Re: nsapura.r.tsaqifahinsyira

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Re: nsapura.r.tsaqifahinsyira

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I Want to Win Babywearing Gears for Great Cloth Diaper Change – KL!

Dear readers,

I am writing this entry because I WANT TO WIN THE STORK SSC by SNUGGbaby!

"How would you describe your IDEAL or DREAM baby carrier?"

I would label myself as a social babywearer. For every type of babywearing gear, I own 1 each - 1 pouch, 1 MT, 1 ring sling, 1 SSC and 1 wrap (new addition to the babywearing family).
Why social? Sometimes my LO just doesn't want to be worn, we have to take her out from these gears.

Among these carriers, I will always reach for SSC most of the time, because it has almost every criteria that fit my DREAM baby carrier:

1. Comfortness - The SSC I own is Korean-made. It has fluffily-padded shoulder strap that I could stretch my babywearing into the maximum I could go. Comparatively, my only MT is lightly padded, whereas my RS is gathered shoulder unpadded - these will cause a dig into my shoulder and I'll surrender after not very long. My wrap is of medium thickness (I think), have some cushiness but still uncomparable to the SSC's.

2. Easy adjustment - Since SSC is equipped with adjustable buckles, it makes adjustment for perfect snug a breeze. Just pull/let go to the desired fit, voila, you'll get it. But perhaps something can be done to those excess webbings which may impair the look of the SSC.

3. Breatheability of the fabric - Because we are living in tropical weather! Hot and humid can cause uneasiness to our LOs. So, fabric must be breatheable, but yet sturdy to support the weight of our LOs. And ohhh, if it is thin, it would be a plus point because it enhance the portability and storability (got such word?) of the SSC. You know, SSC is rather bulky!

4. Colours - What we'll do without colours in our lives, right? Vibrant and striking colours definitely win my votes! Brilliant colours could easily attract people's attention, when they've admired it, then perhaps we can spread some babywearing love. I love stripey/rainbow colours especially. I definitely have been dreaming of owning 1 wrap-conversion SSC with stripey/rainbow colours. I have seen also (in pictures only) SSC made of yummy designers fabrics, ahhhhh... would love to have those too. I love the floral motives, and the cutesy animal motives, retro motives, I can go on and on and on. Just would love to have 1 each! But the price is just beyond my range at the moment, so I have to settle with the dark-blue-coloured SSC. Be contented!

5. Chest strap - I always find it is not easy to reach for the chest strap in the case of front carry, especially if you've got nobody to help you out at that moment (home alone with LOs, for instance). But it is a must to ensure that the SSC is secured and shoulder straps won't be falling off from your shoulders. Perhaps, these chest strap could be positioned a bit higher at a reacheable point?

6. Extras - Would love to have small compartments/zippered pocket included in SSC for small item storage purposes (keys, handphones, coin purse, etc), and it should be located at the waist strap (like we are reaching for our pants' pockets). Alternatively, perhaps a zippered patch pocket at the already-bulky straps (do-able?) would also be great. The point is, easy access! One more - inspired by JumpSac Baby - a drool pad, because my LO likes to suck the straps and that will leave unsightly drool marks on my beautiful DREAM baby carrier.

I guess that's JUST it! Hope you'll pray with me, so that I can win that STORK SSC by SNUGGbaby.

If you are in KL this weekend (23 April 2011), do check out The Great Cloth Diaper Change KL 2011 and GCDC's Eco & Health Friendly Sales Bazaar at Scriptory Box, Wisma Bling Lustre, Puchong, Selangor. There are Day and Night event, so you can choose which one you want to be at, or better still, BOTH!

Viva la Babywearing, Cloth Diapering and Natural Parenting!


Yours truly,
Nina Sapura Rahmat

Diminishing supply & Rebound

Pic: My BM production, so far @ 3pm, office.

 

Last 2 weeks, I was experiencing diminishing milk supply. Arrrggghhhh! Tensinya!!

 

Qifah is almost 9 month now. Daily supply to babysitter is 4 bottles of 3.5 oz, at the max is 5 bottles (total 17.5 oz). Normally 1st pumping session I can get 7-8 oz, subsequent 2 sessions normally I'll get 3-4 oz each session. So should be just nice for Qifah's daily supply.

 

But since last week, every session I can only get 4 oz the max. There are times when the output level is marginal (0.5-1 oz). Pumped for the whole 20 minutes but yet no let-down reflex. I've tried my normal way of milk-boosting: Horlick + oat, kismis, lots of plain water. But I can't seem to solve the puzzle. There have been a number of times I've to 'steal' from the frozen EBM (and now I don't replenish the frozen EBM anymore). Ohhhhhhhhh... what is happening to me? Or it is time to send my Spectra for servicing? Aiya, service agent kat KL some more... Lecehnya...

 

Should I try other milk booster already? Hmmmm... Hopefully the milk flow will return abundant as before, pray to Allah...

 

Then I came across 2 very relevant articles at Suraya's blog Inspiraluna. Immediately, I modified my pumping timetable during working hour, increased from 2x daily (ehem, memang tak cukup ler 2x je...) to 4x. Alhamdulillah, managed to gather 10-12 oz at office. And I'll top it off with one more session at home.

