Tuesday, August 4, 2015

P R O T E C T - Your Uncircumcised Son

I have been receiving complaint about Jayce scratching (his penis) himself against a chair and the edge of the table.  A teacher told me that his foreskin too long and he needs to be circumcised.  As a mom, I am not sure how to react to this situation.  I do not have a penis and when I asked his dad, he himself do not have any idea why Jayce did it.
 
We brought him to two paediatrics, both saying his penis head have slightly redness and it might be an infection & cream was given to applied.  When I asked about does he needs to be circumcised.  Both doctors said no as it was a light infection and nothing more.
 
The first paediatric was saying, if he still doing it - it might be habit (like his often blinking eye), so we were ordered to ignore him and eventually it will goes way.
 
The second paediatric was saying. That action may be results of infection, habit -or- situation (that he was not comfortable about or stress or being not like to be in that place).
 
I always tell himself, if the foreskin is not needed, GOD will not create it.  It must serve a purpose as GOD put it there.
 
After so many months, I started to doubt at myself whether I made the right decision not to circumcise him.  I am beating myself up because of this.
 
I have tried to wash him properly along with apple cider swabs (100%, not diluted) and a few drops of organic coconut oil on the penis head to stopped his itchiness (as he said). Sometime, it stopped for a while and it will come back after a 2-3 months.
 
The thing I am worry is WHAT IF after circumcision he still scratch himself against the chair.  I do think a lot of WHAT IF.... until I found this article.  I am hoping by sharing this, can help others parent that facing the same problems with me.
 
=============================================

Taken from http://www.nocirc.org/articles/fleiss2.php

E X P E R T   M E D I C A L   A D V I C E   F O R   P A R E N T S
B Y   P A U L   M.   F L E I S S
 
Increasing numbers of American parents today are protecting their sons from routine circumcision at birth, but as their boys grow up, they often find themselves at odds with doctors who cling to old-fashioned opinions and hospital routines.
 
I often receive calls from distraught parents who say that a doctor insists that their little boy needs to be circumcised because there is something wrong. When they bring their son into my office, I almost always find that there's nothing wrong with the child's penis. Occasionally there's a slight infection, but that can be quickly cleared with an antibiotic cream. In all my years of practice, I've never had a patient who had to be circumcised for medical reasons.

When a doctor advises that your son be circumcised, it's usually because he or she is unfamiliar with the intact penis, misinformed about the true indications for surgical amputation of the foreskin, unaware of the functions of the foreskin, and uncomfortable with the movement away from routine circumcision.

 Doctors can be psychologically challenged by the sight of an intact boys. They may see problems with the penis that do not really exist. They may try to convince you that the natural penis is somehow difficult to care for. They may cite "studies" and "statistics" that appear to support circumcision.
 

Probably the only problem you will encounter with a foreskin is that someone will think that he has a problem. The foreskin is a perfectly normal part of the human body, and it has very definite purposes, as do all body parts, even if we do not readily recognize them. There's no need to worry about your son's intact penis.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN THE
DOCTOR SAYS TO CUT


Below is a list of some of the things that doctors have said to parents in an attempt to convince them to agree to a circumcision. After each incorrect statement, I've given you the medical facts to help you understand what your doctor may not know about the intact penis and tis care, and what you need to know to protect your child from unnecessary penile surgery. If you ever find yourself in a situation where a doctor suggests that your child should be circumcised, the best thing that you can say is simply: "Leave it alone."

Your son's foreskin should be cut off in order to facilitate hygiene.
My experiece as a pediatrician has convinced me that circumcision makes the penis dirtier, a fact that was confirmed by a study recently published in the British Journal of Urology.1 For at least a week after circumcision, the baby is left with a large open wound that is in almost constant contact with urine and feces--hardly a hygienic advantage. Additionally throughout life the circumcised penis is open and exposed to dirt and contaminants of all kinds. The wrinkles and folds that often form around the circumcision scar frequently harbor dirt and germs.

Thanks to the foreskin, the intact penis is protected from dirt and contamination. While this important protection is extremely useful while the baby is in diapers, the foreskin provides protection to the glans and urinary opening for a lifetime. At all ages the foreskin keeps the glans safe, soft, and clean.

Throughout childhood, there is no need to wash underneath the foreskin. Mothers used to be advised to retract the foreskin and wash beneath it every day. This was very bad advice indeed. When the foreskin becomes fully retractable, usually by the end of puberty, your son can retract it and rinse his glans with warm water while he is in the shower.

Your son's foreskin is too tight, it doesn't retract. He needs to be circumcised.
The tightness of the foreskin is a safety mechanism that protects the glans and urethra from direct exposure to contaminants and germs. The tight foreskin also keeps the boy's glans warm, clean, and moist, and when he is an adult, it will give him pleasure. As long as your son can urinate, he is perfectly normal. There is no age by which a foreskin must be retractable. Don't let your doctor or anyone try to retract your son's foreskin. Optimal hygiene demands that the foreskin of infants and children be left alone. Premature retraction rips the foreskin of the penis open and causes your child extreme pain. There is no legitimate medical justification for retraction. The child's discomfort is proof of that.

DO NOT let your
doctor or anyone else
try to retract your
child's
foreskin.


Your son's foreskin is "adhered" to the glans. It must be amputated.
The attachment of the foreskin and glans is nature's way of protecting the undeveloped glans from premature exposure. Detachment is a normal physiological process that can take almost two decades to complete. By the end of puberty, the foreskin will have detached from the glans because hormones that are produced in great quanitities at puberty help with the process. There is no age by which a child's foreskin must be fully separated from the glans.

