There are tons of baby products out there that look so cute. As parents, we love to buy things for our kids and sometimes they end up as white elephant.
I’m a minimalist even though it is hard to continue this lifestyle after the kids are born. To achieve the minimalism in me, I always ask myself “do I/ baby really NEED this?”
A newborn baby has few needs, eat, shit and sleep. So my shopping list revolve around these 3.
Eat
I believe in fed is best and not overly stress myself with exclusively breastfeeding the baby. For the first few days when baby had jaundice and I couldn’t supply him with enough milk, I chose formula.
1. Water dispenser
If you are formula feeding, get a water dispenser that comes with instant varying temperatures such as 37 deg C, 50 deg C etc. No more guessing how much hot water to add to room temperature water. My husband thanked me for this purchase. Parenthood made easy!
A water dispenser with instant varying temperatures is excellent for making formula!
2. Spectra double breast pump
Spectra heavy duty hospital grade breast pump
I learnt from my first breastfeeding experience, a hospital grade breast pump is a must as it clears milk better. Get a double pump to save time and pump both breasts simultaneously.
3. Haakaa silicone pump
Haakaa silicone pump on the right
This haakaa silicone pump is good for catching letdown when baby is latching on one side as every liquid gold is so precious!
4. My Breastfriend nursing pillow
Still on breastfeeding, this breastfeeding pillow was a wonderful support for my newborn and helped me to have better breastfeeding posture.
Baby soon outgrow it at 2 months old so getting a second hand item is cost saving.
Baby struggled less when nursing with this pillow. Photo credit: Mums & babes
5. UV steriliser
UV steriliser
I used steam steriliser for first child but hated how it always leaked water onto my kitchen counter top. Decided to invest in UV steriliser this time! It doubles as a storage for the bottles! That said, steam steriliser seems to be less harsh on the plastics as I noticed the teats broke more easily with UV than steam.
It’s a personal choice to get steam or UV steriliser but having one is a must! The conventional way of boiling bottles is too troublesome!
Poop
6. Bidet bottle
Didi had frequent pooping (3 poops in less than 10min) that resulted in bad diaper rash. It was so bad that we could see his flash. Hence we had to wash his butt instead of using wet wipe every time he pooped. It was so troublesome to bring him to the sink and this bidet bottle was a life saver!
Adjustable angle and pressure for baby’s delicate bum
Sleep
7. Zipper swaddle
This zip swaddle from love to dream allowed baby to self soothe as he can access his hands. It is also very convenient to change diaper when he is sleeping as I do not need to remove him from the swaddle (can unzip from bottom) unlike the common cloth swaddle.
The snug fitting also helped him to sleep longer and better.
Ok there you go! These are my 7 most commonly used items besides the other essentials like bath soap, bath tub, milk bottles, cot and so on. Hope this article helps in your planning for baby items shopping.
If your child has flat head and you are wondering if it is normal, please take some actions immediately as the golden period to change baby’s head shape is between 4-8 months old!
I started noticing my second born preferred to sleep on his right (LEFT torticollis) when he was 2 months old. I flagged out to the pediatrician and he told me that he had stiff neck. He advised to do neck stretching exercise for 10 seconds x 3 times a day. As he didn’t say it is of concern, I wasn’t actively doing it and over the next 2 months, has resulted in him having flat head (plagiocephaly).
When he was 4 months old, I got panicky when I saw his right head was much flatter to the extend that it affected his facial symmetry (his right forehead started to bulge out more)!
Right forehead bulged and right head flattened.
So during his routine 4 months old checkup at the polyclinic, I highlighted to the doctor and she referred me to KK Hospital. The appointment was 2 weeks later and I was so worried that I made another appointment at a private orthopedist .
At KKH, the paediatrician also said it is mild and only referred me to physiotherapist for him to review if there is a need to do helmet therapy. I found out later that physiotherapist is unable to do referral (only doctors can) and KKH has no helmet therapy so I had to go back to the KKH pediatrician and ask for referral to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).
This has resulted in precious time lost as my son was already almost 5 months old. As of writing, only TTSH (subsidised) and Orthopaedia Singapore (private) do helmet therapy in Singapore.
Meanwhile at the private orthopaedia, we found out that his plagiocephaly was severe (yet 3 doctors told us was mild!), according to the head scan that the orthopedist did. She claimed that PD usually do not place flat head or torticollis as high priority since they don’t affect brain development. Maybe that’s why no doctors ever flag out to us about his plagiocephaly.
Just did his scan.
