we should not forget about the challenges that comes with it too.

This post combines the celebrate breastfeeding event as well as my personal journey to serve as a reminder for myself on how I get my first drop of precious liquid gold, the problems I encountered and how I'm coping with breastfeeding now.

My mother has been a great motivator and supporter and thus I can't think of anyone else but her to accompany me to this event. She's the one who always told me to eat well, sleep well and don't stress too much.

Ms Kang Phaik Gaik, better known as Sister Kang, the head of lactation shared with us on some breastfeeding tips which I'm more concerned on continuing breastfeeding after I go back to work. She touches on this topic as well as how to properly store the milk that was pumped out.

Ms Tan Shi Ling, the dietitian continued to provide more tips on weight management and how to start weaning when baby is ready to eat solid food.

Ms Michelle Liew form Alvenia Parentcraft Centre sharing her personal breastfeeding experience which is not all smooth sailing too.

After the talk, we had a mass latching session thus even babies were allowed to attend. All 15 parents latched our babies at the same time. It was a fun experience. We also had a great set lunch and not only do we went home with tips but so much goodies. Thank you Mount Alvernia Hospital for organising this event.

The start of my breastfeeding journey was a painful one. I thought my milk supply would come naturally immediately following the birth of Baby Rena but it didn't work this way. It was horrible as I carry and try to latch my crying baby but there's just no milk for her. I even have to beg the nurse to let my baby have some formula milk because I didn't know what else I could do. 

NUH, being a pro-breastfeeding hospital, the nurses there just kept assuring me that my baby's stomach is still tiny and would not need to top up with formula.

Everyday, the nurses would come and check on my milk supply and asked me to do some circular massage. By day 3, my milk supply still didn't kick in and I was giving up hope. The nurses there provided me with this hot compress to make my harden breasts feel better and told me that a lactation specialist will be visiting the next day.

By right, I should be discharged on the third day but I stayed on another day due to the discovery of jaundice in Baby Rena. This extra day happens for a reason as my milk supply finally kicks in! Especially grateful to nurse Zhang Yan for being so patient, helping me to massage and collecting the colostrum drop by drop. Colostrum is yellowish in colour and is the first milk that will be produced. This is extremely nutritious so do not think that it's dirty milk and throw away.

At this point of time, Baby Rena still has not mastered the skill of sucking, she will just latch but will not suck so we have to use the syringe to collect the milk and feed her.

When Baby Rena finally learns how to latch, another problem arises. There will be a 'let down' from the unlatched side. My bestie, Lis then introduced this special container called the Haakka, this is used to collect the leaking milk from the other side. Best part is that it's Hands Free as the silicone is able to provide the suction. Great invention that solves the problem of breastfeeding mummies.

During the first few months, I did not exclusively breastfeed my baby because I have lots of fear and uncertainties. I'm afraid that my supply is not enough and that I did not eat well enough. At that time, we would alternate between formula milk from bottle and direct latching. It was quite inconvenient as we have to bring milk powder and hot water to prepare the milk outside. 

Towards the end of June, I started to realised that whenever my MIL prepared the formula milk and fed my baby, after a while my shirt will be wet from the leaking milk. That's when I stopped preparing formula milk and exclusively breastfeed my baby. Going out was easy, I do not need to bring so many equipment since my baby loves latching direct, I just have to make sure the place I went to have nursing rooms, otherwise I have to use the nursing cover.

To me, I felt that the greatest joy is the ability to nurse my baby. It's a special bonding between baby and myself that no other people can take away. I would hope that I could nurse my baby for as long as she wants to.

"There are three reasons for breastfeeding: the milk is always at the right temperature; it comes in attractive containers; and the cat can't get it." Irena Chalmers

Just when everything seems like a breeze, another problems arises. Going back to the workforce. I have my pump ready but the sterilizer is spoiled and I had to sterilized the bottles using the most traditional way. Put in boiling water. Then, Baby Rena decided she doesn't want to be bottle fed. My mother had a tough time trying to feed her. She would cry and struggle and refuses to drink. Sometimes, going to sleep without drinking.

Now that my baby is five months old, she still latches directly whenever I'm around. However, my milk supply has gone down a bit and she would rely on bottle-fed formula milk when I'm at work. She still struggles a bit before she drank from the bottle. Soon, she will be entering the next stage whereby we would have to introduce solids to her gradually. It will be another new set of challenges that time. Till then. 

* Photos without watermark are taken from Mount Alvernia Facebook Page *


XOXO

[CONFINEMENT] Post-Natal Care : 7 Days Post-Partum Massage Therapy from Madam Partum

A mother's body went through massive changes during the nine months of pregnancy and even more stress and trauma during child birth. A post-partum massage is able to aids in helping mothers to recuperate, recover and return the body to the pre-pregnancy state.

It is advisable to start post natal massage 5 days after normal delivery and massage should preferably be done on consecutive days. I started my first post-natal massage session with Madam Partum of Chien Chi Tow, Clementi Branch on 8th April. 

Madam Partum is part of Chien Chi Tow, a well-known TCM in Singapore with close to 50 years of expertise. 

With 12 Chien Chi Tow outlets islandwide, treatments can be booked conveniently at the outlet closest to your home or you may even enjoy the treatments within the comforts of your home by paying an additional $21.40 transport charges per trip. 

