Career mom

After 18months (great 18months) of being SAHM, I'll be returning to work again this coming Monday. Mixed of emotions and feelings..sad to leave my BabyZara to a babysitter while I'm working..surely I'm going to miss her mischievious, cheeky acts..am feeling uncertain of how the job's going to be (busy is definitely one of them), also uncertain of how the system works and hopefully my colleagues are nice and willing to help one another.

I'll be working in Paediatric department, which is a new experience. I was in Medical departent before and to start again in a new department (to re-experience this uncertain feelings all over again) is so tiring. (i'm tired even before starting the job!!) Oh God, please help make this whole new experience as smooth as it can be for me..

Because BabyZara is still breastfeeding, I will have to make time to pump the breastmilk while working. I pray that Allah s.w.t will grant me some times to do so and I also pray that my milk supply would be abundant, so I could give what is the right of my baby at least for 2years. InsyaAllah..

So, if my blog has been silent for sometimes, then you know that I'd been busy with the work..but surely, I'll try my best to update this blog from time to time. (This blog probably will be my escapade from the busy life of Paediatrician-in-training).

Till then, take care!

A week away

Oh God..I've been away from this blog for quite sometimes..again..was too busy and tired to write a new entry.

For your info, I'll be starting my job in a month (after a very long break). So I was busy preparing myself for that. Been busy buying new work clothes, went out almost everyday for work clothes hunting! (as my old clothes now are too small for me!!). Oh how I wish I'll get back my old figure..since the Summer sale is just starting, there are plenty clothes for me to pick/choose ;)) My shopping spree has not end yet!

And my younger brother (who is living and studying in Dublin) came to visit for a few days before heading back to Malaysia for his Summer break. Wish we could go back to Malaysia this year..but unlikely as I'm starting my job soon. Maybe next year..InsyaAllah..
While he was in Galway, we went for house hunting in Letterkenny (where I'll be working in July). It took 3 1/2 hours drive from Galway to get to Letterkenny. We've found a house that's in good location and new and affordable. So, the plan is to move in by first week of July.

Oh..and the good news is...MrHubby will be living with us in Letterkenny! (remember that he was posted in Waterford for 2years?) His application to defer his post for a year has been approved!! Yes!! Alhamdulillah..he'll be having a year off..but he has a lot to do..while on a year leave, he needs to study for his MRCP (while doing locum jobs) and hopefully by one year he'll pass at least one exam!

We'll be very busy packing things and unpacking things for the next month! I couldn't believe how much stuffs we have now..BabyZara's stuffs are mounting! Probably we'll donate or sell some old/unwanted stuffs as well..(pening..pening..tgk barang yg berlambak2)

Plus, we have to train BabyZara to sleep without me on her side at night. A doctor needed to be oncalled and my BabyZara will need to sleep without me at night..sigh..since the first day she was born, she has been sleeping with us by her side and she's now 14months!! And during night time she'll breastfeed for a couple of times (at least). There would be no problem during day cos she'll take her breastmilk from bottles..the night time worries me..should start to train her by next week! Have to!! Need to do research on this matter as well before starting this project..

Father-Daughter Time. Zara's telling stories on the stairs (her fav spot)

It's going to be busy month ahead..and of course I'll be busy with work after that..Please God everything will be smooth and easy for our family..amin..

Breast is the Best

Alhamdulillah..for all the blessings in our lives. This include the chance given to me to fully breastfeed our BabyZara until this day. She is now 13months and 2weeks young ;))

This post is specially dedicated to new mummies (2 of my closest friends have recently given birth, Congratulations!!), mummy-to-be, and all the ladies (and not to forget the daddies and daddy-to-be) out there with good intention to breastfeed their babies. I'm no expert in this field (Breastfeeding world is so much exciting and need more studies/explorations) but I would try my best to share the experiences and the knowledge that I have on breastfeeding from my point of view as a mother and a doctor. This topic would definitely need more than one post :)

Today, I would like to share the millions (that is exaggerated, but probably not, because some things we might have not discover yet) of breastmilk and breastfeeding wonder. When I was a medical student I was taught the benefits of the breastmilk versus the formula milk. There is no doubt through the science and research that the breastmilk (BM) is superior than the formula milk (FM). People has been misled that the FM are "nearly identical to breastmilk and that they are almost as good as BM" which is NOT TRUE at all!

