Wishing Everyone A Very Happy Chinese New Year & Huat Ah to Better Health, Career, Business & In Everything You Do!

Do I need to drink more water when I'm breastfeeding?

You only need to drink enough to satisfy your thirst while you're breastfeeding. Drinking lots of water, or being thirsty, won't affect your milk supply. Your body is very good at regulating its reserves to keep your milk supply going.

However, bear in mind that during breastfeeding your body releases the hormone oxytocin, which makes you feel thirsty. So keep a drink nearby when you're breastfeeding

If you're worried about whether you're getting enough to drink, check the colour of your wee. If it's pale-coloured, you're getting plenty to drink. If it's dark yellow, or smells strongly, or if you feel lethargic or faint, you may be dehydrated, in which case you should drink more water.

What should I eat when I'm breastfeeding?

You don't need to eat any special or different foods while you're breastfeeding. However, you should try to follow a healthy, balanced diet, which includes:

• Starchy foods, such as bread and rice. Choose wholegrain varieties, for added fibre.
• Plenty of fruit and vegetables.
• Some protein, such as lean meat, eggs and pulses. Have at least two portions of fish a week, including oily varieties, such as salmon.
• Some low-fat dairy food, such as a yoghurt or a glass of milk.

What can cause pain while I'm breastfeeding?

The letdown reflex

You may feel fleeting pain in your breasts when your milk lets down. The letdown reflex, also called the milk ejection reflex, is set off by the hormone oxytocin. It stimulates the muscle cells in your breasts to squeeze out milk.

Oxytocin is released whenever your baby feeds in the first few days after she's born. Later on, just thinking about feeding your baby can trigger this hormone release. You may even find that your breasts leak when this happens.

Different women feel the letdown reflex in different ways. You may feel:

• slight tingling, or pins and needles
• immense pressure and slight pain, ache or discomfort
• nothing at all

As time goes by, and as you get used to breastfeeding, you'll probably become less and less aware of this.

Producing too much milk

Some mums who produce lots of milk have painful twinges deep in their breasts during feeds. This painful letdown reflex usually fades in the first three months of breastfeeding. If your baby latches on well each time she feeds, your milk supply should quickly settle down to match her needs.

Thrush

Thrush, a common fungal infection, can develop in your baby's mouth and on your nipples. The moist, warm, sugary environment of your baby's mouth while she is feeding is the perfect place for thrush to flourish.

Occasionally, the thrush infection may enter your milk ducts (ductal thrush). These are the channels through which your milk flows to your nipples, and once they're infected, breastfeeding can be painful.

Unlike letdown pain, thrush pain lasts during your baby's feed and gets worse after feeds. It's unusual to get a thrush infection in your milk ducts, though. Some experts even doubt that ductal thrush exists. You're more likely to have it just on your nipples.

If you or your baby has a thrush infection, you'll need to see your doctor, so you can both be treated.

Engorgement

In the first few days after your baby is born, your breasts flood with milk, and more blood flows to your breasts, making the tissues swell.

This may lead to your breasts becoming engorged and feeling hot and painful. The milk-producing cells in your breasts become swollen, making letdown difficult. Your breasts may also look red and shiny.

This is perfectly normal. It's your body's way of making sure your new baby has plenty of milk. Once your baby starts feeding regularly, and latching on well, your breasts will regulate the amount of milk that's produced, and the discomfort should pass. If it doesn't, see your midwife, health visitor, or a breastfeeding specialist as soon as possible.

Mastitis

If an area of your breast becomes inflamed, this can mean you have a painful condition called mastitis. It happens when excess milk is forced out of a duct and into your breast tissue. Your breast will be red and tender, and you will feel feverish. You can keep breastfeeding your baby, but see your doctor straight away for treatment

Breastfeeding

If you've just started breastfeeding, you're doing the right thing for you and your baby.

But if breastfeeding doesn't come naturally at first, don't worry. Plenty of new mums and babies have to practise and persevere until they get the hang of it.

Is it true that breast is best?

Yes, breastmilk is the best food for your baby. It's the healthiest way to feed her.

Breastmilk is a complete food. It contains at least 400 nutrients, as well as hormones and disease-fighting compounds, that aren't present in formula milk. Its nutritional make-up even adjusts to your baby's needs as she grows.

Feeding your baby only breastmilk for up to six months (exclusive breastfeeding) is particularly good for her. It can improve your baby’s cognitive development. So being breastfed could even make her more intelligent.

Babies who are exclusively breastfed from birth are also much less likely to be ill in their first year of life. Being breastfed may help your baby to fend off illnesses such as:

• gastroenteritis
• pneumonia and bronchiolitis
• ear infections

We can't say that exclusive breastfeeding reduces the risk of children ever developing eczema. But babies who are breastfed for any period of time do tend to have lower rates of severe eczema than babies who were always formula-fed. It's also possible that breastfeeding delays when your child first develops eczema.

