A story of hope

As parents, the only thing we always ask for when we're on the family way, is to have a healthy baby.  We may have gender preferences when we find out we are pregnant, but as soon as you hear your baby cry for the first time, gender will not really matter anymore.  We all fall in love with our babies at first sight (maybe even before we see them).


When I was pregnant with baby J, I vowed to myself that I will try to be as healthy as I possibly could.  I tried to do everything that would make her as healthy as possible.  I stopped eating sashimi, stopped drinking caffeinated beverages, took vitamins and drank milk religiously, and tried not to expose myself to viruses. So, naturally, I had a very smooth pregnancy.  All our check-ups were normal and baby J was at par with age every step of the way.


Because everything was normal, we knew we had a healthy baby.  When I delivered, we naturally agreed to everything that would benefit our baby (that included Hearing screening, Neonatal screening, vaccines, etc.).  We never worried about anything because even my delivery went smoothly.


But three weeks after delivery, I suddenly received a call from baby J's pediatrician.  The Neonatal screening test results were back!  And there was something wrong with my baby.  Based on the screening test, baby J tested positive for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).  Being a doctor, I knew it was not a serious problem, that we just had to be very careful with her food, environment, etc.  But, despite this, my world still crumbled at the news.  I cried after I put the phone down because I was already thinking about how her life would be when she grew up, with so many restrictions (on food, on drugs, even on the environment).  I started educating my relatives about the restrictions for baby J when she got older. 


At the same time that I was educating my family about G6PD, I was questioning the validity of the result because both the hubby's family and my family never had a relative with G6PD.  I could not reconcile the positive result with the absence of a family history.  The hubby and I decided to go to the National Institute of Health (NIH) to get a confirmatory test for baby J as well as for both of us, plus a cousin of mine.  Baby J's result confirmed G6PD, and all our results didn't help either.


Despite the confirmatory test, I was still questioning the probability of baby J having it.  So, during one discussion with a pediatrician about this, I was told that we can have the test repeated when baby J turned 6-8 months.  So, when we moved back to our country of residence, I told baby J's new pediatrician about the result and the absent family history.  Baby J's pediatrician then told me that we can do another test when she turned 8 months.  So when the time came, I requested to do the test for baby J, despite knowing that she had to suffer another blood extraction.  I was still hoping that we would get a different result since a lot of factors can affect the initial result.


After about two weeks, I then got a call from the pediatrician.  The result for the test was... NORMAL!!!  I felt so relieved and happy about it.  I trusted my instinct and knowledge of science. 


This is the first time I am openly sharing this.  But I just wanted to share how an unhappy situation had a happy ending.  I guess, there really is some truth to a mother's instinct!  There's more than enough sad news out there, I hope this story sends out a message of happiness and hope.

Going on a road trip with your baby

Even before baby J went on her first plane ride, the hubby and I have already been bringing her around.  In fact, she went on her first road trip when she was just 6 weeks old. 


To prepare for road trips, these are a few things I bring along:




1. Car seat


The use of infant car seats are a must, especially when travelling long distances.  There have been a lot of reported cases of mothers not being able to hold on to their babies when an accident does happen.  Because of this, we always made it a point to put baby J in her car seat whenever we travel, be it short or long distances.  The only problem with putting babies in a car seat is that babies do not like staying there for prolonged periods.


Of course, infant car seats are different from toddlers' car seats.  Do check to make sure you have the correct size for your baby and make sure the seatbelt has been strapped in correctly.




2. Toys


When baby J was very young, I would bring her musical toys and other stuffed animals to try to entertain her for the long ride ahead.  But as she grew older, toys were replaced by my repertoire of songs for her as well as pointing out things we saw out the window.


3. Food


Neonates and infants are very "oral".  They like putting things in their mouth.  So, if you are travelling with a wee little one, then it is best to prepare their milk formula.  If you are breastfeeding, then it is best to bring your nursing cover wherever you go, as babies tend to ask for milk anywhere, anytime.


For toddlers, it is best if you have a few snack choices for them.  Baby J does not like eating only one type of snack, so we always make sure to carry with us many food choices for her.


4. Pacifiers/ teethers


Again, depending on the age of your baby, they may prefer sucking on a pacifier during the long drive or they may want to chew on to something.


5. Extra set of clothes and bib


Because babies' satiety center is still immature, there is a tendency to overfeed them since they will never say no to milk.  They may vomit often because of this.


I had such problem with baby J.  She enjoyed breastfeeding, and as such, had a tendency to feed for prolonged periods and at very short intervals.  This led to her vomiting almost daily, anytime and anywhere.  Because of this, I always made it a point to bring extra sets of clothes for her as well as for myself.


6. Blanket


Our little ones do not have enough fats to insulate them from the cold, so I always came prepared with a nice comfortable blanket for baby J.


On the other end of the spectrum, we also need to make sure that do not become too hot either.


