me and my baby

One of the thing I miss most after being a mommy is LINEAR SLEEP. We had this problem with Jian also, but she adopted her normal night time sleep schedule after 2 or 3 days, when we returned home from the hospital. But Azaan had these almost for 3 months & I tried everything. Night time massages, bathing, singing, even something stupid as letting him cry to sleep, which I tried once for 4 or 5 minutes & it was petrifying. How does one let their little babies cry to sleep? I think no parent could do so. So ultimately we all suffer from sleep deprivation.

It is like you are never having enough sleep. You are hungry all the time, you are angry all the time. I know this because I am chronically sleep deprived. But there are some shocking truth about sleep deprivation that we can easily prevent by looking for the signs...

1.Impaired glucose intolerance- evident by excessive hunger, urination & thirst.

2.Memory loss- you simply can remember the name of one of your classmates or a movie star!

3.Less precise motor skills- trying to pour something but you spill them

4.Feeling depressed.

5.Your body doesn't agree with you- like you are constantly coming down with flues, muscle aches, excessive pain from a simple fall or just simple old dark circles that you can't get rid of!

Who doesn't like a massage now & then! If you ask my husband what does he want for gift, He would say "A whole body session" in a blink. So what do you think? Does oil massages really help your babies?

No.1- All the touching helps to bond with your little one.

No.2- Clock wise strokes in the belly comes handy for tummy troubles.

No.3- It always calms Azaan whenever he is fussy or having sleep problems!

No.4- Certainly boosts voluntary muscle development. Some babies may even walk as early as 7 months!

No.5- Don't forget about the geared up immune systems. Most of the basic physiotherapy consists of massage of a muscle or some other kind of body part. We often use chest therapy for reliving coughs in children as doctors.

N0.6- Please don't use mustard oil, because they are sticky & clog the pores.Baby oils are sometimes allergic. You can use any kind of unscented, edible, vegetable or fruit oil, such as coconut, canola, corn, avocado oil. We use olive oil, just a dab, not much!

N0.7- No matter how strong or big your baby is, always try to massage as gentle as possible. No body likes muscle aches after a massage session.

I always massage Azaan during noon & plays with him a while afterwards. My cutie pie just loves our noon oil ritual. What about you? What do you do to bond with your little ones? We sure would like to hear you routines & try them!

 Being a mom is the hardest job there is....you don't need me to say this again because you already know this. But what if it could get easier, simply by following some unwritten rules! This is not a recommendation or advice list but rather a mom talk to the other mommy-to-bes out there. The following list helped me, so it might help you, too.

1.BE PATIENT- with everything. Your child needs you. Being mad will worsen everything. . I had some issues with Azaan's sleeping problems. It got better after 3 months or so.

2.TALK TO ANYBODY- Talking really helps. Share thoughts to your partner, rather than bottling up everything inside. Tell him you need your space.

3. LOVE YOUR POST BABY BODY- like me you may experience postpartum weirdness. I had pain all over my body. Then I found out it was Myofacial pain syndrome, about which I will share a post soon.

4.BREAST FEEDING HURTS- but only for a little while. Nothing is more peaceful than watching your tiny baby while he feeds. The way he looks at you, the love he feels for you, nothing can buy this.

5.LEARN TO DO EVERYTHING WITH ONE HAND- like type in your laptop or eat your breakfast.

6.IT'S OK TO CRY OR SHOUT SOMETIMES- crying soothes the anger.

7.JUST REMEMBER ONE THING ALWAYS- they do grow up faster than you blink. Don't waste your precious time doing everything perfect.JUST BE A MOM & HANG IN THERE!!

JIAN, CHECKING OUT ALL THE TOYS!!

LOVING MR. MICKY!!

MY PRINCESS!!

 I just could not post my photos because of my bald head due to the terrible hair fall I am experiencing these past few weeks.

