My husband, Richard, is absolutely football crazy. However, he's been somewhat 'deprived' of both playing and watching the game since Aaron was born. He's probably sitting at home every night now watching the English Premier League highlights, goals and games. ALL that is available on the EPL since we're not around. Its weird that the EPL has such a large following of people who don't live in the UK.
I KNOW he reads this blog so thats why I'm saying it right here that one day, when I've made enough spare change from trading....I'll take us on a family holiday which will include a Manchester United game. It looks like the 3 largest cities for football are London, Manchester and Liverpool. A London Hotel would probably be more convenient to do other things but I'll need to research this first. I don't think he would want a Liverpool Hotel since thats the club he doesn't like. I suppose his ideal would be a Manchester Hotel. Wherever we stay, it will definitely be pricey for us. It takes a whopping 7 Malaysian Ringgits to buy 1 British Pound!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
A lifestyle to appreciate
Even though every day is a weekend for me, I especially like Saturdays and Sundays here. The Australians really make full use of the weekends and a short trip to a nearby park almost had me green with envy at the lifestyle that these young families had.
There were two couples with babies no more than 3 or 4 months old. Just laying around enjoying the sunshine.
Another few dads were out with toddlers that had just learnt to walk. They were messing around in the sand pit and playing with the swings.
Yet another few families appeared to be meeting up with friends that had kids the same age. These older kids were all over the park while the parents were enjoying the picnic.
I wonder if these people realise how lucky they are to have a lifestyle like this? This is a public park but it is clean and has good quality equipment for the children to play around on. The weather is sunny yet cool so its pleasant to be outdoors. Most people here enjoy a 5 day week so the weekends are free for family. I don't know of any family in Malaysia or Indonesia that spend weekends like this. Its usually spent in the malls!
I did mention that I'm only almost green with envy. Almost because I can always make the choice to come live here. So when will I? Soon.....In the mean time, I'll enjoy it with Aaron every day of this holiday!
There were two couples with babies no more than 3 or 4 months old. Just laying around enjoying the sunshine.
Another few dads were out with toddlers that had just learnt to walk. They were messing around in the sand pit and playing with the swings.
Yet another few families appeared to be meeting up with friends that had kids the same age. These older kids were all over the park while the parents were enjoying the picnic.
I wonder if these people realise how lucky they are to have a lifestyle like this? This is a public park but it is clean and has good quality equipment for the children to play around on. The weather is sunny yet cool so its pleasant to be outdoors. Most people here enjoy a 5 day week so the weekends are free for family. I don't know of any family in Malaysia or Indonesia that spend weekends like this. Its usually spent in the malls!
I did mention that I'm only almost green with envy. Almost because I can always make the choice to come live here. So when will I? Soon.....In the mean time, I'll enjoy it with Aaron every day of this holiday!
Friday, August 3, 2007
I'm a parent
One of the firsts things I do when I come to Brisbane is go to the Library (after I get my sausage roll). Previously, it was books on trading and beading. Now, 8 books on parenting and babies. How times have changed!
Anyhow, after flipping through 'The no-cry discipline solution' by Elizabeth Pantley last night, one point stuck with me today. Supposedly, a way to prevent your child from growing into a teenager that talks back all the time, you can try avoiding the word 'No' as much as possible when they are toddlers.
I think I managed to stop myself about 239 times today but the other 599 times....'No' was like a reflex reaction. I guess it takes practice to communicate some alternate path to a 361 day old baby. It will have to be more like distraction. But then, with distraction, I have to be careful that its not bribery. Parenting!
OMG! I'm a parent! Lately, this word 'Parent' and related words like 'Parenting' keep popping into my head. I never thought of myself that way until now. Even though Aaron is nearly one, I've always just had the label 'mother' in my head....and even that, it was more from the nourishment stand point. Now that he is growing up and there is so much more to do and think about....Parent, Parenting, Parentese, Parent Teacher Night, Leniant Parents, Parent's Fault, Responsible Parenting.....