Travelling with babies, whether it is only to go to the mall or to take long road trips, will always mean bringing around a lot of stuff.  But, all the stresses of preparation are worth it just to be able to spend time with our little ones.


So, go out and explore with your babies.  Good luck! Trust me, it gets easier with time.

What you need to know about air travel with an infant

The hubby and I started air travel with baby J when she was just 2 months old.  Being a first time Mom, I was of course, very apprehensive about travelling with my wee little one. But travelling with a baby entails more than the plane ride.  There are countless preparations involved,  beginning with the passport (if you are planning to travel overseas).


Because I knew we were travelling when baby J turned 2 months, I applied for her passport when she was just a month old.  Luckily, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has a courtesy lane for young children as well as senior citizens so we did not have to wait very long during the application process.


What do you need when applying for your baby's passport?   
1.  The officials will ask for a National Statistics Office (NSO) copy of your child's birth certificate.  But, because the NSO copy for one so young was not available so soon, they will allow you to just  submit the Birth Certificate released by the  hospital.  But, they will ask you to sign an agreement that when the time comes to renew the passport, you need  to submit an NSO  copy of the birth certificate then or your child  will not be granted a passport.
2. Duly filled application form
3. Picture taking  will be done on site.
4. The passport will be released between 2 weeks to 1 month from the date of the application, depending on the applicant load.  When collecting the passport, your little does not have to make an appearance at the DFA anymore.  You just need to bring the receipt.


Different countries will of course have different requirements for passport application so be sure to check with the respective government offices.


Now, you are ready to make your flight booking. 


Here are some things you need to know about air travel with a baby:
1. When booking your baby's ticket, some airline companies may ask you if you are paying for "Infant on Lap" or "Infant on seat".  If you decide to get a seat for your infant, you will of course have to pay the full adult fare or 75% of the adult fare (again depending on the airline).
2. A child from 0 - 2 years old will only be charged 10% of the published fare if the infant will sit on your lap.
3. Each infant is given 10kg baggage allowance.  Strollers and car seats are not charged.
4.  You may check-in your stroller or you may bring it all the way to the boarding gate and leave it with the ground crew before entering the plane.  When you disembark at the point of destination, check with the ground crew whether they will be bringing up the stroller at the boarding gate or it will be brought directly to the baggage claim area.
5.  If you wish to use your infant's car seat on the plane, make sure that the car seat is certified for use in the aircraft.
6.  Bassinets are provided for infants once the fasten seatbelt sign has been switched off.  However, babies need to be removed from the bassinet when there is turbulence and before landing.
7.  There is a height and weight limit for the bassinet as well.  Check with the flight attendant as different airlines use different sizes of bassinets.
8. When placing your infant in the bassinet, do make sure that the head is directed towards the window.  This is to ensure that should the overhead compartment suddenly open mid-flight, any contents that may fall out will not hit your baby's head.
9.  When booking your infant or toddler's ticket, make sure you have requested the correct meal for your baby.  Some companies give the option of feeds for starters or post-weaning meal for toddlers.
10.  In the event that you forget to bring diapers on the plane, the staff will usually have one or two diapers available.
11.  Depending on the company, others may give toys for the little one while others may actually give a diaper care kit.
12. Not all lavatories will have the changing table.  Always check the label on the door before you go in with the little one.


But, how do we actually make sure that our baby is comfortable during the flight?  How do we help our babies cope with the pressure changes in-flight?  These were the apprehensions I had during baby J's first flight.  So, what did I do to address this?


Tips for a comfortable flight for your baby:
 1. Feed your baby during take-off and shortly before landing (once the captain announces that "descent will be commencing".  If your little one is not hungry, you may also offer a pacifier or water to drink for take-off or landing.
2.  If you are breastfeeding, bring your nursing cover and make sure to let your infant latch on during take off and landing.
3.  Bring one or two toys on-board to keep your little one entertained.
4.  Bring teethers when your infant is teething.
5.  Prepare your repertoire.  Singing to your baby will help entertain him/ her throughout the duration of the flight.
6. Make sure your baby is wearing comfortable clothes in-flight. 
7. Make sure that a jacket or blanket is readily available.
8. For toddlers, make sure snacks are available.  Offer it to them during take off and landing as well, to help prevent ear pain from the cabin pressure changes.
9. For longer flights, you may even accompany your toddler to take walks around the plane.


Baby J has been to 12 countries already and has been on short, medium, and even long-haul flights already.  For the 20 or so times she has travelled, I made sure that I had everything ready on-board.  Because of all these preparations, baby J never once cried on the plane.  Now that she is a toddler, she doesn't even make a fuss on board.  She is so used to flying that everything on-board is normal to her.  She would even tell me: " Baby crying" when she sees other infants or toddlers crying on the plane.


Travelling with an infant or toddler should not have to be so difficult.  As long as you are prepared, travelling with an infant or toddler is so worth it.  By the time they are toddlers, you will see that a well-travelled baby looks at things differently.  They also have this appreciation for every new thing they see.  So, go travel with your baby.  The travel experiences you have with them is stimulating both for the heart and mind.