Many new moms are surprised to find themselves shedding more hair than usual in the first few months after giving birth, but it's perfectly normal. And there's no need to panic: You won't go bald. In fact, your hair should be back to normal by your baby's first birthday.

Here's what's going on. Normally, about 85 to 95 percent of the hair on your head is growing and the other 5 to 15 percent is in a resting stage. After the resting period, this hair falls out — often while you're brushing or shampooing it — and is replaced by new growth. An average woman sheds about 100 hairs a day.

During pregnancy, increased levels of estrogen prolong the growing stage. There are fewer hairs in the resting stage and fewer falling out each day, so you have thicker, more luxuriant tresses.

After you give birth, your estrogen levels take a tumble and a lot more hair follicles enter the resting stage. Soon you'll have more hair coming out in the shower or on the brush. This unusual shedding will taper off and your hair will be back to its pre-pregnancy thickness about six to 12 months after you give birth.

What can you do about it?

1.Use hair thickeners or mousse

2.Try shorter haircut

3.Stop worrying because it will cause more hair fall

4.BE CAREFUL- Strands of  long hair can end up tightly wrapped around your baby's tiny appendages, including his fingers, toes, wrists, ankles, and penis. This is called a hair tourniquet, and it can be quite painful for your little one. If you find him crying for no apparent reason, check carefully for tight bands of hair & cautiously remove it slowly rather than pulling it out fast.

33/365 the devils  by maa

I don't know if it's just me but recently my baby's hyperactivity is taking it's toll on me. I have became so impatient. And my control span is this much ( indicating to one third of my fingers ). Every time I drag her or shout at her she cries & it breaks my heart into pieces. I feel so down. Jian can you ask God to make your mommy anger & scream free? Is that possible during this lifetime? And could you just ask God for your daddy to be more considerate? I know he is the best but could he make him a little bit like me so that I don't feel that guilty or better yet just let him be & change me instead, so that I don't get angry at his silly stupid jokes.

9/365  NO KISSING... BY BABA

We are having some troubles with runny nose & coughs. Although Jian is tough, she always tries to make a dog face & convince me otherwise. Children are so innate. They just know. Things we grown ups don't even think about. They are capable of so greatness & they know everything about everything! So beware all the Mommies & Daddies out there. Your weakness will become their strength, your insanity will be their weapon. A little too serious? Can't help it..just watched hunger games!!

DADDY & HIS BIG NOSE..BY MAA

Some tips we use to fight the nasty colds in our home....                                                                                                                              

We never pospond bath. Bathing helps to keep the germs away specially viruses.

We always have hot milk & sometimes coffee or lemon tea with mommy to ease the sore throat!

Honey with milk is also a natural cough remedy

Mommy plays with Jian to boost up the immunity. There is no better medicine than laughter right.

Warm gentle oil massages on chest before bedtime which helps to get rid of the resistant coughs.

Jian hates suspensions, so we use dispersible tablets or nebulization in case of severe distress.

Elevate the head end of bed or place an extra pillow under the head.

Hope this helps all the worried mom & dad out there. If you have any tips or home remedies, don't forget to share it with us!

Last few days ago I wrote a post about baby bathing. Now I intend to write about feeding the little ones. As a child doctor I knew somethings but as a mother I struggled a lot. Sleeping,bathing,dressing every other prospective of child care is a thing getting used to,but regarding eating we mothers have to fight the worst battle. Jian was always a playful active baby. But some expected her to be a chubby one as her mother is a Pediatrician. I was so anxious that I took her to a nutritionist at 8 months of age with a good weight of  7 kgs(14.2 pounds). The good doctor understood me & explained that being born with 2.5 kgs she was gaining weight superebly.Eventually I learned the truth..No matter how perfect she is... she will never be THE BEST to them. So I stopped paying attention to others. Being a doctor you tell your patients"Do this & do that". But after being a mother I really saw things.

