... and its Preparation

When it comes to pregnancy or breastfeeding, there are many people who chose to be the "let's just see about it later, when the time comes", or "if people in the past can do it, I think we can do it too" types.

But being a curious person, I never stop reading and searching for information, including regarding pregnancy and breastfeeding (especially I'm a newbie!).

I realized that there's no 100% guarantee that everything will run smoothly and successful, but I believe that educating oneself (and one's support system) as early as possible is very important.

By the recommendation of my sister-in-law, Nasya, I signed up for two breastfeeding education classes, held by AIMI (Asosiasi Ibu Menyusui Indonesia / Indonesian Breastfeeding Mothers' Association).

Last Saturday, April 25th 2015, was the first class.
It was very informative and interesting, I feel like I have to share it, especially with those who are like me.. expecting their first baby, or simply with those who want to know.

It was a half-day long class, and there are many topics covered.
I'm going to share some important points.


Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (Inisiasi Menyusu Dini or IMD)

Breastfeeding has many health benefits for both the mother and infant. Breast milk contains all the nutrients an infant needs in the first six months of life. Breastfeeding protects against diarrhoea and common childhood illnesses such as pneumonia, and may also have longer-term health benefits for the mother and child, such as reducing the risk of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence. Breastfeeding has also been associated with higher intelligence quotient (IQ) in children. (WHO Website)

It is recommended by WHO for mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth. 
Immideate mother and baby skin-to-skin contact, for at least an hour, should be encouraged. 
This helps increasing the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding later on, but the main goal is not for the baby to find his/her mom's nipple, but the contact itself. 

Here are some benefits of IMD:

• Immediate mother-baby bonding (dad too)
• colostrum for the baby 
• higher chance (80%) of successful and longer exclusive breastfeeding
• lower the risk of death in newborn babies (22%) and toddler (8,8%)
• lower the household expenses (for not buying those expensive formulas)

IMD could be done if:

• support obtained from family/support system (husband, parents, etc.) and hospital or health facility
• mom and baby are in stable condition
• provide at least 1 hour - for normal labor, c-section usually require more
• ask for the baby to sleep in the mom's room / rooming-in

Steps of IMD:

• "quiet alert": baby on mom's chest, (still) being quiet and adjusting to the surrounding
• baby starts to move, putting his/her hands in her mouth; salivating; and making noises
• ready to find his/her mom's nipples, by slowly crawling

In addition,
it is important for the baby to stay in the same room as the mother, right from the very beginning, or rooming-in. Why?

Other than increasing the chance of successful breastfeeding, it could also minimize the stress level, for both the baby and mother.
Mother's possibilities of catching "baby blues" could also be avoided with this. 


The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is very beneficial, especially for the baby.
It contains all the nutrients that the baby needs at all times. 

The nutrient content in the breast milk could change every day/hour/minute/second.
It is adjusting, according to the baby's need (mind-blowing fact for me!!).
Breast milk also contains anti-infection protein, for child's antibody, that could never be found in any other milk (cow's or formula)
When the baby is sick or not well, breast milk will act as the "natural medicine".

But what if the mother is sick? Can she still breastfeed?
YES.. 
In its production process, breast milk will form substances that will protect the baby from the mothers' illness (i.e. antibody).

So, unless advised otherwise by the doctor, keep on breastfeeding your baby.

The golden rule in successful breastfeeding:

• Perform IMD / Early initiation of Breastfeeding
• Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months
• Nutritious food that accompanies breastfeeding, after 6 months (after the baby's digestion system is ready for more solid food)
• Breastfeeding for 2 years

To enable mothers to establish and sustain exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, WHO and UNICEF recommend the following:

• Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour 
• Exclusive breastfeeding – no additional food or drink, not even water
• Breastfeeding on demand – as often as the child wants
• No use of bottles, teats or pacifiers

Other notes regarding breastfeeding:

• Breastfed babies have better immune system and organ functions
• Breastfed babies have better emotion condition
• Breastfeeding mothers' womb shrink faster than non-breastfeeding moms  

The Risk of Formula Feeding

Giving your baby formula (milk) is completely you and your husband's choice.
But before you do 'formula feeding', here are some risk that should be considered:

• higher risk of health problems 
• the risk of 'manganese', substance that could be found in soya, that could trigger brutality within the kids later on 
• the risk of contamination during production process
• the risk of having substances that aren't required by the baby
• the risk of malnutrition due to incorrect dose (too much or too little)
• and others..

