I'm a full-time mummy

I just had this idea the other night and told myself I must write this down. In case you don't know, I am quite crazy with coining words and keywords (check out my 'BE AWESOME' approach in potty training my boy) so when I thought of these few words that started with the letter D and then I make the connections for these words to be applied and practiced by new mums (or mums-to-be) who wants to embark (or just step) into breastfeeding journey, I think this is a cool idea!

These are the few tips that I always shared with mums-to-be who asked me questions on breastfeeding previously. Anyway, here you go:

D = DETERMINATION

You must be determined to make it work! I wrote about my tips on how I make my breastfeeding works and I think this is the 1st important step to making your breastfeeding journey smooth!

If you are not determined to make it work, no matter how good your breast pump or how awesome your baby latches on successfully, it will not last! So remember to be determined and focus on the goal to make breastfeeding works for you and baby!

D = DIRECT LATCH

During the first month (at least), just focus on direct latching and nursing your baby.

DO NOT express or pump yet until you are about 2 weeks into finishing your maternity leave. (In Malaysia, most working mums get 2 months maternity leave) Some mums in a breastfeeding group I joined are too concerned with the amount of breastmilk they can pump out or the amount of breastmilk their baby is taking and I always feel that this are unnecessary worries that the new mums put onto themselves!

By direct feeding your baby, it will constantly send signals to your brain that "Baby still needs loads and loads of breastmilk! Continue producing!"

D = DEMAND FEED

Again, during the first month (at least), just feed your baby on demand. Whenever baby is hungry or is fussy or just need comfort, just feed! Don't be tied up or stressed out with following schedules or timetable.

I repeat again, by demand feeding your baby, it will constantly send signals to your brain that "Baby still needs loads and loads of breastmilk! Continue producing!"

D = DRINK LOTS OF WATER

OK, Chinese folks will frown at this tip as we have this superstitious beliefs that new mums in confinement period (usually 30 days) must not drink plain water. They have herb drinks to replace plain water during the 30 days. Now I am not into superstitions thinking so other than the occassional red dates drink during my confinement, I drink loads of plain water to hydrate myself.

I always tell new mums or mums-to-be who are concerned with superstitious thinking like this to think how our Western mums do? They will drink water of course!

D = DREAMFEED

I started dreamfeeding my 1st child in the 1st week. Too tired to get up every 1-2 hours, bending over and carried him from his crib which is right next to our bed, nursed him then put him back in his crib. It is simply too tiring. One time I was too tired to wake up and just continued nursing my baby even while he was asleep. I finally found out this is called dreamfeeding and it was this that started our co-sleeping method. This method works for us and we are still doing so with our 2nd child.

The benefits of breastfeeding is so much more greater and advantageous both for you and your baby, not to mention your hubby's wallet too! Think of how much you saved by not needing to buy formula milk, bottles, steriliser, etc etc. 

Happy breastfeeding!

** P.S: Feel free to leave your comment if you have any questions to ask me!

It has been a while since I last drove my car (hubby's 11 year old second hand car actually, passed down to me when he bought a second hand car for his business use) and I was just starting back to gather enough courage to drive the car myself, brought Ben along a couple of times with him sitting behind like a good boy, just about 5 minutes away to buy some buns and takeaway food.

And then the news about all the crimes started coming in...

First it was posted by a lady on Facebook about the failed attempt to kidnap her in a shopping mall (about 20 minutes away from our house). At first I thought, OK, I won't go to shopping malls by myself or with my kids, unless my hubby is going out as well.

And then numerous cases of people being hit and attacked randomly at parking lots and got their belongings stolen while they were in the car park area.

OK, fine, I really need to step up and beefed up on observing all around while at the car park. Make sure not to draw attention to myself, don't bring big handbags or anything, put all belongings into a small pouch or best to put inside pockets of my pants. Do everything fast, don't delay or be a slowpoke and walk slowly and all. Into car, drive, out, get stuff, back into car, those kind of moves I thought...

Next a recent case of a lady and her friend being attacked in an open-air car park in broad daylight. BROAD DAYLIGHT. OPEN-AIR car park! She managed to escape after being noticed by 2 passers by because she kept on pressing her car horn with her hand and legs, all the time while being attacked.

And just yesterday I saw a post shared on a friend's Facebook wall about the latest tactic used by robbers to rob you. They lay down spikes on the road and waited for your car to drive by and when you stop to check your burst tires, they run out and rob you!

Oh gosh... what is wrong with our country?

At this rate, I might end up being at home 24/7/365 (which I already am most of the time unless we have a family outing)

What are your tips to protect yourself when you are out and about?

I started my IT career in the world of AS/400 (now known as iSeries) by attending what I would think as a Premiere pro classes in 2000. One of a kind unique type of classes back then.

I remembered the first time I saw the advertisement posting on the AS/400 programming classes, I immediately enrolled myself in the one month course that teaches and equips fresh graduates with basic AS/400 programming skills.

I felt that it was an opportunity in a lifetime to enrol in this programming classes as back then, there are very high demand of people who are knowledgeable in AS/400 programming and there is only a handful of colleges and universities in my country that offers the subject.

After completing the course, I was then send off to work in IT projects at client's site and my programming skills improved from there onwards as I also get to learn more on the job.

Until today, I believe my decision to attend this training gives me an added advantage over the other graduates as there are no longer colleges or universities offering this programming subjects. I really felt blessed at being able to learn so much and have a strong foundation in AS/400.

Who knows, one day when I decided to go back into the working world, I might be able to be a trainer and conduct classes in AS/400 programming huh?

** This is a sponsored post for The Training Farm, however, all thoughts, opinions and words are 100% my own.