Is TV bad for your baby?

Many people always tell us parents not to let our children to watch TV especially at a young age because it will definitely spoil their eyes. This would apply the same for computer screen or any kind of screen with flashing images.

In my opinion, I don't believe that watching TV would spoil our kids vision but rather the long hours of staring at the same thing for too long. This is because the main reason why children are short sighted is because when they are constantly looking at something for a long time at a constant distance, their eye muscle (more specifically which hold their lense which has the main fuction of focusing the light to the retina) does not get to contract or stretch as much. So the muscle becomes less flexible and thus affect the vision of our children.

Are The Toys Really For Your Baby Or For Yourself?

When you go to the department stores at the Baby's area, they are filled with colourful toys which are all waiting to attract your attention. You then browse through them, picking and scrutinizing each of them, thinking which toy is best for your child.

Then you found the ideal toy and bought it.

Who knew, you will be the one playing with that toy most of the time instead of your baby.

At least that usually happens to me!

What I Didn't Expect About Being A Mother & A Parent

People who are already parents or caretakers of children would usually provide you ample of advise and tips about parenthood until you would feel that you are ready for everything and nothing unexpected would happen being as a new parent.

How wrong was I. Here is a list of things which I did not expect to happen:


1. I stink most of the time. The stink mainly comes from my baby's pee, poop stains, vomit & my own sweat. Until now, I don't really have time to shower until my husband comes home to take over.

What People Don't Tell You About Parenthood

Many people always ask parents, "How does it feel to be a parent? Is it hard?"

The most common answer I always hear would be, "Even though it is hard, it is worth it. It makes you a better person and I have never been happier in my life."

Well, that phrase it true up to a point, but I feel that this phrase just makes parenthood sound easy and bearable when the truth is, sometimes (or most of the time) it just drives us nuts but we don't want to admit it because most of us feel that if we complain about it, we are considered as bad parents.

Part Time Working, Full Time Mommy

From this mommy experience, I have realised that being a mommy especially a full time mommy is not an easy task. Being a full time mom is NOT the same as having a full time job.

A full time worker working hours is usually 9AM to 5PM in Malaysia. A full time mom working hours is 12AM to 12AM during the first 6 months especially if you are an exclusive breastfeeder. A full time mom doesn't really work continuously from 12 to 12 but there is not such thing as off office hours because if there is no baby stuff to do for that moment, you are basically in standby mode. You are never really off duty.

How Do You Find Your Own Mother Instincts?

When I was young, I always wondered how this Mother's Instincts works. Does it just switched on once your give birth? Or it is some kind of talent? Do you need to train it? What is this anyway?

Here is a list of what it may be:

1. It is your mother's own voice in your head telling you if your parenting skills is right or wrong.
2. It is your naggy side telling you how you should 'parent' your kid.
3. It is silence. You just don't hear it.
4. It is a reflex thing, just like how you knock something on your knee and your knee jerks.
5. It's a gut feeling.
6. It is common sense which is not so common anymore.

Do You Really Need Parenting Books?

Before I gave birth, many people including many new parents told me that I MUST get a good parenting book which will help me a lot being a new parent.

I was quite hesitant because here in Malaysia, parenting books are really expensive and many of the guides does not apply to the style of Asian parenting. And also you can get plenty of good guidance from the internet and baby forums such as Baby Centre which I commonly visit to get some opinions. Also with parenting books, different authors would have different rules and guides so basically there is no standard rule on parenting.

How Breastfeeding Changed My Boobies

Since I have heard that breast milk is the best, I wanted to try to breastfeed my baby too and wondered what was the hype all about.

I had very little milk the first few weeks, so my baby was always crying because he was hungry. So I had supplemented his feed with some formula milk. But because he was drinking from the bottle as well as breastfeeding, soon he had this thing called nipple confusion. And then I decided to just pump and feed my milk using the bottle as I thought he would be using bottles in the end, so why not just start from now.

How Does Post Natal Depression Feels Like

After my baby was out, the first few days in the hospital was awesome. I enjoyed spending time with my baby & breastfeeding him.

Then it was time to bring my little one home.

In the Chinese tradition, I have to go through a 'Confinement' period where by it is a period when I will be taken cared by another person to heal my body. Usually a 'Confinement Lady' (CL) will be hired to cook for the new mother as well as take care of the newborn for a month. Why is it called the confinement period? Well I think it is mainly because new mothers are supposed to avoid their body from being in contact with any 'cold' situations for an example gush of wind, rain water etc. It is believed that these 'cold encounters' are able to affect the new mother's health later in life. They are supposed to keep warm during this period by eating 'warm' food such as ginger & rice wine and staying warm by avoiding cold areas or even refrain from using a fan!

The Day It Happens - Giving Birth

The occasion of giving birth is very unique.

A predicted date is given.

Way before it happens, thinking of it makes you feel scared, anxious or you most probably had panic at one time.

When it is closer to the date, you start to accept the fact that you will go through it and start preparing for the day. You start to do all sorts of activities hoping to make the day easier which is quick and fast. You start to research through the internet. You would start to make your daily schedule packed by going swimming, brisk walking, pre-natal yoga etc.