Now..
What are the things we need to know, to prepare ourselves to breastfeed?

The Preparation

These are some important things you need to know:

1. Know/learn the anatomy of your breasts: each nipple has different number of openings for milk to flow (more openings, more flow). Knowing this will help you develop your breastfeeding strategy
2. Positions: there are several positions you could use to breastfeed, e.g. football, side-lying, cross-cradle, etc. 
3. Breast-milk production: the production starts on the second trimester, but the length of the production depends on how often the baby drinks (supply - demand) 
4. Psychological factor plays a role in breast milk production: happy mother produces more milk (oxytocin hormone)
5. Breastfeeding while pregnant: pregnant women can still breastfeed, as long as there is no history of miscarriage and/or no contraction occur.

There's actually a lot more information gained from the (first of two) breastfeeding education class, and I know I will learn more on the second class.

For those who want to know about what I've learned from that class, please let me know. 

I'll try my best to help :) 

As for now, I'm going to leave you with this, the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding by WHO / UNICEF:  

Every facility providing maternity services and care for newborn infants should:

1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within half an hour of birth.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed, and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants.
6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
7. Practice rooming-in - that is, allow mothers and infants to remain together - 24 hours a day.
8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
9. Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants.
10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.

Have a Nice Day :)

Main Source / Organizer:

Asosiasi Ibu Menyusui Indonesia (AIMI) 

Other Sources:

WHO - Exclusive Breastfeeding 

The Danger of Formula Feeding

Breastfeeding Basics

Breastfeeding Positions

Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Progress

I've been meaning to share my pregnancy progress with you few months ago, but I hesitated because I thought it was to early for me to do so.

Now I'm more comfortable to share my pregnancy progress, as I've passed the first two-trimesters.. 
Yes.. I'm now in my third trimester :) 
Excited and nervous? You bet!!

Nevertheless.. it's been a wonderful journey so far..

I've been enjoying my pregnancy so much..
Not that I don't experience the pregnancy symptoms.. 
I do experience the nausea, dizziness, fatigues, and everything else..
But I chose not to "dwell" myself in those symptoms, and I try my best to be as positive as possible..

I do things that could help me ease my nausea and dizziness, 
I eat food and drink healthily, to ensure me & my baby's well-being,
I put on sufficient makeup and dress properly, so I look good and feel good..
Basically I'd do anything to be happy :)
*and I actually got compliments from my friends, saying that I look good and happy..*

But I'm also very blessed to have a lovely husband and family who support me, in every step of the way..
Couldn't ask for more :)

Back to my pregnancy progress..

I'm now at the end of my 27th week, so..

My baby's development from time to time is as following...

and..
My own development is as following..

Up until today I...

• have gained almost 7 kgs and my baby's weight has reached 1 kg  :) 
• have not experience any swollen feet, legs or any other body part yet,  :)  but 
• do experience cramps and pains, especially after walking or driving  :( 
• am starting to experience sleep-difficulties due to baby's stronger kicks and jabs  :( 
• have visible linea-negra and sometimes itchy tummy (due to stretching skin)  :( 
• have no restrictions regarding food and drink from the doctor *this is the best*  :)) 

I think I'm doing pretty well :)

I will update you later on, regarding my pregnancy..

and would love it if you could share your experience too :)

Have a nice day :)

Note:

Please read my previous posts regarding my eating habit / lifestyle during pregnancy :) 

Pregnancy Myths.. True of False?

Myths..
Who hasn't heard one? I bet you have.