Breastfeeding helps to build a special bond between you and your baby. And in the long-term, breastfeeding may help your baby to stay healthy. Studies have shown that adults who were breastfed as babies, when compared with those who were formula-fed:

• had lower blood pressure
• had lower cholesterol levels
• were less likely to become obese
• were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes

Breastfeeding is good for you, too, and may help you to lose weight. In the long term, it also helps to:

• lower your risk of breast cancer
• protect against ovarian cancer before the menopause
• reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes

How often should I feed my newborn baby?

Let your baby be your guide, and feed him as often as he wants to feed. There's no need to set up a breastfeeding routine during the first few days and weeks.

On the first day, your baby will probably feed at least three to four times. After the first sleepy day or two have passed, your baby may seem hungry most of the time. And he probably is, since he'll digest a feed within a couple of hours.

At this point, your baby will probably want to breastfeed at least eight times a day . Though he could feed a lot more than that, such as every hour or so . By the end of the first week, his feeds will probably have settled down to six to eight a day.

There's no maximum number of feeds a day when you're demand-feeding in the early days and weeks. The more your baby feeds, the more milk your breasts will be stimulated to produce .

It's normal for newborn babies to want to feed very frequently. If you meet your baby's demands by offering your breast, you'll produce more milk. Topping-up with formula during the first six weeks can reduce your milk supply, as your body won't get the signals from your baby feeding to make more milk.

Baby burping techniques

1) Hold your baby in an upright position against your chest. Support him with your shoulder and chin. Hold his head with your hand and with the other firmly but gently pat on his back.
2) Hold your baby upright in your lap and support his chest. Lean the baby slightly forward and pat on his back. You can also use circular movements to encourage burping. 
3) You can also place your baby in your lap on his belly. Put your hand underneath the baby’s chest. With your other hand apply circular movements and light patting on the his back.
4) If your baby has more trouble burping, try bending his legs towards the chest. This might help the gas come out.


It is also important not to let your baby cry too much before a feeding as they could ingest more air before they take the milk. It’s also a good idea to take one or two breaks during the feed to help milk digest and to give you time to relieve any discomfort through burping.

Remember that as your baby grows, the need to burp so frequently will decrease. An older infant will be able to get rid of the extra gas without your help – you will find their BIG burps hilarious!

Stired Fry Snakehead Fish Slices

Your baby's poo: what's normal and what's not

What will my newborn's poos be like?
For the first couple of days after the birth, your baby will pass meconium. This is made up of mucus, amniotic fluid, and everything your baby has ingested while she was in your uterus (womb).

Meconium is greeny-black in colour, and has a sticky, tar-like texture. It may be difficult to wipe off that tiny bottom, but its appearance is a good sign that your baby's bowels are working normally.

For Breast Engorgement

1. Encourage infant to suck more frequently to help relieve the milk congestion and the heaviness you may feel from engorgement.
2. Apply a warm compress to the breast or take a warm shower before nursing to help relax the tissue and relax the discomfort from your tender breasts.
3. Make sure you wear a nursing bra that provides enough support, so your breasts don’t feel like they’re so heavy. Wired bras may be uncomfortable, so look for one that fits right without the need of wires.
4. Gently massage your breasts before feeding to help facilitate the milk and soften the tissue. This will also help your baby to suckle more easily.
5. Pump any excess milk that you still feel is causing the heaviness after your baby is finished feeding.

The lactation consultants at Stanford, recommend cool cabbage leaf compresses between nursings as part of their engorgement solution. Use green cabbage leaves. Crush them with a rolling pin if the leaves don’t fit well to the shape of your breasts. Or cut off the tops of the leaf veins – whatever gives you the best fit. The leaves can stay on for about 20 minutes, two or three times a day, perhaps with a cold compress over them. Some suggest putting them on after every feed, and leaving them on until the cabbage wilts, but others are concerned that this will reduce the milk supply.
During weaning, they can be left on continuously. One study, published in the June 1993 Birth, found that women whose engorgement was treated with cabbage leaves experienced greater relief and were more likely to continue nursing (76 percent versus 58 percent). Women who used the cabbage leaves preventatively, while their milk was first coming in, tended to report less engorgement. 

A later study in the March 1995 Journal of Human Lactation, found that chilled gelpaks and chilled cabbage leaves both result in a significant drop in engorgement pain. Although both worked equally well, the majority of women studied preferred the cabbage leaves. In the September 1995 issue of the same journal, researchers reported that when women had chilled cabbage leaves on one breast and room temperature cabbage leaves on the other, the relief of engorgement was significant, and was the same on both sides; use whatever temperature is more comfortable for you.