 

Alhamdulillah... looks like mamaqifah's BM supply is back on track again. On normal working days, the 4x pumping session is normally adhered to. But when it comes to weekend and out-of-office days, I tend to 'break the rules' :P. Aiyaaa... cannot like this laaa mamaqifah.. susah payah adjust your body to increase production, now nak ngelat2 pulak... well, some times circumstances reaaaallly not permissible lah...

 

 

 

 

 

Poketku kopak lagi!

Arini aku baru je sign 1 cek, untuk dibayar pada LHDN. Tension betol!

Dalam 1 bulan lepas aku terima 'surat cinta' daripada LHDN. Dia cakap akunye tax tak cukup bayar, kena tambah lagi RM700+ sebab interest on housing loan aku tak menepati criteria dedutible expenses. Ini adalah kerana, umah BDO aku tu dibeli pada tahun 2008. Whereas, interest on housing loan yang boleh ditolak hanya untuk umah yang dibeli pada Mac 2009 hingga Dis 2010, dihadkan kepada RM10k setahun, boleh ditolak daripada tahun taksiran 2009 - 2011 (3 tahun).

Eiiiiiii...aku tak puas hati betol...kerajaan nak galakkan rakyat beli umah, tolonglah bagi incentive yang munasabah sikit. Ni ko hadkan pada 3 tahun tu je, ada makna ke? Dahla rakyat Malaysia ni kebanyakkannya berpendapatan sederhana rendah, housing loan instalment (yang di dalamnya portion loan interest adalah tinggi pada awal loan tenure) boleh tahan pulak tingginya, sebab harga umah sekarang dah melambung2 tinggi. Alangkan umah dengan tanah bersaiz 20x70 pun dah payah nak jumpa yang below RM200K, kat area bando la... kalau kat kg. pinang sebatang ke agaknya masih boleh didapati lagi. Tapi, orang2 yang kerja makan gaji kat opis ni, rata2 duduk kat bando, kalau nak soh dok kat area luar bando, belanja minyak kereta pulak yang melambung (minyak pula dah semi-liberalise, terapung2 ikut harga dunia dan belanja minyak juga tak boleh ditolak untuk kira cukai yang perlu dibayar OK?). Dah la gaji cukup2 makan, akhir tahun tengok belanja2 besor ni tak boleh claim as deductible expenses, kena bayo selepuk lagi, bagaikan sudah jatuh ditimpa tangga, keringggggggggggggg je member wehhhh!

Oleh yang demikian, adalah harapan kami warga Malaysia berpendapatan sederhana rendah ni agar kerajaan dapat berfikir dalam keadaan kami. Bukan semua orang boleh duduk umah sponsored, naik keta sponsored, minyak keta sponsored, segala2nya sponsored. Kitorang pun dah naik muak dengar skrip 'kenaikan harga barang tidak akan membebankan rakyat' etc3. Memetik kata2 daripada Dr MAZA, jangan pikir pemimpin rakyat yang turun padang dukung2 usap2 kepala anak kecil tu dah dikira mendekati rakyat, that's very superficial OK! Cuba secara sejujur2nya, korang hidup macam kitorang ni hidup, tengok boleh survive sampai baper hari.

Sekian luahan hati seorang middle-income-working-mom-yang-poketnya-kopak-arini.

First night with 'the little stranger'

Pagi ni tiba2 terjaga, tengok si kecik tu tengah nyenyak tido kat sebelah, mulut muncung abis! Ikut Mama dia lah tue...

Alih2, aku teringat malam pertamaku dengan 'si dia' - bukan Ayahnya lah, tapi ngan si kecik tue ler...Qifah a.k.a. Cip

Cip lahir pada Isnin, 15 Mac 2010, jam 11.16 malam. Lepas 2-3 jam lepak kat dewan bersalin, kami disorong balik ke wad pada pukul 2.30 pagi. Ayahnya pun dah lepak giler, stay kejap making sure everything is in place (lagipun hospital gomen ni strict, tak bagi visitor waima suami stay overnight), dia pun tinggal aku berdua2an dengan 'the little stranger' tu.

Pelik betul rasanya di hati bila aku tenung muka si kecik tu. Perasaan masih lagi berbaur2, gembira, relieved, penuh tanda tanya, gemuruh, segala2nya bermain di fikiranku. Dan yang pelik lagi, lepas berhempas pulas kat dewan bersalin tu, aku terasa semacam segar, tak mengantuk pulak tengah2 malam buta tu.. siap boleh makan nasi + sup daging yang mak aku bekalkan malam tadi.

Si kecik tu tidur nyenyak je dalam basket. Aku nak dukung dia tidur sebelah kat atas katil, tapi rasa kekok pulak tak reti nak dukung budak yang masih lembik tu, and takut pulak nanti terjatuh dari katil. So aku just tengok je dia dari katilku. Aku rasa wad tu sejuk giler dengan aircond terpasang, lantas ku tutup, takut si kecik tu tak tahan. Baru kenal dunia 2-3 jam je...

Malam pertama kami, masih segar lagi dalam ingatan, macam baru semalam, serious! Tup2, budak ni dah 8 bulan setengah, dah besar, dah pandai merangkak sekarang nak papah2 belajar berdiri, dah pandai cakap 'mam mam mam' mintak makan. Alhamdulillah, Cip membesar dengan sihat dan cergas. Sikit tahun lagi dah masuk tadika, UPSR, universiti, berkahwin.... eh, terjauh pulak memandang ke hadapan. Tapi hakikatnya, memang kita seakan2 tak perasaan proses pembesaran budak2 ni adalah begitu pesat. The next time kita kenang balik, rinduuuuuuuu sangat rasanya.

