Baby's bedding - IKEA fitted sheet for cot can fit other sizes?

I find prices in Malaysia for bedding for babies rather expensive compare with adult's bedding.

I mean a SMALL latex dimple pillow by Bumble Bee costs RM49 and a fitted sheet for playpen mattress of same brand costs RM34.30.

I can't say about the quality of the latex pillow but for the fitted sheet, it's a bit too expensive for a single piece of cotton textile the size of 41" x 28" x 1" (104cm x 71cm x 2.54cm) because:-

1) the quality of the cotton is not there.. It's not even thick nor soft

2) the motif / print may not be to your liking.

So instead of spending this amount for the fitted sheet, I opted for IKEA's fitted sheet which retails for RM39.90 for 2 pieces (at a much cheaper price of RM19.95 apiece).

The only problem is IKEA's sheet are stated to be 120 x 60cm. Not exactly a perfect fit for a normal playpen mattress of 41" x 28" x 1" (104 x 71 x 2.5cm).

But I took the risk because I prefer plain colour bedding (can choose from white, blue or pink) and the material is stretchable like t-shirt materials.

VERDICT:-
fits perfectly!

Breastfeeding + Eu Yang Sang "So Hup" Pills = JAUNDICE

If you plan to breastfeed your baby, then don't take any herbal pills like 'SO HUP' pills, regardless of what the salesperson said.

Take it from me.. I paid a heavy price for trusting a saleslady from Mid Valley Eu Yang Sang branch.

Through breastfeeding my baby was indirectly consuming those herbs and his small-yet-to-fully-develop liver was unable to process it and it became toxic to his body.

It was these toxic which caused him to have high *jaundice or skin appearing yellow.

*[granted that having assisted vacuum during natural delivery will also contribute to higher risk of jaundice.. Yes you read correctly, babies which were delivered through natural birth using vacuum to suck the baby out will also tend to have jaundice].

But consuming more than 1 1/2 boxes of 'so hup' pills push the jaundice reading higher.

By Day 6 when I sent my baby for check up, his jaundice reading was 361 umol/l approximately 20.63mg/dL.

Apparently in Malaysia once the level reach 400 umol/l the baby will have to go for a blood exchange with possible risk of brain and ear damage.

Since it was 361, my baby went through hospital admission for 2 days 1 night with photo therapy with 2 lights.

While he was in hospital, the jaundice level had to be monitored every 6 hours through blood test. It was really heart wrenching to hear his loud cries as the doctors try to find the correct tiny veins on his tiny hands. Imagine doing this every 6 hours  T.T

After checking out of the hospital, we have to continue to monitor the level at local government clinic by drawing blood too but thankfully this time from his heel.

The whole ordeal took 2 weeks to end and all because of the simple mistake of taking herbal concoctions while breastfeeding!

So if you plan to breastfeed, please steer clear of ALL herbal potions. Just consume normal chicken soup etc for nourishment.

Because apparently most emergency wards are not as effective as it should be, especially when your emergencies happen at night!

It can really SAVE LIVES if you know what to do and where to go for medical help. I hope what I learnt the hard way can help you avoid the same mistake and HEARTBREAK which I went through with Hospital Pantai Cheras and Ampang services, so CLICK baby-jaundice-emergency-what-to-do.

What happens if failed glucose test during pregnancy

Apparently many pregnant women failed their second glucose test.

Blame it on the urge to binge or the sudden cravings for fast food and carbonated drinks.

Anyway so what happens next?

Well for me, my nurse at KKIA (Klink Kesihatan Ibu dan Anak) immediately rang me up for a next day appointment for BSP (short for Blood Sugar Profile).

I suspect this is the same standard test for diabetic.

Basically it's a test done for sugar level AFTER 2 hours of every meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) which inadvertently mean you'll be spending the whole day in the KKIA.

Bummer!!

Double bummer for me because my nurse did not explain properly the procedure so I ended up starving until 230pm before my lunch because I was under the mistaken belief that I must take a before-eating-blood-sample for each meal.

Why 230pm? Cos the KKIA closes from 1 to 2pm. No one explained that I just eat at 1230pm and come back at 230pm to draw blood :(

SO BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS:-

1) You fast 10 hours (last meal was before 10pm the night before), then at 8am you take a control blood test (TEST 1).