Remember Exclusive Breast Feeding.Some of the doctors are man,telling mothers what to do.This always offended me.There are so many things to keep in mind, like"Is the mother working? What if the mother can't produce enough milk?"No matter what the mother says some are like "You have to feed your child only breast milk up to 6 months of age, period". And the mothers come home feeling all sad & guilty.

The babies have their own way of saying things. Like when they are  ready to have solids they will look at the mother's plate with so much curiosity or even try to hold the food.Their little bodies will give us clues.They will be able to sit with little support & control the neck.Being a mother you have to have a keen eye.Nobody is an expert,nobody knows my baby as I do.Some tips I learned as a mother & a doctor-

1.Talking to other mothers whose child is in the same age group helps a lot.There is nothing more useful then first hand experience.

2. Babies have these unique ways of letting us know.Like the POOP.If the baby has something that is not agreeing with his/her body,the poop will be either hard or too soft. Too much solids will harden the poop & if we add something like a little spice or too much vegetable, this will cause gas & soft greeny stool,which is not natural after EBF (exclusive breast feeding) period.

3.Never force your child anything. Some say if you dont't give vegetables, baby will never like it afterwards. Due to Esophageal reflux(which I will share with you guys in another post), I always used to give Jian whatever she liked, and now she eats carrots,papayas and everything as long as I talk to her about its nutritional goodness skillfully. Kids can be very reasonable once you discuss with them no matter how old they are!

4.After reaching 6 months we should slowly introduce solids & gradually increase the amount. Many websites will tell you to do this & that, but you have to customize everything. If your baby don't want more than 2 ounces don't give any. Forceful feeding may cause so many nutritional imbalance one of which is very easy to guess... obesity.

5.Some babies rapidly increase the amount. Others may take 2 - 3 months. Just don't be so concern on the weight gain.Look for other signs like playfulness,emotional expression & milestones.

6.Try to make baby foods at home whenever possible. Rice cereals or mashed sweet potatoes are very easy to make & takes a few minutes. Mother's hand made foods are easy to digest & nutritional value is twice as much.

7. Don't get alarmed at simple things. Always have a Pediatrician who is easy to talk to rather than a very professional high class Doctor.

8.Try to talk to the child while feeding him/her. This helps in development of all the 5 senses.

Always believe in yourself. You may do many wrong things while taking care of this new little person but your love will always be there to turn those mistakes into blessings. Time is a very good teacher,it will teach us everything, we just have to have some patience & faith. You can check out this for  further information or give me a buzz.

LOOKING AT MY PLATE AT ONLY 4 MONTHS

Is Discipline really necessary? I mean do we really have to follow any rules? What if we decided not to follow any restrictions. No more disciplined army life. That's what the teenagers think anyway. I myself wasn't a rebel as a teen. Always used to do what my parents told me. Definitely a rule follower. Doing homework every night, doing every chores.. & the usual.But I felt trapped & ALWAYS WANTED OUT. My parents were loving but they didin't say it loud. They gave me everything but I wanted more. I think every teen soul is like this.Lost somewhere,somehow. Some come back but some..I guess not. Most of the times we forget the real meaning of things. Why were there rules in the first place? Not to trap but to free us? Well young minds don't think that way. They just think they are right,they are the best.And may be they are. Weren't they supposed to be the free uplifting spirits for us old souls! 

Today we went to get our MRPs..machine readable passports. There were these little & big crowds of people everywhere.It was a mad house. No discipline.I thought "We really need 20 lines to make everything look good & peaceful". The mike was out. So one man was calling everybody's names & there were 500 people at least. There were  crowds of 300 to 500 people in  form submission zone,picture lines & delivery slip collections.But in most of the places there were no particular lines or rules. There were so many Armies,Polices & BGP workers but all of them were either on the phone or doing their job rather unwillingly like doing something faster would kill them.Most of us were suffering but once in a while some brave souls try to save us & protested. I was there standing..thinking how about I link them to www.iheartorganizing.blogspot.com or help them clean all the mess.But then again I thought what would be the ultimate fate? If they don't want to change,if they don't want to be disciplined,how far my help will take them?
I looked at my husband & said " Rules make us greater.Without it we are just primitives letting our selfishness get to us." There are so many young minds telling us to change, to follow but are we listening to them?