Keeping fit... with baby

The hubby and I have not had any decent exercise since baby J was born.  Juggling our erratic work schedule and the care of our baby does not leave us a lot of time on our hands to plan and actually stick to a fitness regimen.

I already gave up my gym membership and the hubby's bike has been gathering dust for the last 22 months.

Now that baby J is more grown up, I've been thinking about what exercise we can do that would still allow us to spend time with our baby, something that would also get her involved.  I initially thought about going jogging again, but that would mean buying a new stroller, one that is really meant to be able to withstand the stresses of being pushed around through different terrains.  So, jogging was out.  

I started thinking about what we had in our neighborhood, something that is easily accessible and would not cost much.  So, the idea of playing badminton again came to mind. Since we had rackets already, we just had to buy the shuttlecock and the net.  It was also a bonus that the badminton court was free of charge.

We have only started playing badminton for approximately two weeks, but at least, we are no longer couch potatoes.  Baby J also joins us when we play.  She would explore the play area with her nanny and meet other kids her age and watch us play in between her activities.  She enjoys those times we bring her to the court.  The next step is to think of a sports activity where baby J will have an active part in the activity as well...

It is actually a blessing that the hubby and I are on the same page when it comes to the care of our baby.  Hubby works twenty-seven to twenty-eight days in a month, so naturally, every spare time we have, we try to spend together as a family. So far, we have managed to work around this situation, not without effort, but we are still managing to give full-time hands-on parenting to baby J, and for that I am grateful.

Travelling Mom (plus two)

Travelling through 200 miles of wilderness during a recent business trip gave me time to reflect on my situation as a travelling mom. 

I travel heavily for work, sometimes being in 2 countries in one week and then travelling again the following week to another part of the globe.  Many families have been affected by this type of work situation.  But I am glad that my work has never affected my home life. In fact, it has brought my family even closer.

I am lucky that I have a very supportive husband who, working in the hospital, also does not have a fixed predictable schedule.  Because of this, we were able to turn our situation to our advantage.  Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves that we are spending a lot of time apart, we made it work for us.

I have to admit though, it has not been easy.  We both try to adjust to each other's schedules and plan for every last minute changes. When I am required to be in a country for only a few hours of work, I choose the earliest flight out and take the last flight back, just so I can be beside my hubby and baby at night. When work requires me to be away for a longer period, my husband then adjusts his schedule so they can join me on my trip. Of course it is not as easy as it sounds, and this set-up has not been very kind to our pockets. But one thing is clear, the husband and I have always made our family our first priority.

It takes a lot of work to keep a family together.  We need to identify our priorities and make sure we stick to it.  We need to ensure that we have work-life balance.  We need to give 100% at work and do the same for the family.

Instead of being away from them on my business trips, they instead, join me! They have their father-daughter bonding sessions while I am at work, and then we all go to explore the place after I finish work. 

We have never travelled as much as we are doing now.  And I must admit, it has been a very expensive solution for our situation. Some people may not even agree with what we are doing. But, for all the memories we are creating, for all the learning and discovery that baby J has been having, and for the love and attention that we are giving our baby, I think it is totally worth it.  

Why we celebrate our baby's first birthday

When baby J was turning one, I felt very happy and very sentimental at the same time.  I decided to put those emotions in writing.  Now that baby J is turning 2 in 2 months' time, I am once again reliving the wave of emotions I felt 10 months ago.  I would like to share with you what I wrote then:

Our baby is turning one in a few days. Looking back at the past year, I would say it has been the most difficult but most fulfilling twelve months of our lives. We grew up from adults to parents in the blink of an eye.

Caring for a baby can be quite scary (especially if it is your firstborn) because the care of that tiny bundle of joy is solely in your hands. What if you do a bad job at it? What if you harm your baby because of your ineptitude? All these things run through the minds of first time parents. That's why the baby's first birthday is always a cause for celebration, celebration for the parents that they did not botch the job of raising their baby! :)

But seriously, it has been an overwhelming year for my husband and I. We knew it would be a very tiring first year for us. But we didn't know it would be so much fun as well. Despite the year-round lack of sleep for me, having Iya around has brought so much joy not only to us parents but to the rest of the family as well.

The last twelve months has been a year of so many firsts as well, both for us and baby J. It was my first time to be admitted in a hospital, it was my first time to have an operation, it was our first time being parents. But what is more important are the firsts we have witnessed in our daughter, like the first time she uttered a sound, the first time she slept through the night, the first time she ate, her first tooth. There are so many firsts happening, and we never thought those small things can actually make a person happy. But it did! And it still continues to make us happy.

Last night, baby J wanted to eat the bread we were having for our midnight snack. It was her first time to eat bread. And she ate quite a big portion of it! Telling you now about it may seem a normal thing for you, but for us parents, we couldn't seem to stop smiling about it, seeing her eagerness to try the bread, and how happy she was when she was eating it. Remembering it now still brings a smile to my face. Such is the effect of a child on any parent.

