Hi Mummies!
Waah so many posts already.
Just an update. Had a 'showdown' with the maid last night. Gonna draw up a strict schedule that includes rest times and meal times. Basically, want her to rest at the right times and prioritise the chores. The schedule will be in black+white with our signatures. In case she goes nuts from exhaustion and makes a complaint to MOM! At least I have some evidence that we were trying to impose mandatory rest times on top of the work schedule she has to keep. Sigh!
Anyway...
Liting - thanks for the encouragement. I DID manage to pump more yesterday. Heard from a lactation consultant that with pumping, it's not how long we pump but how often we do it. So no choice lah! Just gotta whip out the pump and work it like a cow!
Honey is a definite No-No. If you drink it, it is OK. And if it is used in the cooking of certain foods for baby (like processed pureed fruits or whatever), it is OK. But not pure and diluted with water.
Regarding MIL... you may want to let her know that caregiving of your child is not a tussle between you and her. It is basically you trusting her to care for your child. But the health and safety of this baby is the most important thing. Not her methods, pride or even your mothering methods.
I speak from experience becos before Isabelle was born, my mum believed that her method was best. The famous line "I brought up you and your brother right? You all turned out ok what!" was used A LOT.
We fought and quarelled a lot and it made me question whether she was the right person to look after my baby. But once Isabelle was born, she had to read up and speak with many nurses, doctors and even the PD. She found that honey is out, so is feeding eggs at 3 mths (!) - she used to do that to my brother.
She even kept asking me to put Isabelle on her tummy to sleep. When she was an infant!
Basically, our mums and MILs do not really know about SIDS or the latest research. They brought us up the only way they know how. My mother kept thinking her way was best and I was trying to get her to see that it wasn't. But to mums, it's a question of pride and maybe that mother-daughter rivalry if you will.
My Dad finally had a chat with her and she realised that it's for the baby's benefit that she double checks everything - either with me or the PD.
I also told her, in the 9-10 hrs I'm away at work, I want to concentrate. Becos after that, I want to go home after work and focus on baby. I don't want to have phone calls telling me baby is not well after taking something she fed that I didn't say was OK to, etc.
You may want to bring this point home before u start work because it will cause you a lot of stress if you can't be at work and focus.
Pumpkinseed - Thanks. But I think all mothers have a different pregnancy for each child. The whole idea is to embrace the experience. I didn't like kids before honest! I only liked my friends' kids (and even then, only a few, not all. haha) and was even worried I wouldn't like my own! But of course, now with the experience, I'm more open to children. But am planning on 2 only!
Yaer - am glad Hayden is doing better. Babies are cranky when they are sick, get jabs, etc. Don't forget, crying is their only way of communicating now so even if she's fine but just wants a hug or cuddle, she'll end up crying. Take care of yourself too!
Anyhow, finally found a pic that's the right size to post. Here's my little girl last weekend at 3mth 2 weeks.