Weaning part 2 & RaeAnne's first time on magazine

Last night, RaeAnne slept at 11+pm until 7am at ILs place without waking up for milk. Think she bully Daddy & Mummy only. :P ILs are so supportive of me weaning RaeAnne off that they offer to take care of her tonight as well. But don't know whether to be happy or sad cos they weren't as supportive of me when I was BF her lor. But happy that at least RaeAnne won't be crying and pulling my shirt at night because I won't be able to reject her then hubby has to keep waking up to feed FM.

A few other BF mummies were sharing that they feel so sad that their BF career is coming to an end as supply drops. True true. I look at my faithful PIS advance on my bedside ledge and my pumping pal handsfree and I feel so sad. Had to disappear so that ILs can feed FM to her in the day and I feel so 'bu she de'. Reading the Gain IQ brochure about 'taurine being present naturally in breast milk' and I feel so guilty that I'm depriving her of brain food while buying something artificial that may not work as well. Still got a lot of milk and developing painful lumps so I had to handexpress quite a bit. Might as well not waste the milk so expressed into bottles.

With ILs looking after her at night, I can't even sneak in one last night feed, miss my bonding time with her. Just feeling sentimental trying to come to terms with my decision and dealing with the guilt. Sigh. :P

On a happier note, RaeAnne was finally selected to be featured in a magazine (albeit an online mag). Motherhood Monthly was supposed to be published in Jan 09 but got pushed back to Feb 09, if not, it would have made a beautiful Birthday present for her. See her photo at http://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=4318&l=1

Crying in sleep

Heard RaeAnne crying out again, just now also heard her cough once though she didn't cry. Finally went in to check. She's still in the same position that I left her. Asleep but crying, must be nightmare. Poor gal. Sayang sayang.

What is 'gentle weaning'?

Decided to post the info here for easy reference esp for mummies who follow my blog. :)

When to Wean

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends most mothers breastfeed for at least a year so that their children can gain the full benefits breast milk offers (exclusively for the first six months, and as nutritive support for the second six months). Various AAP studies posted on the organization's website show that breastfeeding benefits include a strengthened immune system, less chance for ear infection, and decreased risk of diabetes, obesity, and asthma later in life.

Of course, in some cases, nursing this long just isn't possible. If a new baby is on the way when your first-born is under a year old, if you need medical attention, or if your little one just loses interest in nursing, you may choose to follow your baby's lead or institute an early wean. In fact, La Leche League International offers a host of information for mothers who must suddenly wean, or moms looking for help and support to wean their babies from the breast to the bottle, or off the breast completely.

Some mothers and little ones may have more difficulties discerning when to wean. In these cases, you may need to deduce if nursing is a need or a habit. In the book The Child Under Six, James L. Hymes Jr. offers a helpful definition to consider when deciphering your child's needs from her wants. "If it was easy to break, it was a habit," he writes. But beware, "if you run into any major difficulty at all, you probably are not dealing with an old worn out habit. Chances are that you are tampering with a need. Habits fade away with a little counter-push. If you ignore basic needs, or try to block them, they shoot sky high. If you treat needs as if they were habits, all you do is to make them go on longer and stronger and more powerfully than ever."

Take it Slow
For many moms, this is an emotionally charged time. As you wean, your hormones shift yet again, and many mothers additionally feel self-doubt or apprehension. But it needn't be that way. As my daughter's pediatrician reminds me each time I call with a question (which is more often then I care to admit): "This too shall pass." Understand that this is one of the many developmental stages you and your child will experience together. And before you know it, you'll be on to the next stage.

So, now that you feel like the time is right, how to begin? "The most common approach to weaning is to begin dropping feedings one at a time, waiting at least a few days, but preferably a week, until your breasts and your baby have adjusted to that loss before imposing another," write Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff, and Sandee E. Hathaway, BSN, the authors of the famed What to Expect series. It is important to think of weaning not as a single event, but an involved process. The authors offer the following six helpful steps for a comfortable transition away from the breast.


Make sure your toddler can drink from a cup or your baby can drink from a bottle.


Choose your weaning time carefully and plan for it in advance. For example, don't begin weaning as your child starts her first week of daycare or if your infant is feeling ill.


