Are we just over worried mom?

Yesterday i wasted a cool show in ABC 1 "best way bring up your baby". then it got me thinking on the parenting methods being used in the 50's, 60's & 70's, with each having wide gap between em. Also at that time, there was no internet for moms to be checking up on the facts on parenting tips. They just follow whatever other people are doing.

Seriously i pretty much disagree with 50's method (Dr Spork)coz they agree that smoking is good, menjemur anak selama 4jam is good, formula milk is better than breastmilk (your must sumbat your baby as much formula as you can and gap between each feed is 4hours only, jgn gatal2 bagi before 4hours up. so lantak aa anak ko lapo) & it is not right to cuddle your child (only to touch your baby during feeding & change).

I really like the 70's method (Dr Truby King), the Continuum Concept. Its pretty much on what I'm doing now, where a child should have excess to breast at anytime, the mom babywear, co-sleep & a child could never have enough of lovin'! I feel by this way, parents & child bond faster, the baby is healthier & happier, and its kinda hippy..huhuhuhuh...

While i was researching on these method, i stumble upon this funny article. it goes:

"To All The Kids Who Survived The 1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, bread and butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because we were always outside playing.

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms...we had friends and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live in us forever.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all!

And you are one of them! Congratulations!

Received from Frank Smith, February 16, 2005"

There is some truth there kan? In any era pun, in whatsoever parenting method applied pun, in the end the baby grew up to be a person jugak. Not like the kid will turn up to be an alien.

Are we just over worried mom?

Yesterday i wasted a cool show in ABC 1 "best way bring up your baby". then it got me thinking on the parenting methods being used in the 50's, 60's & 70's, with each having wide gap between em. Also at that time, there was no internet for moms to be checking up on the facts on parenting tips. They just follow whatever other people are doing.

Seriously i pretty much disagree with 50's method (Dr Spork)coz they agree that smoking is good, menjemur anak selama 4jam is good, formula milk is better than breastmilk (your must sumbat your baby as much formula as you can and gap between each feed is 4hours only, jgn gatal2 bagi before 4hours up. so lantak aa anak ko lapo) & it is not right to cuddle your child (only to touch your baby during feeding & change).

I really like the 70's method (Dr Truby King), the Continuum Concept. Its pretty much on what I'm doing now, where a child should have excess to breast at anytime, the mom babywear, co-sleep & a child could never have enough of lovin'! I feel by this way, parents & child bond faster, the baby is healthier & happier, and its kinda hippy..huhuhuhuh...

While i was researching on these method, i stumble upon this funny article. it goes:

"To All The Kids Who Survived The 1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, bread and butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because we were always outside playing.

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms...we had friends and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live in us forever.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all!

And you are one of them! Congratulations!

Received from Frank Smith, February 16, 2005"

There is some truth there kan? In any era pun, in whatsoever parenting method applied pun, in the end the baby grew up to be a person jugak. Not like the kid will turn up to be an alien.

still adjusting & looking for place to rent

papa-miya bloated with stress (seems no luck in our house hunting), miya showed her serius face & mama-miya got dark circle around her eyes (in desperate need for concealer & lippy)
miya joined the salvation army for good cause
mama-miya lost in the bush to help the bushfire animal victims

still adjusting & looking for place to rent

papa-miya bloated with stress (seems no luck in our house hunting), miya showed her serius face & mama-miya got dark circle around her eyes (in desperate need for concealer & lippy)
miya joined the salvation army for good cause
mama-miya lost in the bush to help the bushfire animal victims

Mama, Papa & Miya adjusting to the new place

superrrrrr.....tired!!!

Mama, Papa & Miya adjusting to the new place

superrrrrr.....tired!!!

miya's passion on books-Mama made lapbooks for miya

Cognitive development for your baby means the learning process of memory, language, thinking and reasoning. Your baby is learning to recognize the sound of your voice. She is also learning to focus her vision from the periphery or the corner of her eyes to the center. Language development is more than uttering sounds (“babble”), or mama/dada.

Listening, understanding, and knowing the names of people and things are all components of language development. During this stage, your baby is also developing bonds of love and trust with you. The way you cuddle, hold, and play with your baby will set the basis for how he will interact with you and others.

Positive Parenting

• Talk to your baby. It is soothing to hear your voice.

• When your baby makes sounds, answer him by repeating and adding words. This will help him learn to use language.

