1 month already!!

My baby is already 39 days old.........

We had a small 'Full Moon' party for Luther last week having him turn 1 month. Amazing how time flies when you don't notice. The 'party was held at my mom's place (Luther's grandma).

The day started off like any other regular day where Luther wakes up and get his feed and bathe and sleep. However, Luther seems to know that today is a special day for him. The day that marks his 1st month in this world..... in our world. He stayed awake from 5pm onwards.

We initially wanted it to be a small gathering with maybe just about 30 - 40 family and friends to celebrate this special day with Luther. We got the caterer to come in with delicious food (not for babies!) and a canopy with simple decoration (just balloons).

My Little Party

Somehow, the invitees grew to an overwhelming 60+ family and friends. Thank God the food was enough as we catered for about 50 as we knew things like that will happen. Guests started to come in at about 7.30pm and Luther was very much awake to greet them all.

My Ang Pau!!

I was surprise that he didn't sleep, yawn or even cry the whole time. Perhaps he enjoyed being carried around in different arms and being embraced throughout the whole evening. My little cheeky angel! Finally when my cell member from church wanted to give their blessings and prayers for the new comer, Luther started to whine a little. I guess he must be tired. However, to our surprise, when we started the worshiping session, he stopped and listen.... very much like enjoying the singing and blessings. You can actually see the peacefulness on his face and he eventually stole a quick 10 minutes nap after the session.

1st worship session

The carrying around starts again once he woke up.

Happy Ah Ma!

Happy Ah Gong!

Happy Ah Por!

Happy Anna Ku Po!

Handing over to next carrier!

Happy God Uncle Han!

We were very happy to have so many good friends and supportive family members. Having them all at the party was already a blessing to me. The party started to disbanded at about 11pm with me breast feeding Luther before placing him in his cot to sleep.

Mummy and Papa is so proud of you, Luther, for being such a sport!

We love you very much.....

Breast vs. Formula

It is always the battle between the topic "breast feeding" or "formula". I can assure you that this WILL be the topic for most new mother and most of the time, you will resolve to tears making a decision.

Why do I say so? 

Well, I just experience this about 1 week ago. My 'Milk Factory' was probably going on a temporary strike with reduction in production and my baby Luther was crying (not yet hysterically) for feed. I was moving him from left breast to the right and left again but it seems like Luther is just not getting what he needs..... or rather not enough to fill his growing appetite (because he still managed to sleep for about an hour or so after that!!). I was still very composed! I was still very determine and fed him almost every 1 to 1.5 hour round the clock assuming Luther was just asking for more feed!

Just about 3 days ago, it got worst. I was pretty much engorged and yet the production was not up to standard (Luther's Standard). Basically, the demand do not meet the supply. Luther at times even resolves in sucking on his own arms/fingers (with mittens on).

I am hungry!

I was literally in tears thinking many things (as what some articles have mentioned):-
1. I am such a bad mother.
2. How can I have no milk for my own baby!
3. I want to give breast milk to my baby and I can't! WHY!!!!!!
4. I MUST give the best to my baby. I MUST give breast milk.
5. My little baby is starving and I can't even provide the simplest thing... food.

My hubby was very supportive and he said to me, "Darling, you need to rest and don't think about it. We can always feed him formula and when your supply comes back, we will switch back. And if not, formula isn't that bad! They have all the nutritional benefits. Don't worry!" My own mother was also offering her experiences. She said, "Aiyar, when I had you, I only have milk supply for 1 week. You were given formula after that. You came out good and strong!" I was definitely reluctant to bring formula into Luther's life so soon but I do not have a choice. 

He was sucking ferociously on each breast and yet, getting insufficient milk. He got frustrated and decided to stop sucking and started crying. He was really crying this time(hysterically!). You can be dead sure it's the sound of 'not enough food' type of cry. I started to panic and do not know what to do next, without thinking of immediately getting the formula (silly me!!), until my hubby insisted and with the assistance of the confinement lady (Aunty Meei Lai) and mom, got a bottle of formula for Luther. 

No need to guess. Luther immediately stop crying and started drinking the formula without hesitation (of course with a little 'complaining' in between sucks!). He was becoming a HAPPY BABY again....

My 1st bottle!

Now, we are feeding Luther both; Breast Milk and Formula. How? Switching between them to supplement each other and at the end, the most important thing achieved..... Luther gets the best out of both. I am no longer worried about him not having enough each feed. Just need to watch that he gets enough water in his system.

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Night to Day... Day to Night.

I was told before hand that baby do turn night to day and day to night during their 1st few months (especially their 1st month). I didn't know it was literally day to night! 

Luther was sleeping soundly during the day and as per the book I bought, I didn't let him over-sleep during the day so to allow him to sleep slightly longer during the night. He was very attentive and alert after he woke up. It was an amazing time to see him so alert and smiling (involuntarily though!).

Day: Eyes Wide Open

So, after his last feed of the day at about 11pm, he when to bed as usual. I was thinking that he would only be awake 3 to 4 hours later for his next feed. However, that night was a 'day' for him. He woke up 1 hour later demanding for another feed and just wouldn't sleep. I tried leaving him to play by himself. That only worked for about 10 minutes.