It has been a wonderful roller coaster ride. Having a baby teaches us to stop and smell the roses and to appreciate the seemingly mundane things of everyday life.

Truly it has been a year of firsts for us, it is the first year we have truly lived!

Now that we are better at parenting than we were when baby J arrived, one thing remains the same, having baby J around makes us look at the world in a new light.  You will only stop and smell the roses when you have a little one around.  Babies teach us to appreciate and find joy in the littlest things.  Everyday we thank the Lord for blessing us with baby J who made us truly alive.

Giving up your career to start a family

"Would you give up your career to start a family?" This is a very familiar question being asked of women during job interviews to gauge their commitment to the job.  I will not lie,  I have been asked the same question during my application into medical school. During that time, I was too busy trying to be a successful woman, so naturally, my answer was a big, fat, NO.

I went on to follow my dreams and worked hard to obtain the goals I have set for myself. I finished medical school, became the head of the Interns' union, got into the residency program of the biggest government hospital in the country, where I also became the chief resident, and then proceeded to train overseas for two sub-specialty programs of my chosen discipline. I had everything going for me.  Until I decided that it was time to start a family.

When the boyfriend (now the hubby) and I decided to get married and start our own family, my career in the hospital had to take a backseat.  Nobody forced me to do it.  It was a voluntary decision on my part because I felt that I have already devoted my younger years into becoming a good doctor.  It is now my responsibility to devote myself into becoming a good mother and wife.  No, I did not quit my job to become a homemaker. Instead, I left the hospital to work in a 9 to 5 job so that I was as healthy as I possibly could during the entire pregnancy for my baby's sake.  The hospital will still be there when I am ready to go back, but I cannot tell my baby to stop growing up until I am ready to see her grow.

Coming back to work was even harder after baby J came out.  But, I also had to think about her future.  So, back to work I went.  I still went back to my office job, giving lectures and training across SEA.

Oftentimes, I get asked by fellow clinicians why I decided to leave the hospital, if I am ever going back to the hospital. I was even told one time that I am a very good doctor, to leave the practice will be a total waste.  I just take it all in stride.  Sometimes, I take the time to explain why I made the decision, other times, I just simply ignore the comments.  I have never regretted this decision.  To be able to spend a lot of time with baby J, watching her grow and start exploring the world is totally worth it.  It is also a very nice perk that she is a very sweet, expressive child.  She would just suddenly come up to me and give me a hug, or squeeze my face to express herself.  She makes this world a very happy place just by being in it.

Giving up my career for my baby is just a small thing when I compare what other moms have to give up for their babies.  And if I had to do everything all over again, I would still choose to do this.  We owe it to our children to be the best parents we can be for them.  After all, it was our choice to become parents.  Our babies never had a say in the matter.

Now I ask you: "What are you willing to give up for your baby?"

7 Ways to prepare for our children's future financially

Now that you have given birth, the stresses of preparing for the little one's arrival has now been replaced with the stresses of parenthood.  In the initial months, you will be too busy adjusting to the lack of sleep and caring for the baby 24/7 to even bother thinking too far ahead.  But once everything starts to settle down, you need to start planning your finances for your child's future.

Since the arrival of baby J, the pressure to earn more and save more has become even more palpable, especially since we are living in the world's most expensive city as of this writing. So, what should young parents do to try to prepare for their children's future financially?

1. Do not spend more than what you are earning.   Yes, having a baby is a very good excuse to go on a shopping spree all the time.  But, we need to remember that our babies grow up very fast.  We should not use up our entire salary every month.

2. Save at least 30% of your monthly income. Financial analysts always say that to be able to cope with retrenchment, you should have at least 6 months' worth of salary in the bank to be able to keep you floating for at least 3 months. If such is the case, then ideally, we really should save 30% or more every month.
3. Look for passive income. For employees and professionals, we need to make sure we are earning something even after retirement.  Hence, we need to start looking for a way to earn passive income while we are still in the workforce.  Passive income may mean buying properties, investing in stocks (if you know how the stock market works), or other businesses that will afford you income after retirement.
4. Invest in a property. These days, it is so much easier to buy properties since many developers are now offering zero percent interest for in-house financing.  It is also easier to file for a home loan now with fixed interest rate for a few years.  While we are still capable of working and earning, we should start thinking about this.
4. Do not leave all your money in the bank. Businessmen do not believe in leaving all their money in the bank because leaving it in the bank will only give them a very small interest rate.  Whereas if they invest it, they have the chance to earn a whole lot more.
5. If your expenses go up, your income must go up.  If your expenses go up, cutting back on your savings is not the answer.  People in the financial industry always advise that a higher income is the only way to address this.  Once you have been accustomed to a certain lifestyle, it may be very difficult to change it in a heartbeat.
6. Do not use your child's money.  When children are given monetary gifts when they are young, do not use it to buy things for them.  Instead, save the money and give it to them once they are mature enough to handle their finances.
7. Teach your child early on about the value of money. Children should learn the value of money early so they will not be dependent on their parents someday.  Yes, parents will always be there to support their children, but at the same time, we should encourage them to open their wings and soar on their own merit.  We should teach them to strive and work for what they want so they will bring this attitude with them when they grow up.