• Read to your baby. This helps her develop and understand language and sounds.

• Sing to your baby.

• Play music. This helps your baby develop a love for music and math.

• Praise your baby and give him lots of loving attention.

• Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. This helps her feel cared for and secure.

• The best time to play with your baby is when he’s alert and relaxed. Watch your baby closely for signs of being tired or fussy so that you can take a break.

• Parenting can be hard work! Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is easier to enjoy your new baby and be a positive, loving parent when you are feeling good yourself.

miya's passion on books-Mama made lapbooks for miya

Cognitive development for your baby means the learning process of memory, language, thinking and reasoning. Your baby is learning to recognize the sound of your voice. She is also learning to focus her vision from the periphery or the corner of her eyes to the center. Language development is more than uttering sounds (“babble”), or mama/dada.

Listening, understanding, and knowing the names of people and things are all components of language development. During this stage, your baby is also developing bonds of love and trust with you. The way you cuddle, hold, and play with your baby will set the basis for how he will interact with you and others.

Positive Parenting

• Talk to your baby. It is soothing to hear your voice.

• When your baby makes sounds, answer him by repeating and adding words. This will help him learn to use language.

• Read to your baby. This helps her develop and understand language and sounds.

• Sing to your baby.

• Play music. This helps your baby develop a love for music and math.

• Praise your baby and give him lots of loving attention.

• Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. This helps her feel cared for and secure.

• The best time to play with your baby is when he’s alert and relaxed. Watch your baby closely for signs of being tired or fussy so that you can take a break.

• Parenting can be hard work! Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is easier to enjoy your new baby and be a positive, loving parent when you are feeling good yourself.

To Walker or Not to Walker?

What is a baby walker & jumper?

A baby walker is a device that can be used by infants who cannot walk on their own to move from one place to another. Most commonly, it has a base made of hard plastic sitting on top of wheels and a suspended fabric seat with two leg holes. A baby walker often has toys attached to the top to entertain the baby. It is designed for a child between 4 and 16 months.

The baby jumper is a devide that used by infants to jump it in. It a device that allows the baby to be standing just like the walker, but it stays stationed.

These devices should only be used by infants who have gained their upper body strength, sitting up straight without back support.

Will baby walkers and jumpers help my baby learn to walk?

No. In fact, studies have shown that babies who use a walker may actually learn to walk about a month later than those who don't. Walkers allow babies to move around before they are physically ready for it, which can cause unusual movement patterns and delayed muscle control.

Babies learn to walk in part by watching and understanding how their feet and legs move. If a walker has a tray, they can't see what's happening with their lower body and don't get the information they need about their motor development.

Are infant walkers safe?

The position of the American Academy of Pediatrics is clear though. In their fact sheet 'Baby Walkers are Dangerous!' they advise that you should 'throw away your baby walker' based on the fact that:

• Baby walkers send more than 14,000 children to the hospital every year, and
• 34 children have died since 1973 because of baby walkers.

The AAP has gone so far as to call for 'a ban on the manufacture and sale of baby walkers with wheels '

Mobile baby walkers are still popular though.

Older infants seem to enjoy them, as they often quickly get bored in stationary walkers, even the newer ones with all of the bells and whistles.

As the statistics from the AAP show, many infants are injured when they use a mobile infant walker.

Injuries include:

• falls, especially down stairs
• pinch injuries to fingers and toes
• burns
• poisonings
• drowning

Most of these injuries aren't because the walker itself is dangerous, but only that it makes your child more mobile, which can cause injuries if your house isn't well childproofed. Afterall, your infant isn't going to get burned or poisoned by the walker. Instead, using a walker, he can get to and knock over a hot cup of coffee, pull something off of the stove, get too close to a fireplace or grab something poisonous out of a cabinet.

Why I decided to let Miya use the walker dispite all of these information I’ve learned from the Experts?

Miya started using the walker at the age of 5months. At that age, she could sit up straight without needing any additional support to the back.

Mama-miya also learned that it is ok to use the walker if we are using an Infant Walker Safely.

Millions of infant walkers are sold each year, so I don't see anyone stopping the manufacturing of this device. Our people is still using it, and we don’t really see parents rushing to the ER everyday with their walker related injury on an infant, but we do see parents rushing in with a NEGLECT related injury.