Anyhow, after flipping through 'The no-cry discipline solution' by Elizabeth Pantley last night, one point stuck with me today. Supposedly, a way to prevent your child from growing into a teenager that talks back all the time, you can try avoiding the word 'No' as much as possible when they are toddlers.
I think I managed to stop myself about 239 times today but the other 599 times....'No' was like a reflex reaction. I guess it takes practice to communicate some alternate path to a 361 day old baby. It will have to be more like distraction. But then, with distraction, I have to be careful that its not bribery. Parenting!
OMG! I'm a parent! Lately, this word 'Parent' and related words like 'Parenting' keep popping into my head. I never thought of myself that way until now. Even though Aaron is nearly one, I've always just had the label 'mother' in my head....and even that, it was more from the nourishment stand point. Now that he is growing up and there is so much more to do and think about....Parent, Parenting, Parentese, Parent Teacher Night, Leniant Parents, Parent's Fault, Responsible Parenting.....
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Sometimes there are no reasons
Last month, I wrote a post about temper tantrums. The post wasn't intended to convey any sort of message implying that I have things under control all the time. Today was a testiment to that.
My ears are still ringing from the 45 min car ride with Aaron. I did everything we normally did.....toys, cool seat, well rested baby, sun not in his eyes....EVERYTHING. But we still endured a full 45 minutes of his screams. Non Stop. High Pitched. Punctuated with gasps of air. Full throttle with a rhythm I could have put a metronome to. We pulled over, checked him, no problem. I kept thinking that, he'll tire, he'll get fed up, he'll choke, he'll fall asleep. Nope. When we got to the destination, he was smiling again after a few minutes out of the car. Just didn't want to sit I guess.
Tell me, do you think providing snacks en route is just fostering a bad habit or a valid approach to avoiding these noisy car rides?
My ears are still ringing from the 45 min car ride with Aaron. I did everything we normally did.....toys, cool seat, well rested baby, sun not in his eyes....EVERYTHING. But we still endured a full 45 minutes of his screams. Non Stop. High Pitched. Punctuated with gasps of air. Full throttle with a rhythm I could have put a metronome to. We pulled over, checked him, no problem. I kept thinking that, he'll tire, he'll get fed up, he'll choke, he'll fall asleep. Nope. When we got to the destination, he was smiling again after a few minutes out of the car. Just didn't want to sit I guess.
Tell me, do you think providing snacks en route is just fostering a bad habit or a valid approach to avoiding these noisy car rides?
Level 5 Water Restrictions
It looks like my escape to Brisbane for a few months didn't come with an escape from water issues. Over in Palembang it was dirty water. Over here its a lack of water. To beat the drought and also to create long term savings, the government has been implementing various water restrictions since May 2005. Its up to a Level 5 now.
Apart from indoor water savings such as 4 minute showers, full loads in the washing machine and re-fitting of the taps to be more efficient there are a couple of outdoor ones too. Watering the garden with only a bucket is understandable. No big deal for us either because we don't have that many plants. The harsher one is only washing the mirrors, lights, glass, number plates, and potentially damaging marks on your car only. Once again, using a bucket of water. PLENTY of dirty cars in Brisbane these days. The two outdoor restrictions actually carry on the spot fines if you're caught in violation.
The thing that I like about Australians is that they don't need the fines to help them save water. Many people have automatically adopted a more water conscious mentality and have a genuine concern about the water crisis. They CARE about the country.
Apart from indoor water savings such as 4 minute showers, full loads in the washing machine and re-fitting of the taps to be more efficient there are a couple of outdoor ones too. Watering the garden with only a bucket is understandable. No big deal for us either because we don't have that many plants. The harsher one is only washing the mirrors, lights, glass, number plates, and potentially damaging marks on your car only. Once again, using a bucket of water. PLENTY of dirty cars in Brisbane these days. The two outdoor restrictions actually carry on the spot fines if you're caught in violation.
