Jaymickey - Welcome!
Millie - The whole aim of double-boiling is to use the heat from liquid to cook and extract the nutrients from the herbs etc. Applying direct heat will affect this process. So even if the du zong is not directly over the flame, you need to put something like some folded towers or a bowl to lift it away from direct flame. If not will burn also. I just use folded kitchen towels.
RXMom- Actually, I've read research that does not support the use of babyplus products and such. Several reasons cited include the disruption of bb's sleeping patterns in the womb as we cannot tell when they are awake, and may cause sleepign pattern disruptions. Perhaps, this could have caused the disturbed sleep in your baby? Also, the research also showed that contrary to the claims of the pre-natal products, amniotic fluid IS a good conductor of sound. Hence, putting headphones to the belly is unnecessary. And if the volume is too loud, it becomes too loud for bb in the womb. Just music or sound played in the room is good enough. Additionally, there are contrary brain development theories that point to other, greater factors influencing intelligence. The greatest factor influencing the development of neurons, synapses in the brains is actually emotional in nature. There is also caution that trying to accelerate intellectual abilities can supercede the emotional and social, which in the long term undermine a child's IQ. EQ is the foundation of IQ.
I've been thinking about the Shichida method also. and have been asking myself if it is really beneficial. RXMom- you're right when u say it is hard to draw one-to-one links to Baby Plus boosting intelligence. My friend doesn't belive in all these pre-natal stuf. She just talked a lot (adult level, no bb talk), sang and read a lot to her baby. When her bb was like 15 months, can already complete nursery the endings of nursery rhymes. She also knew how to count. When she was about 20 months, she can also pick out the letters of the alphabet. All without the enrichment classes. But again, it doesn't mean that these classes have no benefit.
Well, as MTBs and Mums we all want the best for our children, but I guess there are many different routes and theories on raising on our kids. So we just pick one that fits our kids and our personal convictions?
When I wasn't a parent, just a teacher, I told myself I cannot stress my bb next time. But now, I can understand what my std's parents say about the societal pressure on the children.
Raising a kid in Asian countries, esp Singapore, is really stressful I think. A lot of pressure and emphasis on academic learning. I just hope I won't become a super-kiasu parent at the expense of my child's happy,carefree childhood. Any one feeling the heat of such pressure too?
Jessi - I agreee with you. Anmum with honey is YUMMY! But ex! I just drink the plain one. Once a day in the morning though. cos i take cheese and yoghurt...so i think tt helps meet my daily calcium requirements. Actually, I think Anmum vanilla is not as bad as i thot. I tried Enfamama Choc but I dunno why i feel tt it tastes oily to me. hehee. Oh! Kraft Singles (Light) has the lowest sodium content, and decent calcium content, compared to the other reduced fat chesses. the NTUC reduced fat cheese has a lot of sodium.