So what important here? that means making sure your home is childproofed and keep the walker away from stairs, your pool and parts of your home that are not childproofed.

Many parents don't think about childproofing until their child is crawling or walking, but if you are using a non-stationary walker with wheels, then your infant is going to be mobile and you have to get things childproofed, including:

• placing covers on electrical outlets and latches on drawers and cabinets
• prevent poisonings by keeping household cleaners, chemicals and medicines completely out of reach
• removing furniture with sharp edges or use soft guards.
• removing heavy objects and breakables from low tables and shelves
• not carrying hot liquids or food near your child and not allowing your child near stoves, heaters or other hot appliances (especially curling irons)
• locking rooms (with a childproof lock or door knob cover) that are not childproof and the exterior doors of your house so that your child can't get out the front door or into the garage, attic, or backyard without help

You also want to make sure that you are using a newer model infant walker that meets new voluntary safety standards, including having a wide base so that they can't fit through most doorways and a braking mechanism so that the walker stops if one or more wheels come off of the ground, like if it was going down stairs.

And be sure to always supervise your child in a mobile walker. Remember that most infants are quite fast in these walkers and can quickly get away from you and the AAP does say that 'walkers are never safe to use, even with close adult supervision' and that many walker injuries occur while the child was being supervised by an adult.

At first, between age 5-8months, I let Miya sit in her walker without the roller/wheels. I turned her walker into a non-mobile activity station. Station..Stationary Position. Get it? If she’s going nowhere, lesser risk for accident to happen.

As many experts do believe that the risks of using a mobile infant walker far outweighs the benefits, you might consider avoiding mobile walkers and just use a stationary activity center instead.

So we became her learning desk, dining table and also a baby seater (where she can just sit up straight while watching mama-miya do the housework or read or blogging or forming…hehehe).

Recently, Miya at late 8months, she started to be climbing, crawling and cruising around the furnitures, she started this Daredevil Act…LOOK MAMA, NO HANDS!! There are times she successfully take a step or two and then take her seat on the floor, but there are times she comes crashing down on the floor. Usually elbow or head first. When the pain is manageable, she will persistently stand up again (I forgot to mention that she have started to stand on her own from the seating position without having to hold onto or climbing on stuff. Made me proud, at age 8months!!) and try walking. When it really hurts, she will give a hell of a cry for a few seconds. The pain will definitely go away after mama “jampi” at the pain area (it’s the comfort of a mom that counts, right?).

Back on topic, I decided to put her on the walker with wheels now. I decided to let her explore the house and learn to use her feet with the guard of the walker. I don’t feel it is ok to let her keep on falling down. Kang anak aku jadi bodoh tak pasal-pasal kan? We would never know if the knock on the head is ok or not, right? So better safe than sorry.

So is the house child proof? So far so good, since I’ve packed most of our stuff to be shipped to Melbourne, the house is almost empty. Miya did went into the kitchen and open the cabinet, to her despair, no more plated and cups in there for her to serve to papa and mama.

To Walker or Not to Walker?

What is a baby walker & jumper?

A baby walker is a device that can be used by infants who cannot walk on their own to move from one place to another. Most commonly, it has a base made of hard plastic sitting on top of wheels and a suspended fabric seat with two leg holes. A baby walker often has toys attached to the top to entertain the baby. It is designed for a child between 4 and 16 months.

The baby jumper is a devide that used by infants to jump it in. It a device that allows the baby to be standing just like the walker, but it stays stationed.

These devices should only be used by infants who have gained their upper body strength, sitting up straight without back support.

Will baby walkers and jumpers help my baby learn to walk?

No. In fact, studies have shown that babies who use a walker may actually learn to walk about a month later than those who don't. Walkers allow babies to move around before they are physically ready for it, which can cause unusual movement patterns and delayed muscle control.

Babies learn to walk in part by watching and understanding how their feet and legs move. If a walker has a tray, they can't see what's happening with their lower body and don't get the information they need about their motor development.

Are infant walkers safe?

The position of the American Academy of Pediatrics is clear though. In their fact sheet 'Baby Walkers are Dangerous!' they advise that you should 'throw away your baby walker' based on the fact that:

• Baby walkers send more than 14,000 children to the hospital every year, and
• 34 children have died since 1973 because of baby walkers.

The AAP has gone so far as to call for 'a ban on the manufacture and sale of baby walkers with wheels '

Mobile baby walkers are still popular though.