Save the breast for last (except at bedtime). Most women fall into a nursing schedule, anticipate the times when their child usually nurses, and offer a bottle, sippy cup, or snack instead. This way, if the child still wants to nurse afterwards, she won't be as hungry, won't nurse as much, and milk production will still decrease.


Begin nursing before, rather than after, your bedtime ritual. Initiate self-comforting routines so that your child can learn how to fall asleep without the help of the breast. Sing songs or read stories right before tucking your little one in.


Cut back on the number of daily feedings, starting with those your child shows the least interest in. Slowly cut down to just that one feeding per day (most women find the nighttime feeding works best).


Finally, drop that last end-of-the-day nursing session. You may need to offer a gentle distraction at this stage—such as a new "lovey" (bear, blanket, or book), special bedtime book, or nightlight—to help this final transition go more smoothly and comfortably for your child.

This last nursing may linger for months, says Gale Pryor, author of Nursing Mother, Working Mother. Because of this, bedtime can become difficult in the very end stages of weaning. Pryor suggests, "at bedtime your husband may be able to help by putting your baby to bed for a couple of weeks, until [your child] has forgotten about his end-of-the-day nursing."

Gentle weaning

One of the Jan mummies shared some info about gentle weaning: never offer, never reject. Googled and found this link which is quite useful http://www.babyzone.com/baby/feeding_nutrition/breastfeeding/article/gentle-weaning-techniques.

Realised that I'm guilty of offering when she wake up from her sleep halfway like just now around 11pm when I've only put her to bed at 10pm. Ran into the room to latch again. If not, she'll cry and cry if I'm not there, sit up and fully wake up. Then it'll take me even longer to put her back to sleep. Ya, she complains so long and so loud when I deny her, keep crying and going 'dey dey dey'. :P

After reading her advice on motherhood forum, when my gal woke up at 11:30pm. Seems like she's sleeping in bursts of 30mins even when she's sleeping on my bed and hubby is sleeping with her. This time, I went in and hide in one corner, observe her cries but she didn't stop crying. It only escalated until wailing liao, bo bian go to go and comfort her. But this time I didn't offer the breast to her, straightaway apply what you shared. I just carry her, then put her down again, let her complain and roll all over me. Finally, she found comfortable position with her leg over my thigh and her face hiding in my waist and fell asleep as I patted her. Then I substitute my thigh with bolster and my waist with pillow and sneak out again. Don't know how many times she's going to wake up tonight. Just heard her coughing... :P

RaeAnne can almost stand! :)

Saw RaeAnne stand today on her own for quite long. ILs have been saying she can stand but I saw it for myself today when she was standing in the playard holding something new I just passed to her. But she changed to crouching position after 3 seconds when she look down and saw herself standing. At ILs place this evening, she stood up then squat down then stand up again. This time for longer, almost 5 seconds. After our dinner, saw her standing near the coffee table playing with her toys, almost without support too.

I'm sort of trying to potty train my gal. I've been putting her on the potty before her morning bath and her evening bath cos convenient mah, got to take out the diaper anyway before bath. Sometimes she cooperate, sometimes she don't but at least there was twice when she peed into the potty. Went to buy a new potty to put at ILs place in the afternoon, shun bian deposit RaeAnne's angpow $. Went to develop her photos too so that can submit to Mother & Baby photo contest. Don't know why I got so many errands to run. I guess, accumulated for many weeks cos weekends too busy and weekdays working. ;P

Hubby sick liao, down with flu. Latched RaeAnne to sleep just now around 10pm. Think will status quo for the night feeds until I can get my day time pumps/feeds out of the way. Yi bu yi bu lai ba... Think RaeAnne cannot take so many changes at one time. Too traumatic for her if I suddenly just switch off her tap and take away her comfort latching. :P

Feeling so engorged today esp the good side, use up 1 cabbage liao. Somemore not applying every 2 hrs without fail. Hubby went out to try and buy more for me but the CC NTUC out of stock. Bought carrots and tomatoes and cheddar cheese, will try and make ABC pasta for RaeAnne this weekend. :)

