Time to start back again

wow..been such a long time since i've last written on this blog..
time creeps by very quickly without you really noticing..
shane boy is already almost 6 months now.. we're starting his first soft diet.. Just loving it! well done shane boy..

anyway..we 're also starting up a online site for sales of cute baby, cozy kids and comfortable maternity wear and products.. do take a look and appreciate all your support and comments

visit www.shaneboy.com

xxx
sharon

Signapore Parenting Portal

There appears to be a Singapore parenting portal that promotes parenting using Asian culture. We talk about local things like Sepak Takraw, playing zero point, confinement recipes, feng shui etc.

this seems to be cool.. i don't really advocate kids to start playing computer too early an age.. as a matter of fact.. studies have shown that children exposed to telly early are prone to be hyperactive.. my take is also because telly feeds information to children, so this will actually stifle the children innate need to search for answers. of course there is advantages, with telly, but i think they will learn along the way through life, telly just over exposed them..

my two cents worth.

Milestone at 4 months

What your child might do:
Physically and mentally
• Lifts head up by 90 degrees << yup can do it.
• Has stronger neck support << yup..much better now
• Is able to follow objects with eyes in a 180-degree arc << yup..always looking around and following
• Clearly recognises bottle or breast << now on formula..so not relevant
• Recognises that people have labels (that you are ‘mama’, father is ‘dada’ etc).. << maybe can start exploring for shanie to start calling me dadi dadi.. wonder if it will work. my friend claims that her niece can start saying hi! and yes!~ ..and the niece is like 2.5months?? omg!

• Likes to explore things by putting them in mouth<< oh no!! but shane hasn't start this habit although he like to play with his tongue.. gonna be a great kisser someday hee..hee..

• Reaches for favourite objects >> he does attempts to reach out.. not sure if it's purposeful though.

• Responds more actively to rattle or bell sounds << definitely..
• Makes gestures such as waving arms to be picked up << oh yes.. starting to wave wave wanting to be carried..
• Supports weight on legs with help<< yup..geez..he wants to stand now!! haven't even started to learn how to roll.

• May sit with support << yup definitely..
• May roll over from stomach to back<< yup.. but geez wheez he does grunt on occassions when he can't perform the turn..aiyo.

Language and emotions
• Makes sputtering sounds << yup..plentiful
• Babbles more often << lots of ah goo..ahh..errr..ooh..ahhhh.
• Experiments with new noises by changing shape of mouth << sure..why not..
• Laughs when tickled – may even belly laugh! << yup...beautiful and charming smile..melt your heart when he does it!

SleepBabies usually sleep for a stretch of at least six to eight hours a night by this age and take two or three naps in the day. << cool.

Ideal toys for this age
Toys with flashing lights and sounds << responding responding..

Useful tips
Do you know that baby can enjoy a good book even at this age?
Don’t worry if he/ she is more interested in eating it than reading it. Choose colourful board books, such as books about shapes and colours or books with different-textured fabric swatches. <<< looks good..will try out soon!

Celebrating Shane's 3 months

In his cutest pose.. hehe at 3 months..he's such a darling.

Babies all do behave different don't they? Little shane has very short sleep/waking periods.. light sleeper.. good in a way. not like old shawnie boy such a pig..always sleep like a log.. not good in a way because i guess the frequent waking does requires alot of attention from the carer.. not sure the implication of his brain development.

nevertheless oh boy.. he is really try to walk!! haven't even started to roll from his back (he can successfully turn from his front), haven't started to crawl... but he just keep wanting to stand!! aiyo.

shawn

how much milk does a baby drink

as little shane gets bigger, i be alittle more concern how much volume of milk is enough to satisfy him without any tummy upset.. i think alot of babies do get tummy upset, and your survival kit will be Gripewater.. it really would calm the baby down. do read the instruction and not overfeed too much though..

otherwise as for the volume of milk: http://www.babycenter.com.au/baby/formula/howmuchmilk/
is rather detail to explain the recommended volume to drink..

currently shane is reaching to three months, and he finished 4 ounce usually...maybe it's time to up his volume abit now..

shawn

Songs for Babies

Not sure have you search for songs for babies.. good to get some songs to stimulate them or calm them down.. download some songs then make a cd so that you can play..

if you have any other suggestions, do let me know.

some pretty good sites
http://www.virushead.net/babyboo/babymid.html
http://freekidsmusic.com/
http://www.sleeplullabies.com/index.html

interesting that they suggestion sounds like dryer, washing machine, car sound, tv sound will calm down the baby. sharon did try to use one of the white noise effect on shane.. doesn't work..seem to irritate him abit more...haha..even for me to listen, think i can also irritated.. maybe it will work for some babies..definitely not shane. my thoughts actually it is really not just the sound that really calms the babies, it is the environment that calms the babies..

remember that there are always the five senses: the smell, the touch, the sound, the taste, and the vision that will play important roles to create the calming effect. From my observation, there is one factor people neglect which is the vestibular/proprioception/kinesthetic effect. What is it that you ask? it is the movement, joint sensation..

give you an example: if you are taking a rollar coaster.. when going up and down..
1. you hear the screams , the sound of the wheels, the braking sound.. exciting
2. you see yourself going up and down..
3. you feel the wind gushing against your cheeks
4. you smell the adrenaline in the air .. ( not really la..dun think can smell anything except the odor of the person sitting next to you.. hee..)
5. taste.. of course nothing to taste la..

BUT BUT BUT!! ..You can feel the vestibular action of going up and down.. the SHIOK FEELING of the vertical drop right??????