Sekian sahaja entri emoku pada kali ni, semoga berjumpa lagi di lain entri, tada!

Today's fluffy mails~

From top, left to right:

QQ Baby Snap Pocket OS CD (Apple & Olive Green), Coolababy printed CD
(snap button for purple and velcro for blue), Butik Nara Syria Hijab (black & dark brown), Hemp Babies hemp insert, New printed velcro Bayu diapers (pink floral and blue retro) and Coolababy wetbag.

Today I just came back to office after long weekend due to Diwali. When we reached home yesterday nite, all of us were dead tired from the long-hour journey (luckily Qifah was already asleep, otherwise it could be a very loooong nite :O), deep inside I was looking forward to
tomorrow as I was expecting the arrival of at least 2 fluffy mails ^_^

They were there already, on my office desk, 2 courier bags: 1 from SentuhanBayu and another from QQ Baby. Ahhhh~ all these cute prints
will be worn on Qifah's bonbon later (after at least 3 times of pre-washes of course… lazy nyerr…).

Then, fluffy mail for myself pulak arrived. It's the replacement Syria hijab from Butik Nara. I've ordered 3 outer Syria but they've got the wrong measurement for 2 of them. After much hassle, Butik Nara was kind enough to replace and I got to keep those outers sent earlier (perhaps could fit perfectly on Auntie Onnie?).

Just before the end of the day at work, my last fluffy mail arrived. It's mine again this time ^_^ - the cloth pads & liners from Mum7kids
(saffa brand). Ahhh~ so many cute prints to be feasted today.

I have to refrain myself from visiting those online shops again this month. Haih...

Kembali berCD

First time ku dengar istilah kain lampin moden (modern cloth diapers/CD) masa tengah preggy. Masa tu tekun mentelaah website2 yang berkenaan, sebab tertarik dengan konsepnya yang mesra alam (tak seperti disposable diapers a.k.a. dispos yang makan bertahun2 untuk reput), semula jadi (lesser chemical exposure compared to dispos), keceriaannya (warna-warni & cute prints), and of couse - cost-saving. Konsepnya adalah sama dengan sistem kain lampin yang digunakan mak2 kita masa kita baby dulu, cuma mechanismnya telah diubahsuai untuk penggunaan yang lebih efisien (macam iklan minyak kereta pulak...)

 

CD pertama yang ku jumpa adalah Lunatots. Boleh dikatakan banyak masa kat opis (ooops! read: masa lapang) ku penuhi dengan melayari weblog tuan empunya kedai & online shop nya. Selain daripada berCD, weblognya juga banyak menekankan kepentingan breastfeeding. Secara tak langsung, membakar semangatku untuk mengCD & mengBF selepas bersalin nanti. And yes, I bought the package of 5 Lunatots snap button CD ketika aku 6/7 month pregnant, sebagai permulaan. Kalau nak full CD, 5 helai memang tak cukup.

 

Namun... hasratku untuk berCD jangka panjang agak terbantut sebab Qifah, sama seperti newborn (NB) yang lain, poo dengan kerap pada peringkat awal. To be exact, they poo with explosion and runny~. Dapat jugaklah ku CDkan Qifah beberapa kali, dan selepas 1 incident 'kebocoran' dan banyak incident mama-tak-larat-nak-cuci-CD-hari2, CD2 tu pun jadi bahan simpanan je. Memang agak mencabar mengCD NB bagiku yang baru bergelar ibu dan baru menjalani hidup baru secara total (tak cukup tidur, penat bersalin tak hilang, dsb).

 

Dalam tahun ni, ku stumbled upon Malaysian Babywearer (MBW) forum (seperti entri yang lepas). Di situ, semangat berCDku kembali membara. Plus, Qifah pun dah agak besar (at the time of writing - 7.5 months) dan poopoonya tidak sekerap dan se-runny dulu. Ku fikir2, sistem CD ni mungkin boleh kucuba sekali lagi. Alhamdulillah, berkat kesabaran dan kesungguhan yang jitu, aku mula mengCDkan Qifah secara part-time (pada waktu malam & weekends). CD stash pun ku kumpulkan dikit2. Sakit ooooo nak beli sekali banyak2. Online shopping frenzy sekali lagi melanda. Rambang mataku melihat design yg cute2 semua tu...yang penting, beli 1-2 dan cuba dulu. Kalau sesuai baru tambah lagi.

 

2nd batch ku beli dari SentuhanBayu.biz, their own Bayu diapers & Autumnz diapers. Masa ni aku beli tengah ada promotion, memang sangat berbaloi2 (iklan celcom pulak...). InsyaAllah akan ku postkan 1 entri khas untuk review Lunatots, Bayu diapers & Autumnz. 3rd batch is coming - brand Coolababy. Brand2 ni semua masih lagi dalam lingkungan affordable bagiku. Ada banyak lagi imported/local brands yang harganya, ehem2, not my league laa if nak beli...