All these things may seem easier said than done, but, we have to start somewhere.  Let our children be our inspiration.  Let us not start tomorrow, but begin today.  After all, "The journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu

Preparing for your baby's arrival

When the hubby and I first found out that I was pregnant, we were of course, very ecstatic.  But after the initial joy of the news, we realized we had so many things to prepare for.  It was overwhelming just thinking about the things we will be needing, especially since we are shuttling between two countries.  We had to have two of most things.  But, I can say that I am luckier than most people, since we did not have to spend so much on the baby's things because of family and friends who gave us a lot of the things we will be needing. 

So, what did we do to make the buying not so painful? 
1. Decide on the things you need to buy. We decided on the things we felt needed to be brand new for the baby and then we started to be on the lookout for Baby Expos and baby store deals happening. 

Among the things that have to be brand new are the following:
a. Stroller
b. Infant Car Seat
c. Breast pump
d. Mattress

Safety experts do not recommend buying second-hand strollers and car seats unless you trust the owner, because these items may have been damaged in an accident, putting into question the safety of your car seat or stroller.

Breast pumps are also not meant to be shared for health reasons (since breast milk after all, is body fluid).  In fact, the warranty of breast pumps become void if it is found out that there were multiple users for it.

2. Buy early and in batches. We decided to buy baby stuff early and in small quantities so we would not feel the pinch when the bills came.  Other people do not want to stock up on things early because it takes up a considerable space at home.  But for us, we decided to stock up on those things as we felt the good deals may not be around anymore when I am close to my delivery date.

3. Set aside money every month for the hospital bill as well as other expenses. Another thing we did was to start setting aside money every month for the hospital expenses of my delivery.  We started doing this from the time we found out I was pregnant.  We jacked up the estimated cost also so that we are prepared should the expenses go up unexpectedly.

4.  Do not go overboard by buying too many baby clothes. When we were buying stuff for the baby, we just made sure the baby would have something to wear in the first few days of life.  We knew our relatives and friends would most likely be giving us clothes as gifts, so we decided to just use the money for something else.

5. Order online.  I would frequently check Amazon for items I would be using when the baby came.  A lot of the items I bought were significantly cheaper than those you would find in the store.

6. Check the latest guidelines on newborn safety before buying anything. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has been a major concern over the last few years, hence, many things have changed in terms of caring for our newborn baby.  Read up on things that may potentially be harmful for the newborn and check the recommended clothing, beddings, etc to prevent such incident from happening.

By doing all of these, we were pretty much ready 2 months before my due date.  It helped that many people actually gave us a lot of gifts for the baby.  But by starting early, it also did not hit our monthly budget drastically.  We barely felt the stress of the preparation.

Preparing for the arrival of our little one is a very exciting period not only for you as a couple, but also for your extended family, so you shouldn't remember this as a period of stress, instead you should enjoy the journey.  After all, you were given 9 months to prepare for this. 

11 Signs you have a good partner

Over the years, I have seen a lot of failed relationships, both from friends and relatives alike.  It is heartbreaking to hear how the supposed "love of your life" can turn into the person you never ever want to see again.

On the other hand, I also see relationships that have survived many trials, through many decades, and through many kilograms.  Such relationships are what inspired me to write this.  If we have found a good life partner, we should cherish them and we should never stop working to make the relationship last.  After all, marriage does not mean you can now stop all the efforts you have been doing for your partner.  In fact, marriage means you have to work even harder for the relationship to last.

Below are just some of the signs to say that you have found a good husband:

1.  He will always make time for you.  A person who gives you importance will always make time for you.  He will find ways to make sure he is there for you. But if he doesn't give yo importance, he will always have excuses
2.  He is a devoted father.  A good spouse should also be a good father. The responsibility of raising kids does not and should not fall solely on the mother, especially in this day and age where equality of the sexes is always being pushed, and women are also holding leadership roles.
3.  He takes care of your parents. A husband who loves you will not only take care of you but also of the people you care about.  So, if he takes care of your parents (even without you asking him to), then he is definitely a keeper.
4.  He is a good son.A good husband, usually is not only a good husband, but a good son and son-in-law as well.  How can he treat you well if he cannot even treat his family nicely?
5.  He puts God in the center of your relationship. Couples who put God in the center of their relationship can usually weather all trials that come their way while keeping their faith in God and in each other.
6.  He loves you for who you are. In a relationship, you should never have to pretend to be someone you are not.  Your husband should not love you for who he wants you to be, rather, he should love you for who you truly are.
7.  He is attentive to your needs. A man who truly loves you will know what you need even before you ask for it because he is sensitive to your needs and because he really knows you.
8.  He is always there to support you. In every relationship, it is our obligation to always be supportive of our spouse.  We should be there when he/ she is soaring high, but we should be there even more when he/ she is falling.
9.  He treats you as an equal partner in the relationship. Your partner should always treat you as an equal in the relationship.  He should not feel superior nor inferior.  When partners treat each other as equals, there will be less conflict.
10.  He is hardworking. A good partner will always have your best interest at heart.  Yes, love makes the world go round.  But in the real world, love will not give you food for your stomach, a roof over your head, or even clothes on your back. We also need to work to survive.  We should not look at the bank account before we enter a relationship. Instead, we should look at the attitude of the person.  After all, hard work goes a long way.
11.  He appreciates you. A man who loves you appreciates you for who you are and what you are to him.  When a man appreciates you, he will take care of you.