Older infants seem to enjoy them, as they often quickly get bored in stationary walkers, even the newer ones with all of the bells and whistles.

As the statistics from the AAP show, many infants are injured when they use a mobile infant walker.

Injuries include:

• falls, especially down stairs
• pinch injuries to fingers and toes
• burns
• poisonings
• drowning

Most of these injuries aren't because the walker itself is dangerous, but only that it makes your child more mobile, which can cause injuries if your house isn't well childproofed. Afterall, your infant isn't going to get burned or poisoned by the walker. Instead, using a walker, he can get to and knock over a hot cup of coffee, pull something off of the stove, get too close to a fireplace or grab something poisonous out of a cabinet.

Why I decided to let Miya use the walker dispite all of these information I’ve learned from the Experts?

Miya started using the walker at the age of 5months. At that age, she could sit up straight without needing any additional support to the back.

Mama-miya also learned that it is ok to use the walker if we are using an Infant Walker Safely.

Millions of infant walkers are sold each year, so I don't see anyone stopping the manufacturing of this device. Our people is still using it, and we don’t really see parents rushing to the ER everyday with their walker related injury on an infant, but we do see parents rushing in with a NEGLECT related injury.

So what important here? that means making sure your home is childproofed and keep the walker away from stairs, your pool and parts of your home that are not childproofed.

Many parents don't think about childproofing until their child is crawling or walking, but if you are using a non-stationary walker with wheels, then your infant is going to be mobile and you have to get things childproofed, including:

• placing covers on electrical outlets and latches on drawers and cabinets
• prevent poisonings by keeping household cleaners, chemicals and medicines completely out of reach
• removing furniture with sharp edges or use soft guards.
• removing heavy objects and breakables from low tables and shelves
• not carrying hot liquids or food near your child and not allowing your child near stoves, heaters or other hot appliances (especially curling irons)
• locking rooms (with a childproof lock or door knob cover) that are not childproof and the exterior doors of your house so that your child can't get out the front door or into the garage, attic, or backyard without help

You also want to make sure that you are using a newer model infant walker that meets new voluntary safety standards, including having a wide base so that they can't fit through most doorways and a braking mechanism so that the walker stops if one or more wheels come off of the ground, like if it was going down stairs.

And be sure to always supervise your child in a mobile walker. Remember that most infants are quite fast in these walkers and can quickly get away from you and the AAP does say that 'walkers are never safe to use, even with close adult supervision' and that many walker injuries occur while the child was being supervised by an adult.

At first, between age 5-8months, I let Miya sit in her walker without the roller/wheels. I turned her walker into a non-mobile activity station. Station..Stationary Position. Get it? If she’s going nowhere, lesser risk for accident to happen.

As many experts do believe that the risks of using a mobile infant walker far outweighs the benefits, you might consider avoiding mobile walkers and just use a stationary activity center instead.

So we became her learning desk, dining table and also a baby seater (where she can just sit up straight while watching mama-miya do the housework or read or blogging or forming…hehehe).

Recently, Miya at late 8months, she started to be climbing, crawling and cruising around the furnitures, she started this Daredevil Act…LOOK MAMA, NO HANDS!! There are times she successfully take a step or two and then take her seat on the floor, but there are times she comes crashing down on the floor. Usually elbow or head first. When the pain is manageable, she will persistently stand up again (I forgot to mention that she have started to stand on her own from the seating position without having to hold onto or climbing on stuff. Made me proud, at age 8months!!) and try walking. When it really hurts, she will give a hell of a cry for a few seconds. The pain will definitely go away after mama “jampi” at the pain area (it’s the comfort of a mom that counts, right?).

Back on topic, I decided to put her on the walker with wheels now. I decided to let her explore the house and learn to use her feet with the guard of the walker. I don’t feel it is ok to let her keep on falling down. Kang anak aku jadi bodoh tak pasal-pasal kan? We would never know if the knock on the head is ok or not, right? So better safe than sorry.

So is the house child proof? So far so good, since I’ve packed most of our stuff to be shipped to Melbourne, the house is almost empty. Miya did went into the kitchen and open the cabinet, to her despair, no more plated and cups in there for her to serve to papa and mama.

Dont Drink & Drive (Sippy Cup & Walker)

What is a sippy cup?