 

Read more about CD at the followings:

Inspiraluna - Founder of Lunatots CD

Cloth Diaper Malaysia - Promotes natural & eco-living

MBW forum - Discussion on Cloth Diapering

 

Sekiranya ada sebarang pertanyaan tentang CD, ku bersedia memberi maklumat selagi ku tahu - masih mengumpul pengalaman lagi...

Terjebak dengan Babywearing

Babywearing. Pernahkah anda dengar istilah ini? Ya/Tidak/Macam ada.


Hakikatnya, babywearing ("BWing") bukanlah satu fenomena baru, tapi telah wujud sejak dahulu lagi. Zaman dulu2 ibu2 terpaksa multitasking buat kerja rumah dengan anak menciak, mereka wear their babies dengan mengendong menggunakan kain batik/cadar/tuala/dll, apa2 sahaja fabric yang cukup panjang dan agak kukuh sudah memenuhi syarat.

Kebaikannya? Banyak... antaranya adalah mengeratkan hubungan antara ibu dan baby (bonding). Baby memang telah 'dibalut' selama 9 bulan di dalam rahim ibunya. Jadi, bila 'dipakai' selepas dilahirkan adalah semula jadi. Dan itulah advocacy BWing, Nine In, Nine Out (NINO).

Aku mula terjebak dengan BWing ni sejak aku menonton videoclip di youtube, minah saleh ni lilit2 kain panjang (yang lawa) kat badan dia dan 'memakai' baby dia, ala2 baby carrier lah. Tapi ada banyak ilmu di sebalik BWing ni. Baby punya seating position, fabric yang sesuai/tahan lasak/mampu dimiliki, dsb. Memang sesuatu yang baru bagiku, dan sangat menarik!

Secara tak sengaja, aku terjumpa forum malaysianbabywearers.lefora.com. Di sinilah aku mula mendalami ilmu BWing dengan tunjuk ajar dari rakan2 forum (thank yous!)

Perjalanan BWing ku bermula dengan kain batik lepas mak aku, aku buat rebozo style dengan slip knot yang aku pelajari di wrapababy.com. Kemudian aku terjebak lagi dengan membeli pelbagai jenis fabric di Kamdar untuk dijadikan 'wraps' DIY, dan mungkin akan berkunjung lagi ke kedai kain yang tersohor untuk mencari lain2 jenis fabric pula. Kemudian aku telah membeli 1 pouch (yang murah2 ja, baru nak trykan..) at maimomma.com. Hari tu arrived, aku dah terus pakai, sambil BWing sambil masak juadah berbuka puasa. Suamiku yang pulang kerja lewat turut kagum dengan apa yang dilihatnya haritu hehe :)


Adakah aku akan terjebak lagi dengan wrap yang sebenar2nya (natis, giras, hopp, didymos, CGW, dll - collectively referred as 'stash') yang mana adalah 'woven' material dan harganya pun ehem2 tu? Sukar untuk dijawab kalau ada orang nak jual 2nd pada harga yang aku affordable maybe aku akan go for it. Nak rasa gak camne woven wrap yang mahal2 tu. Selain wraps, BWing gear juga termasuk Sling, Pouch, Mei Tai, Soft Structured Carrier.

Unfortunately, kat JB ni sangat kekurangan BWer. Tak seperti di KL & Penang komuniti BWer di sana gather frequently, boleh bertukar2 pendapat & stash2 so dapatlah merasa sebelum mereka melaburkan wang dalam stash2 tersebut.

Adakah budaya BWing ini bakal melanda selatan Malaysia? Jawapan tiada padaku...

Red Alert @ 5th month

Today, 15 August 2010, is Qifah's 5-mth old birthday. Happy birthday, love. Mama pray that you will stay healthy and cheery as ever, muaks~!

After Sahur & Subuh, I just realised that I'm not able to fast effective today. Yes, red alert, the 'big auntie', Nihon flag, whatever you call it. I'm confused. I've been exclusively breastfeeding Qifah all these while. I tot my 'big auntie' won't be visiting me, at least until end of 5th month, when Qifah will be introduced with solid foods (hence no longer exclusive breastfed). I tot at least we'll be 'safe' until next month hohoho! At the same time, we felt relieved because my tummy has been unusual these days (hence the wild thinking hohoho...) Well, Allah knows well what is the best arrangement for each of us.

On that note, I have to ganti puasa after Ramadhan ends. I tot I will have a full Ramadhan this year. Nevermindlah, at least Qifah will get satisfying feedings for the next few days :)

To all Muslims (who are able to fast), happy fasting~!

Brand new Ramadhan

Marhaban ya Ramadhan Al-Mubarak!

Once again, Muslims all over the world embraced the arrival of Ramadhan 1431 Hijriah Calendar. For us Malaysian, our 1st Ramadhan fell on Wednesday, 11 August.

This year's Ramadhan brings some changes to my life, amongst all:

• Last year: Qifah still growing in my womb (approximately 3-mth old gestation). This year: Qifah is here already @ 5-month old.

• Last year: Apart from I was pregnant with Qifah, having occassional neausea (and hence ponteng puasa 11 days! Gosh!), my fasting schedule was quite the same as per the years before. This year: I'm a breastfeeding Mama. Cannot simply 'lepak'ing at home as I have a little one to feed and take care of.