Our determined little gal

Sigh, raeAnne woke up at 3am last night, hubby couldn't get up cos he slept late marking scripts. The fm is already in the warmer but I knew she won't take it if I feed but no choice got to try. Tried putting it in her mouth for 4 times but she keeps beating the bottle and turning her face away. Bo bian, got to latch and try to keep it a short session, try to take In2grace's advice and don't let her fall asleep on my breast. Carry her to cot, she immediately alert and cry. My cot also very lousy, cannot lower the side with one hand one so putting her down sure wake her up from drowsy state. Sat on sofa bed beside her cot and keep talking to her. Ask her to sleep on her own. Carry, put up and put down for 3-4 times. She cried, rolled, complained, stand up, fling herself back on cot, climb up again. Nothing can console her. After it went on for 15 mins, I wonder if I'm doing the right thing by staying in the room. But can't bear to close the door and let her cry insider. Sigh, end up carry her back to my bed. She continue to cry and complain until hubby woke up and carry her outside. Once hubby carry her, she rest on his shoulder and keep quiet while he carried her out. :/

Actually, she got no problem falling sleeping if 1) I latch her on and 2) I let her sleep on my bed. But MY problem is 1) I'm going to stop BF so can't latch her on 2) If I let her sleep on my bed, I can't sleep cos ours is a queen size bed and my daughter is also a 'wu ying jiao' and 'rotates like a clock hand'. Think I may need to ask hubby to handle the night feeds and night wakings cos when she sees me, she just wants to latch. I think he is going to feel very 'bo hua' liao. Let wife be SAHM, end up still cannot get a good night's sleep. :P

Milk factory going to shut down

I'm going to stop BF liao. Saw gynae at KKH today and he advise to stop if I want to plan for no 2 because I'm not ovulating. The thing that makes me want to stop BF if because I have blocked duct again. First day away from work, go and report to KK LC. Sian. Breastfed RaeAnne for 12 months & 2 weeks, kenna blocked duct/mastitis 16 times altogether (12 times saw KK LC, 4 times saw private LC). The last month was the worst, the milk blister keeps recurring cos I traumatised it with wrong handling when I was at Shanghai (no LC to see there mah) and RaeAnne has teeth so healing was not smooth. I've been seeing KK LC nearly every week since end of Dec because of it.

Told LC about what gynae said. She advise to stop pumping, just hand express until comfortable and apply cold cabbage every 2 hrs. Gynae gave very expensive med to stop BF (2 pills $36!?!) but LC advise not to take if possible. Stop BF the natural way. Latched RaeAnne to sleep just now, cannot suddenly stop also. After sleeping for about 1hr, she suddenly sat up and cry. Hubby try to pat but she cry even louder. I try to pat her, she continue to wail. Had to latch her before she stop crying and fall asleep again. See her like so kelian, but I really don't know what is the best way to stop BF without traumatising her. :(

Post CNY holiday

Haven't been posting for a long time. Mummy slack because of CNY? Hee hee.

RaeAnne has been keeping us busy several nights cos she keeps pooing in the night. She will cry throughout the nappy change cos she is still half asleep. Very tiring and frustrating for hubby and me. Wondering what's wrong because there's no major change to her diet. In the end, we decided to stop giving her the Friso2 which we transferred to lock & lock container (in case it's not fresh anymore) and ask ILs to stop giving fruits late in the day. Give in morning or early afternoon instead. :P

P.S. Less than 1 week to my last day at work (9 Feb 09). Will miss my colleagues but looking forward to more time with RaeAnne and more time to sleep/rest!?! Yippee! :)

Happy Niu Year!

Happy Niu Year! Moo Moo Mooooo....

This year, RaeAnne is old enough to join the extended family for Reunion Lunch and Dinner. The high chair we bought was very useful so that RaeAnne can sit together at the family table but because we only had one, we had to lug the high chair from ILs place to my mum's place.