Some misguided doctors might suggest that the "adhesions" between the foreskin and the glans should be broken so that your son can retract his foreskin. This procedure is called synechotomy. To perform it a doctor pushes a blunt metal probe under the foreskin and forcibly rips it from the glans. It's as painful and traumatic as having metal probe stuck under your fingernail to pull it off. It will also cause bleeding and may result in infection and scarring of the inner lining of the foreskin and the glans. The wounds that are created by this forced separation can fuse together, causing true adhesions. There is no medical justification for this procedure because the foreskin is not supposed to separate from the glans in childhood. If any doctor suggests this procedure for your son, firmly refuse, stating, "Leave it alone!"

Your son's foreskin is getting tighter. It no longer retracts. Something is wrong. He will have to be circumcised.
Sometimes, in childhood, a previously retractable foreskin will become resistant to retraction for reasons that are unrelated to impending puberty. In these cases, the opening of the foreskin may look chapped and sting when your son urinates. This is not an indication for surgery any more than chapped lips. This is just the foreskin doing its job. If the foreskin were not there, the glans and urinary opening would become chapped instead. Chapping is most often caused by overly chorinated swimming pools, harsh soap, bubble baths, or a diet that is too high in sugar, all of which destroy the natural balance of skin bacteria and should be avoided if chapping occurs. The foreskin becomes resistant to retraction until a natural and healthy bacterial balance is reestablished.

You can aid healing by having your son apply a little barrier cream or some ointment to the opening of the foreskin. Acidophilus culture (which can be purchased from a health food store) can be taken internally and also applied to the foreskin several times a day to assist healing, and should be given any time a child is taking antibiotics.

Father and Son Your son's foreskin is red, inflamed, itching, and uncomfortable, It has an infection and needs to be cut off.
Sometimes the tip of the foreskin does become reddened. During the diaper-wearing years, this is usually ammoniacal dermatitis, commonly known as diaper rash. When normal skin bacteria and feces react with urine, they produce ammonia, which burns the skin and causes inflammation and discomfort. If the foreskin were amputated, the inflammation would be on the glans itself and could enter the urethra. When the foreskin becomes reddened, it is doing its job of protecting the glans and urinary meatus.

Circumcision will have no effect on diaper rash. Change your baby's diaper more frequently and use a barrier cream until the rash clears. Harsh bath soaps can also cause inflammation of the foreskin. Use only the gentlest and purest of soap on your child's tender skin. Resist the temptation to give your child bubble baths, because these are harmful to the skin. Never use soap to wash the inner foreskin because it is mucous membrane just like the inner lining of the eyelid.

Foreskin infections are extremely rare, but if they occur, one of the many simple treatment options is antibiotic ointment along with bacterial replacement therapy. (Acidophilus culture). We don't amputate body parts because of an infection. Most infections of the foreskin are actually caused by washing the foreskin with soap. Leave the foreskin alone, remembering that it doesn't need any special washing, and infections will be unlikely to occur.

Your son is always pulling on his foreskin. He should be circumcised.
I can assure you that, whether circumcised or not, all little boys touch and pull on their penis. It is perfectly normal. Intact boys pull on the foreskin because it is there to pull on. Circumcised boys pull on the glans because it is that is all they have to pull on. Little boys sometimes will adjust the position of their penis in their underpants. They will sometimes explore the interior of the foreskin with their fingers -- a perfectly normal curiosity and nothing to worry about. It is important for parents to cultivate an enlightened and tender congeniality about such matters, otherwise they risk transferring unhealthy attitudes to their children.

Sometimes a boy will pull on his foreskin because it itches. All parts of the body itch occasionally. Even a circumcised boy has to scratch his penis. Just as you don't worry every time your child scratches his knee, so you should not worry when he scratches his penis. If the itch is caused by dry skin, then have your son avoid using soap on his penis. Treat the foreskin as you would any other part of the body.

If the real fear is masturbation, calmly remind yourself of the simple, natural fact that all children will explore their bodies, including their genitals. Touching the genitals gives children a pleasant feeling and relaxes them. Classic anatomical studies demonstrate that the foreskin is the most pleasurably sensitive part of the body. You can congratulate yourself for having protected your child from a surgical amputation that would have permanently denied him normal sensations.

Your son's foreskin is too long, it should be cut off.
There is tremendous variation in foreskin length. In some boys, the foreskin represents over half the length of the penis. In others it barely reaches the end of the glans. All variations are normal. The foreskin is never "just extra skin" or "redundant." It is all there for a reason.

Your child should be circumcised now because it will hurt more if it has to be done later, or worse when he is an adult.
This excuse is tragically wrong and has resulted in a very serious crisis in American medical practice. It is based on the false notion that infants and young children do not feel pain. Babies can see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. In fact babies feel pain more acutely than adults, and the younger the baby, the more acutely the pain is felt. If an adult needed to be circumcised, he would be given anesthesia and postoperative pain relief. Doctors almost never give babies either of these. The only reason doctors get away with circumcising babies without anesthesia is because the baby is defenseless and cannot protect himself. His screams of pain, terror, and agony are ignored. In any event, this all too common excuse is merely a scare tactic, one with tragic consequences for any baby forced to endure a surgical amputation without the benefit of anesthesia.

Your son is having anaesthesia for another operation, we'll just go ahead and circumcise him.
Most parents are never told that their son is in danger of being circumcised during a tonsillectomy or surgery for an undescended testicle. It would never occur to them. If your child is going into hospital for any reason, be certain that you tell the physicion, surgeon, and nurse that under no circumstances is your child to be circumcised. Write "No Circumcision" on the consent form, too. Then if your child is circumcised against your wishes, remember that you have legal recourse.

Your son has cysts under his foreskin. He needs to be circumcised.
During the period when the foreskin is undergoing the slow process of detaching itself from the glans, sloughed skin cells (smegma) may collect into small pockets of white "pearls." These are not cysts. Some doctors mistakenly think that the smegma under the foreskin is an infection, even though it is white rather than red, is cold to the touch, and is painless. As the foreskin proceeds with detachment, the body will do its job, and those pearls will pass out of the foreskin all by themselves. These collected pockets of cells are nothing to worry about. They are simply an indication that the natural process of detachment is occurring.