If you have found a partner who has all of these traits, do not let him go!  If he has hit the jackpot with you, you have also hit the jackpot with him.  Be thankful that in this big, crazy world, you have found the one that was truly meant for you. 

10 Reasons why travelling is good for young children

I started  bringing baby J on my trips overseas when she was only 6 months old.  Many people do not understand why I bring her on my trips, some have even disapproved of it.  But, why did I choose to continue doing it (until now)?  First of all, I was (and still am) breastfeeding her.  Second, I have vowed to myself that baby J should always be the first priority. So, the hubby and I decided this was the best thing to do for baby J.


Baby J just turned 20 months a few days ago.  In 20 months, she has been to 13 countries and 16 cities.  True, it has not always been very convenient travelling with a baby, but the hubby and I would not have it any other way.


When I look at baby J now, I am thankful that we always bring her with us for the following reasons:
1. Travelling is a good exposure to people.  I have noticed that Baby J is not afraid of people.  When we go out and she meets other kids, she is the one who approaches them to say "Hi!".  She does not get intimidated even of the older kids.  When we were hearing Mass during one trip, she suddenly walked up to a boy of about 8, and suddenly hugged him.
2. Travelling makes your baby adaptable.  Because we travel often, baby J never has trouble with new environments.  She never gets fussy when we are in a new place.  Instead, she would happily invite me to explore the new surroundings with her.
3. Travelling is a very good bonding experience for the family. When we travel, we forget about work (at least for a few days), and focus all our attention to each other.  This allows us to be together physically and emotionally 24/7.
4. Travelling exposes your baby's palate.  Wherever we go, we try the different specialties each place has to offer.  Baby J happily tries it with us.  Today, baby J eats just about anything.  She also loves trying out new food.
5. Travelling is educational. We may think our babies do not remember the things that they see and experience, but baby J proves me wrong every time.  She may not yet be able to talk to me in full sentences, but she shows me that she remembers everything she sees and experiences.  For our part, we have always talked to her like she were an adult.  We always point out new things, we always explain how things work, etc.  Surprisingly, the next time baby J sees a particular item or picture, she can easily identify it.
6. Travelling makes your baby less fussy during the journey.  In all this time that we have been travelling with baby J, I noticed that she is quite okay on the plane.  While other babies keep crying on the plane, she just goes about entertaining herself with the things she sees, be it a plane ride, a train ride, or even a boat ride.
7.  Travelling creates many good memories.  True, your babies may not remember all the details of the trips they have been on as babies or toddlers.  But when they grow up and see the family pictures of those trips, it will definitely bring back good memories for everyone.
8.  You never have to experience missing your baby.  When you bring your baby on your trips, you never have to feel the guilt that you left your baby behind or even have to feel lonely because you miss your baby.
9.  Having your baby with you makes travelling more fun.  Despite the logistical nightmare of travelling with a baby, we have to admit, travelling is more fun with our kids around.  Seeing their awe and amazement gives us more than enough happiness already.
10. Travelling enhances your child's creativity. With recommendations coming out from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about avoiding all forms of media for children less than 2 years of age as well as  limiting the viewing time for older children, what better way to enhance our child's creativity than by exposing them to many different things in this world?  Travelling  helps them spend more time outdoors, to enhance their imagination and free play.  Seeing the world also helps to address the curiosity of  our children.


I have attached the link to the AAP advocacy below:


http://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Pages/Media-and-Children.aspx






With all these reasons in mind, I would not have it any other way.  Travelling is definitely more fun when we are with the ones we love.  After all, money can never pay for the experience and the memories we are forming and sharing with them.

Making learning fun

Baby J is almost 18 months, and people have been asking me if I am planning to send her to Childcare soon.  My answer is "No." I am saying No because the minute your child goes to school (be it childcare, pre-school, kindergarten, etc), they are automatically more prone to infections.  Next, no one really watches what they eat in school anymore, unlike when they are at home being watched over.  Another reason is the debate of when is it too early to send your child to school.  Some people say that it burns out the child too early if they are sent to school at such a young age.  Some studies have shown no major difference if you send your child to school early or late, but others are showing that children tend to perform better if they are not prematurely made to go to school.  