Here are some highlights of BM and BF (breastfeeding) wonder:
Source: www.babycenter.com

1. BF will protect your baby from a long list of illnesses-Numerous studies from around the world have shown that stomach viruses, lower respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and meningitis occur less often in breastfed babies and are less severe when they do happen. Exclusive breastfeeding (meaning no solid food, formula, or water) for at least six months seems to offer the most protection.The main immune factor at work here is a substance called secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) that's present in large amounts in colostrum, the first milk your body produces for your baby. (Secretory IgA is present in lower concentrations in mature breast milk.) The substance guards against invading germs by forming a protective layer on the mucous membranes in your baby's intestines, nose, and throat. (So mummies, DO NOT give water to your baby before 6months, this will flush out all the good stuffs from BM that protect your baby's intestines, nose and throat)
2. BF may boost you baby's intelligence-Various researchers have found a connection between breastfeeding and cognitive development. In a study of more than 17,000 infants followed from birth to 6 1/2 years, researchers concluded from IQ scores and other intelligence tests that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding significantly improves cognitive development. (Who doesn't want a brilliant baby ;P)
3. BF can protect your baby from developing allergies-Babies who are fed a formula based on cow's milk or soy tend to have more allergic reactions than breastfed babies.Scientists think that immune factors such as secretory IgA (only available in breast milk) help prevent allergic reactions to food by providing a layer of protection to a baby's intestinal tract. Without this protection, inflammation can develop and the wall of the intestine can become "leaky." This allows undigested proteins to cross the gut where they can cause an allergic reaction and other health problems.Babies who are fed formula rather than breast milk don't get this layer of protection, so they're more vulnerable to inflammation, allergies, and other eventual health issues.
4. BF may lower your infants' risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
5. BF can reduce your stress level and your risk of post-partum depression- When nursing your baby, your body will release the oxytocin hormone, a hormone that promotes nurturing and relaxation.
6. BF may reduces your risk of some types of cancer-Numerous studies have found that the longer women breastfeed, the more they're protected against breast and ovarian cancer. For breast cancer, nursing for at least a year appears to have the most protective effect.
7. BM nutrients are tailored to your baby- BM is species-specific for human and changes accordingly to the infant's needs. Its nutrients are easily digest and absorb by infants digestion system. (That's why BF infants usually will get hungry faster-2hourly feed, and that's why FM fed baby will usually get constipated. FM is hard to digest by baby).
8. And BM is FREE!!!!
9. BF babies usually will have healthier teeth, eyes and ears-FM fed babies more likely to get ear infections compared to BF babies.
10. BF will help mothers to shed post-partum weight-BF could consumes upto 500calories per day!!
11. BF may protect your baby from obesity-Experts think that breastfeeding may affect later weight gain for several reasons:

• Breastfed babies are better at eating until their hunger is satisfied, leading to healthier eating patterns as they grow.
• Breast milk contains less insulin than formula. (Insulin stimulates the creation of fat.)
• Breastfed babies have more leptin in their system, a hormone that researchers believe plays a role in regulating appetite and fat.
• Compared with breastfed babies, formula-fed infants gain weight more rapidly in the first weeks of life. This rapid weight gain is associated with later obesity.

These are the facts of BF and BM wonders. I believe and I know there are more benefits of BF that I have not mentioned above. And of course BF could build special bond between you and your baby. And if you'll be working you could continue to give BM to your baby (it would be in different post). 

Breast is the Best (Source:Google)

BF in the train from Paris to Amsterdam (Winter 2010)

Happy baby after BF! ;))

However, if you are not able to BF your baby (due to medical illnesses or any inevitable reasons) you are not becoming less motherly. Maybe you could try for your next baby? ;))

Oh, before I go, here are RARE reasons you CANNOT BF your baby (from medical point of view)

• Maternal HIV- transmission rate upto 30% to the newborn
• Maternal HTLV-1 and HTLV-2- transmission rate upto 20% to the newborn
• Maternal Metabolic Disease (Wilson's Disease)- Wilson's disease treated with penicillamine which is contraindication in BF
• Infant Galactosemia- diagnosed with newborn screening, baby requires lactose-free diet
• Maternal drug (Chemo/Radiotherapy,drugs of abuse-most commonly encountered)

 As I said before, these are the points that I know, and there are lots more that I do not cover in today's topic. I will try my best to post the topics related to BF and BM in the near future. I hope this post today would help you in anyway. All the best and keep up the good jobs you have done so far. HAPPY BREASTFEEDING LADIES!!