A sippy cup is a training cup with a screw- or snap-on lid and a spout that lets your child drink without spilling. You can get models with or without handles and with a variety of spouts. Sippy cups can be a great way for your baby to transition from nursing or bottle-feeding to a regular cup. They can also help improve hand-to-mouth coordination. When your baby has the motor skills to handle a cup, but not the skills to keep the drink from spilling, a sippy cup can give him some independence while keeping cleanup to a minimum. As for Miya's i beli Nubi Sippy Cup with soft spout. Its RM29++.

When should I introduce a sippy cup?

Some babies enjoy a sippy as early as 5 or 6 months, and others aren't interested until after their first birthdays. Most babies seem ready around 7 to 9 months, though...Miya only started using it yesterday...9months...all for the reason coz Mama-miya takut Miya refuse breast. Weird thinking kan?

What's the best way to transition to a sippy cup?

Some babies take to a sippy cup immediately; others take a while to get used to the idea. Here are some tips on making the transition easier:

• Start off with a soft, pliable, nipplelike spout, which will feel more familiar to your baby than a hard plastic spout.

• Show your baby how to raise the cup to his mouth and tip it up to drink.

• Give it some time. Until your baby masters the maneuvers, you may want to put only water in the cup. When he shakes or throws it, even a sippy might not keep purple grape juice from hitting the carpet.

• Don't worry if your baby doesn't use the sippy cup properly for a while. It makes a fine toy, too!

• Try different models until you find one that suits your baby. Some cups have valves that are so effective at keeping the liquid from spilling that children really have to work to get a drink.

• Encourage your child to use a regular cup when you think he's ready.

What should I do if my child refuses the sippy cup?

Babies have all kinds of reasons for rejecting sippy cups. And of course, there's no law saying he ever has to use one. Some babies graduate from breast or bottle straight to a regular cup. If you'd rather your baby learn to use a sippy, though — for convenience, or because you think it'll make a good transition for him — moms have used these tactics successfully:

• Dip the tip of the sippy spout into the milk or juice and then give it to your baby. He may just need a hint!

• Show your baby that the spout is like a nipple (it needs to be sucked on). Try touching the tip of the spout to the roof of his mouth to stimulate his sucking reflex.

• If he drinks from a bottle, give him half of his formula in the bottle. When it's empty, switch to the sippy cup for the second half of the feeding (continue to hold him as for bottle-feeding). Or put a bottle nipple (without the bottle) in his mouth and after he starts sucking, replace it with the sippy spout. Some moms have even had success telling their baby it's time for the "ba-ba" — and simply substituting the sippy for the bottle.

• If your baby sucks on the sippy spout but doesn't get anything, try taking out the valve that controls the flow (if his sippy cup has one of these and it's removable). It'll be messy at first, but once he learns to handle the cup you can put the valve back in and he'll probably be willing to suck harder for his drink. Or make an extra slit in the valve to allow the liquid to flow more easily.

• Work backward. Teach your baby to drink from the sippy without the lid first. Put just a teaspoon or two of liquid in at a time and help him raise the cup to his mouth. After he gets the hang of that (and sees that there's liquid inside the cup), then put the lid on (without the valve, if there is one). Finally, put the valve in and let him take over.

• Offer your baby a straw. Some baby cups come with built-in straws, and some babies find these easier to use than a spout (though others will look at you, clueless). If your baby does get the hang of sucking from a straw, he may then be better able to handle sucking from the spout.

• Switch beverages. Some babies will drink water or juice — but not breast milk or formula — from a sippy. Sometimes it's a matter of association (milk belongs in a bottle or breast). Some moms have had success waiting to introduce the sippy cup until their baby is ready to start drinking whole milk (at age 1).

• Show him how. Get yourself a sippy and let your baby see you drink from it. Or have a sibling drink from a sippy in front of the baby. Sometimes all it takes is a little sucking noise (make it when you give him the cup) to inspire a baby to start sucking. One mom sat down with her cup of water and her baby's sippy cup of water. She drank from her cup, then helped her baby drink from her cup. Then she drank from the sippy and offered it to the baby for his turn — and voila.

• Shop around. There are all kinds of sippy cups, with all kinds of spouts. There are even bottles that transition from a regular bottle to a bottle with handles to a sippy cup with a lid and straw to a regular toddler cup. Sippy cups aren't too expensive, so it's worth letting your baby test-drive several if the one in hand isn't working. (And as he grows to toddlerhood, you might let him pick out a brand-new kind himself, just for fun.)