IN ALL MY YEARS OF
practice, I have never
had a patient who had
to be circumcised for
medical reasons.


Your son has a urinary tract infection (UTI) and needs to be circumcised to prevent it from happening again.
The belief that the foreskin is slightly increases the chances of a boy having UTI is highly controversial and, more importantly, unproven. Members of the medical profession in Europe do not accept it. Medical research proves that UTIs are most often caused by internal congenital deformities of the urinary tract.2,3,4 The foreskin has nothing to do with this. Even if it could be proven that circumcision slightly reduces the risk of UTI, it is an absurd proposal because UTIs in boys are extremely rare and are easily treated with antibiotics. Breastfeeding, too, helps prevent UTIs. Child-friendly doctors advocate breastfeeding not penile surgery.

Your son sprays when he urinates. Circumcision will correct this.
In almost every intact boy, the urine stream flows out of the urinary opening in the glans and through the foreskin in a neat stream. During the process of penile growth and development, some boys go through a period where the urine stream is diffused. Undoubtedly, many of these boys take great delight in this phase, while mothers, understandably find it less amusing. If your boy has entered a spraying phase, simply instruct him to retract his foreskin enough to expose the meatus when he urinates. He will soon outgrow this phase.

Your son's foreskin balloons when he urinates. He needs to be circumcised or else he will suffer kidney damage.
Ballooning of the foreskin during urination is a normal and temporary condition in some boys. It results in no discomfort and is usually a source of great delight for little boys. Ballooning comes as a surprise only to those adults who have no experience with this phase of penile development. It certainly does not cause kidney damage; it has nothing to do with the kidneys. Ballooning disappears as the foreskin and glans separate and the opening of the foreskin increases in diameter. It requires no treatment.

Your son caught his foreskin in the zipper of his trousers; we will have to cut it off.
There have been rare cases where a boy has accidentally caught part of the skin of his penis in the zipper of his trousers. This is painful and can cause a lot of bleeding. Cutting off the foreskin, however, is illogical in this situation. By cutting across the bottom of the zipper with scissors, the zipper can easily be opened to release the penile tissue. Any laceration in the skin can then be closed with either sutures or surgical tape, depending on the situation. The proper standard of care in this situation is to minimize and repair the injury, not make to worse by cutting off the foreskin and creating a larger and more painful surgical wound.

Your son has phimosis. He needs to be circumcised to correct this problem.
Phimosis is often used as a diagnosis when a doctor does not understand that the child's foreskin is supposed to be long, narrow, attached to the glans, and resistant to retraction. Some doctors use prescribing steroid creams for phimosis, but this is unnecessary in children, since the foreskin does not need to be retracted in young boys. The hormones of puberty will do the same thing at the appropriate time that a steroid cream is doing prematurely. In adults who have a foreskin that is securely attached to the glans or a foreskin with such a narrow opening that the glans cannot pass easily pass through it, steroid creams are a conservative therapy. This is if the adult wants a foreskin that fully retracts. Many males don't, preferring a foreskin that remains securely over the glans. It is purely a matter of personal choice, one that only each male can decide for himself.

Your son has paraphimosis and must be circumcised to prevent it from happening again.
Paraphimosis is a rare dislocation of the foreskin. It is caused by the foreskin being prematurely retracted and becoming stuck behind the glans. The dislocation can most often be corrected by applying firm but gentle pressure on the glans with the thumbs as though you were pushing a cork into a bottle. To reduce the swelling, an injection of hyaluronidase may be effective. Doctors in Britain have also reported good results from packing the penis in granulated sugar.5 Ice packs work well, too.

Your son has BXO and will have to be circumcised.
Some doctors equate phimosis with an extremely rare skin disorder called balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) which is also called lichen scherosus et atrophicus (LSA). BXO can appear anywhere on the body, but if this disorder affects the foreskin, it may turn the opening hard, white, sclerotic, and make retraction almost impossible. BXO is usually painless and progresses very slowly. Many times it goes away by itself. To an experienced dermatologist, there is no mistaking BXO, but a diagnosis must be confirmed by an biopsy. The good news is that BXO can almost always be successfully cured with steroid creams, carbon dioxide laser treatment, or even antibiotics. Circumcision should be considered only after every other treatment option has failed. Just as we do not amputate the labia of females with BXO or the glans of circumcised boys with BXO, it is logical that we should not amputate the foreskin of intact boys with BXO.

Your son needs to be circumcised or else he won't enjoy oral sex as an adult.
I'm afraid that doctors really have said such inappropriate things to parents. Such a statement is evidence of ignorance of the normal functions of the foreskin ad sensations of the intact penis. Classic anatomical investigations have proven that the foreskin is the most richly innervated part of the penis. It has specialized nerve receptors that are directly connected to the pleasure centers of the brain. Your intact son is far better equipped to enjoy all aspects of lovemaking than his circumcised peers.
. The myth that American women prefer the circumcised penis, in my opinion, demeaning to women. It may be true that American women of a certain generation and social background were more likely to be familiar with the circumcised penis than the intact penis, but this was the result of the mass circumcision campaigns of the 1950s not personal preference. I suspect that what women prefer in men is more related to the personal qualities of consideration, gentleness, sensitivity, warmth, and supportiveness. It is very unlikely that circumcision increases a male's capacity to develop these qualities.

Your son needs to be circumcised so that he looks like his father.
A child is a mixture of both his mother's and his father's genetic heritage. He doesn't need to look like his father, nor will he ever look like his father in every way. Each child is a unique gift, and that uniqueness should be cherished. The idea that a boy will be disturbed if his penis does not look like his father's was invented to manipulate people into letting doctors circumcise their children. It has no basis in medical fact.