• Last year: Still staying with my parents (BDO house in the process of obtaining CFO then). Sahur time still my mom woke up first, got things ready then only WE woke up :P. Got back from work, also my mom already prepared for the break fast. Life's good~. This year: Fasting at BDO. ME, straightaway cook for break fast after got back from work (no rest ooo :O). ME, first to wake up to get things done for Sahur (cook extra servings for break fast laaa... then Mr Microwave does the rest, tada~!)

• Last year: Can perform Tarawikh prayer as and when I like (of course after Isyak...) This year: Qifah's got very clingy nowadays. Have to put her to sleep first otherwise she'll just want to be held like a koala bear. If she stays awake throughout, have to wait for Ayah comes back from mosque, then only my turn to do it.

Milk volume? I must say there is a material decline. At office, 2 sessions of pumping I can only get the most 12 oz. Yesterday, 10 oz only. Oh no! Looks like I have to make it 3 compulsory sessions for every working day, 1 session after break fast and 1 session after Sahur. Sahur session is rather challenging as I am a sleep-deprived homosapien :P

Must eat healthily. I have to ensure that there are rice, fish/chicken/beef and plenty of veges during break fast and Sahur. Eat tonnes of kurma and raisin as snack. Drink 2 litre of water throughout break fast till Sahur. Drink Horlick + oat before sleep and during Sahur. I will try to maintain this diet. (Ref: Mommy Luna Diary)

Above all, I pray that I will fast healthily, Qifah will get all the nutrient she needs from her fasting Mama.

Happy fasting all!

Pergi Tak Kembali

Ahad, tanggal 28 Sya’ban 1431H, bersamaan 8 Ogos 2010. Itulah tarikh pemergian atok kami yang tercinta, Allahyarhamah Hjh Kamsiah bte Hj Abu Bakar.

Kami baru selesai sarapan di umah kuarge mertuaku di Kg. Sg. Gersik, Muar bila HPku berdering. Ku fikirkan bunyi loceng jam. Masa tu kira-kira jam 7.50 pagi. Bila ku capai HP, tertera pemanggilnya Oly, adikku di JB, hatiku dah terdetik. ”Maktok dah takde...” ujar Oly. Air mataku mengalir laju walaupun sudah ku agak berita yang bakal dikhabarkan.

Kami sekuarge bergegas bersiap & bergerak ke Kg. Kayu Ara Pasong pagi tu. Alhamdulillah, kami sempat menatap wajah atok buat kali terakhir sebelum dia disolatkan & diusung untuk dikebumikan. Wajahnya tenang sahaja pada pandangan mataku.

Arwah atok sangat sayangkan cucu-cucunya. Bila ku kenang kembali, kira-kira 5 bulan lepas arwah atok masih lagi sihat dan membela aku yang baru lepas bersalin dengan penuh sehingga habis pantang selama 44 hari. Dialah yang dodoikan Qifah bila Qifah menangis, mandikan Qifah (berapa kali diberak & dikencingkan Qifah semasa dalam proses memandikan dia tu…), masakkan aku, mandikan aku semasa awal pantang, buatkan tungku, tuam, pakaikan bengkung, param, pilis, segala-galanyalah. Pilu betol hatiku bila terkenangkan detik-detik itu. Kami anak beranak dijaga sebegitu rapi tanpa jemu. Difikirkan kembali, Qifahlah cicit terakhir yang dibelanya.

Habis sahaja pantang, kesihatan arwah atok kian merosot. Sehinggalah pada bulan Jun/Julai dia disahkan menghidap kanser usus, pada waktu itu dah stage 4. Doktor juga telah menyatakan peluangnya untuk pulih amat tipis, dengan usianya yang sudah menjangkau 80+ tahun. Kami & saudara mara yang lain cuba ikhtiarkan cara tradisional, tapi nampaknya tidak berkesan.

Aku sempat menjenguknya sehari sebelum pemergiannya. Arwah atok kurus sangat sebab dia dah tak lalu makan. Makan pun sekadar minum sup 2-3 suap. Sempat aku suapkan bubur & sup untuknya, tapi tak banyak. Katanya, dia tak dapat menjaga aku sekiranya aku bersalin lagi. Aku dah memang banjir dengan air mata sepanjang melawatnya di kampung.

Allah maha penyayang dan lebih mengetahui apa yang terbaik baginya. Kembalinya arwah atok ke pangkuan Ilahi boleh jadi cara Allah meringankan kesakitan yang ditanggungnya itu. Ralatnya, aku tak terfikir untuk meminta maaf & meminta halal segala yang diberikan oleh arwah atok semasa aku menziarahinya. Mungkin masa tu aku fikir arwah atok tidak akan pergi secepat itu.

Ya Allah! Engkau cucurilah rahmat ke atas roh Allahyarhamah Hjh Kamsiah bt Hj Abu Bakar dan ampunkanlah dosanya. Semoga rohnya ditempatkan bersama-sama para Solihin dan penghuni syurgaMu, Amin Ya Rabb!

(To be) One nite in KL (without Qifah)

After numerous 'taichi'ing, finally I HAVE to go outstation, and this time, WITHOUT QIFAH :`{. First, I tot I managed to run away from the outstation trip again when my boss told me: "COO said he can handle it alone". My reply:"Yippie yeay!". However, it's all 'angan2ku semata-mata'.