The thing that I like about Australians is that they don't need the fines to help them save water. Many people have automatically adopted a more water conscious mentality and have a genuine concern about the water crisis. They CARE about the country.
Breastfeeding: The first hour can save lives
By Dr Rohayati Taib of the Department of Paediatrics,
RIPAS Hospital
Breastfeeding helps to bring mother and baby closer.
Each year, a total of 10.9 million children under the age of five will die
worldwide. The majority of deaths occur below the age of one and 40 per cent
will occur in the newborn period. In total, it is estimated that four million
babies will die annually in the developing world, particularly in Sub-Saharan
Africa, before they reach the age of one.
Almost all of the four million newborn deaths are due to preventable causes. The
majority of them are attributable to infections such as diarrhoea, septicaemia,
meningitis and pneumonia. Most deaths occur at home. There is now clear evidence
that early initiation of breastfeeding would be protective and will have a
substantial impact in reducing this staggering statistic.
According to the World Health Organisation, in the Global Strategy for Infant
and Young Child Feeding, two-thirds of under-five deaths that occur in infancy
are most related to poor feeding practices. Breastfeeding is a key to child
survival. As many as 1.45 million lives are lost globally due to the sub-optimal
breastfeeding practices in cutting down childhood deaths worldwide was
recognised and published in the Lancet series on child and newborn survival in
2003 and 2004. The authors concluded that 13 per cent to 15 per cent of all
child deaths could be reduced if coverage levels of breastfeeding are increased
to near universal.
Breastfeeding in the first hour of live could save almost one million babies'
lives each year. Last year, Paediatrics published evidence proving that early
breastfeeding has an impact in reducing mortality in the newborn period. This
research was funded by the Department for International Development (DFID).
It showed that if mothers start breastfeeding within one hour of birth, 22 per
cent of babies who die in the first 28 days, the equivalent to almost one
million newborn each year, could be saved. If breastfeeding starts on the first
day then 16 per cent of lives could be saved. The likelihood of death increases
significantly each day the start of breastfeeding is further delayed.
Babies who were fed only breastmilk were four times less likely to die than
those who were also fed other milk or solids, confirming the health benefits of
exclusive breastfeeding in the first month.
This is the first study of its kind to assess the effect on newborn survival
rates of when mothers start to breastfeed. It was carried out by Kintampo Health
Research Centre in Ghana and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
and was funded by DFID. The analysis was based on 10,947 breastfeeding babies
born between July 2003 and June 2004 in Ghana who survived to the the second
day.
The First Hour: Early Initiation of Breastfeeding
The first hour after birth is an exciting and exhilarating experience for both
mother and child. Early skin-to-skin contact and the opportunity to suckle
within the first hour are important. The baby who is in close contact with its
mother can suckle when there are signs of readiness such as the suckling
movements. Close contact in itself does not necessarily result in immediate
suckling. Mothers require support for both suckling and contact, both acts so
closely interrelated.
The suckling reflex of the newborn is at its strongest 20-30 minutes after
birth, which diminishes if the infant is not fed, only to reappear almost 40
hours later. This may be called 'the fourth stage of labour', which includes
putting the baby to breast after birth and ensuring the intake of colostrum by
the neonate. The ideal time for early initiation of breastfeeding has been
suggested right from birth in the delivery suite to within one hour after
delivery.
Mechanisms by which early breastfeeding can save newborn lives
There are several mechanisms by which early initiation of breastfeeding could
reduce the risk of death in the newborn infant:
- Early human milk (Colostrum) is rich in a variety of immune and non-immune
components that are important for early gut growth and resistance to infection
- Early feeding with non-human milk proteins (for example, animal milk) may
severely disrupt normal gut function
- Lack of feeding in the first hours or days of life may disrupt metabolic
functions and cause acid build-up (acidosis) and low glucose (hypoglycaemia)
- Mothers who suckle their babies shortly after birth have a greater chance of
successfully establishing and sustaining breastfeeding throughout infancy
- Promotion of warmth and protection may reduce the risk of death from
hypothermia
Other benefits
Early breastfeeding has a physiological effect on the uterus as well, causing it
to contract. This is due to a hormone called oxytocin, which is released when a
baby suckles or in response to hand stimulation by the baby, causing uterine
contraction as well as milk ejection. Oxytocin is known to play a role in
bonding and reduction in postpartum bleeding. Postpartum bleeding is a major
problem that jeopardises maternal health and its prevention can save a mother's
life through early breastfeeding.