Simple remedies for breastfeeding discomfort

Over the years, medical research has shown that infants are susceptible to any drugs ingested by a breastfeeding mother. Almost any drug can pass through mum’s system and secrete into the breast milk, which can obviously be a health risk for baby.

If you are affected by breastfeeding discomfort and pain, you may feel at a loss of what to do to get some relief. There are a number of simple remedies for breastfeeding discomfort that won’t require you taking any medication.
For sore nipples

    1) Make sure your infant in a proper breastfeeding position, so he is grasping the nipple properly and not pulling at it. This well ensure more milk for him and less pain for you.

    2) Expose your breasts to fresh air between feedings. Leave your bra unsnapped for 10 to 15 minutes after feedings, and try wearing unwired nursing bras for more overall relief.

    3) Apply aloe vera or vitamin E to your sore spots after you’ve fed to soothe the area. Make sure there is no residue left before your baby’s next feeding.

    4) Avoid using hand pumps to pump breast milk. Electric pumps use less pressure on the nipples and will help relieve your soreness.

Tips to reduce Nipple Soreness and Irritation

1) Observe the proper latching position. Supporting the infant’s head while breast feeding prevents unnecessary movement that may result in pulling of the breast.

2) Protect the nipple area from any possible causes of abrasion. Provide the infant with something to hold on while breastfeeding, such as the mother’s own shirt or blouse.

3) When disengaging the baby from sucking, gently break the suction by placing a clean finger in the corner of the baby’s mouth to initiate the release of nipple. Do not force him to disengage, as this may only lead to pulling of the nipples, which may lead to an abrasion.

4) When hardened milk accumulates in the nipple duct, wash it with saline water or expressed milk. Don’t let breast milk accumulate in it.

5) Don’t leave the breast in constant wetness. This may promote bacterial growth, making it prone for infection. Air drying the breast after every feeding may be helpful.

6) Encourage the infant to frequently suck on the engorged breast to relieve it from congestion. Manually express the remaining milk to empty the breast after feeding.

7) Maintain good hygiene and a well balanced diet, as a way of strengthening the immune system for battling possible infections.

8) For severe infections the use of antibiotics is helpful. Precaution is needed as not to take drugs contraindicated to lactating women.

9) Include the child in the treatment session. Unless the baby’s thrush or blisters heal, infection may recur in the mother’s breast

Sudden Nipple Soreness While Nursing

Nipple soreness can be linked to serious problems like plugged ducts or mastitis. However, it can also occur for no obvious reason. The annoying thing is that sometimes nipple soreness can come about even after months of pain-free nursing. Women have a lower tendency of experiencing soreness in the earlier phases of lactation, but due to the constant pressure exerted by the baby on the breast while feeding, the possibility of nipple soreness can increase as time goes on. Here are some factors that contribute to nipple soreness when breastfeeding and how you can find relief.

Possible factors for nipple soreness

• Abrasion – A minor wound in which the surface of the skin is worn away by rubbing or scraping. This may be caused by the infant’s hand clamping tightly on the nipple area. During the teething period, an infant may tend to rub his tender gums, vigorously, along the nipple region, thereby causing the abrasions.
• Thrush – An infection that usually appears on the tongue and sides of the cheeks of your baby as white and gray patches. An infant with thrush may give the mother the same infection, causing initial soreness on the nipples.
• Plugged ducts – Presence of a hardened substance in the nipples may cause soreness and consequently, tenderness. If unmanaged, it may lead to further infection of the breast.
• Engorgement – A distension of the breast with swelling caused by vascular and lymphatic congestion arising from an increase in the blood and lymph supply to the breast.

Top 5 Breastfeeding Essentials

Before your baby arrives there are many things that you can plan and prepare for. Breastfeeding is one of them. You’ll find lots of breastfeeding essentials on the market to help make it easier and more comfortable for you

1) Nursing - a nursing cover was a must! Preferably a big one which is able to hide almost everything. Our mums recommend choosing one that's made of thin material so it's suitable for Singapore's hot weather.

2) Nursing tea - which is a mix of herbs that can help you increase and maintain your breast milk supply. There are many different types of this tea using blended herbs such as fennel, stinging nettle and flavours like chamomile. Speak with your doctor if you are going to start taking a herbal supplement.

3) Nipple cream - having a good nipple cream to moisturise sore or cracked nipples. This is a very common complaint from breastfeeding mums and can be very sore.

4) Nursing wear - Nursing bras and nursing tops are essential for easy access so you don't have to lift up your shirt from the waist up.

5) Support - support was a must-have during their time breastfeeding.