There are no published reports of an intact boy being disturbed because part of his penis was not cut off when he realized that part of his father's penis had been cut off. When intact boys with circumcised fathers express their feelings on the matter, they consistently report their immense relief and gratitude that they were spared penile surgery. They express sadness, as well, for the suffering their dads experienced as infants.6

Occasionally, a circumcised father will state that he wants his child circumcised because he think that it will create a bond between him and his son. It is a wonderful thing for a father to want to establish such a bond, but circumcision cannot accomplish this worthy goal. If a father wants to establish a lasting and meaningful bond with his son, the very best way, and perhaps the only way, he can achieve this is by spending quality time with him and by showing him much affection.

Sadly, some fathers who have been circumcised have an unhealthy attitude may look for any excuse to schedule the child for circumcision. Putting a child in a position where he fears that part of his penis is going to be cut off is abusive. When fathers demand that their son be circumcised, I suspect that they are desperately trying to justify their own circumcised condition. The emotions that some fathers feel when they are forced to confront the fact that part of their penis is missing can be so disturbing that they will do anything to block them out.

A father who forcibly circumcises has son will not win his son's gratitude, affection, trust, or love. I am aware of instances where such events have permanently destroyed the father-son bond and changed a son's love for this father into rage and bitter resentment. In situations where the father suffers from an unhealthy attitude about his son's normal penis, I think it is best for everyone concerned--especially the son--for the father to receive compassionate psychological counseling to help him overcome his problem. All children deserve the safest, most nurturing, and most loving home possible.

When physicians realize the important functions of the foreskin, they'll realize that just about every problem with it can and should be solved without cutting it off. Cutting off part of the body--especially part of the penis--is an extreme measure that should be reserved for the most extreme of circumstances. The only legitimate indications for cutting off any part of the body, including the foreskin, are life-threatening disease, life-threatening deformity, or irreparable damage. These situations are extremely rare.

The best advice for care of the intact penis is simply to leave it alone. The intact penis needs no special care. Let your boy take care of it himself, and when he is old enough, he will enjoy taking care of his own body. After all, it is his business. Just relax and avoid worrying about your son's intact penis. Remind yourself that the foreskin is a natural and healthy part of the body. If European boys grow up healthy and unconcerned about foreskins, so can your son.

For all the footnotes: Please do visit http://www.nocirc.org/articles/fleiss2.php

 

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Education....

JC is going to primary one next year and I have yet determine which school should I placed him, considering him English spoken, totally not connected during Mandarin classes (commented by his class teachers).

A little review about our family, my hubby & I both are not mandarin educated.  Since the day 1 we met, our main communication language is English till now.  We speak English with JC & JE.

I had view the following schools:-

  1. Sri KDU
    • Located at Sri Damansara
    • Primary school using Malaysia National Syallbus.
  2. Sri KL
    • Located at Subang
    • Starting International School 2 years back
    • Using British Curriculum
    • Following Malaysia School Holiday and Calendar Year
    • Age 7 study Year 1 (suppose to be Age 5)
  3. Sri Nobel
    • Located at Petaling Jaya
    • Starting International School 2 years back
    • Google for review, seen bad comments on this Sri Nobel International School but they gave very good comment when it was a private school.
  4. Beaconhouse (or known as Sri Inai)
    • Located at Petaling Jaya
  5. Fairview International School 
    • Located at Wangsa Maju/Subang USJ 4
    • Using IB Framework (should be the best framework)
    • Google for review, seen bad comments.
    • Another bad review
  6. Sri Sempurna International School
    • Located in Cheras
    • Google for review, seen 2 mothers complaint about the school.
  7. Tanarata International School
    • Located in Putrajaya
    • Application sent but no reply from them.  I guess we are not in the short-listed list.
Really in need of opinion,  do you all have any recommendation? 

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Polycystic Kidney Disease


Photo Taken from Wikipedia

This is how a normal kidney suppose to be.  Look alike like kidney bean, nicely curve where it suppose to be.

Photo Taken from Wikipedia

My Sister was diagnose with polycystic kidney disease back in Year 2011.  A disease we all unaware we have this genetic disorder and when I googled it.  It appears to be with this summary (taken from Wikipedia):-

"Polycystic kidney disease (PKD or PCKD, also known as polycystic kidney syndrome) is a cystic genetic disorder of the kidneys.[1] There are two types of PKD: autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and the less-common autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease(ARPKD).
It occurs in humans and some other animals. PKD is characterized by the presence of multiple cysts (hence, "polycystic") typically in both kidneys; however 17% of cases initially present with observable disease in one kidney, with most cases progressing to bilateral disease in adulthood.[2] The cysts are numerous and are fluid-filled, resulting in massive enlargement of the kidneys. The disease can also damage the liverpancreas and, in some rare cases, the heart and brain. The two major forms of polycystic kidney disease are distinguished by their patterns of inheritance.
Polycystic kidney disease is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases, affecting an estimated 12.5 million people worldwide.[3]"
How we know out of sudden?  Just went for fun checkup since it is free from JoyDeal. So we went to this WELL AGAIN DIAGNOSTIC CENTER, MEDICAL CLINIC & HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE located at Dataran Sunway.

Her urine test shows protein leakage.  The nurse whose attended to us was sure that she is having kidney problem and insisted us to do a kidney scan.  She also added my sister's kidney will be total failure in 5 years time.

She been through a lot, very a lot. She had a brain operations to remove a tumor inside her brain where it pressed against her main nerve system. During that time, the doctor told us that the chances she will be fine was 50-50.  She either will be paralyzed or die in the operating theatre due to the tumor was pressed on the main nerve system. My mom and I tears a lot that time.  I must said I prayed a lot that time and with God grace she managed to wheel out from the operating theatre with 100% success. The doctor managed to remove 90% of the tumor and she will be fine. That was 16 years ago.

Then before 2011, she had 2 lungs collasped.  And now this polycystic kidney disease. 