It'll be only 2-day-1-nite trip. I believe I can cope that (for not having Qifah sleeping by my side at nite). But since yesterday I started to get emotionally unstable. Watching Qifah getting to sleep (now she nags "aaaa eeee ooooo" as she's getting into sleep), I can't help my tears from running down my cheeks. I can't imagine how will I survive that 1 nite in KL (tears still running down as I'm writing this blog :`{).

Old people say:"Alah bisa tegal biasa"; "There's always the first time for everything". But there's also saying:"It's easier to say than done".


I'll miss those fingers, her smile yang meleret2, her nagging, everything about her...

Qifah & Nipple Confusion

Since last Thursday, I noted that there is a change in Qifah's preference to feed. Out of a sudden, she refused to be fed directly from right breast. I'm confused then. 2 days later (Saturday & Sunday), she refused both! I'm appalled.

My mom said, "Agaknye ada 'benda' ikut masa gi Desaru last week kot?" I have not imagined to that extent. I thought she had too much of bottle-feeding, pacifiers and her new love - her thumb.

On every working day, she'll spend:
- around 11 hours at Mak Esah's house - bottle-fed.
- reach home, the most 3x direct feeding.
- going to sleep, pacifier/thumb.
- every other hour, thumb.

On the count, her time spent with natural breast is so limited.

I read up again article about nipple confusion/preference @ Mommy Luna's Diary. The scenario fits Qifah's scenario almost 100%. Hence, I've concluded, Qifah's got a nipple confusion already.

Today, I tried some methods mentioned in Mommy Luna's Diary. But Qifah was screaming on top of her lung. I gave up.

Then I remembered a colleague said she used bottle teat to shape up her nips when she got her first child. I tried the similar method on Qifah's case. She DID WANT to feed from my teat-covered nip, but no milk came out. Then I straightaway took out the teat and shoved my nip. She bought it and sucking away contently. Me? Smiling away contently too~


Qifah sleeping/smiling contently


Thanks to Sharina for the idea. Thanks to little teat. Syukur, Alhamdulillah... Hopefully this method will work all the way until Qifah re-adjust herself to the nips vs teat/thumb.

Ngepam di tempat kerja

Sebelum naik keje (& sebelum beli Spectra 3), aku dah terbayang2 di manakah tempat yang bakal ku jadikan tempat 'buat projek' - bilikku sendiri yang ada clear window sebesar tidak, surau, ruang legar kat Ladies, pantry (ohhh tidak!!), conference room? Aku terbayang2 lagi ragam ku dengan pam Pureen pertama ku (kini telah menjadi teman setia adik iparku, i think...), 15 minit sebelah pun mau2 30 minit bakalku habiskan masa ku di tempat2 itu. Rasa macam tak nak teruskan BF je.

Tapi Alhamdulillah, setelah ku beli Spectra 3, segala kekusutan menjadi mudah. Tempat buat projek - bilikku dengan ber'cover'kan monitor 17", insyaAllah, Allah permudahkan usaha ku. Dan setelah hampir 2 bulan aku naik keje, tiap2 hari bekerja akan kuluangkan masa untuk pam. Tak perlu masa yang lama, hanya untuk meng'set-up' sahaja. Lepas tu aku menaip, membaca screen macam biasa. Dulu, motor Spectra 3 tu aku letak atas meja sebelah CPU (sebab tak beli beg Stylo Mama yang ada lubang di belakang untuk soket & lubang di depan untuk 'connect'kan tiub). Kantoi jugak sekali dua dengan colleague lelaki sebab depa boleh dengar gak the rythmic suction sound tu. La ni aku dah sambar beg Stylo Mama tu, senyapla sikit and tak payahla den kuo masukkan motornya. Save3.

Rutin harian ku pada hari keje:
7 am: Kuokan EBM yang dah masukkan dalam botol 2oz malam sebelumnya, masukkan dalam cooler bag Simple Dimple yang chomel tu, masukkan sekali icepack techno ice (8 bar). Siap sedia ke tempat pengasuh Qifah - Mak Esah (3km away from opis aku).

7.40 am: Sampai umah Mak Esah, Qifah masuk dalam buai, EBM masuk dalam fridge Mak Esah (TQ Mak Esah bagi tumpang). Pas cium Qifah aku beredar ke opis.

8.10 am: Sampai bilik, on PC, set-up Spectra 3 (botol, tiub, breast-shield) siap sedia untuk pam anytime. Masukkan icepack dalam freezer kat pantri (Alhamdulillah kat opis ada fridge, beso gedabak lak tu, jenama Panasonic lagi).

9 - 10 am: Selalunya aku pam waktu ni sebab kadang2 Qifah BF before work, so takes time untuk build up stok di dalam. It takes only 20 minutes sebab aku pakai dual pumping. Abis 20 minit, aku relax dalam 5 minit baru ke pantri untuk simpan susu dalam fridge dan membilas perkakas. Tiub aku tak bilas sebab pernah bilas sekali dua, tapi tak sempat kering untuk next pumping. Aku bilas pakai air paip je, lap/biarkan kering.