At Ye ye, nai nai place, RaeAnne got to try Abalone porridge. At wai po's place, she had pomfret porridge. Really nian nian you yu. Hope RaeAnne grow up healthy, happy in the year of the ox! :)

Happy birthday Darling

Happy birthday darling! :) You are officially a toddler and not a baby anymore. But always a baby in Mummy's eyes ya? Mummy and Daddy loves you so much! Sorry, we couldn't really celebrate your official big day with you. Mummy didn't buy another cake for you since you can't cut cake twice and had already cut cake on Sunday, Chinese pantang lor.

Daddy got a late meeting and came back only at 630pm. Daddy suggested going to ikea with you yesterday but by the time Daddy came back, we finish dinner and you have showered, it was already close to 8pm, near your bedtime.

But at least Mummy took leave these 3 days to spend time with you. Took care of you yesterday morning so that ye ye and nai nai can go CNY marketing. Nai nai has been hinting that she got no time to buy the meat and fish, spring clean the house etc so in hindsight, it's good that I took leave before CNY. Hee. Tiring work to look after you though. You didn't finish your cereal and weren't very cooperative when showering so Mummy accidentally caused you to take in some water when washing your hair. You cried but cheered up quickly when Mummy passed you your favourite 'ru yi' oil bottle to play.

You seem happy to see more of Mummy though. When you woke up from your morning nap, you were all ready to cry but when Mummy (who was waiting on the bed for you to wake up) greeted you good morning, you smiled at me instead. You even gave Mummy two wet kisses on the mouth yesterday and even cried when I left you at Ye ye and nai nai place at 12+pm to go grab my lunch. First time you did this too. :)

Today, mummy met a photographer friend for lunch and got him to help you take some photos today. Mummy dressed you up in the red CNY bubble dress I bought and you look so cute once you warmed up a little to the camera. Too bad I don't have a compact flash card reader or else can upload the photos immediately. :P

P.S. Mummy bought a Winnie the Pooh DVD for you as birthday present but I don't think you know how to watch it yet. Mummy keep for you first okie? :)

Milestones at 1 year old (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/milestones_1year.html)

Social and Emotional

Shy or anxious with strangers - Yes
Cries when mother or father leaves - Increasingly yes
Enjoys imitating people in his play - No
Shows specific preferences for certain people and toys - Yes
Tests parental responses to his actions during feedings - Er, not sure. Does grabbing bowl and spoon count?
Tests parental responses to his behavior - Not yet
May be fearful in some situations - yes
Prefers mother and/or regular caregiver over all others - yes
Repeats sounds or gestures for attention - yes
Finger-feeds himself - yes for biscuits
Extends arm or leg to help when being dressed - sometimes


Cognitive
Explores objects in many different ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping) - yes especially flipping to explore the back
Finds hidden objects easily - yes
Looks at correct picture when the image is named - yes
Imitates gestures - yes, bye bye, exercise, french kiss, gong xi gong xi
Begins to use objects correctly (drinking from cup, brushing hair, dialing phone, listening to receiver) - yes

Language
Pays increasing attention to speech - yes
Responds to simple verbal requests - yes eg. tries to give but will not release fingers on object
Responds to “no” - yes, by whining or crying
Uses simple gestures, such as shaking head for “no” - not yet, you shake head for fun.
Babbles with inflection (changes in tone) - yes, how I wish I know what you are talking about. ;)
Says “dada” and “mama” - ba ba, ah ba, ah meh, M and recently ma ma.
Uses exclamations, such as “Oh-oh!” - Not yet
Tries to imitate words - sometimes

Movement
Reaches sitting position without assistance - yes
Crawls forward on belly - yes
Assumes hands-and-knees position - yes, often and head too as if you are going to do a somersault. ;)
Creeps on hands and knees - what's that?
Gets from sitting to crawling or prone (lying on stomach) position - yes
Pulls self up to stand - not yet, can only do it with support
Walks holding on to furniture - yes
Stands momentarily without support - yes, especially on bed or bumper mat.
May walk two or three steps without support - Not yet

Hand and Finger Skills
Uses pincer grasp - yes
Bangs two objects together - yes
Puts objects into container - yes, especially sweets into crevices
Takes objects out of container - yes
Lets objects go voluntarily - not yet, still very possessive of the things in your hand
Pokes with index finger - yes
Tries to imitate scribbling - not quite yet