Looking back, I should have been more active in seeking treatment for his flat head. Deep inside, I was hoping not to do helmet therapy hence I did not actively research on the possible treatments. We might not have needed helmet therapy if I had done something to his torticollis. Argh! If only I could turn back time, I would…
1. Reposition his sleeping position
Since birth, alternate their sleep positions by turning LO’s head to the opposite side. This can allow even distribution of baby’s head weight. Put your baby at opposite ends of the crib each night to encourage baby to face to both directions.
For my flat head baby. I am now repositioning his head diligently such that the rounded side of his head is placed on the mattress instead of the flattened side.
This works best before 4 months old as after that baby will have the strength to move to his preferred side.
2. Alternating sides when handling baby
I made the mistake of always carrying baby on my right arm when feeding and this encourages him to turn to his right even more, making his left neck muscles more tense.
Carrying baby in alternate sides will prevent asymmetry neck muscles tightness and preferred head position.
For my left torticollis case, I need to cradle carry him on my left arm more to force him to look to his left. For upright carry, I need to carry him on my right shoulder so that his head will be force to look to his left.
3. Encourage more tummy time
Tummy time takes pressure off baby’s head and strengthen body and neck muscles.
Head is seldom at center position due to his left torticollisI place toys or stand on his left to encourage him to turn.
4. Do more stretching exercises
This website has very useful exercises which are similar to what was being taught by my physiotherapist. Do take note of whether your child has right (prefers to turn left due to stiff right neck) or left (prefers to turn right due to stiff left neck) torticollis.
Helping him to turn his head to the left
5. Buy mimos pillow
Some mums claimed that mimos pillow helped to correct the flat head. I would have given it a try if my LO was much younger. But sadly, only helmet therapy can help him now.
6. Immediately ask polyclinic for helmet therapy referral
Don’t wait. I should have asked the polyclinic doctor to refer during the 2nd month routine checkup and not listen to them that it is mild and do nothing. The referral process takes some time (1-2 months) and it is best to start helmet therapy early as the later the child starts, the longer the treatment period (some even need 2 helmets as it is so severe!) It is also almost impossible to alter the head shape after 1 year old.
Hope this sharing helps any mummies with flat head babies. I will write another post on the helmet therapy after we have started with it. All the best! 🙂
This post is published 5 months late, this shows how busy a mum of two is!
For my second pregnancy, I engaged Dr WK Tan as my MIL raved highly of her (yes she delivered for my MIL!). Her fees are surprisingly affordable for a popular private practitioner.
Perhaps this is my second child so most consultations were short and she didn’t explain much to us. However, she is very experienced and I feel assured to have her. She was very thorough with the checks when I had spottings in first trimester and it was a very pleasant journey with her. Long childbirth story ahead.
Before the Arrival of Baby Didi:
At w37+2, Baby’s head turned but not engaged in pelvis yet.
At w39+3, there was still no sign of labour. Head has descended more. Could feel his head was very low but cervis not opened yet. Baby was at 3492g.
At w39+6, some minor brown discharge. No contractions. Not sure if it was sign of labour. Decided to brush it off and spent a meaningful weekend with #1 in case it was the last weekend before didi pops.
At w40+1, finally felt some cramps at 11+ pm. Wasn’t sure if it was Braxton Hicks as the cramps were not painful, kinda like menses cramp (1 min for every 10 min interval). Decided to wait till the next morning since I had a gynae appointment. Besides, midnight hospital charges aren’t cheap and there was nobody around to look after the elder kid. The cramps made me too anxious to sleep. Only managed to sleep from 5+ am to 8+am. Surprisingly, after the nap the cramps were gone.
The Day of Didi’s Arrival
We took a cab down as I was too tired from the lack of sleep.
11 am:Appointment with gynae
Waited an hour until I told nurse that I’m having cramps and she jumped my queue to see gynae first.
12 noon:Water bag burst, cervix 2.5 cm
Dr Tan did ultrasound scan and was surprised to hear that I could sleep as contractions should be too painful to sleep. She did a cervix check and said I was 2.5 cm dilated and in labour already. Before I could react, she burst the water bag and an assistant wheeled me to the observation ward.
1-3pm: Wheeled into the observation ward
Everything progressed quickly at the ward. A nurse, Corfel, attended to me. I changed into hospital gown, strap with contraction and baby heartbeat monitor, and also had enema. Mild contractions (1 min for every 7 min interval). As this is my second baby, I knew the procedure well and wasn’t as anxious. I even told hubby to go home rest and bring the hospital bag.
