Baby rejecting my expressed breast milk

This happened to me when baby Ming Jun was about 10 months. His daily intake of expressed milk suddenly dropped from 180ml to 90ml.

Of course I was concerned and even made a few queries.

The answers I received came back as questions:-
a) is baby active?
b) is baby weight reasonable?
c) is he alert?
d) he's taking solid food?
e) he's teething?

If the answers for a -c are "yes", then there is no cause for concern especially if the answer to either d or e is affirmative.

But still I find it disturbing because he loves to direct latch but will not drink the expressed breast milk.

My first suspicion was that it must have been cos I froze the milk but then it did not make sense since he had been drinking it for the past months.

Then I remembered reading about milk having iron or metallic or fishy smell.

So I looked up on Gina Yong's Love Breastfeeding book and there was a write up on SCALDING milk to deactivate LIPASE enzyme.

THIS WAS THE ANSWER as every night when I return from work, I noticed my milk smelling fishy or metallic. 

Because lipase enzyme will react with the fats in the milk and break it down.

SO.. how to SCALD milk?

to scald the milk I place in a glass cup

The easiest and fastest is to use a food warmer.. and to be even faster, I pour into the warmer hot water from thermos pot.

Scald the milk immediately after expressing so that the enzyme does not have the chance to react with the milk.

I scald the milk for about 5 minutes and then I quickly cool the milk.

to cool the milk

I used to place the milk in a bowl of water first but now I just straight away put in my cooler box. You tend to have lower standards after doing this for a couple of months  :p

After that I treat the scalded milk the same way as normal expressed milk.

Meaning I will store in freezer and when I need it for the next day consumption, I will bring it down from freezer and place in fridge the night before for it to defrost.

IS SCALDED MILK STILL GOOD?
Well according to Gina Yong's book (page 95),

"Scalding the milk will destroy some of the antiinfective properties of the milk and may lower some nutrient levels, but this is not likely to be an issue and scalded milk is still far better than formula milk".

UPDATED:- SPECIAL TIP
Nowadays I prefer to give my baby the freshest of milk. Since baby is already 16 months, I only pumped once in my office, which typically yields about 150ml.

60ml of which I will used for the night feed on the same day.

Balance 90ml I will keep in fridge (not freezer) to be consumed the next day. Whatever leftovers which baby did not drink, I will keep back in the freezer to be used for his breastmilk spa.

EXTRA NOTE
That is why, whenever I see photos of mommies pumping and keeping a lot of frozen milk, I find it a waste.

Because most of my milk ended up as spa milk because all my milks have been rendered "smelly" by the lipase enzyme because the longer you keep the milk, the stronger the metallic taste. And freezing the milk does not completely stop the lipase enzyme.

I suspect that consuming DHA or fish oil supplements is the culprit for higher lipase enzyme but I do not have scientific proof for it.

The reason I have this suspicion was because baby was rejecting the milk about the same time when I change from consuming GNC Double Strength Fish Oil to GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil.

But this is really a catch twenty twenty situation because I also realized that during pregnancy, I was perpetually experiencing a patch of dry skin above my lips which I thought then was fungal but now I know it's because I lacked "oil". So I need this intake of extra fatty oil.

Anyhow, whether you consume fish oil supplements or not, lipase enzyme is always present, so perhaps your baby is rejecting your milk now because his taste palate has been awaken with more food choices.

Thus he now have a choice to reject your expressed milk if it's not to his liking (temperature, taste etc).

So give scalding a try as it's clear from the photos below that scalding does make a difference to the milk which you can smell and see.

NON-SCALDED milk - with white patches

 

SCALDED milk - no white patches

Are Citibank credit cards good? Or other local Malaysian cards better?

If you are looking for a credit card with high instant cash rebates, look no further than Ambank credit cards.

Because for every RM1 spent, you will earn 1 points and every 30,000 points can be converted to RM150 cash rebates. For easy calculation, take 30,000 x 0.5% = RM150.

This I believe is the best there is in the current market.

My Citibank Platinum card used to offer the same cash rebate but this was amended sometime in March 2015.

So now for Citibank cash rebate, you will need to have 80,000 points to get back RM200!! Meaning 80,000 x 0.25% = RM200.

This is a very significant difference because with the same points at Ambank I can get back RM400, which is double!

FOR FURTHER READING

I highlighted my grievance to Citibank on the unfairness of this amendment and sad to say, my loyalty to the Citibank is completely ignored.