Natural ways to increase your breast milk supply

Insufficient milk production is one of the key problems that new mums encounter when it comes to breastfeeding, making the natural act of breastfeeding frustrating for many. If you’ve encountered this, you may wonder whether to give up on trying to make more milk and to supplement with formula.
However, the problem is that frequent breastfeeding in turns generates more milk production. If you start relying on formula, your body will also gradually produce less.

When your milk should come in

Don’t be alarmed at first if you’re not producing much milk at all. Generally, your breasts start by producing colostrums, and do not become engorged until two to five days after delivery. By this time, you will usually be at home with your baby.
If you aren’t producing much milk after a week, don’t hesitate to seek help right away. The hospital you’ve delivered at have lactation consultants available to help you trouble-shoot your breastfeeding problems and you shouldn’t suffer in silence. They may teach you massage techniques to encourage the milk to flow or loan you a pump to assist you.

At home, you can try consuming some natural remedies, mostly herbal, to help increase your food supplies.

• Fenugreek. Women in India and all over the world use this to increase milk supply. It is easily available from health food stores in the form of tablets. Some women do well on just one tablet three times a day, while others need to take more. Fenugreek is also available as a form of tea or you could mix the powder with milk for drinking.
• Vegetables and fruits. Spinach, garlic, bitter gourd, potatoes and raw papaya are believed by the Indians to improve milk production
• Meaty soups and porridge. Pig trotter soup, red bean soup and rice porridge are believed by the Chinese to be nourishing for the body and good for lactation.
• Brewer’s yeast and oatmeal. Some women in the West use this to improve their milk supply. It could be somewhat similar to the idea of eating something thick and calming like rice porridge.
• Chinese herbs. Dang Gui and dates are designed to nourish the body, clear blockages and in the process, improve your milk supply.
• Fennel. While it doesn’t improve your milk supply, it helps with letdown reflex. It is most useful for mums who find that pumping no longer works well for them

20 things NOT to do during C-section recovery

Recovering from a vaginal delivery is tough but combine this with the major surgery of a Caesarean and it can be even more difficult. There are a lot more things you should avoid doing while in C-section recovery. Read on for 20 things NOT to do.

1. No stairs. Walking up and down stairs pulls on the stomach muscles which are healing.
2. No bending. This should be obvious, but bending and then straightening up strains muscles.
3. No heavy lifting. Anything more than baby will repeatedly tear the healing incisions.
4. No cleaning. Avoid vacuuming and sweeping. These motions and others will stretch the muscles.
5. No reaching. This again, stretches the muscles.
6. No sit-ups. Wait for a few weeks to get rid of your baby belly.
7. No gassy foods. This might upset a still-healing stomach
8. No tight clothes. Especially under-garments. Take pleasure in wearing those ‘big pants’ without feeling guilty while you can!
9. No belts. This is especially bad for the healing tissue.
10. No straining. While in the bathroom especially. It will tear the tissue and hurt your stomach.
11. No driving for at least 3 weeks. This is a combination of feeling drowsy from pain pills and not straining the wound.
12. No sex. Avoid for at least 6 weeks. Take longer if you need to.
13. No running. Take 6-8 weeks off.
14. No baths. Wait until the stitches or staples are removed.
15. No “pushing through the pain”. Stop if anything hurts.
16. No refusing pain medication. Don’t be a tough guy. Take them if you need them.
17. No refusing help. Take it if it’s offered. You just had major surgery.
18. No skipping antibiotics if prescribed.
19. No rushing recovery. Take it slow.
20. No delaying C-section recovery either. Do what you can, when you can, and recovery will be quicker.
    
    
    
    Some of these will not be practical for everyone. Some people have stairs in their house, will have to bend occasionally, and need to strain from time to time. Get as much help and support as you can for the first few weeks of C-section recovery and limit the amount you do as it really will make a difference.
    
    
    All of these are okay in moderation and if you have to do them then take it slowly. Just try to follow this list as much as possible to have a trouble-free C-section recovery. If you try to get back to normal too quickly, you run the risk of infection, re-tearing, or even internal bleeding. All of these things will lead to a much longer recovery. So take it easy!
    
    

Essential Additional Confinement Food for Cesarean

Water Cress Fish Bone Soup

Confinement in Singapore

Roni Kayan, a mother of two, remembered that her mother cooked ginger fried rice for her to eat in place of plain rice and that one of the must-have dishes during her confinement was pig trotters in vinegar and ginger. Pig trotters are said to promote blood circulation and are high in gelatin and collagen to fight hair loss.