World Breastfeeding Week 2007
World leaders at the United Nations Millennium Summit in September 2000 agreed
on a critical goal to reduce deaths of under-five children by two thirds, but
this may be unattainable without halving newborn deaths which now comprise 40
per cent of all under-five deaths. The promotion of early initiation of
breastfeeding has the potential to make a major contribution to tackling the
millennium development goal for child mortality. In global terms, over one
million lives would be saved if all newborns younger than one month were
breastfed within the first hour of life.
This year's World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) calls upon policy makers,
health workers, families and community members to ensure conducive conditions
for mothers and babies to start breastfeeding during the first hour of birth.
The evidence is clear and in abundance: Breastfeeding saves lives. It is a
solution that does not need costly medicine. - Courtesy of the Ministry of
Health Public Awareness Programme)
RIPAS Hospital
Breastfeeding helps to bring mother and baby closer.
Each year, a total of 10.9 million children under the age of five will die
worldwide. The majority of deaths occur below the age of one and 40 per cent
will occur in the newborn period. In total, it is estimated that four million
babies will die annually in the developing world, particularly in Sub-Saharan
Africa, before they reach the age of one.
Almost all of the four million newborn deaths are due to preventable causes. The
majority of them are attributable to infections such as diarrhoea, septicaemia,
meningitis and pneumonia. Most deaths occur at home. There is now clear evidence
that early initiation of breastfeeding would be protective and will have a
substantial impact in reducing this staggering statistic.
According to the World Health Organisation, in the Global Strategy for Infant
and Young Child Feeding, two-thirds of under-five deaths that occur in infancy
are most related to poor feeding practices. Breastfeeding is a key to child
survival. As many as 1.45 million lives are lost globally due to the sub-optimal
breastfeeding practices in cutting down childhood deaths worldwide was
recognised and published in the Lancet series on child and newborn survival in
2003 and 2004. The authors concluded that 13 per cent to 15 per cent of all
child deaths could be reduced if coverage levels of breastfeeding are increased
to near universal.
Breastfeeding in the first hour of live could save almost one million babies'
lives each year. Last year, Paediatrics published evidence proving that early
breastfeeding has an impact in reducing mortality in the newborn period. This
research was funded by the Department for International Development (DFID).
It showed that if mothers start breastfeeding within one hour of birth, 22 per
cent of babies who die in the first 28 days, the equivalent to almost one
million newborn each year, could be saved. If breastfeeding starts on the first
day then 16 per cent of lives could be saved. The likelihood of death increases
significantly each day the start of breastfeeding is further delayed.
Babies who were fed only breastmilk were four times less likely to die than
those who were also fed other milk or solids, confirming the health benefits of
exclusive breastfeeding in the first month.
This is the first study of its kind to assess the effect on newborn survival
rates of when mothers start to breastfeed. It was carried out by Kintampo Health
Research Centre in Ghana and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
and was funded by DFID. The analysis was based on 10,947 breastfeeding babies
born between July 2003 and June 2004 in Ghana who survived to the the second
day.
The First Hour: Early Initiation of Breastfeeding
The first hour after birth is an exciting and exhilarating experience for both
mother and child. Early skin-to-skin contact and the opportunity to suckle
within the first hour are important. The baby who is in close contact with its
mother can suckle when there are signs of readiness such as the suckling
movements. Close contact in itself does not necessarily result in immediate
suckling. Mothers require support for both suckling and contact, both acts so
closely interrelated.