Night: Eyes Wide Open I

Mom assist me by carrying Luther for a while and I tried to take a quick power nap. When I woke up, his eyes was wider and brighter than mine! 

Night: Eyes Wide Open II

I was, as usual, getting a bit tired and feeling a bit lost on what to do to lull Luther to sleep. I've tried singing lullaby, hum & even shushing to calm him and hopefully get him to sleep. Mom tried to do the same and no result. Even the confinement lady tried, Luther just kept asking for a suckle on me. I must however agree that that night was a little warm and I guess he must have felt uncomfortable

At last, at about 4am +, Luther began to fall asleep will getting his feed. We didn't even dare to put him back to his cot and left him to sleep by my side. Finally, Luther slept and I got my night sleep for the next 3 hours before his next feed.

The Day I see Yellow...

We read a lot about baby turning yellow during their 1st month after 2 to 3 days or even 1 weeks after birth.

Yes, my baby turned yellow after 3 days, as said in all books and antenatal class we attended. I was so sure Luther will be alright after a few days because I believe he was having normal Jaundice. Well, normal jaundice usually last for a few days and will be gone.

On 20th October 2011, Luther came in for his morning feed and I took him to the sun for a while before I fed him hoping that the Jaundice was not severe, at least low enough for me to bring him home. The nurse came in an told me that the Bilirubin count was a little high at 289. So, we waited for the Pediatric, Dr Paran to instruct us on the next step. The obvious was to put him to photo therapy and I hit spot-on. Almost immediately, Luther was place under the 24 hours photo therapy. 

The following day his Bilirubin count dropped but still on the higher side. It was advised to keep him under the light for another 24 hours. I was literally in tears see him going through this and prayed so hard that it will come down. MY PRAYER WAS ANSWERED!

Luther was discharged on 22nd October 2011 with bilirubin count of 133... hooray!!!!

1st day back home

However, Dr Paran has asked us to come back for another check on 25th October to see how the count when. We were devastated that it when back up to 233. Fortunately, Luther was allow to come home with the instruction of sun bathing him every morning between 8 - 11am; 10 minutes front and 10 minutes back. We were very consistent and his second check was on 27th October. I went up even higher to 269. We were almost speechless. Dr Paran still allowed Luther to go home with some medication to mature his liver faster to allow it to process the bilirubin and pass it out the body system. Of course, many people was pretty much against it saying that he should go for the photo therapy but I have faith in Dr Paran.

Sun bathing from home

We continue to sun bath Luther and gone back for his 4th check on 1st Nov. His Bilirubin count dropped, hovering around 200+. Dr. Paran said that he will stay at this level for a while cause he is being breast fed. As long as it is around 200+, Luther will be fine. And guess what!! Luther has gained weight to 3.6kg from 3.2kg within 17 days. That gave me more confidence that he is alright.

We were told to use several other methods that potentially helped to reduce jaundice. I tried and don't know if it's coincidence or real, it worked.

1. For me to eat lesser ginger or none at all for a few days.

    (Chinese 1 month confinement eats a lot of ginger to keep the body warm)

2. Bath Luther in Guiness Stout.

    (not the whole bottle but just about 125ml with normal warm water)

The day I don't see yellow has arrived. Have not confirmed it with the doctor but from his skin and the white of his eyes, I know it has reduced or even gone. The day I don't see yellow was on 7th Nov 2011.

Start of Luther's Journey

We were hoping for natural birth, in fact, we attempted natural birth. What an experience! I was induced at about 7.30am on 18 October after my bath in the morning hoping that Luther will arrive in the afternoon. I was already 3 cm dilated the evening before (at about 8pm; 17 Oct). 

My hubby and I were hearing other babies being wheeled across our room to the nursery for other checks after delivery and I have not feel any contraction at my end. You can hear the nurses running up and down the corridor rushing from one labor room to another to assist on the other patient's delivery and here I am (with my hubby), still waiting for a slight contraction. NOTHING......

Nothing until about 12pm when my contraction started. It was rather mild and not as I expected. Seriously, just like the regular menstruating cramps. Movies do exaggerate the pain!! Not until about 3.30pm when I started to have the massive attack! I was than dilated at about 7-8 cm. The nurses were asking me not to push yet as I am not fully dilated, but, the usual, you just have the urge. When I was about 9-9.5 cm dilated, the nurse asked me start pushing and the cervix will eventually dilate to full 10 cm. Until about 45 minutes - 1 hour, I was breathless and no sign of the baby even passing the fully dilated cervix. 

Dr Paul Tay (my Gynecologist) came and thought of doing a vacuum assistant. Unfortunately, my bladder was already swelling and Dr Paul was recommending for an emergency caesarian. My hubby already decided for a caesarian 1/2 hour ago after seeing my in labor... way before any recommendation!

So, finally, at about 5pm, I was wheeled into the operating theater for my caesarian. Boy, was I EXTREMELY tired. I can't even open my eyes. My hubby was with me all the way. When Luther was brought out of me, I was relieve, especially when I hear his 1st cry and when I gave him my (really really) quick kiss on the cheek before he was brought to the nursery.

1st look of Luther after birth

Luther Wo is born on 18 October 2011 at 5.55pm in Assunta Hospital, PJ.