Now.. Pregnancy myths.
I'm also sure you, especially moms or moms-to-be, have heard some or maybe even many of them.
Passed on from the older generations, and were so convincing that you could believe it.

I, personally, have heard quite a lot, especially ever since I got pregnant.
"You shouldn't do this/that"
"You must do this/that"
and the list goes on and on..

But are they true?
Here are some famous myths that I've heard or came across, that (I think) worth sharing.. 
And whether they're true or false..

1. Cocoa butter prevents stretch marks: False. Using cocoa butter makes women’s skin more sensitive, and some have allergic reactions to it.
2. You can’t fly during your first or last trimester: False. You can fly whenever you want, but consult your doctor first. Some airlines won’t let you fly in your last trimester, afraid that you’ll go into labor and force the plane to land or spoil the upholstery.
3. You can’t pet your cat during pregnancy: False. However, you shouldn’t change your cat’s litter box during pregnancy because of the risk of toxoplasmosis from the dookies.
4. You shouldn’t eat smoked salmon while pregnant: False. Salmon is good for mothers-to-be; it’s high in omega-3 fatty acids like DHA, and salmon is a fresh water fish, so the likelihood of mercury poisoning is low.
5. You can’t eat sushi: False. Sushi is permissible except for mackerel, shark, tilefish and swordfish. And don’t eat too much tuna — no more than 12. oz (about two maki, or rolls) per week. But please make sure that you’re eating from a very clean place.
6. You can’t eat hot dogs: False. Hot dogs are fine to eat, as long as they’re well-cooked.
7. You shouldn’t have sex/lift your hands over your head/touch your toes while pregnant: All false, unless you have a specific medical condition and your doctor warns you against it.
8. You shouldn’t drink coffee while pregnant: False. But don’t go nuts, a cup a day won’t hurt junior.
9. You should abstain from alcohol during pregnancy: True, with a question mark. No one really knows their alcohol limit, so better avoid them for a while.
10. The baby’s position in the womb can tell you its sex: False. Also, the line on the skin stretching below the navel is no clue to whether your baby’s a boy or girl. You just can’t tell from outside the womb.
11. Walking makes labor go faster: False. It might make you feel better but there’s no activity that’s going to bring on labor, sorry.
12. Pregnant women should eat for two: So False. Carrying a baby actually only requires 300 extra calories a day. So technically you should be eating for about one and a fifth. If you do eat for two, you’ll end up with a bigger baby.
13. A bigger baby is a better baby: False. The average baby weighs about 3.4kgs. Babies that are much bigger than that are more likely to suffer from diabetes and obesity in later life.
14. Drinking dark beer helps the milk come in:  False. It might help the mother relax, though, which does help with milk letdown (but it has nothing to do with the barley in the beer). Also, a beer is great for Mom’s mental well-being.
15. Stress during pregnancy is always bad for the fetus: False. New research shows that a moderate level of stress is actually good for the fetus: It tones the fetus's nervous system and accelerates its development.
16. Pregnant women shouldn't eat sweets: There's a big exception to this rule.. chocolate. New studies show that pregnant women who eat chocolate every day during pregnancy have babies who show less fear and smile and laugh more often at six months of age. Another study finds that women who eat five or more servings of chocolate each week during their third trimester have a 40 percent lower risk of developing the dangerous high blood pressure condition known as preeclampsia.
17. Pregnant women should avoid exercise: False. When a pregnant woman exercises, her fetus gets a beneficial workout, too. Research shows that the fetuses of pregnant women who are physically active have heart rates that are slower and more variable; both signs of cardiovascular health. The babies of exercisers have lower birth weights, and may even become more intelligent adults because of their bigger brains.
18. Pregnancy is really just a nine-month wait for the big event… birth: False. Scientists are learning that pregnancy is a crucial period in itself: "the staging ground for well-being and disease in later life," as one researcher puts it.
19. Pregnant women shouldn't take baths: False. Yes you can, BUT as long as the water is not too hot, as it could cause a drop in blood pressure (depriving the baby of oxygen and nutrients), dizziness and birth defects (especially in the first trimester). In addition, saunas and steam baths aren't safe too during pregnancy.
20. If you were a big baby at birth, your babies will be big too: Most likely. Genes do play a major role. Several studies have found that a mother's birth weight is a strong predictor of the size of her baby.