I am not sure what God want us to learn but I know when time come. I will know the answer. I just need to have faith in Him.

I really feel her pain, her fear and her worries.  She on a strict vegetarian diet with less salt, sugar, protein and oil. My mom and I want to keep her as long as we can. My mom put lots of effort to cook for her every single day but my sister is very choosy in food. She does not eat variety. 

Beginning of this year she went through lung operations after 6 lung collasped.  I do not know how to explained the pain she went through. She is really tough. She does not tears easily because she does not want my mom to cry or to be sad. We all stay strong for her. We do not tears in front of her.

I pray lots for her. 

Because of her, I learnt a lot, expand my knowledge to natural products or creating my own just to keep her longer and lessen burden on her kidney and liver.

I made my very own soap bar for her and stop her from using all chemical products.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Restocking!!!!



Finally manage to get. I have procrastinate it for more than 3 weeks.

My favorite wet tissue after all. Fragrance free and paraben free with no soapy feel after wipe.

I love it so much. At least gentle on my two previous bottoms.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Silent Scream....

I am moody and I think grey sky can only describe the feeling I am having right now. It seems like there is no tomorrow and I felt hurt, pain and hopeless.

I was unable to convince her to keep her baby that she was about to abort.

I am feeling guilty as charge as I gave her the clinic address and phone number. I am not aware that this clinic  doing abortion as well until recently when I came across a forum.

When I researched about how doctor abort a baby, it hurt me even more. Sigh, nothing I can do as decision was made by her.

I copied and paste from www.silentscream.org


11 week preborn image

PREBORN - 11 WEEKS AFTER CONCEPTION
  • HEART IS BEATING (SINCE 18-25 DAYS)
  • BRAIN WAVES HAVE BEEN RECORDED AT 40 DAYS
  • THE BABY SQUINTS, SWALLOWS, AND CAN MAKE A FIST
  • THE BABY HAS FINGERPRINTS AND CAN KICK
  • THE BABY IS SENSITIVE TO HEAT, TOUCH, LIGHT AND NOISE
  • THE BABY SUCKS HIS OR HER THUMB
  • ALL BODY SYSTEMS ARE WORKING
  • THE BABY WEIGHS ABOUT 1 OUNCE AND IS 2 1/2 TO 3 INCHES LONG
  • THE BABY COULD FIT COMFORTABLY IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Cooking Oil.... Do you REALLY know about them???

I have been reading this book since I got it and I cannot put it down.

Interesting part of is, it made me realize about Omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids
Taken from page 12. It said
"There are many different kinds of fats in food and most of them are bad guys, as we've already seen. Omega-3 fatty acids, on the other hand, are the good guys.

The key differences between omega-6s and omega-3s are these:
  • Omega-6s cause inflammation, constrict blood vessels, encourage blood platelets to stick together and form rigid cell membranes.
  • Omega-3s reduce inflammation, dilate blood vessels, deter blood platelets from sticking together and form flexible cell membranes.


For optimum functioning you want flexible cell membranes, that is, omega-3s. But in the modern diet, omega-6s outweigh omega-3s ten times over. Although omega-6s are essential, that ratio is thought to be too great. So you need to aim for more omega-3s than omega-6s.

Omega-3s abound in oily fish. However, flaxseed is the only known non-fish oil that provides more omega-3s than omega-6s.

In other words, if you don't eat fish, try to use flaxseed oil as much as possible. You'll also find vegan omega-3s in rapeseed (canola), soy and walnut oils, but flaxseed is better because of its low omega-6 content."


After reading this, now I know the reason why I changed my cooking oil to a normal type rather than high-tech type.

Before I read this book, all I know is the cooking oil I am using consists of omega-3 and omega-6 but unsure about the ratio, just that it made my kitchen full of black sticky oil every where and it is hard to clean. Back in 1980s, I remember the cooking oil I used will only made the kitchen oil and rather easy to clean compare to current cooking oil and I always wonder what will happen when I eat inside, what or where does it stick inside my body. That made me make the change of my cooking oil.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Reading labels...

Lately I been reading label a lot, almost every label; especially formula milk. In fact, I am very concern what my children are consuming especially they consume at least 5 times formula milk per day. This is what I found.

Corn Syrup Solids
Consumption of large quantities of sugar and high fructose corn syrup have been linked to behavioral disorders such as ADD as well as other issues such as anxiety, daytime drowsiness and nighttime insomnia.

Feeding your baby sugar and corn syrup also increases your child's risk for a wide spectrum of other health problems ranging from dental cavities to high triglyceride levels to nutritional deficiencies. Even the mainstream medical establishment warns of the dangers of added sugars.

Refined Carbs
Refined carbs are considered unhealthy carbohydrates. These complex carbs have had the fiber stripped away so they act as simple carbohydrates do in the body; they are digested rapidly, which causes a spike in blood sugar followed by a crash. They are essentially empty calories, and according to the University of Tennessee, refined carbs may even lead to the development of diabetes.

Really have to watch out what I put inside my mouth.

Then, I found that other name for SUGAR...
So, here is a list to help you identify the different forms of sugar in your food:

  1. Barley malt
  2. Beet sugar
  3. Brown sugar
  4. Buttered syrup
  5. Cane juice crystals
  6. Cane sugar
  7. Caramel
  8. Corn syrup
  9. Corn syrup solids
  10. Confectioner’s sugar
  11. Carob syrup
  12. Castor sugar
  13. Date sugar
  14. Demerara sugar
  15. Dextran
  16. Dextrose
  17. Diastatic malt
  18. Diatase
  19. Ethyl maltol
  20. Fructose
  21. Fruit juice
  22. Fruit juice concentrate
  23. Galactose
  24. Glucose
  25. Glucose solids
  26. Golden sugar
  27. Golden syrup
  28. Grape sugar
  29. High-fructose corn syrup
  30. Honey
  31. Icing sugar
  32. Invert sugar
  33. Lactose
  34. Maltodextrin
  35. Maltose
  36. Malt syrup
  37. Maple syrup
  38. Molasses
  39. Muscovado sugar
  40. Panocha
  41. Raw sugar
  42. Refiner’s syrup
  43. Rice syrup
  44. Sorbitol
  45. Sorghum syrup
  46. Sucrose
  47. Sugar
  48. Treacle
  49. Turbinado sugar
  50. Yellow sugar

Monday, November 26, 2012

My favorite wet tissue!