In Singapore, the length of confinement time varies. For Chinese mothers, confinement means staying home for 30 days. During this period they cannot wash their hair, must avoid contact with cold water, not go outdoors, not burn incense, read, cry, or have sex. According to Dr Peiling Goh, a nutritionist and the author of Falling In Love With Confinement, “Washing your hair will affect the detoxification of the womb. When the lochias in the womb become clots, it will be very difficult to detoxify them, therefore the imbalance of hormones and internal secretion will cause health complications.” 

It’s not readily comprehensible, but aren’t we glad to know there’s a scientific explanation behind the advice not to wash our hair? The mother of four recommends using dry shampoos, or if you really have to, washing hair with water only after 15 days post-pregnancy and drying it immediately.

All confinement rules consist of myths and facts, therefore it is best not to follow them blindly. For example, according to Dr Goh, new mothers can still enjoy the cool air from fans and air-conditioners (23ºC to 26ºC) as long as the appliances are angled away from them.
The wine used for cooking confinement food must be limited to 20 per cent alcohol content or below, and properly boiled. And although half-boiled eggs are nutritious, they may contain germs. So, stick to the thoroughly cooked ones.

Brace yourself! Your “fourth trimester” may bring a long list of discomforts:

Physically:
Body aches
Perineum soreness
Abdominal cramps
Pain at the stiches
Urinary leakage
Vaginal bleeding
Constipation
Excessive perspiration or hotflashes
Hemorrhoids
Swollen breasts
Leg swelling due to water retention
Hair loss

If you had c-section, your scar may pucker and be tender for two to three months as it heals. 

Mentally:
According to the Health Promotion Board, you ought to be wary of the tell-tale signs of postpartum depression and seek help before it affects your quality of life. The symptoms include: persistent sadness or emptiness, lost of interest in anything, shifting appetite, insomnia, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death.

Proper care and rest during confinement period would be a solid foundation for your future health, whereas the lack of them could lead to postpartum conditions which include headaches, arthritis, immune deficiency, chronic fatigue, depression and insomnia.

One of the sources of discomfort is intestinal gas. Pregnancy turns your digestion system upside down with stress, hormones, and fatigue upsetting the balance of good bacteria in your stomach. It causes constipation, indigestion, nausea and vomiting.

New mothers would feel “gassy” because their digestive system is returning to normal. To help get rid of this “wind”, new Chinese mothers are fed lots of ginger. They drink ginger tea, eat fish, chicken, beef or pork cooked with ginger, and even bathe in ginger water.

Free basic housekeeping or baby care class is included for those taking 3 days package classes.(Opt for 1 only)

The training will also include bringing them to the market or supermarket to let them experience everything from scratch. From seeing, knowing & feeling the ingredients to preparing the food in the correct manner & tasting the end product. Copy of recipes will also be given after the classes so that they can use it as a reference to cook the next time. It is advisable to let them cook the same dishes soon after the classes so that they can remember the dishes in their mind.
 
For those who will be taking up the package of 3 days classes, free basic housekeeping or baby care class is included.(Opt for 1 only)
 
The free basic housekeeping class will include teaching them the proper way to wash the bathroom, toilet, kitchen basin, cleaning the exterior of the kitchen cabinets, sweeping & mopping the floor.  
The free baby care class will include how to shower a baby, wash their milk bottles without steriliser, making milk at the correct temperature & cooking different kinds of porridge for them.

Choose 15 dishes out of the 26 dishes for the 3 Days Classes

1) Boiled vegetables with oyster sauce
2) Stir fry kailan with oyster sauce
3) Steamed egg
4) Fried egg with luncheon meat / char siew / pork
5) Steamed tofu
6) Stewed chicken with potato & carrot
7) Steamed pork with bean paste
8) Steamed fish with ginger slice & tomato
9) Steamed chicken with goji berry & red dates
10) Chicken rice & cabbage carrot soup
11) Yong Tau Foo Soup
12) Water cress spare ribs soup
13) Lotus root spare ribs soup
14) ABC Chicken Soup
15) Ginseng chicken soup
16) Cream of Mushroom Soup
17) Boiled Bean OR Soya Sprouts with Black Sauce
18) Steamed Sea Bass with Black Sauce
19) Steamed Salmon Fish Head with Miso Sauce
20) Steamed Fish Meat with Wolfberries
21) Steamed Tofu with Fish Meat
22) Stewed Soya Sauce Chicken Wings & Tofu
23) Mustard Vege Soup with Scallop
24) Stir Fried Vegetables with Mushrooms
25)Tofu with Stewed Mushrooms
26) Meatballs with Water Chestnuts & Carrots​

LIKE US @ OUR FACEBOOK PAGE : ​https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Star-Training-Services

We have classes during weekdays & weekends too. Classes will be arranged at my place.