There you go..
Some famous myths around pregnancy that I've came across and/or read..
Interesting, isn't it? :D

What other pregnancy myths have you heard? 

Share them with me, if you don't mind..

Have a nice day :)

Sources:
20 Common Myths About Pregnancy
Pregnancy Myths
Top 7 Pregnancy Myths
Is It True for Pregnancy

Babymoon

I finally went on a babymoon last week!
After persuading my hubby for few months, we finally went on a 4-days-3-nights trip to Bali.

It was not a long trip and we didn't go far, but it was just what I needed... a li'l break from all hectic-ness and a li'l bit of fun before the baby-episode began ;)

Here in this post I'd like to share some babymoon-tips, as well as a bit of my babymoon experience. 

What is babymoon? Why go on babymoon?

Well, basically babymoon is a trip or holiday taken by parents-to-be, before their baby is born.

Why taking it? For me, this would probably be the last trip we'd have before our "duo" became "trio".. some alone, relaxing time with the baby's daddy is surely nice :)

And just to make sure that the babymoon goes well, here are some tips I'd like to share..


#1 Go on your second trimester!

It's a popular myth that pregnant women shouldn't be traveling on their first and third trimester.
It's actually not true (will discuss about pregnancy myths later on).. pregnant women can travel anytime.

However, traveling during the first trimester may not be comfortable. As during the first trimester, many women still experience nausea, dizziness, and other discomforts caused by the raging hormones.
As for traveling during the third trimester.. Many airlines are reluctant to carry pregnant women in their third trimester, as they're avoiding the risk of changing routes and/or ruined seats (should there be a case of giving birth on board).

That's why it is advisable to go on babymoon during the second trimester.. your tummy wont be too heavy yet, the hormones are (hopefully) "calmer", and you can simply enjoy your holiday better :)

#2 Have a consultation with your doctor first!

Before buying the tickets and do all the booking.. Speak to your doctor first! 
Make sure that everything is safe and you're fit enough to go on a trip (especially if you're carrying twins or having special conditions).

I went on my babymoon on week-24, after several consultations with our doctor. 
I just want to make sure that I'm fit enough, and the baby is in good condition.

Week-24

#3 Choose the destination wisely!

Choose the destination that appeals to you both, so you could enjoy your time together.

In addition, choose a place that doesn't require too much traveling time, as it might be to tiring (avoiding cramps and back pain).

That's why I chose Bali, only approximately 1,5 hr away. No cramps, no serious back-pain whatsoever ;)

#4 Bring your pregnancy needs!

Don't forget to bring your pregnancy needs when you travel.. 

Your daily supplements and/or medicine must not be forgotten, as you and your baby need them still.
Bringing snacks and drinks on the trip would be good, because you'd be hungry constantly (like me, LOL!).

In addition, it is also a good idea to bring any gear that could help making your trip more comfortable, for example: pregnancy belt, small pillow (for your back).

I brought my pregnancy belt with me, and wore it during the flights and when going to places with bumpy roads, for extra support and comfort.

Various Pregnancy Belts

#5 Listen to your body!

I know that you'd be excited going on a trip, but don't get overly excited and listen to your body!

> Try to move your body every now and then, to keep your blood circulation going well.
> Put your feet elevated after walking to prevent swelling and leg cramps.
> Don't cross your legs or ankles while sitting.
> Do stretching!
> Don't overdo yourself.. Rest when you feel tired.> When possible, do light exercises to maintain your fitness :)  

I swam everyday during the babymoon.. 
Just because I love to swim and it stretches my muscles..

  
Finally, the most important thing..
#6 Enjoy every minute of it !!!

What more can I say? Enjoy every minute spent with your baby's daddy!!

My Babymoon Highlights