2) Go for your breakfast, then wait 2 hours then go back for TEST 2.

3) Go for your lunch at 1230pm or 1pm then go back for TEST 3 after 2 hours.

4) Go for your dinner at 6pm then go back for TEST 4 after 2 hours.

Sounds simple right?

Still I managed to mess up my BSP test.. haha.. Well at least it's good news that they will not be drawing blood for 6 times but only 4 times.

Note the results are immediate because they use the same device which diabetics use to monitor their sugar level.

So since my mother have the device, I did all future tests at home because I have to control my diet and monitor the glucose level with BSP (blood sugar level) every 2 weeks until I deliver my baby.

Not only that, I have to do MGTT test (click this link for more info on MGTT glucose-test-during-pregnancy-mgtt) after 6 weeks of delivery.. Hmm... Guess monitoring glucose level is pretty serious business during and after pregnancy!

UPDATE:- my result for the glucose test AFTER delivery came back normal!! So means I'm not diabetic! So failing the test during pregnancy does not mean you are diabetic.

Just have to control your food intake during pregnancy so that you do not pass a high glucose level to your baby during delivery.

Young money makers

These are becoming more and more common sight in Kuala Lumpur.

The presence of young children "selling" or getting donations for religious booklets.

Their approach is simple.

They basically HAND YOU a very small thin booklet and a person's natural instinct is to take it, cos we are so accustomed to receiving pamphlet, flyers and even free samples.

But once you take it, they will ask you for a 'donation'.

I have witnessed many who are caught in a dilemma.

On one hand they feel obliged to give, but on the other, they know that by giving, they are encouraging this unhealthy practice or even syndicate.

This boy in the photo does not look local.

I've even seen a young girl with color eyeshadow on. Too bad I don't have a photo of her cos it was the first time I witnessed a young child being used to make money this way.

She approached her "victim" as he was about to cross the road. I sensed his hesitation to give the money, so I just stepped in and asked if she have IC or Malaysian identification card.

She ignored me. I asked if she have passport. This time she just shrugged and took back the book from the guy's hand and went off.

This happened in front of Sogo KL entrance but today I saw this boy doing this inside Sogo.

It's really a dilemma on whether to give or not. You might seem "mean" not to give but in my opinion giving is really not an option because if from young they learn this "trade", this trade will not support their livelihood when they grow up.

So what are they going to do then? With no other working skills except begging, chances are they will just "recruit" (read: give birth to) young children who will continue this "trade" for them.

Something should be done fast to stop this social menace from spreading as children should be at school studying, learning.. Not scamming or begging.

No giving = no income, no income then they will have to look for other means for sustenance. And hopefully this other means does not involve begging but real work.

Glucose Test during pregnancy (MGTT)

SUGAR WATER

Glucose or meal glucose intolerence test (MGTT) is usually done once by pregnant woman during their 2nd trimester but for me since:-

1) I'll be 40 years old when I deliver
2) I gained a lot of weight during my first trimester

I have to do 2 times (once in 2nd and another in 3rd trimester).

It's mandatorily done by Malaysian government clinics but not private clinics. Not sure the reason but possibly because Malaysia is trying to control the number of diabetics in the country.

Cos if the mom is diabetic during her pregnancy, chances are high that the fetus will also be diabetic. By doing this screening, if it's true that the mom is diabetic, then the government can immediately step in, either through education on proper diet or medication.

Also diabetic fetus will also be bigger in size thus making it harder for the woman to deliver later.

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

WHAT IS THE TEST?
In summary, compare 2 blood samples of before and after drinking a glass of sugar water.

TO BE PRECISED, IT'S:-
Basically the test is done by taking a blood sample first thing in the morning after a 10 hour fast.
Usually the fast begins at 10pm the night before for a test at 8am in the morning.

Then you'll be asked to drink a cup of warm sugar water (very sweet).

You'll be ask to rest / sit for 2 hours. During this 2 hours, try not to move too much and if you feel uncomfortable, you may even lie down.

This is especially a problem for pregnant woman who have morning sickness. That is why the test is usually done in the 2nd trimester.

Important note:-

a) not to vomit during this 2 hours, you'll have to ABORT the test and schedule another day for the test.

b) during these 2 hours, you cannot eat or drink anything.

c) If you can successfully hold in the sugar water, then another blood sample must be taken within the 2 hours. If longer, again the result is not that accurate.