Ever come across reading label of each of the everything.

I love this because it is fragrance free and paraben free (cancer causing agent). It is gentle and no soap feel.

They are not available in well known departmental store. Only specific mini mart have them.

Friday, October 5, 2012

My Last Journey in Breastfeeding

She is 2 years old today.  Happy Birthday, sweetheart!  Thank you for being my little girl.  Thank you for all the precious moments we shared.  The love, the hugs, the kisses, the fun, the tears, the laughs... Thank you so much.
 
She was on fully breast milk till 3rd October 2012, then mixture of 1 or 2 times formula when breast milk was not enough.  Therefore, my goal is fail.  Sigh.
 
Eventually I feel very guilty because she really cannot accept formula milk and she refuse to drinks.  I gave her Fernleaf, which she totally cannot accept the taste.  Then I switched to Enfagrow, she can accepts this taste but she is only drinking 4oz per times compare to 8oz of breast milk per time. Hopefully she will get used to it soon.
 
I am still pumping but I can only produce about 6oz per day which is barely enough for her one meal.
 
I feel sad & guilty for not producing enough and IT IS HARD TO GIVE UP.  I am reluctant to give up.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Romantic color?

I always thought romantic color is purple because it is the color of passion but recently my friend told me romantic color can be any colors as long as it is soft.

Ohhh... I am definitely curious about and I googled it and found out this.  Definitely an eye-opnener. :)

Article taken from Top 10 Romantic Colors

  1. Purple is the color of romance and passion. It is the most feminine color amongst the top 10 romantic colors. Use the color purple in Valentine's Day flowers, gifts and decorations to awaken the romantic spirit in your beloved.
  2. Maroon is the symbol of outrageous passion and imagination. Maroon is mostly used in Valentine's Day dessert to sweeten the romantic relationship. Many restaurants also use maroon candles on dinner tables.
  3. Pink is the color of innocent love and affection. It is the gentlest color amongst the top 10 romantic colors. Pink is the perfect color for new relationships. This is the reason why pink roses are as popular as red roses on Valentine's Day. Pink teddies, candies and pink satin bows area also very popular parts of Valentine's Day celebrations.
  4. Orange is a very bright color and suggests fertility and happiness. It stands for fulfillment. This is the reason why orange candies, cakes and flowers are used greatly on Valentine's Day.
  5. The color blue symbolizes trustworthiness. So, if you want to assure the love of your life of your honesty then gift a bunch of blue orchids. It also has subtle erotic suggestions. This is the reason why blue light is used in Valentine's Day parties and night clubs.
  6. Yellow stands for wisdom and illumination. It is symbol of the sun and hence suggests power. Yellow is not a very popular romantic color. However if you want to complement the beauty of your beloved then this is the perfect color for you.
  7. Green is color of royalty and can be used in Valentine's Day decorations.
  8. Red is the most popular color in top 10 romantic colors. In fact it is a vital symbol of Valentine's Day celebrations. Red Candies, Valentine's Day cards, red hearts and red roses are very popular parts of Valentine's Day celebrations.
  9. White suggests purity and is popularly used in Valentine's Day decoration.
  10. Lavender is another very popular romantic color used on Valentine's Day.  
My favourite is PINK!  What is yours?

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Time to wean her off!

Teething, teething, teething..... 4 front teeth (2 at the bottom and 2 at the upper part) bite plenty of teats, making the teats hole becoming bigger - because of these, I changed a lot of teats for her.

One day, she decided to surprise mommy with her strong teeth or she was throwing tantrum and mommy ignored her... and she did this to her pacifier. She bites it off.  This is the first pacifier she bites off.

You know what it mean... weaning her off from her pacificer.


When she asked for her pacifier, this is what I give to her.  When she saw what I gave her, she will shake her head.


It has been 3 days without pacifier.  She did asked for it about twice per night but eventually she can live without it.

Well, I am preparing her for play group next year.  Weaning off her pacifier is the first step.  Then diaper is the next, now training her to tell me when she needs her potty.

Somehow, we managed.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Felt Flower



New hair clip for Joey!

At first, planning for non-sew project but the glue turned out to be a disaster creation, maybe I have not get used to glue-ing everything.  Another new thing to learn.

I sewed this hair clip with OWL button.  I love this OWL button, it is just way too CUTE.

For this hair clip, soft felt was used and it attached to infant snap hair clip.

It turned out to be quite nice but I do think I need a lot of practice to make it perfect.  For now, I learn to appreciate imperfection thingy... :p


It is perfect on her, just that I placed the button up-side down.  sigh... another mistake, another experience, another learning curve.


Saturday, June 30, 2012

Buttons.... anyone?


I never knew there is such a thing called "self-covered button" till I came across a very interesting tutorial by Christina Williams on "DIY Bobby Pins".

I went so many places just to hunt for this self-covered button and you know what, they nearly never exist.  Bobby pin with glue pad also nearly never exist as well.  So hard to find it and they are not available in local store, I purchased them all online.

Fabric? Beautiful fabric that imported from Japan or anywhere else also hard to find.

OK, I know, I know. I should stop complaining.

I think these buttons are CUTE.  What do you think?

As you all can see, still have 3 buttons are not belong to Booby Pin / snap hair clip.  I am not sure what to do with them yet.