What not to do

Using a sippy cup may seem like a piece of cake, but there are some pitfalls you'll want to avoid:

• Never let your child take a sippy cup of juice or milk to bed. The sugars can pool in his mouth and cause terrible tooth decay. The same goes for walking around with one in hand, nursing it for hours on end.

• Thoroughly clean the cup (especially the lid and plastic stopper) between uses. Liquid can easily become trapped in the nooks and crannies of a sippy cup and valve, leading to the growth of bacteria and mold. If you can't wash a sippy cup right away, try to at least give it a good rinse. If that's not possible, drain any remaining liquid and take it apart. Periodically check your lids and valves for damage or mold.

• Don't give your baby cows' milk in the sippy until he's a year old. (Formula or breast milk is fine.) Between 8 and 10 months, he can start drinking non-citrus juices, but wait until he's a year old to introduce citrus drinks. Choose pulp-free varieties because the pulp in orange juice and other citrus juices can clog the plastic valve.

• Don't expect the sippy cup to be the magic answer to weaning. For some babies the sippy simply replaces the bottle and presents you with another weaning challenge. Still, many parents find it more acceptable to see their growing child with a sippy than a bottle in hand. And if used properly, a sippy cup can be less damaging to your baby's teeth than a bottle.

• Don't refill the sippy cup with fruit juice or milk throughout the day. If your baby has had his quota of juice or milk, then refill his sippy with water when he's thirsty.

How much juice/milk/water should I give my baby each day in his sippy?

If your baby starts using a sippy cup before he can drink juice or whole milk, simply give him a portion of his breast milk or formula in the sippy cup each day. If he's thirsty between feedings, refill the sippy with water. When your baby starts drinking non-citrus juice (not before 8 months), give him no more than half a cup of juice a day, in addition to his formula or breast milk.

Once your child starts drinking whole milk (at age 1), experts recommend no more than 24 ounces of milk and one cup of juice per day. More than that and you're asking for cavities and a toddler who's too full to eat at mealtime. If your child gets thirsty after he's had his quota of juice and milk, simply fill the sippy with water.

And now about the walker...hmmm..long story, I'll talk about it in the next posting. I'll write about my i decide to buy a walker, when i let miya use the walker, the progress i see when Miya is on the walker...and the most important, the safety issues regarding walker!!

*note- article ni from babycenter..with little unmoderated comment/voiceover from mama-miya.

Dont Drink & Drive (Sippy Cup & Walker)

What is a sippy cup?

A sippy cup is a training cup with a screw- or snap-on lid and a spout that lets your child drink without spilling. You can get models with or without handles and with a variety of spouts. Sippy cups can be a great way for your baby to transition from nursing or bottle-feeding to a regular cup. They can also help improve hand-to-mouth coordination. When your baby has the motor skills to handle a cup, but not the skills to keep the drink from spilling, a sippy cup can give him some independence while keeping cleanup to a minimum. As for Miya's i beli Nubi Sippy Cup with soft spout. Its RM29++.

When should I introduce a sippy cup?

Some babies enjoy a sippy as early as 5 or 6 months, and others aren't interested until after their first birthdays. Most babies seem ready around 7 to 9 months, though...Miya only started using it yesterday...9months...all for the reason coz Mama-miya takut Miya refuse breast. Weird thinking kan?

What's the best way to transition to a sippy cup?

Some babies take to a sippy cup immediately; others take a while to get used to the idea. Here are some tips on making the transition easier:

• Start off with a soft, pliable, nipplelike spout, which will feel more familiar to your baby than a hard plastic spout.

• Show your baby how to raise the cup to his mouth and tip it up to drink.

• Give it some time. Until your baby masters the maneuvers, you may want to put only water in the cup. When he shakes or throws it, even a sippy might not keep purple grape juice from hitting the carpet.

• Don't worry if your baby doesn't use the sippy cup properly for a while. It makes a fine toy, too!

• Try different models until you find one that suits your baby. Some cups have valves that are so effective at keeping the liquid from spilling that children really have to work to get a drink.

• Encourage your child to use a regular cup when you think he's ready.

What should I do if my child refuses the sippy cup?