I used to be on that rebellious side of the world but now I am a mother. And also feel like I have to say something to the other part of me & also my girl. "Rules are there to guide you when I won't be there. They will make you win over your darkness & make you great."

DO I HAVE TO FOLLOW ALL THE RULES?

One of the most common question as a Pediatrician I face is "How do we bath our baby?"

After being a new mom I used to like see everything in wikipedia & obviously my text books.Most of the time I got no answers.Then I tried this new technique.Asking other moms who are my co-workers.Some answers were helpful.Others were a little bit ..you know,not so great. EVERY MOTHER & BABY IS DIFFERENT.Jian was always this hyper active baby,moving,ooing,trying to engulf everything around her.Up to her 18 months,I used to massage her everyday for 2 times.Then gave her a bath afterwards,even in the nights.Living in a tropical country,the weather was almost so hot that it helped her calm down a little bit & she easily fall asleep.Some of my friends were like..you are doing it all wrong..we don't bath our baby daily even!So much water will cause Asthma,Pneumonia & so on.Except for extreme sick days, daily once bathing should not be postponed.

So I go to the next question..Does regular bathing causes any diseases?

Water is life..you all know it..But do you know it acts like the conditioner of your skin.Being a baby not to be able to wash the face or drinking milks & other liquids tends to make the skin sticky, vulnerable to germs.No matter how many baby wipes we use the skin needs to rehydrate from inside out.And of course they are not supposed to have water till six months.So the water in their skin will keep it clean & refreshed without any doubt.If you are not still sure ask your own skin..Does it like to have a bath everyday or it prefers waterless periods.Our little angels are nothing but merely just us in a tiny body with large souls.

SUCH A HAPPY BABY!

Another common question is" how to make her/him like the water?"

Babies easily adopt things once you try it.As a mother I have a little extra experience.We tried this bucket jumping  trick which works like a charm. Here are some humble tips.....

1.BATH the baby as early as possible after birth,except in premature cases.Early bathing may cause hypothermia.

2.DO NOT USE any lotions,oils or powders on baby's skin.It may cause allergic reactions to the sensitive,soft skin.All these can be tried a few days later.

3.FLAKY or dry skin is normal in a newborn.The skin  may even look a little bit yellowish.In case of severe yellowness consult with your Pedi.

4.Try to use natural products rather than artificial cosmetics.Hypoallergic range from Gohnson is a easy find.

5'Always have an assistance to help during bathing.Once you are adopted,you can lose the help.

6.NEVER LEAVE THE CHILD UNATTENDED.Not even for a second.

7.Don't wash baby clothes with antiseptics.It may cause rash.

8.Always try the product on your skin before appling it to the baby.

9.Do not  pour a lot of water on baby's head,it may cause choking.

10.To make the bathing more enjoyable,we can use toys,rain songs or water splashing games.Bubble bath is also a great alternative.

11.Wipe the head properly with a soft towel.Jian didn't liked it before,then I tried the Famous black cat trick..Every child has this thing which they are afraid of ..she used to stand at the window & stare/talk to black cats on other roofs  for hours.I told her black cats love babies wet hair & eats them.From that day she begs us to wipe her hair.

So you see whatever others say try what's best for you & your baby.Don't get carried away by somebody else's experience.RESPECT OTHERS BUT CREATE YOUR OWN.

SHE JUST LOVES BATH TIME!!

A few days ago my favorite uncle posted this picture of me in the FB.I was going through my daughter's album & found a same type of picture.Both of us in the same age & same pose.....Thanks MOM!!

MY SWEET LITTLE WONDER!!!

ME (UNBELIEVABLE)