Mon to Fri : 10.00am to 5.00pm
Sat to Sun : 1.00pm to 5.00pm


Fees : -
1) $40.00 per day
2) $100.00 for 3 days classes (UP. $120.00)
- Will cover the 15 dishes stated below or you may select what dishes you would like your helper to learn.



SPECIAL PACKAGE OFFER ONLY!!!

$100.00 for 3 days classes (UP. $120.00) - Choose 15 dishes that you would like your helper to learn from the 26 dishes below

&
Free basic housekeeping class will be included or you can opt for basic baby care class.

Meatballs with Water Chestnuts & Carrots

Carrot Porridge with Pork Stock & Scallop

Salmon​

How many other foods help protect your heart, boost brainpower, and make you feel happy to boot? Salmon is packed with vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 essential fatty acids which research suggests can boost your mood. Plus, it’s lower in fat and calories than most other protein sources.


Steamed Salmon Fish Head with Miso Sauce
 

 ABC Salmon Fish Bones Soup
- The oil floating on top is the fish oil from the salmon fish bones

 

10 Ways to Soothe a Crying Newborn

A cheerful, gurgling baby is a joy to be with, but a fretful, screaming and seemingly inconsolable baby can really fray a new mother’s nerves. That’s why we’ve searched out the best 10 ways – all mum- and nanny-tested! – to minimise or shorten these crying episodes. Now babies have a mind of their own and not all may respond to these suggestions. Hopefully, some of these tips will go a little way to give frazzled mums some relief.

1. Check Baby’s Needs
A newborn often cries to alert parents to some need or discomfort. Your baby may be hungry, feeling warm, tired, or have a soiled diaper. Once these needs are met, your baby will feel comfortable and settle down more easily.

Mrs B. Lim, who works in the healthcare industry, had a tough time with her four-month-old baby. He was a light sleeper who woke often and cried frequently. The mother-of-two recalled that the times when her baby was particularly fretful coincided with periods of growth spurts. After realising that he might be hungry, she increased the amount of milk which she fed him. He seemed to be more cheerful and contented after that.

Babies go through growth spurts at approximately two, six and 12 weeks, and thereafter, monthly. During each growth spurt, babies may feed more often for several days before returning to the regular feed amount and frequency.

2. Give a Pacifier
Adjusting to a new and unfamiliar environment can be unsettling for a newborn who has spent nine months in mummy’s womb. Babies feel comforted and secure when they nurse and may sometimes cry for the breast even though they are not hungry. During such times, you can try giving your baby a pacifier. Your baby may also learn to settle herself to sleep if she is routinely given the pacifier at nap times.

In his book and DVD, The Happiest Baby on the Block, paediatrician Dr Harvey Karp assures parents that there is no fear in “spoiling” a newborn with a pacifier as she can be gradually weaned off it when she is older.

However, he cautions that a pacifier should only be introduced after the baby has successfully learnt to latch and is drinking her milk well, so as to avoid causing “nipple confusion” for the baby.

3. Carry Baby Upright
A fretful baby may cry to be carried, and yet scream even more when the mother carries her. It may even seem as though anyone except the mother can calm her down. Confinement nanny Nguk Choo thinks that this may be because the baby can smell mummy’s milk and wants to suckle for comfort, but gets frustrated when she is unable to do so. Therefore, she suggests carrying your baby in an upright position with her head resting on your shoulders. When your baby cannot smell your milk, she may be content just to be cuddled by you.

4. Generate White Noise
When your baby was in the womb, she was exposed to the sounds of your body at work. Your heartbeat and sounds of food moving through the digestive system formed a background noise which she is used to. An unsettled baby may therefore find the sound of white noise familiar and comforting. White noise can be generated by switching on a hairdryer or vacuum cleaner, tuning the radio in between stations or simply by making a gentle “Shhhh” sound.

5. Use Familiar Phrases
As newborns try to make sense of their new environment, they find comfort in familiarity. By repeating a phrase each time you do an activity, you can teach your baby to associate that phrase with the activity. Once your baby understands these phrases, she may quieten for awhile in anticipation of her needs being met.

Tofu with Stewed Mushrooms​

10 energy-boosting foods during Pregnancy​

When your energy is low, it's tempting to give in to cravings for caffeine and sugar – anything to help get you through the day. Instead, choose foods that are rich in protein or fiber to give your body the fuel it needs to keep going. Here are ten of our favorites.
Eggs

At just 78 calories and 6 grams of protein, the egg is a protein powerhouse. And it's loaded with other nutrients as well, especially in the yolks, says Jonny Bowden, author of The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy. "People avoid the yolk because they're worried about cholesterol, but egg yolks contain choline, which is critical for memory."
Oatmeal