Staff were nice and friendly and I was asked to fill up a questionnaire to understand more about my health conditions.

Made myself comfortable at home and changed into this slip-on slipper. 

Tian Jiao was my therapist in charge. As this is my first visit, she went on to introduce herself with her certifications. I'm assured to know that the therapists here are professionally certified and have undergone more than 350 hours of intensive training. 

After her self-introduction, Tian Jiao went on to explain about the massage procedure that I will be having. My package is a 7-day 60 minutes Qi-Boosting Post-Partum Massage Therapy. It's a 1-hour customized full body massage from head to toe including the breast with the use of complimentary lemongrass essential oil. Why I say it's customized because the therapist will assess your body and condition before focusing on areas that need more attentions. I decided to top up a small amount of $48.15 to get the 90 minutes session this time round as the additional 30 minutes would be used for back massage which I needed due to my epidural injection. 

I was also introduced to these two optional products that can be purchased. On the left is a slimming oil (S$29.90) that will be used during the massage to help detoxify and break down cellulite problem once purchase. On the right is a 3-piece body sculpting corset (S$78.00) to shape the body and provide better support after childbirth.

Was brought to the room upstairs for my massage. A mask was wore all the time and disinfection was done at the breast area. I'm pleased with the standard of hygiene practiced here and I look forward to every session of my massage. 

Tian Jiao was able to make my massage sessions enjoyable as she shared with me the different benefits of the massage as well as some of her post-natal tips and personal stories. My main concern before I start this massage session was having difficulties breastfeeding my newborn, which I will share more in another post on breastfeeding. After just one session of massaging, I can feel my milk ducts cleared, engorgement issue resolved and I experienced a good milk flow when baby latched on. 

Another problem I'm facing is constipation, which was also managed after the massage. I can sleep much better at night too. Other benefits includes improve blood circulation, reduce swelling and lochia, help in uterus contraction and the body to slim down. Massaging also helps relax the whole body, and this 60 minutes away of my time helps to bring post-natal depression to the minimum. That's what I was telling my friends too, asking me to be confined at home for a whole month, I think I might get depression. Thus, I still went out but I do wear jackets and pants to prevent wind from getting into my body which is actually the main reason why the confinement is about. 

Sweet drink after my massage. It's black sugar drink and during my first session, I didn't eat breakfast before my massage as I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to or not, so drinking this prevent me from feeling faint. Learnt that it's ok to eat small meals an hour before the massage.

Tian Jiao assisting me with the 3-piece body sculpting corset.

Helps getting the body in shape! 

Front and side view of my after pregnancy tummy. I still look like 5 months pregnant, no wonder people still offered seats to me when I'm on the train.

After wearing the 3-piece body sculpting corset.

Demonstrating the setting up of the portable bed should there be a home visit massage. Some of my friends have asked me if bed is provided and yes, a high portable bed like this is provided instead of just a mattress to be placed on the floor. 

Overall, I'm 100% satisfied with the services rendered to me. This massage was kindly extended to me for review and my review is purely based on personal experience. Thank you!

For more information, kindly visit 

Website: http://www.madampartum.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/madampartum/

XOXO

[CONFINEMENT] Post-Natal Care : 28 Days Herbal Soup from Madam Partum

The confinement period of 28 to 30 days after giving birth is the essential period to rest and allow the body to heal while replenishing with plenty of nutrition. Instead of finding a reliable confinement nanny, I decided to handle confinement on my own with the help of the family members.

Diet is one major part of the confinement period. The right food and herbs enables me to recover faster to my pre-pregnancy state. Since I've agreed to let my Mother-in-law cook for my meals, I choose to get the 28-day confinement herbal soup from Madam Partum to supplement my post-natal recovery diet.

Comprises of 28 packets of Chinese herbs that are conveniently packed according to different days. It's a hassle-free method as it only requires us to boil with either chicken or pork ribs except the first day soup (Sheng Hua Tang) which comes with a special instruction. The day, name of soup, ingredients and the benefits are clearly stated on the packaging.

WOUND HEALING AND UTERUS RECOVERY

Herbs to aid in wound healing and uterus contraction for optimal uterus recovery.

DIGESTIVE WELLNESS AND BREASTFEEDING

Boost the milk supply for breastfeeding and also to warm the body and improve digestive functions.

VITALITY BOOSTER

Managing the mother's constitution is vital for prevention of getting 'overheated' caused by the frequent eating of tonics that promote energy and blood circulation.

This is how my everyday confinement food looks like.

Of all the soup that I've tasted so far, there's only one soup which I totally cannot accept the smell and taste and one of my favourite soup is the Blood Nourishing Black Chicken Soup which I can finish at one go.

Bought this at the Supermom Baby Fair with a 10% discount off the usual price of $258 so I only paid $232.20. They provide free delivery for orders above $150. Not only do they sell this 28 days herbal soup, they also have the 28 days herbal tea and 28 days herbal bath. Madam Partum is part Chien Chi Tow, a well-known and only TCM in Singapore that provides a complete post-natal care for the ladies. I will be going for their post-natal massage and will share my review in my next post! Thank you! 

For more information, please visit

Website: http://madampartum.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madampartum/


XOXO