All the labour wards were occupied so I had to wait. Although Thomson Medical Centre’s ward was smaller than Mt Alvernia’s, I like the cosy feeling it gave as the ward feels less like a hospital. While waiting for cervix to dilate and hubby to be back, I kept myself occupied by counting contractions on an app, updating my Instagram story, texting my MIL and friends. Corfel gave me a light lunch and asked me to eat for energy before the contractions became more painful. This is in contrast to Mt Alvernia where I wasn’t allowed to eat or drink water.
Light lunch. So hungry I gobbled down the sandwich.
Contractions were going on well and I like that Dr Tan did not check on my cervix again when she visited. Cervix check is very painful and I hated it. Corfel dropped by regularly to check on me and she made me feel very safe and assured. Nobody pressured me to take epidural unlike my experience with Mt Alvernia.
3-5pm:Contractions were more uncomfortable . Cervix dilated to 5-6 cm
As the contractions became more uncomfortable (1 min for every 5 min interval), I started to use deep breathing and listen to IU’s music. I was able to breathe through each contractions pretty well. Tried to stand and do yoga poses but it was troublesome as I made a mess with the drilling blood and water.
When hubby came back around 4plus pm, contractions were more uncomfortable but was still bearable. Hubby dare not ask me to take epidural as I wasn’t happy that he pressured me to do so the previous time. Though this time I was contemplating to just take epidural for the easy way out. Cervix about 5-6 cm dilated by now and I started to use essential oil to help me breathe through the contractions.
5pm: Decided to take epidural
After I was wheeled into the labour ward, I asked for epidural before the pain gets worse. Mila, the nurse at labour ward, was very supportive and kept telling me I can do it without epidural. But even if I want to take, it’s good too. I love how she held my hand and assured me. The anesthetist came in 30 min.
6.15pm: Hubby went for dinner
Hubby went for a quick dinner but didn’t expect my dilation to be so fast after epidural.
6.30pm: Finally cervix at 9cm
6.43pm: Felt numbness and nauseous from epidural
Catheter inserted at this point to drain urine to hasten the cervix dilation.
6.51pm: Cervix 10cm. Pushing begins
Dr Tan came in and told me I’m 10cm now. Started pushing. Quickly called hubby to rush back. Thankfully he managed to run back in time. As I couldn’t feel any pain due to the epidural, Mila and Corfel guided me when to push and helped to push my tummy.
7.15pm: Baby is out
After 25 min of intense pushing, baby is out without any vacuum this time, as predicted by Dr Tan. She carried the baby to show me before passing to the nurses for cleaning. She calmly pushed the placenta out then stitched me.
By the time the nurses placed baby on me for skin to skin, I was so exhausted from the intense pushing and felt nauseated. I started to puke and soon blackout. I could hear their voices but couldn’t open my eyes.
The nurses told me it is normal as I pushed too hard and the oxygen went to the lower body instead of the brain. Mila also remembered how badly I wanted a girl and before I was wheeled to the recovery ward, she held my hand gently and assured me to think positive and that I will have a girl the next pregnancy. I was very touched by her kindness. ◡̈
I’m so thankful to be in the good hands of Dr Tan, Corfel and Mila from TMC. They made my birthing experience so pleasant and I hope to have them again for my third child. ◡̈
The stitching by Dr Tan was excellent. I felt no pain at all and could walk the next day. Didn’t have to do sitz bath or sit on a float. Comparatively, I was in pain for two weeks for my first childbirth.
First family photo with didi. How do other mums appear so beautiful after labour? I couldn’t even open my eyes properly!Sleeping soundly next to me. I will love you with all my heart and soul. ❤
When friends learned about my pregnancy, many asked if I would hire a domestic helper. I gave a lot of thoughts to it and decided I’d still choose infant care for didi.
Pros of childcare centre
1. Teachers are professionally trained
As teachers are professionally trained, I feel more assured to leave my child with them. Plus, there are more than one pair of eyes around so chances of them mistreating the child are lesser (although it still happens).
2. Proper schedule/ curriculum in place
For infants, the teachers would record the timing of feeding, bathing, changing diapers etc. There would also be some activities to engage the infant.
For playgroup and above, there will be curriculum to follow to ensure learning takes place. Some centres have additional lessons such as music, drama etc.
3. Social setting
Exposing my child to other kids gives him opportunities to interact and learn vital social skills. I believe this is why he is able to say hello to neighbours on his own. Sometimes he even walks around coffeeshop table by table to wave at strangers, like some ministers participating in election!
4. No screen time
I admit that I was judgemental. I told husband back then that we will not resort to using iPad or handphones during feeding. Circuit breaker came and we gave him so much screen time to save our sanity. Thanks to youtube, we were able to have zoom meetings at the same time.