Loaded with stress-reducing B vitamins and soluble fiber, oatmeal is the perfect choice for an energy boost. Dietary fiber fills you up without weighing you down, keeps blood sugar levels in check, and helps prevent the overwhelming desire to snooze come 3 p.m. Add a few nutrient-rich berries on top, and you've got the snack of champions.
Apples

 "Not only are fiber-rich apples an excellent choice for a mid-afternoon snack, they're also disease-fighting powerhouses," says Pamela Nisevich, sports nutrition consultant at Swim, Bike, Run, Eat! What's more, apples contain boron, a mineral that helps keep you alert.
Pumpkin

Pumpkin is loaded with potassium, which helps your heart and muscles function better, says Bowden. Plus, it's packed with fiber (which helps stabilize blood sugar levels) and vitamin A (which helps keep your immune system strong enough to fight off energy-draining infections). Add canned pumpkin to rice for a quick, healthy risotto.
Salmon

How many other foods help protect your heart, boost brainpower, and make you feel happy to boot? Salmon is packed with vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 essential fatty acids which research suggests can boost your mood. Plus, it’s lower in fat and calories than most other protein sources.
Peanuts

While peanuts are high in calories, they're also more filling than other foods, and they naturally curb your calorie intake throughout the day. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that when people consumed 500 calories of peanuts daily for 19 weeks, their resting metabolic rate increased by 11 percent – even without added exercise.
Trail Mix

"Trail mix is quite possibly the world's perfect energy booster," says Nisevich. "It's packed with enough carbs and protein to get you up the trail or over the mountain." To avoid added sugar and fat, make your own mix with nutrient-rich dried cranberries or apricots and heart-healthy nuts like pistachios and almonds.
Lentils

These quick-cooking legumes are a great source of soluble fiber, which gives you steady, slow-burning energy while stabilizing your blood sugar.  That fiber – along with folate and magnesium – also helps protect your heart. Finally, lentils are a healthy source of iron, a nutrient you need more of when you're pregnant or lactating. Serve them with whole grains for a complete protein – meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids.
Yogurt

Yogurt boasts higher concentrations of protein, calcium, and vitamin D than milk. Plus many brands of yogurt have live active cultures, which can aid digestion. Try organic or Greek yogurt since it's less likely to be loaded with artificial ingredients, sugar, and preservatives.
Hummus

This yummy spread is made from chickpeas, sesame seeds, lemon, and olive oil. It's a great source of protein and fiber, as well as iron, vitamin C, and folate. Use it as a dip for carrots, peppers, and whole wheat pita strips.

Stir Fried Vegetables with Mushrooms

Confinement Recipe 08 : - Lemongrass Chicken Soup

Do you have difficulties understanding or communicating your new domestic helper?

Do you have difficulties understanding or communicating your new domestic helper? Or, do you simply want your maid to better her baby care & culinary skills? Do not fret, we understand and we can also do customized training programme to suit your domestic helper!


Sometimes it can get frustrating that the only dishes she can cook are meals so salty and greasy that they will make you lose your appetite?


If you are out of wits thinking of ways to help her improve, it’s time to stop pulling your hair over these maid troubles, because we have the right enrichment classes to recommend for your domestic helper.

Baby Care Class​

1) Bathing your baby safely
What's the right water temperature for my baby's bath?
How to clean their eyes & mouth?
How can I safely support my baby in the water?
How often can I bath my baby?
Can I nip out of the bathroom just for a few seconds?

2) Nappy changing: the basics
How often should I change my baby's nappy?
What should I have handy for each nappy change?
How do I change a nappy?

3) Caring for your baby's umbilical stump
How long will my baby have an umbilical stump?
How can I care for my baby's stump?
How long will it take for the tummy button to heal?

4) Is it true that people should wash their hands before holding a newborn?

5) How to hold your baby?

6) How to prepare milk for baby at the right temperature?

7) How to prepare porridge for baby & at what age?

8) How to sterilize the bottle with the use of sterilizer?

9) How to apply ru yi oil on to baby after each shower?

10) How to massage your baby to make them sleep better?

Confinement Recipe 07 : -Stir Fried Ginger Slice DOM Chicken with Wolfberries

Confinement Recipe 06 : -Steamed Chicken with Dang Gui

Red Dates Drink for Confinement

- A Daily drink to replace your drinking water to drink throughout the day.
- Have to put in a vacumn flask after cooking to make it warm at all times​

Ingredients : Red Dates, Dried Longan, Dang Shen, Bei Qi, Black Dates & Wolfberry

Function : To avoid excessive water retention and keep your body warm during confinement

• Red and black dates - You’ll need plenty of these to boil with water to make tea
• Dried longans - Increase the heatiness, and helps you relax
• Wolfberries - These are great for healing your eyesight and increasing energy.
• Dang shen - Rejuvenates Qi and improves blood circulation.
• Bei qi - Heaty and boosts the immune system.
  