2 - 3 pm: Pam lagi. Kalau hari tak puasa memang kena pam at least 2 kali kat opis. Kalau tak abis leaking semua. Hari puasa kadang2 tak sempat aku pam sekali je. Ideally, pam 3 kali dalam waktu pejabat (8am - 5pm = 9 jam, so 3 jam pam sekali). Paling tidak pun, 2 kali laa (sebagai friendly reminder untuk diriku sendiri jugak...)

5 pm: Kadang2 aku pam sebelum balik umah kalau dah penuh sangat. Time nak
balik, aku masukkan EBM dari fridge dalam cooler bag + ice pack yang dah keras balik tu. Fetch Qifah (baju kotor + botol 2oz yang dah siap dibasuh & dibilas air panas oleh Mak Esah).

6 pm - 8 pm: House chores - masak, dinner, cuci baju, sental baju Qifah kalau kena spit-up, lipat baju, dsb. Keringkan botol 2oz yang bersih tadi.

9 pm: Masukkan EBM dalam botol 2oz untuk bekalan esok. Cuci perkakas + botol simpanan yang dah kosong. Masa ni baru aku rendam air panas segala perkakas termasuk tiub. Keringkan sepanjang malam.

Gitulah rutin harianku. Sampai hari ini, masih ku praktikkan (tanpa jemu...?) demi Qifah mendapatkan nutrien yang sempurna daripada susu Mamanya sendiri.

p/s: Insipirasi ngepam di tempat keje ni aku 'dedicate'kan pada Pn Suraya of diyaluna. Sebab baca artikel dia pam kat workstation lah membuatkan aku percaya, aku BOLEH buat sepertinya juga! Thanks, Pn Suraya!

Qifah's trip to the Immigration Office

Today started like every other day. Woke up @ 6am, solat, breakfast. The only difference is, Ayah & Mama are not going to work. Because... we are going to the Immigration Office. Qifah & Ayah gonna have a brand new international passports! Why? We are tagging Mama to Hong Kong later in September yo!

When I got back at work, I've been trying to avoid outstation jobs. Reason being: I'm afraid that my BM stocks are yet sufficient (plus can't bear to be apart from little Qifah of course..). When I got to know that I've been assigned to this overseas job, I was in dilemma. My reason to breast feed ("BF") Qifah was not strong enuf to avoid the trip. To add on to the sorrow, I'll be flying on the 4th Hari Raya. Ohhhhh tidak!! After contemplating for many hours, I decided to bring over the whole family (and to incur some costs for that huhu..).

That's why laa this morning trip to the Immigration. Now only no.0185, ours are 0232.. ganbatte neh Ayah & Mama!

p/s:
Tadi Qifah amik gambo paspot, sikit punye lama daaa.. toleh kanan toleh kiri, ayah pulak gi minyak rambut, nasib baik dapat gak gambo yang menepati spesifikasi. Thanks to teknologi digital, tiada pembaziran filem yang berlsku. Sekian laporan dari Cawangan Imigresen, Pekan Rabu.

Qifah's first trip to KL

5 Jun aritu Qifah, Ayah & Mama gi KL, nak attend wedding Auntie Yana. Kita orang konvoi (secara tak sengaja) ngan Tokbah & Mamatok semua (jumpa kat highway). Kita orang tido kat The Zone KL, dekat2 dengan KLCC sana. Alhamdulillah, dengan berkat Mama yang selalu outstation kat Jalan Ampang, kita orang selamat sampai ke hotel tanpa sesat2.

Malam tu nak gi survey jalan ke umah Tok Tam. Sesat. Pakai hp ada GPS pun sesat camne tu? Adalah dekat 1 jam berpusing2 di tengah kota. Nasib baik kita orang dah santap kat Kg. Baru. Sodap gak lah walaupun tak jumpa Nasi Lomak Antarobangso tu...

Esoknya Qifah, Ayah & Mama santai je. Makan breakfast, amik gambo kat swimming pool berlatarbelakangkan Twin Tower. Pastu check-out, kita orang gi jalan2 kat KLCC jap ngan Auntie Onnie. Mama gi Toys R Us lama tapi belikan Qifah benda seciput je...

Malamnye kita orang tido kat Golden City Condo. Tak best lah tempat tu. Malam tu Mama berkobar2 nak gi Ikea. Tapi kita orang sesat lagi di tengah kota. Last2 gi Times Square je, tu pun dah jam 9.30 malam, kedai dah nak tutup. Sempat gi Cold Storage je, beli makanan untuk esok huhu...sodehnyo den...

7 Jun (Isnin) kita orang nak balik JB dah... Ayah sempat melencong ke Putrajaya sebab tak pernah sampai. On the way balik kita orang terjumpa Tokbah & the gang lagi kat R&R Ayer Keroh. Sampai umah Tokbah, tukar keta, balik Bandar Dato' Onn. Penatnye Qifah...

p/s:
Sila pastikan GPS anda berada dalam keadaan baik jika anda tak reti nak jalan2 di KL. Walaupun KL tu sekadar dua kangkang kera je, berpusing2 camtu tu pun berkilo2 meter, bergelen2 jugak minyak abis oooo...

Breast Pump

Banyak first-time parents yang teruja akan ketibaan si kecil. Selalunya, segala keperluan si kecil akan diteliti dan dibeli secukupnya. Baju (my fave online shopping item), toileteries, stroller, car seat dan sebagainya. Akan tetapi, sesuatu yang paling penting sering dilupakan - keperluan penyusuan si kecil sekiranya ibu ingin meneruskan breastfeeding selepas naik bekerja.