The suckling reflex of the newborn is at its strongest 20-30 minutes after
birth, which diminishes if the infant is not fed, only to reappear almost 40
hours later. This may be called 'the fourth stage of labour', which includes
putting the baby to breast after birth and ensuring the intake of colostrum by
the neonate. The ideal time for early initiation of breastfeeding has been
suggested right from birth in the delivery suite to within one hour after
delivery.
Mechanisms by which early breastfeeding can save newborn lives
There are several mechanisms by which early initiation of breastfeeding could
reduce the risk of death in the newborn infant:
- Early human milk (Colostrum) is rich in a variety of immune and non-immune
components that are important for early gut growth and resistance to infection
- Early feeding with non-human milk proteins (for example, animal milk) may
severely disrupt normal gut function
- Lack of feeding in the first hours or days of life may disrupt metabolic
functions and cause acid build-up (acidosis) and low glucose (hypoglycaemia)
- Mothers who suckle their babies shortly after birth have a greater chance of
successfully establishing and sustaining breastfeeding throughout infancy
- Promotion of warmth and protection may reduce the risk of death from
hypothermia
Other benefits
Early breastfeeding has a physiological effect on the uterus as well, causing it
to contract. This is due to a hormone called oxytocin, which is released when a
baby suckles or in response to hand stimulation by the baby, causing uterine
contraction as well as milk ejection. Oxytocin is known to play a role in
bonding and reduction in postpartum bleeding. Postpartum bleeding is a major
problem that jeopardises maternal health and its prevention can save a mother's
life through early breastfeeding.
World Breastfeeding Week 2007
World leaders at the United Nations Millennium Summit in September 2000 agreed
on a critical goal to reduce deaths of under-five children by two thirds, but
this may be unattainable without halving newborn deaths which now comprise 40
per cent of all under-five deaths. The promotion of early initiation of
breastfeeding has the potential to make a major contribution to tackling the
millennium development goal for child mortality. In global terms, over one
million lives would be saved if all newborns younger than one month were
breastfed within the first hour of life.
This year's World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) calls upon policy makers,
health workers, families and community members to ensure conducive conditions
for mothers and babies to start breastfeeding during the first hour of birth.
The evidence is clear and in abundance: Breastfeeding saves lives. It is a
solution that does not need costly medicine. - Courtesy of the Ministry of
Health Public Awareness Programme)
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
The perfect travelling companion
It took us a total of about 19 hours to get from our house in Palembang, Indonesia to my mother's house in Brisbane, Australia. Aaron was a little difficult at the Palembang Airport but once we got on the plane, he was an angel.
Changi Airport was everything I expected. The singaporeans really know how to make transit time zoom by. 6 whole hours there wasn't enough! There were even more shops there than my last trip in 2005. We spent quite a bit of time at the Family Zone where Aaron could 'stretch his legs'. We couldn't tear him away from there!
Here he is again having fun with some older boys in the departure lounge. It was his first time really interacting with other children and was amazing to watch. The two boys were wonderful and included Aaron in their game of chasing after a toy tiger. The game completely wore him out and he fell asleep as soon as we boarded. He stayed in 'sleep mode' for the entire journey but kept waking up because of the cramped conditions. It was easy to put him back to sleep each time.
Changi Airport was everything I expected. The singaporeans really know how to make transit time zoom by. 6 whole hours there wasn't enough! There were even more shops there than my last trip in 2005. We spent quite a bit of time at the Family Zone where Aaron could 'stretch his legs'. We couldn't tear him away from there!
Here he is again having fun with some older boys in the departure lounge. It was his first time really interacting with other children and was amazing to watch. The two boys were wonderful and included Aaron in their game of chasing after a toy tiger. The game completely wore him out and he fell asleep as soon as we boarded. He stayed in 'sleep mode' for the entire journey but kept waking up because of the cramped conditions. It was easy to put him back to sleep each time.
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