Babies have all kinds of reasons for rejecting sippy cups. And of course, there's no law saying he ever has to use one. Some babies graduate from breast or bottle straight to a regular cup. If you'd rather your baby learn to use a sippy, though — for convenience, or because you think it'll make a good transition for him — moms have used these tactics successfully:

• Dip the tip of the sippy spout into the milk or juice and then give it to your baby. He may just need a hint!

• Show your baby that the spout is like a nipple (it needs to be sucked on). Try touching the tip of the spout to the roof of his mouth to stimulate his sucking reflex.

• If he drinks from a bottle, give him half of his formula in the bottle. When it's empty, switch to the sippy cup for the second half of the feeding (continue to hold him as for bottle-feeding). Or put a bottle nipple (without the bottle) in his mouth and after he starts sucking, replace it with the sippy spout. Some moms have even had success telling their baby it's time for the "ba-ba" — and simply substituting the sippy for the bottle.

• If your baby sucks on the sippy spout but doesn't get anything, try taking out the valve that controls the flow (if his sippy cup has one of these and it's removable). It'll be messy at first, but once he learns to handle the cup you can put the valve back in and he'll probably be willing to suck harder for his drink. Or make an extra slit in the valve to allow the liquid to flow more easily.

• Work backward. Teach your baby to drink from the sippy without the lid first. Put just a teaspoon or two of liquid in at a time and help him raise the cup to his mouth. After he gets the hang of that (and sees that there's liquid inside the cup), then put the lid on (without the valve, if there is one). Finally, put the valve in and let him take over.

• Offer your baby a straw. Some baby cups come with built-in straws, and some babies find these easier to use than a spout (though others will look at you, clueless). If your baby does get the hang of sucking from a straw, he may then be better able to handle sucking from the spout.

• Switch beverages. Some babies will drink water or juice — but not breast milk or formula — from a sippy. Sometimes it's a matter of association (milk belongs in a bottle or breast). Some moms have had success waiting to introduce the sippy cup until their baby is ready to start drinking whole milk (at age 1).

• Show him how. Get yourself a sippy and let your baby see you drink from it. Or have a sibling drink from a sippy in front of the baby. Sometimes all it takes is a little sucking noise (make it when you give him the cup) to inspire a baby to start sucking. One mom sat down with her cup of water and her baby's sippy cup of water. She drank from her cup, then helped her baby drink from her cup. Then she drank from the sippy and offered it to the baby for his turn — and voila.

• Shop around. There are all kinds of sippy cups, with all kinds of spouts. There are even bottles that transition from a regular bottle to a bottle with handles to a sippy cup with a lid and straw to a regular toddler cup. Sippy cups aren't too expensive, so it's worth letting your baby test-drive several if the one in hand isn't working. (And as he grows to toddlerhood, you might let him pick out a brand-new kind himself, just for fun.)

What not to do

Using a sippy cup may seem like a piece of cake, but there are some pitfalls you'll want to avoid:

• Never let your child take a sippy cup of juice or milk to bed. The sugars can pool in his mouth and cause terrible tooth decay. The same goes for walking around with one in hand, nursing it for hours on end.

• Thoroughly clean the cup (especially the lid and plastic stopper) between uses. Liquid can easily become trapped in the nooks and crannies of a sippy cup and valve, leading to the growth of bacteria and mold. If you can't wash a sippy cup right away, try to at least give it a good rinse. If that's not possible, drain any remaining liquid and take it apart. Periodically check your lids and valves for damage or mold.

• Don't give your baby cows' milk in the sippy until he's a year old. (Formula or breast milk is fine.) Between 8 and 10 months, he can start drinking non-citrus juices, but wait until he's a year old to introduce citrus drinks. Choose pulp-free varieties because the pulp in orange juice and other citrus juices can clog the plastic valve.

• Don't expect the sippy cup to be the magic answer to weaning. For some babies the sippy simply replaces the bottle and presents you with another weaning challenge. Still, many parents find it more acceptable to see their growing child with a sippy than a bottle in hand. And if used properly, a sippy cup can be less damaging to your baby's teeth than a bottle.

• Don't refill the sippy cup with fruit juice or milk throughout the day. If your baby has had his quota of juice or milk, then refill his sippy with water when he's thirsty.

How much juice/milk/water should I give my baby each day in his sippy?