In fact the latest reply from Citibank's customer service Mr Panglima Jagumba, which came after a few reminders was such an insult to my intelligence!

I quote him, "Even though vouchers redemption requires higher points than last year, we are still competitive compared to other banks".

Well, let's do a COMPARISON then on voucher redemption since Citibank is already the undisputed loser in the cash rebate department.

The above is a screenshot of latest Ambank's latest voucher redemption or you can click AmBonusECatalogue.pdf

And this is what Citibank is offering to their platinum cardholders.

Just comparing PARKSON RM100 vouchers, it's a no brainer that Citibank is ripping off its platinum cardholders.

Ambank 22,280 points
Citibank 42,900 points

So Mr Panglima Jagumba, may I ask in what way is Citibank COMPETITIVE..??

my brain hurts cos it's been ripped off by Citibank

So IN CONCLUSION, I have stopped using my Citi card and exclusively using my Ambank card to earn points faster.

What shoes to buy for 1 year old

Baby's walking.. yeah.. which means it's time to get him shoes.

We bought him a Garfield shoe with squeaker cos we figured he'll be motivated to walk by the squeaky sound. We didn't want an all covered shoe because of our Malaysia hot weather.

The shoe was good for like a week or two week until a center strap snapped.

The shoe can still be used by looping over the remaining side straps

But by week 3, more parts are tearing :(    Such lousy quality for Rm36.90!

More parts tearing

So we bought fabric shoe instead and it's a covered shoe from Larrie for RM39.90.

Larrie shoe - much better quality

Quality is much much better and we didn't not have to worry about the shoe falling off like we had to with the Garfield shoe cos once baby wore the shoe, it stayed put.

So should have saved some money and gotten the Larrie shoe in the first place. So parents.. take note!

Garfield shoe @ RM36.90

Larrie shoe @ RM39.90

How to apply Malaysia passport for baby without looking like prison inmate

Gosh!! My son look like fellow inmate with Chow Yun Fat in this photo.

So to apply for Malaysia passport the fastest and simplest way, READ ON:-

THINGS TO BRING:-
a) Birth Certificate of baby
b) Identification Card (MyKid) of baby
c) Parent’s Identification Card
d) One (1) recent photograph with plain white background
e) your baby - cos they need to verify the baby in the photograph is the same baby with you
f) RM100 for 5 years

passport rates

I went to the Immigration office at:-
Level 3, Menara Ikhlas, Persiaran Perdana, Presint 3, Putrajaya

EXTRA NOTES:
1) no form to fill and no need to bring photocopies of documents

the official receipt

payment with Mastercard

2) can pay in cash or credit card

3) The Immigration website actually state the operating hours as:-
Monday-Friday : 7.30 am – 5.30 pm / Friday Closed On : 12.15pm – 2.45pm
Saturday-Sunday : 8.00 am – 1.00 pm⁠⁠⁠⁠
but there were notices around the office that state that they NO longer open on weekends.

4) EITHER parent can be there. I went alone with baby and it can be done. Finally rights of mothers are recognized!!

instant camera at each counter

5) even though each Immigration counter is equipped with camera, they will not take the photo for infant below 4 years old. So for toddlers under 4, please bring your own photo.

If you do not have a photo, do not fret. Just cross over to Jabatan Audit Negara beside Menara Ikhlas, go to 2nd floor, and there is a kiosk near the food court which offers passport photo service. RM15 for 4 pieces.

6) advisable for baby to wear dark colour clothes. I did not, so the photo booth kiosk staff lend me a brown colour t-shirt. Yikes! Hence my son now look like an inmate in the photo..

Thankfully, the immigration dept cropped the photo and it's in grayscale.. Taa DAA!! My big head son passport!! Ready within 1 hour of payment.

my queue number

FYI, I arrive at 3:45pm on FRIDAY but after running over to the next building to get a photo, I was given a queue number of 2038 at 4pm (as they are special counters for senior citizens and toddlers). I received the passport at about 5pm. Mission accomplished!

Buying snacks for your baby at discounted prices

My baby (now 14 months) just loves his Nurture Inc's Happy Yogis. I stocked up on all flavours but I found the ones sold in iHERB.COM are much cheaper (RM20.10 @ 30/9/2015) and more comprehensive.