It was a double edge sword though. Screen time is a path of no return. It is challenging to reduce screen time once he is exposed to the world of Tayo Bus and Peppa Pig. Just an hour ago, he refused to sleep and kept saying “mummy, please give me phone”. We didn’t teach him the phrase “give me” and neither did we teach him what is a phone. 😂
Most of the time he is well-behaved. The tantrums come when he wants to watch TV or when we switch off TV before he feels it is enough for the day.
At least for the 10 hours he spends in the childcare, we know that he has absolutely no screen time. Wonderful.
Cons of childcare centre
1. Child falls sick easily
Childcare centre is a perfect host for germs. Kids love to put objects in their mouths. Imagine that full of saliva hand touching each other?
My son fell sick on and off for a good 2 months before he was able to adapt to the germs. That 2 months were so torturous for us, especially when he woke up in the middle of the night to vomit. We had to pacify a crying baby while cleaning up the cot and baby.
2. It is not 24/7
Infant care is available from 7am – 7pm on weekdays only while childcare centre may have half day session on Sat.
It can be exhausting to take care of the child after work, especially for families with no additional help.
Pros of domestic helper
1. Helper can help with household chores
Self explanatory. Helper is also around almost 24/7 and can help with baby at night.
Cons of domestic helper
1. Loss of personal space
I cherish personal space and am not comfortable having another person in the house.
2. Trust issues
Personally, I have trust issues and will be worried if I leave baby alone with helper. Many friends told me to instaall CCTV but I don’t like my house to be filled with CCTV. It just doesn’t feel like a home anymore. Shouldn’t a home be a safe sanctuary instead of a place with CCTV?
3. Possibility of child being less independent
It is more difficult to train a child to do housework when there is a helper around. I am worried that my children would be over reliant.
Weighing the pros and cons, I’ve decided that there are more pros to opting for infant care centre. Did not compare in terms of finances as domestic helper and infant care fees are about the same. As the child progresses to older groups, the fees drop significantly. Thus it is hard to compare the fees across different period of time.
Writing this post only after I am discharged from hospital so that I can look back on hindsight and share only the essential items to bring.
Seen many daddies pulling luggage that looks like a 2 weeks vacation stay, while the mum has her hands full with carrying the newborn and the free maternity bags from hospital. Thus I want to pack only the minimal items essential for the stay.
Pre-labour items:
Socks for the cold labour ward
Personal items to help lessen pain during labour (for me it is lavender essential oil and ear piece & handphone to listen to music)
Charging cable (in case of long labour)
Important documents (IC, hospital admission letter, receipts to claim prenatal medisave, letter to donate cord blood)
Post-labour items:
Home clothes for discharge
Nursing bra (packed one set for discharge only hence it is easier not to wear bra during the hospital stay for breastfeeding)
3 sets of disposable underwear
Extra long and thick pads (did not get to use as hospital provided one huge pack)
Toiletries (facial wash and facial wipes. personal preference not to shower in hospital)
I packed the following items but did not get to use them.
Clothes for hospital stay (prefer wearing hospital nursing gown as it is comfy, easy to nurse baby and no need to wash when you are home)
Breastpump (hand express colostrum was much easier than pumping)
Nipple cream (used breastmilk as “moisturiser”)
Marriage cert to register baby’s birth cert at hospital (did not decide on the name yet so did not register the birth)
Toothbrush and toothpaste (used those provided by hospital)
I stayed in Thomson Medical Centre (TMC). Though most hospitals provide similar items, it is best to check what they have beforehand.
Based on my 2020 TMC experience, the items I received are…
Inside the stylish black maternity bag…
Didn’t expect an additional maternity black bag from TMC as they only advertise on their green essentials bag (which pales in comparison to the 2019 bag).
Actual items in the Green Essentials bag
The combined items are better than Mt Alvernia maternity bag imo. The black bag is more stylish and comes with a thermal insulator bag for milk and a huge ice pack. I especially like the light nursing cover, the thomson essentials toiletries for baby, the thomson swaddle and romper set (now didi has another set of new clothes!) and the cute milestones cards (3 different sets!!).
Most vouchers are useless discount vouchers but there were a few gems such as free nursing bra, lactation cookies and bottle soap to redeem.
The purple bath tub was not featured here, it is incredibly small and I used it to store diapers instead. The nurse told me that the bath tub is meant for newborn up to 2 months old. Mt Alvernia’s bath tub is certainly better!
mamakeng.com 