You guessed it correctly.  Now all these belong to my little girl, Joey!!!

Yay! Way to go.....


Thursday, June 28, 2012

My Lastest Addiction...!

 This little snap hair clip, handcrafted by me for Joey.  Joey has super fine hair, so I am using infant snap hair clip wrapped with felt.  This little hair clip measure about 5 cm in length.

Not too small nor too big.  Just nice on her.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Gone Soon.....

Previously, in this two-door fridge consists of 3-levels of freezer.  Level 1 & 2 were full with frozen breast milk but now they only filled with bottled mineral water to save my electricity bills.


Level 1 of 2-door fridge.  Once upon a time it was filled with frozen breast milk.  Now filled with bottled water to save my electricity bill.


Level 2 of 2-door fridge. Once upon a time it was filled with frozen breast milk. Now filled with bottled water to save my electricity bill.


My deep freezer.  I brought it just to store my precious breast milk for my little girl, Joey.


Now, a level starting to empty. 


I am not producing as much as I used too.  Nowaday, I could only pump out about 18oz of milk per day.

I am thinking to increase my milk supply by taking lactogenic foods & herbs, but come to think again, Joey is 20.5 months, approaching 24 months.  Soon, I will be achieving my goal for giving her breast milk till her second birthday.

I missed those day where I could pump out 60 oz per day, where my 2-door fridge & my deep freezer were filled with frozen milk till no place for new frozen milk.  Upon that time, Jessie helped to finished up mommy's breast milk.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Life Style aka Family Gathering

My family and I were having breakfast at McD.  When I looked around the restaurant, it made me realised that quite a number of family having breakfast as well.
Breakfast at McD during weekend/public holiday is expensive as you are paying near double of weekday price and surprising a lot of family are there.
Why am I having breakfast @ McD on weekend?  It been months since we had one.
When I asked my hubby "Look, so many family are here even though breakfast @ McD during weekend is double."  He replied "McD is selling life style nowadays NOT food."
I guessed Saturday & Sunday are those two days where family really sit down and having fun together.  Where young children get to see their mummy & daddy rather than pre-school teacher / nanny.  Where they can get most attention from parents.  Where they got tons and tons of story to tell them.
Jessie & Joey love Saturday & Sunday because non school day and no nanny day.
Jessie at this age really a chatter box, he cannot stop talking.  He can talks everything under the sun.  EVERYTHING.  Sometime, he really makes me headache.  He can non-stop calling me mummy for a thousand times without getting tired.
Joey loves to imitated whatever Jessie is doing, from expression to motor skills.
When I was missing from their sight for 5 minutes, they will look for me.  Guess what?  That is the biggest reward for me. :)

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Jingle Junle Breast Milk Storage Bag : Newly Improved

I did blog about "New Improved Breast Milk Storage Bag from Fabulous Mom", the complimentary pack after I complaint to Vivian.
Anyway, I am pretty happy with result as non of them leak.

I end-up brought 10 packs from Vivian last year during a baby fair.  I used up 4 packs and non of them have any leakage problem. I am happy with the results.

I only left with 6 packs as shown above.



Monday, May 14, 2012

Teacher Day 2012

Jessie got back from school with his message book given by the school that noticed us, the parent, for anything events/activities will be happen in the near future.  So it happen, Teacher Day for Year 2012 is just around the corner.

When I told Jessie about the message saying that we are going to do a flower (or more if time permitted) for his class teacher.  He added a house for Ms C, his day care teacher, number for Ms E, his ASP teacher & a tree for Ms H, his principal.  I was very surprised by his reaction and meaning that these teachers mean a lot to him.  I got a lot to do during the weekend, a lot of art work to be complete.


First, we did the flower for his class teacher.  He drew a big purple circle for the petal, 2 small circles for the pollens.  When cutting half way, he said "Mommy, I cut not nice.  Please help me to cut."

He pasted them as I instructed him.  When come to the leaves, I only drew one leaf.  He cut half and I cut half.  When pasted the left, he added flower has 2 leaves.  I said one should be enough, then he said "No mommy, two leaves".

Jessie got his own high requirements when comes to flower.

It looks like big lollipop rather than flower.  We shall see what can we do to further improve it.


A house for Ms C, his day care teacher.  I guessed a picture frame of a decent house will do.  He cut the sun, paste it and highlighted it.  He gave it 2 eyes and a smile.

I cut the tree & drew the outline, he pasted it.

When come to clouds, must be three, such a requirements.  He drew the outline with guides.

The house must be pink (do not ask me why, Jessie loves it that way, LOL).  He drew the outline, pasted them and he said chimney is brown. He even drew 3 clouds of smoke coming out from the chimney.

The outcome came out quite nice.


Another 2 art works to go. How it going to looks like?  I am unsure myself.  One thing I knew, children have a great imagination. 

Jessie, you make my day.

Love you.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Mother's Inspiring Video About her Blind Baby Boy


"People ask her why she didn't choose to abort her boy. They stare at both of them. They talk behind their back. But none of that matters because this mother knows that her boy is beautiful just the way he is. What a great video."

This video was share in my FB, the title caught my attention.  The description made me wanted to watch.  I could not hold my tears, such a beautiful story about a beautiful mom & her little baby boy.

She & her hubby never give up till this moment.  Beautiful story inspire me a lot, to look things in different views.

God bless you.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Puree



Ingredients:
  • Brown Rice
  • Red Rice
  • Millets
  • Tri-color quinoa
  • Pumpkin
  • Carrots
  • Chinese Spinach
  • Chinese Red Spinach
  • Spinach
  • Baby Pak Choy
I forgot to put pearl barley, another good grain with lots of vitamin, minerals & good source of fibres.

JC dislike green vegetables.  The only green vegetables he eats is puree.