Begitulah yang terjadi kepadaku. Penuh sebakul barang2 baby dikumpulkan sehinggalah Qifah kena masuk ward sebab demam dan jaundice pada hari ke-4 selepas kelahirannya. Kerana luka berdarah, aku tak berani nak direct feed Qifah semasa di ward (takut susu bercampur darah). Barulah tergopoh-gapah mencari breast pump sebab nak bekalkan susu ibu kat dia. Masa tu main rembat je battery-operated pump jenama Pureen kat Kotaraya berharga RM120 (gitulah...). Tapi pengalaman mengepam tu rasanya macam payah sangat, mungkin sebab tak baca langsung tentang breastfeeding masa pregnant dulu. Teknik2, cara penyimpanan, etc, semua buat last minute reading. Last2, Qifah terpaksa minum susu formula kat ward and breast pump tu masuk dlm kotak balik. Macam membazir je...

Sehinggalah 2 minggu sebelum aku naik keje, kebetulan ada follow-up check-up ngan Dr. Saripah (doktor yang meng'check' aku setiap bulan masa pregnant & sambut Qifah masa kelahiran, TQ Doc!). Barulah aku realise Qifah perlu buat latihan menyusu dari botol & the need to stock up frozen Breast Milk ("BM") in case stock susu tak cukup, especially aku yang banyak outstation job ni. Terkial2 aku buat stock, bagi latihan bottle-feeding kat Qifah. Nasib baik ada lagi 10+ days untuk Qifah biasakan diri dengan botol. Tapi bab nak ngepam tu memang makan masa dan melenguhkan tangan. Not a very pleasant experience, i tell u...

Dan dalam 10+ yang tinggal tu lah aku bercongak2 - nak beli electric pump Spectra 3 with extra brest shield or not? Dah banyak tengok review, especially kat diary Mama Luna (breastfeeding article Mama Luna best2 and senang difahami), macamane cara dia ngepam kat office cubicle, membuat aku bersemangat untuk terus mengepam untuk Qifah. Spectra 3 ni boleh dikatakan the most affordable and efficient breast pump in the market, currently. Brand Korea. Tengok kat littlewhiz.com masa tu kebetulan ada sale. Selalunya 1 set (1 brest shield) normal retail price RM388. La ni, 1 set + extra 1 set brest shield (untuk dual pumping), baru RM389.90. Bak kata iklan celcom:"Berbaloi2!". Dan dengan teknik yang betol, both hands will be free, boleh buat keje sambil pump (jimat masa oooooooooo). Maka aku pun sambar satu untuk ngepam di office bila mula bekerja nanti (nasib baik ada bilik sendiri, senang nak men'set-up').

Moral of the story: Untuk ibu2/bakal2 ibu, spare some time to read up on breast milk, breastfeeding and stuff. Dan jika anda berazam untuk memberikan susu ibu secara ekslusif, it's worth it to invest in a decent and efficient electric breast pump like Spectra 3. So far, saya amat berpuas hati dengan kebolehan mesin Korea ni. Sehingga ke hari ini, Spectra 3 menjadi teman setia ku pergi balik kerja. Akan ku ceritakan lagi dalam episod seterusnya pengalamanku mengepam di office dan di surau. Tunggu...!!!

~ Akulah Mr. Mama ~

Kami singgah ke Putrajaya semasa dalam perjalanan pulang dari KL ke JB, saja nak tengok2 sebab Ayah belum pernah sampai dan round2 di sana.

Dapatlah tangkap 1-2 gambar kat depan bangunan pejabat PM, depan masjid Putrajaya secara solo (sebab Qifah dan Toknek berada dalam kereta mengambil angin air-cond, kat luar tengah panas, jam 1 tengahari lah katakan...).

Untuk lunch, kami hinggap ke Alamanda sambil untuk menunaikan solat sebelum meneruskan perjalanan. Ayah yang gigih mendukung Qifah dalam carrier yang telah tertidur akibat kepenatan berpusing2 di kota Kuala Lumpur (bukan sesat). Lunch pun terpaksa memegang Qifah yang enggan bangun - difficulty rate: normal sahaja. Mamanye? Ya... dia makan secara perseorangan sambil mengambil gambar.

P/s 1:
Terdapat satu lagi aksi sukar dipaparkan oleh Mr. Mama semasa berada di Alamanda. Kejadian berlaku di baby's changing room hehehe... tapi it's for us to know and for you all NOT to find out. Memang Mama tabik spring kat Ayahlaaa...

P/s 2:
Terjadi kejadian semi-mencemaskan di mana Toknek menghilangkan diri selepas solat. Terkulat-kulat aku menjengah di sekitar Alamanda, nasib baik tak jauh perginya. Sighs~ Nasib baik aku takde sakit jantung...

Blackout!!

Entah kenape, pagi2 ni opisku blackout pulak (ya, kami masih lagibekerja pada hari sabtu :'{). Lama pulak tu..ngetest2 pun tak idupgak.

Aku yang tengah ngepam sesi pagi turut terbantut. Tapi nasib baik dahkuokan susu, adalah sikit, lega sikit rasanya..

Ohhh..karen telah kembali. Sila sambung keje ye, warga Kulim!