Basically a comparison of glucose level in these 2 blood samples will show if your body can successfully process the glucose or not.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 

SIDE NOTE - can you drink water during the fast?
I have obtained differing views from the websites.

My nurse say I can have sips but the UK sites states that drinking water is not a problem.

VERDICT on drinking water:-

You can drink all you want before 10pm but by next morning, just have enough to quench your thirst.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

So what happens if the result is NOT NORMAL?

I will be blogging on it, cos I failed my second test :(

So to all pregnant women out there, it's always good to watch the amount of carbohydrate that we eat and the sweet drinks that we drink.. specifically white rice, milo and carbonated drinks.

UPDATE:- since I failed the test, I have to do BSP (blood sugar profile). Click what-happens-if-failed-glucose-test for more info.

Eyeshadow primer - Urban Decay vs Too Faced

I always knew there's makeup base and it helps the foundation to stay longer on the face.

What I didn't know was, just as there are makeup base, there are also eyeshadow base.

And though the function is the same you can't expect the eyeshadow to stay put and not melt or travel down south with just a makeup base.

And so I was introduced to the best selling primers - Urban Decay and Too Faced.

Urban Decay Potion RM75

Urban Decay Anti Aging RM95

Too Faced RM69

They don't come cheap at RM69 - RM95 for about 10ml only but I suspect they can last for a long time.

So instead of buying them for my 'experiment' I got samples from Sephora.

And here's my VERDICT:-

Urban Decay vs Too Faced
Too Faced makes the shadow last longer but it's drier on my eyelid cos I can feel a tinge of tightness on my skin.

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

Urban Decay Anti Aging vs Urban Decay Potion
I don't see significant difference to justify the higher price. I tried it on my wrinkled under eye and I did not see any marked improvement.

Perhaps it need prolonged use but if you really want anti aging, best to get adequate sleep, limit computer or phone screen exposure n get a good eye cream.

Do note that the Urban Decay anti aging is the only primer which you can apply on the under eye as well.

The other range are specifically for eyelids only.

So for me, personally I'll get the Urban Decay Potion.

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

Photos taken from my "experiment":-

DHA for pregnancy - Neurogain PB vs GNC

Only realised the importance of DHA supplement after attending an antenatal class during my 25 week of pregnancy. It's vital for brain or neurological development of the fetus.

Fortunately, many websites say that the importance of DHA intake peak during the third trimester.

Anyhow if possible, do take DHA latest by week 18 so I was 7 weeks late. Still I believe it's better late than never.

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

My first DHA was Neurogain PB

Got mine from AA Pharmacy @ RM44 for 30 capsule. I saw the same thing being sold at Caring pharmacy for RM51. Guardian around RM49.

NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCES

1) First thing I noticed after taking the DHA is the soreness or dryness on my lips was gone.

Before I had to apply and reapply lip balm in the morning, afternoon and night to prevent Angelina Jolie's lips.

I called it Jolie's lips cos the cracked lips / soreness and redness was so bad that my upper lips lines expanded and look thicker.

2) Second thing I noticed I do not need to apply Cetaphil cream on my legs anymore as they are no longer dry.

I thought that's great.. but the price was a bit of a put off.. at about RM1.50 per capsule it's quite costly since I have to take it everyday and I have to take other supplements as well.

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

So to cut costs, I tried GNC's DHA instead.

It's only *RM47.40 for 60 capsule (*if purchased as GNC VIP during birthday month but normal retail price is RM72.90).

Comparison between Neurogain PB vs GNC DHA

VERDICT
I personally prefer Neurogain PB simply because I tend to burp fishy smell after consuming GNC's.

I did not have this problem with Neurogain PB. Also with Neurogain PB my lips were completely ok but with GNC's I occasionally (like once a week) still have to apply lip balm.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Note:-
a) the lower the EPA, the better it is for pregnant woman but 100mg is still ok but lower is better cos something to do with EPA can dilute cholesterol in the body and too much of it (more than 3gram) will thin the blood and increase risk for bleeding for normal person. So pregnant woman better avoid if possible.

b) the best time to consume DHA is after meals (any meals).

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

More photos on NeuroGain PB

Size of the capsule