Hainanese Chicken Rice with Minced Ginger & Dark Soya Sauce

It is one of the dishes i will teach in my class.

 

 

Hainanese Chicken Rice with Minced Ginger & Black Soya Sauce

It is one of the dishes i will teach in my class.

Hainanese Chicken Rice with Minced Ginger & Black Soya Sauce

It is one of the dishes i will teach in my class.

Boiled Soya Bean Sprouts in Special Sauce

My favourite dish as i like the crunchy soya beans & most important is very nutritious food.

Mustard Vege Soup with Scallop

Stewed Soya Sauce Chicken Wings & Tofu

Having headache where your maid will go to or what bad company will she mixing with when she is having her off days??? Why not send them to our classes!!!

Free Basic Housekeeping Class

The free basic housekeeping class will include teaching them the proper way to wash the bathroom, toilet, kitchen basin, cleaning the exterior of the kitchen cabinets, sweeping & mopping the floor.

Free Baby Care Class

The free baby care class will include how to shower a baby, wash their milk bottles without steriliser, making milk at the correct temperature & cooking different kinds of porridge for them.

We can even teach your maids to prepare herbal bath for you on request using the traditional herbal packs or lemongrass ginger bath.

Using stalks of lemongrass & old ginger and ginger skin to boil in water.

 

Get your maids well trained to cook for your family & children or yourself during confinement!​

The training will also include bringing them to the market or supermarket to let them experience everything from scratch. From seeing, knowing & feeling the ingredients to preparing the food in the correct manner & tasting the end product. Copy of recipes will also be given after the classes so that they can use it as a reference to cook the next time. It is advisable to let them cook the same dishes soon after the classes so that they can remember the dishes in their mind.

For those who will be taking up the package of 3 days classes, free basic housekeeping or baby care class is included.(Opt for 1 only)

The free basic housekeeping class will include teaching them the proper way to wash the bathroom, toilet, kitchen basin, cleaning the exterior of the kitchen cabinets, sweeping & mopping the floor.

The free baby care class will include how to shower a baby, wash their milk bottles without steriliser, making milk at the correct temperature & cooking different kinds of porridge for them.

Steamed Tofu with Fish Meat

Steamed Fish Meat with Wolfberries

Herbal Porridge in Ikan Billis stock for Babies or Toddlers

Confinement Recipe 05 : - Rice Wine Black Fungus Chicken Soup

A Star Training Services provide professional personal training courses for foreign domestic workers.

( Personal, Group & Customised Programme) :  
1) Cooking
2) Babycare
3) Housekeeping
4) Confinement Cooking
5) Postnatal Care of Mummies

LIKE US @ OUR FACEBOOK PAGE :
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Star-Training-Services/582328435195850​

Confinement Recipe 04 : - Red Wine Chicken Mee Sua (Ang Zao Mee Suah)

Traditionally eaten by pregnant and women undergoing confinement for breakfast. Usually black fungus & ginger will also be added in.

Confinement Recipe 03 : - Black Bean Spare Ribs Soup

Black beans is an excellent source protein and fiber. It is also packed with powerful anti-oxidants providing loads of essential vitamins and minerals.
In TCM (traditional chinese medicine) terms, this soup helps to tonify the kidneys, strengthen yin energy and nourish blood. A-must for people who are tired, run down and whose body needs recovery.
Traditionally drunk by pregnant and women undergoing confinement, this blood-nourishing soup is beneficial for both men and women. 

Confinement Recipe 02 : - Papaya Fish or Fish Bones Soup

If you think you are experiencing low milk supply, your doctor or lactation consultant will advise you to increase the number of feeds and allow your baby to breastfeed as long as she needs. In the Chinese community, the confinement lady will most likely be at the stove, brewing up a pot of traditional fish and papaya soup. This dish has long been believed to help a new mother increase her breaskmilk supply. Soups are a big feature during the Chinese confinement period.

Confinement Recipe 01 : - Papaya Fish of Fish Bones Soup

If you think you are experiencing low milk supply, your doctor or lactation consultant will advise you to increase the number of feeds and allow your baby to breastfeed as long as she needs. In the Chinese community, the confinement lady will most likely be at the stove, brewing up a pot of traditional fish and papaya soup. This dish has long been believed to help a new mother increase her breaskmilk supply. Soups are a big feature during the Chinese confinement period

Steamed Salmon Fish Head with Miso Sauce.

Steamed Sea Bass with Black Sauce

Boiled Bean Sprouts with Black Sauce

This dish is not only cheap at only $0.50, but very delicious too

Ginseng Chicken Soup

ABC Chicken Soup - Kids Top Favourite