Feeding

Yeah, its been a really difficult journey with regards to feeding since day 1. Basically, my breast milk never increased beyond 1-2 ounces right till today. I did everything-pump till the cows came home, herbal tea, fenugreek, raw papaya, oats, 3 different ladies to massage the mammary glands. Still, bubba was hungry all the time, so I had to supplement. It shattered me for a bit but after that, I had to get on with the 'taking of the baby' bit instead of wallowing. I was fine until his reflux started acting up.

At 3 weeks, he was posseting all the time, an occassional projectile vomit here and there but then, it just didn't stop. Burping took forever and he basically threw up all the time. The doctors said gastroesophageal reflux, basically a condition where baby cannot contain his feeds due to immature digestive tract. We had to give him thickened feeds, which at 5.5 months, still on.

This kept his reflux at bay. The condition was there still and basically, it was just to wait till he grew out of it. Then, came the eczema, a common side effect. His skin started erupting in red rashes everywhere and was weepy. As a result, he has been on steriod creams on and off for months. Steriod creams on a very young baby for a long time is not a good idea (i am too lazy to link the literature). His skin is still very blotchy with white patches in parts.

It then seemed that he could be having a milk allergy as well so we did an allergy test which came back negative. Still, he had all the classic symptoms of milk allergy. Very confusing to already frazzled parents.I have since tried every brand of soya in the market (thickened) but he rejects it by throwing up for some reason. It breaks my heart to see him throwing up so much that sometimes, he just slumps out of exhaustion.

There was some thought to start solids early to address the problems but doctors said that this is not really going to make a difference. So, I counted the days and waited till 5 and a half months and started. I pray that this will resolve all the feeding issues we've been having so far.

Fingers crossed.

Roll Over

Today, on the 15th of May, an impossibly sweltering hot day, S rolls over at 4.40 pm, before a cheering mummy. He beamed afterwards, quite startled and fairly proud of himself. Mummy awarded him with lotsa kissiewizzies and hugs.

Snuggle buggle I love you
Hugs and Kisses I love you
I love you I love you
Snuggle buggle I love you

Sunbeam in my arms

On 21.1.08, 2:49 pm, the most gorgeous little wrinkled bubba laid in my arms. I've been in love since.

In this 0-3 months:
-He had a woodywoodpecker hunger sign (v.cute)
-His first (focused) smile on 19 Feb
-Started kicking
-Discovered his hands

The world when you were born: President Bush admits that the US economy is slowing down (read : recession). Gordan Brown is not high on the popularity stake. The general elections saw sweeping changes in the Malaysian political scene. Reality shows rule entertainement ie American Idol.

In your 3rd month: Boris Johnson is Mayor of London (how weired is that). The possibility of a black American president is very real. Typhoon Nargis sweeps Mynmar.

Sept 8

We've reached the halfway mark!!!

The second trimester has been great apart from the fact that my face erups with a new zit every week. Our social calendar is filled to the brim these days... this afternoon, a BBQ followed by Love's Labour Lost at the Globe. Tomorrow, the ole crowd is meeting in Bloomsbury for a proper chitter chatter. Its been a while since we've done this so am excited. The girls are all dying take photographs with me and bump. I regret not taking bump photos every month and only thought of it yesterday when Croftie mentioned it. At this stage, I have a small football sized bump but I think I am going to quite big very, very soon considering.....

26 August

Finally went shopping for maternity clothes yesterday at Bluewater. I am seriously growing out of regular clothes, particularly trousers. Managed to get a few good deals especially summer stuff that’s being cleared for autumn lines.

God was I exhausted after all that though.

22 August

Earth to Momma

I’ve been feeling kicks! Butterfly flutters more like but more frequently, especially at night. Bambino is being quite an acrobat these days.

19 August

M and I have been looking into baby travel systems. We didn't even know baby's had 'systems' to travel with and the shop assistant kindly went through the products very slowly for our benefit. Some of the prices make me hyperventilate - about 700 quid for a Bugaboo (new words in our vocabulary) which is insane. M has been quite inclined to some of these. I don't like Bugaboo but there are some other brands which are so amazing. But I am going to be the sensible one and insist that we settle for for something mid-range.

Anyone can recommend where we can go to get a decent brand in KL?