So exactly babies will feel that.. that why the yao-lan (rocking cradle) plays such an important role..the yo-yo effect provides some calming effect... similar to the car.. and when you walk around while cradling him....that what our little shane respond to.. that's what i think..

shawn

Have you registered with Mum Centre

Pretty cool to receive occassional reminder email from Mum Centre. i think it is very thoughtful and well presented

http://www.mumcentre.com/

tells you of the baby milestones..what to expect...vaccination schedule..

excellent site!

do register if you can..

Baby Fever

Excellent site to understand on baby fever... pretty much similar to the explanation from the doctor..can save you $51!!

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/fever.html

Baby drinking water

There was a recent news article on babies before 6 months shouldn't be drinking water should be taken with consideration

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/weeklyquestion/a/04_baby_water.htm

http://www.todaysparent.com/baby/foodnutrition/article.jsp?content=1240

It can be a rather sensitive issues with you not wanting to feed water, and the older generation wants to feed water.. . well like many issues from baby care, to parenting... issues has to be addressed sensitively and delicately..

Baby Diarrhea

When baby don't pass motion, you get worried. When baby passes more motion than usual, you also get worried.. .. hai..being parents you just get worried from the day the sperm enters the ovary..

so little shane is passing more motion than usual... about 4 episodes of loose stools in one day...tendency to pass motion everytime during feed (usually is 1 motion every 2 days). This probably means that most of his intake has become output.. so our concern would be his hydration. More so, his input has reduced by about 20ml..

anyway it would be good to encourage him to finish up his feed and hopefully, the diarrhea can pass out his virus, and he's all well and good.

Thought this is a good site to check out on baby fever..: http://children.webmd.com/guide/infant-fever

Our only concern about fever is a typical parent concern: whether the fever heat will cause any problems to the brain.. as it has been reassured by the doctor that it wouldn't, it is important to identify the cause for the fever.. i guess serious conditions like meningitis can be very serious..that can affect the brain!!.. but otherwise it is good to exclude out serious conditions, and know that if it is common virus, your baby will get stronger after each episode! :)

Baby Help: Websites and Forums

There are plenty of information about baby help internationally and locally. Personally i still think that the information are fragmented. Meaning that there are too much websites providing information, and we get lost in the cyberspace of information.

i hope that through this simple blog, i can provide a more comprehensive listing to the various websites relating to babies for the readers. eg. where are the good forums, where to read up on babies development, etc..

no point recreating these kind of sites..too many.. now it is just providing a easy listing reference for us

What to do when baby is sick?

Little Shane has developed a low grade fever.. not sure whether classified as low grade or not. It's flatuating between 37.2 to 37.9 degree celsius. As parents, we are naturally worried and would want the fever to be in controlled. I guess it is all because of bad daddy, Shawn who developed a cough during his reservist, and probably passed the cough virus to little shanie.

When to see a paediatrician at
Anne's Baby And Child Clinic
Block 214
Jurong Street 21
#01-433
Singapore 600214

Tel : 6566 7216


Apparantly the main doctor has gone for her travel, and little shane was attended by another female doctor. I guess it is good that she is through to review all the possibilities, checking from head to toes. Cost us a cool 51 bucks. Guess nothing much can be done for babies except to take paracetamol and alot of reassurance from the doctor.

From our discussion with the doctor, she says tht it is important to find the possible cause for the fever. It could be either upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) meaning throat infection or urine infection. But likely due to the throat infection. Little Shane has to develop his immune system to resist this bad bug, and meantime, paracetamol can help to control the fever and make him feels better.

overall shanie was really well behaved during the doctor visit. I must say that we are really proud of him.

Personally we are more in favor of a paediatrician to see babies than to have a general practitioner to see. I guess babies should have a little more attention because of their low immunity. Overall i suppose that there isn't much different in their approach.. but i guess it is the assurance.

For those anxious parents who wants to see paediatricians, we went to this site for clinic listings

http://netsenger.com/afterhours/Paediatricians.htm

Searching for the one

found this on the internet.. posted on 2004. Who is the one who put up this SMS countdown message????

Valentine Day

celebrating v-day for the special one.

man..crowded crowded out there.. Billy bombers had like couple meal for 66 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bought some food from NTUC.. what beats a special unique home cook food: :)

The analytical mind of the physio

Diagnosis: My parrot fishes have fear avoidance that requires CBT! cognitive behavioral therapy with environmental modification.

Action:

After three days hiding behind the filter, some plants, leaves, and black water have been added to the aquarium to modify the environment and habitat to let the parrot fishes..named elfies (cindy name it).. to feel comfortable...

Result..they tend to seek out more..and tend to come out and gobble the feeds..

Goals..to encourage them to be less fearful and encourage more interaction of elfies with little su. eventually the leaves can be taken out...

comments: successful!

Sharon's best friend

Attending a wedding ROM for sharon's best buddy, Ms Pauline..

photos of the best friends

HELP MY PARROT FISHES

Look at them all hiding behind the filter..!!!!

oh no.. today is the second day..hope they will gain their confidence and make friends with Little Su... (provided little SU don't gobble them up)

nice thing about little su is he is not camera shy... super likes anyone that goes near him...attention seeker...heheehee.. c'mon buddy..give your friends some space!!!!

My grown fish..and still growing

My golden arrowana, Little Su.. malaysian citizen..and Singapore PR.

Now grown up..about 2 years old..

watch carefully at the filter on the left..

just bought some parrot fishes for companionship.. i think they are thinking themselves as food for Little Su.. afterall Little Su gobble up goldfish and frogs although slightly smaller than them..