New Born Baby's Shopping List

I would like to say it’s not easy to raise a child. You need to be psychologically, physically and financially prepared before decide to pregnant. Cost of the child including their education fee up to 18 years old will cost you nearly 1 million.

I’m kind of ‘super save’ guy. Here is the list I buy for my baby. All this items need to be purchase few months before delivery. Of course, I like to compare the prices during the mother and baby fair. All the manufacturer of baby product there will be fighting against the price. Item for travelling eg stroller, car seat, etc is not necessary during the first month of baby’s life. You are not encouraged to bring baby out during the confinement. Furthermore, you can get it free (from your friends, relatives) if you are lucky enough!

Bathing

Item	Quantity
Bath tub	1
Rubber duck	1
Baby shampoo/bath gel (travel set-Pureen/Anakku)	1
Baby lotion	1
Talkum powder	1
Nappy rash cream	1
Cotton balls	200s
Baby wipes 200pieces	2
Towel	2
Minyak Yuyi	1

Baby clothes

Item	Quantity
Long sleeve set	5
Short sleeve set	5
Sleeveless set	1
Rompers	2
Booties	2
Baby socks	5
Receiving blankets	2
Napkin	10
Diapers	52
Handkerchief	2
Baby laundry detergent	1

Bedding/nursery

Item	Quantity
Baby playpen+mosquito net	1
mattress	1
Water proof bedpad	1
Bouncer	1
storage box	2
toys	1
thermometer	1
dettol hadwash	1

Travel

Item	Quantity
Stroller	1
Car seat	1
Diaper bag	1

 Feeding

Item	Quantity
Breast pump	1
Feeding bottles	4oz-2 9oz-2
Pacifier	1
Feeding bottle sterilizer	1
Bottle brush	1
Food warmer	1
Milk powder dispenser	1

  

Neonatal Jaundice

Introduction

Neonatal Jaundice is a very common problem among all the new born baby. What jaundice means is yellow discoloration of skin and mucous membrance. Usually jaundice can detected easily on the skin and sclera of eyes. This yellow discoloration is due to excess of bilirubin in the blood which cannot break down in the baby due to immature liver.

Level for admission

Neonatal jaundice need to be detected and treated promptly. If the bilirubin go beyong the accepted level (normal is around 250-260 mcmol/l but also depend on age of baby) then the baby should be admitted to hospital.

Effect of bilirubin to baby

The most unwanted complication of jaundice is kernicterus, means bilirubin deposition in the baby’s brain. Of course, baby’s brain function will be permanently affected.

Causes

1.       Traditional medicine

Mother is consuming herbs that contain steroid during the breast feeding period. This steroid can pass to the baby causing jaundice

2.       Different blood group

Mother and child have different blood group. Antibody from mother can pass into baby’s body causing hemolysis.

3.       Cholestasis

Obstruction to the bile duct can cause persistent jaundice and ultrasound of the abdomen is needed.

                                     

Treatment options

1.       Avoidance of traditional medicine

2.       Phototherapy

With the help of the UV light from phototherapy, bilirubin can be broken down and excreted from the body via urine and feces

3.       Exchange transfusion

If the bilirubin go beyong critical level around 400+, then exchange transfusion is needed. What doctor do is to take out some portion of the blood and replace it with blood transfusion via the umbilical cord

Personal experience

My baby developed jaundice on D3 of life with bilirubin of 171 mcmol/l (slightly high) but did not need any treatment yet at that time. She was discharge well. During the follow up on her D7 of life, her bilirubin was 300mcmol/l and doctor recommend admission. She was admitted to Gleneagles Hospital Nursery Ward for phototherapy. First thing pediatrician asked is whether mother is taking any Chinese traditional medicine or not. You will definitely get the scolding from the doctor if your answer was yes.

After almost 1 day of phototherapy, the bilirubin level dropped to 178 mcmol/l and she was discharged home. The service in Gleneagles Hospital is excellent although it cost me around RM 500 for baby’s 1 day stay. My baby’s blood group is different from my wife. This can explain the jaundice. Some people believe that mother’s antibody entered baby’s body during labour thus  causing hemolysis (red cell break down) and jaundice.

After that, my baby jaundice was reduced and recovered. Please stop traditional medicine during jaundice period!!

Steps To Follow When You Are Planning To Have A Baby

Well, to have a baby is not easy. You need to be financially and psychological ready for this task. Otherwise, your life will be miserable. Nowaday, people who are living in KL tend to marry late, have late childbirth and few of them do not even want to have a baby. Anyhow, everyone have their own preference and i respect them.

Some people may think that baby can give u more trouble that u can imagine but all this thought will  be blew away eveytime you look at the baby face. Its so adorable and you cannot deny baby is the one who bring new excitement into your life

To cut the story short, these are the things that u need to do before you engage into pregnancy:

1. Medical check up and vitamin supplement
2. Financial planning
3. Shopping list for mother and baby
4. Find a obstetrician and follow up
5. Decide on mode of delivery and look for a paediatrician
6. Delivery
7. Partenal leave
8. Confinement lady
9. Baby sitter

All these steps will require energy, time and money. Having said that, financial affordability still the most important factor.

General Election 2013

This coming 5th May 2013 will be the 13rd general election of Malaysia. This is an exciting moment all malaysian waiting for every 4years. This is the only chance that malaysian can decide which government they want for the next 4years.

However, this is the first time i feel such a strong feeling that Barisan Nasional are starting to lose. Ever since 308 where BN lost the sit of Northern region, i start seeing the light of changing government. The closer the date of election, the more hateful i felt for BN, seeing all the flag, banner, TV advertisement and talk they organized. The money they used and wasted will be the income tax we paid.

I just hope to change the government this time no matter what it take. Although, i do agreed that Pakatan Rakyat do not have the experince to rule the country but they have the heart to fight corruption. This is the most important thing that most malaysian want.

Now fighting BN is like fighting UMNO. MCA and MIC already long gone since last election, both of them are history to us after this. So, who care? Crush UMNO, change government! I support Pakatan Rakyat.