This site actually ships to Malaysia and depending when you buy (cos they run special offers from time to time) AND how much you buy, you might end up paying less than supermarkets in Malaysia (RM25.30 @ Sogo KL).

RM25.30 in SOGO KL @ 30/9/2015

I highly recommend the mixed berry and strawberry flavours for the Yogis.

Mixed Berry

Strawberry

As for the banana mango flavour, I personally find the taste too milky but baby love it just the same.

Banana Mango

I would advise to keep it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness once opened.

I reused the Mothercare baby bottle to keep snacks

iHerb.com also sells the mixed fruit yogis which comes in 5 individual packs. Great for sharing or travelling but will cost slightly more (RM24.79 @ 30/9/2015). Each individual pack have the usual 3 main flavours.

Mixed Fruit Yogis

* * * * * * * * * *

Another good buy is Plum Organic Teensy Fruits - Berry Flavour (RM15.64 @ 30/9/2015).

It basically taste like gummy candies but suitable for babies. My baby can finish one packet of it in one session so I need to control him.

Teensy Fruits in Berry

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Since I'll be traveling with baby soon, many mothers recommended that I prepare food pouches which can be consumed during flight.

So far baby enjoys the Happy Baby Hearty Meals SUPER SALMON (RM8.93 @ 30/9/2015). The contents of the pouches can be consumed in one session but if baby cannot finish it, you can keep in the fridge for max 24 hours.

The 2nd session can be heated or served cold depending on your baby. I basically take it out from the fridge, let it warm a bit then serve direct from the pouch =D

Baby didn't quite like the Happy Tot Spinach Mango and Pear pouch (RM8.93 @ 30/9/2015). I tried it and didn't like the taste too. It's too sour for my liking.

TIPS IN BUYING FROM iHERB.COM

1) So a great rule to know what snacks or items to buy would be the number of reviews received and the review score. 

2) Look out for their specials and trial purchase at the top of iHerb.com website.

I got this magnifier during my 2nd purchase for RM4.49 trial price compared with the regular price of RM17.65. So waiting for the shipment to arrive to comment on it.

RM4.49 for this 2x + 6x magnifier

3) The thing which I like about this website in comparison with say Amazon.com is that they ship ALL the products listed to Malaysia. If you are concerned about shipping charges, you actually save more when you buy more. So share out the purchase with a friend or two.

4) Also the best part is the website actually indicate the expiry date of the item. So you will not end up buying products which are expiring soon.

5) iHerb.com give their new customers USD10 (~RM44.91) discount when purchased above USD40 and USD5 discount for purchases below USD40.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

7) When you buy using my referral code DWD403, I will earn rewards points AND so will you.

But for you to earn, you must make a first purchase, then iHerb will generate a special referral code for you which you can then share with others.

It is NOT mandatory that you use my referral code but if you do not know any friends with codes, why not use mine as I also used a complete stranger's code for my first purchase. There are no harm to bless others and pay it forward cos you pay the same amount whether you have a referral code or not.

To help me, click this link when shopping at iHerb.com => my.iherb.com

Many many thanks for reading my blog and happy shopping (and saving) at iHerb.com!

Psst.. btw I used DHL for the shipping and they are super fast. Ordered on 31/7/2015 received on 4/8/2015.. all the way from USA!

UPDATED - Lacte Duet Electric Breastpump Review

After long comparison with Malish Ilaria, finally I decided to get the Lacte Duet because of the following Lacte's stronger points:-

1) service center is nearer to my house in Puchong :D

2) Even though Malish is quieter, in the end there is no comparison with Lacte's soft breastshield.. meaning it will feel more like the baby's sucking. Soft breastshields also translate to gentler suction and ability to empty the breasts as this silicone will compress and decompress the nipple.

3) the packaging of Lacte gives a more complete feeling. For example, they provided:-

a) cover for the breastshield (which I did not actually use in the end because it just means extra 2 parts to wash :p

b) 2 teats and bottle cover which can be used with Lacte bottles.

All these I guess make it worth the extra RM50 (compare with Malish).

* * * * * * * * * * *

AFTER nearly 2 months...
So far so good. It can perform well and definitely better than using a manual pump.

In fact with practice, I can even use it hands free (without using special bra) by supporting it with my thigh.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Only special note to ensure the unit works well is:-
NOT to use electric steriliser for the soft component - meaning the soft breastshield, the diaphragm and the membrane - because it will caused these parts to harden and may not work as well later.