JE loves smooth puree.  If the puree is not smooth, she will not swallow.  She loves pumpkin and dislike carrots.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

10 Biggest Mistakes Breastfeeding Moms Make

I love this article.  I nearly gave up breastfed my son but my own determination helped me through it and I thanked the Lord for giving me enough breast milk for my son till 13 months.  My daughter still on fully breast milk and she is now 9 months and just started solid 2 weeks ago.  My target to give my daughter fully breast milk till she is 2 years old.

Article taken from theStir

For some women, it seems breastfeeding is simple, clear, and obvious. But for others, every day they make it is a victory, each drop is a struggle, and the act itself becomes fraught with images of failure, sadness, and tons of tears and frustration.

Laila Ali, new mom to her second child, a daughter, told People that she made a huge mistake with her son when she pumped a bottle early on so her husband could feed the baby. After that, he preferred bottles, so she had to pump them the whole first year.

There are a few reasons a woman can't breastfeed, but the vast majority are able to do it and succeed at it. The problem is, a lot of people don't know that much about the act, thinking it's natural and will come to them or that someone will teach them in the hospital. While they do help you learn a bit, the secrets and mistakes are all things no one teaches you unless you read a book or two.

So, here are the 10 Biggest Mistakes of Breastfeeding:

1. Not asking for help: Breastfeeding is natural and the most basic way to feed your baby, but it isn't easy for many women. Lactation consultants exist for a reason. If you can't afford to pay a lactation consultant, then ask mom friends who have been through it. They will have tips on increasing supply, soothing sore nipples, making sure baby has had enough, and all the other questions you may have. They've been there, too.

2. Assuming you don't have enough milk: Your breasts are designed to feed your baby. Don't get paranoid and give up because it seems like your baby is so hungry. Babies are so hungry. Their main job is to eat. And eat. And eat. And eat.

3. Being scared in public: Don't worry too much about the prudes and judgy folks who don't like moms who nurse in public. If it really bothers you, buy a cover. But don't assume that they -- and their prude-y judgemental crap -- are correct. They aren't. You are. Be confident in that.

4. Thinking you can't because you work: I was lucky enough to nurse both my babies for one year and 2.5 years while I was home with them, but many, many working moms are able to make breastfeeding work by pumping and bringing home bottles. It works and women everywhere are doing it.

5. Wanting to "include" dad: By all means, include dad. Let him hold the baby or bring him/her to you to nurse. But only mom can make breast milk and it's the best thing for the baby. Don't fall into the formula trap because dad wants to feel "part of it all." Your milk supply will dwindle and you won't make it.

6. Not teaching your husband: Just because dad can't do it himself doesn't mean he can't be part of it at all. My husband kept detailed charts of when our baby ate, slept, and pooped and they helped a lot at each of her doctor's appointments. And helped me keep track of which boob was which when I was exhausted and sleep-deprived.

7. Being bullied: There are naysayers everywhere. You will be told he is too old to breastfeed (at seven months), that your daughter isn't in the 99th percentile, so she isn't getting enough food, and that it's obscene and will wreck your boobs. Don't listen. For breastfeeding to work, you need to do it and you need to do it often. Others will say what they want. Your job is to ignore them.

8. Forget it's for you, too: Babies aren't the only ones who win with breastfeeding. Mom also gets the benefit of a flat tummy and some protection from breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and osteoporosis later in life. It's a win all around!

9. Relying on the clock: The clock isn't what tells you the baby is done. He or she is. I made this mistake early on and ended up with a low supply with my first. This forced me to take Fenugreek, wake up even while she was sleeping to pump, and do all kinds of things to fix the supply issues I'd set up from the beginning. It's easy to avoid. Just don't watch the clock.

10. Giving formula too soon: If you give formula too early, your supply will dwindle. In those first six weeks, try not to give up on nursing too quickly. Then your supply will be strong and you can do what you choose.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

New Improved Breast Milk Storage Bag from Fabulous Mom


I received the new improved storage bag today.  Complimentary from Fabulous Mom.  I really never thought I would hear from Vivian again and I was surprised when I received an email from her.

Anyway, the first impression when I received the package, I was a little disappointed because it is the same old packaging and I could not help myself thinking of the old storage bag. (Anyway, I told Vivian about it & apparently the admin staff in the factory make a mistake for printing the old packaging.)

So, I am now at bag no#8 and all of them filled with 12 oz of breast milk.  Guess what? So far so good - no leakage at all.

Nevertheless, I am still reserved till I finished the whole box.

So stay tuned!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Jingle Junle Breast Milk Storage Bag - Box No.#5

The latest update on Jingle Junle Breast Milk Storage Bag I have. I just finished the last piece of Box No.#5.

Box No. # 1 : 2 leakage bags
Box No. # 2 : 8 leakage bags
Box No. # 3 : 6 leakage bags
Box No. # 4 : 11 leakage bags (extremely disappointed)
Box No. # 5 (replacement from Fabulous Mom) : 3 leakage bags

To read my past post on this Jingle Jungle Breast Milk Storage Bag, Part 1, Part 2 , Part 3 & Part 4

On my last bag of Box No# 5, I received an email from Vivian Foo (the founder of fabulousmom.com) saying :

"We have just received our new batch of stock, which is improved. 

Following your feedback, our manufacturing team has done lots of investigations and we hold a few meetings with people from different departments to find out the cause of leakage.  We found out that it could be due to the Ray Sterilisation method we adopted that cause the material to be stiffer and cause leakage when it’s going through temperature change.  However, this is categorised as isolated case as the same material and sterilisation method had been used over a decade. 

However, a new material is used for our new batch. Numerous test have been done on this new material over the months before actual production actually.  This material is recommended by FDA for long term freezing (in FDA’s newsletter Sep 2010), and our manufacturing partner has been doing test on it to see if it could withstand sterilisation and temperature change process – so far they are happy with the result.  New batch has got the BPA free certification too.  "

She offered me a box of this new improved storage bag to try.

Stay tuned for the updates!