Counting the Blessings

Alhamdulillah..for all the blessings I've got so far..2days ago I've got a call from RCPI (Royal College Physician of Ireland) that I've been offered a training post in Paediatrics consists of a 2year training programme. I was over the moon!! I was waiting for a job offer for quite sometimes as I'm ready to go back to work after a very long break (16months to be exact).

But on the turn-down side, my training would start at Letterkenny for one year and MrHubby's training programme would be in Waterford. That would make us 402km or 5hours drive away!! And for the 2nd year, I would be in Dublin and he would still be in Waterford! That would make us 166km or 2hours drive away!! How unfortunate..if he could not swap with anyone, then we would be living separately for 2years with occasional weekends meet up (obviously only when we both are not oncalled). This is the lives of Irish doctors..(crying silently)



Yet,I am grateful and feel blessed with the opportunity given. This would be the sacrifice that we need to make for our better future. Praying and hoping the best yet to come for our family.

Not so quiete weekend afterall!

Remember that MrHubby is still down with flu? He's supposed to lie down and have plenty of rest. But what did we end up doing yesterday? We went out to town..not once but twice! The weather was so nice we felt it would be ashamed to stay in the house. The first trip was in the morning (not early morning as it was Sunday and the shops were not open until noon!) where we went to Currys (electrical store) and we had a good look around for a new TV. MrHubby was telling me that he wants a new TV a few times. Usually I would ignore him as the TV we have at the moments still showing pictures with colours  hence no need for a new TV ;P But for the last couple of days he's been saying how nice to have a bigger screen TV with much better quality of pictures so I said, lets go and see if there is any good bargain/sale in Currys. So we went there with a mission..mission impossible ;P

After about 1hour in the store, suddenly MrHubby told me "Hun, i think its better for us to wait till we move to Waterford this July". I was like..what??? I was so excited that morning cos I thought that we would finally going to buy a new TV (our current TV is a box set 21inch TV, very heavy which i bought when i was a 2nd year medical student,that was 7years ago!). Then i said "Actually,its fine with me. If we could wait for a few years why cant we wait for a few months". So..we decided, no new TV until we have settled in Waterford this July. (Doctors in Ireland usually will move around the coutry to find new jobs..doc jobs in Ireland in my opinion are not secured. Contract would usually lasted for 3months-1year,2years if u get lucky). Then, we headed back home for lunch.

Later in the evening after lunch (MrHubby was so nice to cook us the lunch- TomYam and rice. Thanks so much MrHubby!), we then took BabyZara out for a walkie and a visit to playground. What did BabyZara do when we got to the playground? She went straight to the swing. She really loves the swing, though she didn't smile/laugh when on the swing, but she cried when we tried to take her out from the swing! She spent almost 30mins on the swing then we took her out (with some difficulties because of the cries). BabyZara was so friendly with other children, she must be lonely, spend most of her time at home. She followed this one little girl around.And when the little girl was about to leave, she waved her goodbye!

Here are some of the photos of BabyZara and the favourite swing of hers:

Zara's wearing one of the new shoes we bought her the day before.

Zara was looking around the other kids playing

Again, she was looking around..her face didnt tell that she enjoyed the swing so much but she cried when we tried to take her out of the swing

Mummy and Abah's little miss sunshine!

Straight afterwards, we went out for dinner @Capitol Kebab. I had lamb shish kebab with rice while MrHubby had Capitol Special (combo of everykind of grilled meat/kebab in the house!). It was really nice. What about BabyZara?? She felt asleep as soon we left the playground. She must be very tired playing and walking around the ground. 

She looks so peaceful, isn't she?

So,that's the story for yesterday..and today..it's another story to tell ;))