So just wash with baby liquid cleanser and dry.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

OTHER PROBLEM...
FYI I also tried Lacte's customer service because somehow for my particular unit, there is this annoying "air escaping" sound from one breastshield.

I tried changing the diaphragm at Fabulous Mom (FM) near ioi Puchong (cos apparently the supplier of Lacte and Fabulous Mom are same company) but still the problem persists.

Then I tried changing the cover with cap. This did not really solve the "air escaping" sound moreover for my unit the suction sound from the left pump and right pump are different. On one side the sound is louder than the other.

But since I paid only RM450 for the unit and I can get almost same amount of milk from both breasts, I am very happy and satisfied with this product and would gladly recommend it.

Their customer service especially from a Ms Christine earns them TOP score!

* * * * * * * * * * * *

UPDATE:- Yay!! I finally found the reason for the air escaping sound! See the photo below:-

My two very different caps (see the center)

 As you can see, the raised part in the center is different in each cap. It is the lower one which have this air escaping sound.

Funny that I get 2 different type of caps in one box. I am going to highlight this to the supplier. Let's see what is their response now that I have "evident" proof. Yes! Finally this proves that the sound is not my imagination! :D

UPDATED @ 16 September 2015
Been using this Lacte pump for nearly 14 months and after going through it, I would recommend the soft breastshields to mothers who are new to pumping because they may need the stimulation.

But for more advance mothers, better just use normal hard breastshields because it would translate to lesser parts to clean and also assemble.

Sometimes it might take a bit of time to properly assembly the soft breastshields to ensure optimum suction and the rule not to sterilise is very very important here.

So once you are pro to breastfeeding, you can change the soft breastshields to normal hard ones.

Lacte hard shield (note the matte plastic in front is the cover)

Baby Liquid Cleanser - Pigeon, Bumble Bee, Tollyjoy, Baby Kiko and Pureen

Being a full-time-working breastfeeding-breastpumping-mom, there are many bottles for me to wash everyday! :(

Had I known this, I would not have bought breastmilk storage bottles but instead use bags cos it's just tear, pour, store, use and throw.

That simple.. No cleaning, sterilising and drying!

Plus it's really not that expensive to use the bags RM12.90 for 25pcs ~ RM0.51 each.

Anyway I am now using bottles since I have 33 bottles, why waste, therefore I have to go through the cleaning routine :(

To make my job easier, I find that using the correct "tools" help.

#1 - use bottle cleaner brush and not your finger

#2 - use baby liquid cleanser not normal cleanser because baby one is made of edible ingredients

For #2 - I find PIGEON's better than Bumble Bee because:-

Do note that breastmilk can be very GREASY especially on the membrane part of the pump so it might take several washes to get it squeaky clean but with Bumble Bee, it took double the time and double the amount of cleanser in comparison with Pigeon :(

UPDATES
Bought Tollyjoy cleanser during a recent Mom's and Baby Fair. It was RM50 for 1 bottle and 2 refill packs of 900ml each.

There are 2 range for Tollyjoy - Normal One (blue) and Antibacterial (pink).

So far I have tried the antibacterial one and Tollyjoy:-
a) leaves a temporary floral scent
b) cheaper than Pigeon because Pigeon is only 700ml each.
c) thicker and almost clear liquid
d) more foamy
e) a little goes a long way as cleans effectively

UPDATES @ 12 June 2015
BABY KIKO liquid cleanser
This is by far the WORST liquid cleanser I have used because it takes a lot of water and time to make it squeaky clean. Somehow the breastpump parts have a "slimy" feel to it which you have to wash and wash before it becomes squeaky clean.

It's thick and clear like Tollyjoy and does not have any fragrance.

UPDATES @ 19 September 2015
PUREEN liquid cleanser
Not bad. I would rate this same as Tollyjoy. If I cannot find Tollyjoy cleanser, I would buy this.

I tried the "No Flavour" and it basically cleans like Tollyjoy. Thick and clear with no fragrance.

MY VERDICT:-
If you can afford it, Pigeon is better because it is odorless and have less foam but since it is watery, you will use more.

Otherwise, Tollyjoy and Pureen are good in terms of value for money and easy super cleaning power.

I must add that Tollyjoy was previous winner of Singapore Mother and Baby award and are made in Singapore. Since Singaporeans have high standards and very good in calculations, you can't go wrong with Tollyjoy!