If your baby starts using a sippy cup before he can drink juice or whole milk, simply give him a portion of his breast milk or formula in the sippy cup each day. If he's thirsty between feedings, refill the sippy with water. When your baby starts drinking non-citrus juice (not before 8 months), give him no more than half a cup of juice a day, in addition to his formula or breast milk.

Once your child starts drinking whole milk (at age 1), experts recommend no more than 24 ounces of milk and one cup of juice per day. More than that and you're asking for cavities and a toddler who's too full to eat at mealtime. If your child gets thirsty after he's had his quota of juice and milk, simply fill the sippy with water.

And now about the walker...hmmm..long story, I'll talk about it in the next posting. I'll write about my i decide to buy a walker, when i let miya use the walker, the progress i see when Miya is on the walker...and the most important, the safety issues regarding walker!!

*note- article ni from babycenter..with little unmoderated comment/voiceover from mama-miya.

Lapbook Fever! A personalized visual book! Watch the video h

Lapbook Fever! A personalized visual book! Watch the video h

Miya Curi Makan!! Adult food is Yummy-er?

Before this I was worried about Miya not eating as much as how she used to. This morning she ate only half of her oatmeal. Then just now while i was foruming, I realized that suddenly the room is quiet. No Miya's chatter box or no knocking on the TV cabinet...Got a bit worried "Weh..Mana anak aku?"

Then there I saw, Miya at the coffeetable, standing with one hand holding onto the coffeetable & with the lefthand holding kuih Keria. "WOAH..syok anak aku gonyeh kuih keria". yup at the same time she was doing kinda dancing shaking kinda stand.

"Oh..syok dpt makan benda yg bergula eek!"

The floor was covered with the sugaring from the kuih.

"Mati aaa kita Miya, nnt Tok Ma blk dr opis & see the mess. Lantak, mama report kat Tok Ma". Miya just buat dek & continue mengonyeh the kuih.

Then br I realize, yesterday while we ate lunch at Tesco Extra Ipoh, miya was drooling over my lunch, so i gave her a taste of the Loh She Fun. "Sluuup..Aaaah..Naaaa" the sound Miya made, it means MORE PLS! Then it goes the same with the cendol we had for dessert.

Then i think hard. yeah kelmarin when we were in Bukit Mertajam, she was also eyeing for my Char Kueh Teow. But I buat dek coz its filled with Egg & Seafood. Then before that, she did enjoy sharing my Nasi Bungkus with me.

So, i believe this little one decided that she wants to grow up fast & so she wants to eat adult food & not her usual baby food. Aiyoo..you are growing up so fast la, anak dara mama.

Hmm..so today for lunch i have to start cooking & put aside some lauk for miya, before i add the salt to our dishes.

Miya Curi Makan!! Adult food is Yummy-er?

Before this I was worried about Miya not eating as much as how she used to. This morning she ate only half of her oatmeal. Then just now while i was foruming, I realized that suddenly the room is quiet. No Miya's chatter box or no knocking on the TV cabinet...Got a bit worried "Weh..Mana anak aku?"

Then there I saw, Miya at the coffeetable, standing with one hand holding onto the coffeetable & with the lefthand holding kuih Keria. "WOAH..syok anak aku gonyeh kuih keria". yup at the same time she was doing kinda dancing shaking kinda stand.

"Oh..syok dpt makan benda yg bergula eek!"

The floor was covered with the sugaring from the kuih.

"Mati aaa kita Miya, nnt Tok Ma blk dr opis & see the mess. Lantak, mama report kat Tok Ma". Miya just buat dek & continue mengonyeh the kuih.

Then br I realize, yesterday while we ate lunch at Tesco Extra Ipoh, miya was drooling over my lunch, so i gave her a taste of the Loh She Fun. "Sluuup..Aaaah..Naaaa" the sound Miya made, it means MORE PLS! Then it goes the same with the cendol we had for dessert.

Then i think hard. yeah kelmarin when we were in Bukit Mertajam, she was also eyeing for my Char Kueh Teow. But I buat dek coz its filled with Egg & Seafood. Then before that, she did enjoy sharing my Nasi Bungkus with me.

So, i believe this little one decided that she wants to grow up fast & so she wants to eat adult food & not her usual baby food. Aiyoo..you are growing up so fast la, anak dara mama.

Hmm..so today for lunch i have to start cooking & put aside some lauk for miya, before i add the salt to our dishes.