Mine is just a personal opinion.  I am not imposing it on anyone, and I am not judging people who send their kids to school early. To each his own.  No one has the right to say that he is right and you are wrong.  But one thing is for sure, to make kids learn, they should find enjoyment in what they do.  I would just like to share what Baby J and I do to make learning fun for her.

 1. Teaching through music.  Baby J loves music.  She would even stop walking when she hears a song just to dance to the beat.  She would also verbalize the song she wants the hubby or I to play.  So, because of this interest, I try to teach her by way of music.  I teach her ABCs by singing different versions of the ABC song.  I teach her body parts through song as well.  She gives me her undivided attention when I sing her songs, at the same time, she is learning through the song as well.

2. Let the environment be your book.  I take advantage of the things we see around us, and the places we go to teach Baby J. When we see a bird or a dog in the park, I tell her about them.  When we see fruits in the grocery, I tell her what they are, even discussing their colors with her.  By doing this, I know I am imparting knowledge while she is out exploring her surroundings.

3.  Functions of daily living can be a lesson as well.  Everyday, when I play with Baby J in the shower, I try to teach her the different parts of her body.  I also teach her how she should clean herself in the shower.  As a result, I am proud to say that as early as 15 months, she can already identify 7 body parts (when, based on the Developmental milestone, she is only required to be able to name 2 to be at par with age).  Now, she not only points to those body parts when asked, she can even name some of them herself.

4.  Tell her stories.  During our down time, I just tell Baby J stories about the things around us.  She listens intently to my stories when I do that, and even tries to converse with me in her unique baby language.  We also never used baby talk with baby J.  I think this also helped her to understand adult words faster.  Even before she turned one, she could already follow simple commands, proving to us that she really does understand what we are saying.

5.  Correlate with things your baby already knows.  I am proud to say that I taught baby J how to say her auntie's name (A-i), by teaching her to use the words and sounds she already knows.  True enough, after teaching her just once how to say it, she has learned it and has been fondly calling her "A-i" a lot!

 I am not lucky enough to spend the whole day with baby J as I am working full time as well.  But every spare minute I have, I try to spend it with her, taking advantage of whatever situation we experience to allow her to learn things.  You will be surprised how fast babies and toddlers learn. Do not think of teaching them as a chore, because in the process of teaching them, you will learn many things as well.  I hope you've picked up a few tips and tricks from this.

Learning about our child's EQ

Babies grow up very fast.  One day they are so dependent on you for everything, the next day, they start to let go of your hand and start exploring the world on their own.  Before you even have time to catch your breath, your baby is already a grown-up.

Baby J is now 17 months old.  It has been 17 months of joy and hardship for the hubby and I.  It is so much fun to watch Baby J learn new things everyday.  She is like a sponge.  She absorbs everything she sees and hears.  Everyday, she learns new words to say, does new things, and discovers things she likes and doesn't like. 

It is also at this stage, where our actions influence our kids the most.  Babies observe and absorb everything around them, from the environment, to our disposition, to how we react to things around us.  They are smarter than what we give them credit for.  

Hence, I would like to share the article below about our children's EQ.  EQ is not innate within a child.  It is also influenced by the environment and by the people around the child.  Please read on to find out the ten things you need to know about your child's EQ.

What You Need To Know About Your Child’s EQ (Emotional Intelligence)

By Randall Zernzach, MD, Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrician

We all want the best for our child. We want them to be healthy, happy and successful. But, we place so much emphasis on their IQ and behaviors that we neglect the importance of understanding their EQ, and how it can make a difference in their personal success. Here are ten things you need to know about your child’s EQ:

1. “Babies communicate with emotions before they learn to speak.” Emotions are truly “the language of infancy.” Long before a functional expressive vocabulary develops, children have a large repertoire of emotional expressions- anger, fear, sadness, joy, love, surprise, shame, guilt, and embarrassment.
2. “Emotions, even negative ones, are natural and have a purpose.” Emotions are an essential part of what makes us human. They have functions for us that are very important. Feelings “inform” our higher cognitive abilities. Fear, for example, can serve to keep us safe and help us make good choices. ANGER can help motivate us to make positive changes in our environment. Sadness lets us know the extent of the love and joy we are capable of.
3. “Negative emotions need to be validated, not dismissed.” Successful management and regulation of negative emotions is a prerequisite to finding long-term joy and happiness in life. A child cannot learn to manage negative feelings if he is not taught the first steps in recognizing them in himself when they are being experienced. It is very difficult to see your child feeling sad or angry. However, when you do not allow them to express the feeling, you lower their emotional intelligence.
4. “Children need a safe environment to express their feelings.” A child needs a home where they are free to express their feelings and emotions without punishment, ridicule, or shame. By allowing children a safe expression of their emotions you increase their self-esteem, and build a relationship of trust, Home is the optimal environment for nurturing emotional intelligence, and connecting with your child.
5. “Children feel emotions intensely.” Children are not able to easily control an emotion that surfaces (it may even surprise them!). It is best to coach children to what they can learn to control: what they do with the emotion. For example, “it’s OK to feel angry inside, it’s not OK to hit, kick or bite.” When calm is restored, a discussion about triggering events or solving problems can ensue.
6. “Children need to learn and practice identifying, labeling, and managing emotions (i.e. EQ skills) at an early age.” Children need to be taught from infancy and beyond toddler years how to identify, label and manage their emotions. Like learning any new developmental skill of importance, education and practice is needed. There will be “failures”- lots of them. But there will be successes too as automatic neurological-pathways of response are established. Parents can increase a child’s EQ (emotional intelligence) by coaching and creating teaching moments in everyday home life starting at birth.
7. “Encourage ‘I’ statements.” Encourage the habit of expressing what you feel instead of what’s wrong (or right) with a situation. For example, “I feel mad when you say mean words like that,” or “I feel happy inside when you share with me.”
8. “Know ahead of time what to say during an emotional display.” Many parents “shoot from the hip” when trying to calm down an emotional toddler. There is a great sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing at least how to start coaching your child through his strong expressions of emotions before they occur. And, most importantly, you are more able to control your own emotional reactivity and teach effectively.
9. “Model appropriate EQ skills yourself.” Children are always watching their parent’s emotional reactions in every day situations. In many ways, children mirror our own behavior. Therefore, start identifying your own feelings, and be aware of how you manage them. If you’re angry and yelling, chances are you’ll find your child yelling too! Remember, “School is never out at home.”
10. “EQ skills can be taught by parents and learned by children.” It is now widely accepted that a child’s EQ can be profoundly affected by parenting and environment. It is much less genetically predisposed than the IQ. An EQ smart parent can have an EQ smart child. Learn how to be your child’s own EQ Coach.

"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy..."

Baby J is now at an age where she can express what she likes and what she doesn't like.  She can express it in her own language, in actions, or by the language we adults are currently using, modern English.

She is also at the stage where she can be very clingy to Mommy.  She will not go with anyone, she will not go anywhere, if it is not Mommy.  I will be lying to you if I tell you I do not get tired of this set-up.  I cannot even go to the toilet, much less take a shower, in peace.  That small voice will start shouting: "Mommy! Mommy!" when I start to walk away from her, even after explaining to her about where I am going or what I am going to do. She will also start knocking (yes, she has learned how to knock this early) on the bathroom door just to see my face.  True, it is indeed very tough to not be able to do the things you have to do.  But, on the other hand, I am just savoring the moment.

The daily routine with baby J, the sweet talks and cuddles as we wind down for the night, are the things I look forward to each day.  I know that there will come a time when she will not want to be this clingy to Mommy.  There will come a time when she might even avoid Mommy and keep secrets from Mommy.  That time may or may not arrive, but at least, for the moment, I am everything to her, as she is everything to me.  She may not remember all the things we are doing now, but I am sure the feeling that she has always been the top priority of Mommy and Daddy will linger and help her grow up to be a fine, young lady in the future.  

Dealing with Gastroenteritis

Baby J just recovered from a bout of Gastroenteritis (which lasted all of 5 days).  It was 5 days of hell for the family, for baby J it was the total feeling of being unwell and not understanding why it's happening to her, for the hubby and I, it was the constant fear of our baby being dehydrated from all the fluid loss from both the diarrhea and vomiting.

Being both medical doctors, we of course, knew what to look out for, but when you see your baby having 6 episodes of diarrhea per day with 4 episodes of vomiting, you become extra scared because you know that dehydration is especially dangerous for babies who have a smaller fluid volume.

But the past few days of baby J's illness made me appreciate breastfeeding even more.  Even if baby J had no appetite for solid food, she at least, still continued breastfeeding (maybe even more so during this time). And because breast milk contains more whey proteins than casein, it allowed for quick and easy digestion for her.  At least, I knew she was still being nourished despite her high output.

This experience thus prompted me to share some important things regarding dehydration.

Bring your child to the doctor when you see the following WARNING SIGNS (taken from National University Hospital Kids Gastroenteritis information pamphlet):

• Signs of dehydration:
• No tears when crying
• Sunken eyes
• Less than 5 wet diapers in one day
• Dry skin, mouth, and tongue
• Sunken fontanelle
• Not willing to drink
• Frequent vomiting for more than 4 to 6 hours
• More than 6 large volume, watery diarrheas in one day
• Stomach pain that is severe and does not stop
• Fast breathing
• Very sleepy or very fussy
• Cool or grayish skin
• Severe head or neck pain
• Green vomitus
• Blood in the vomit or diarrhea
• Crying and bringing the knees up to stomach
• Fever of above 39 degrees celsius, for longer than 12 hours

 It is always heart-breaking to see your child fall ill, but in these situations, vigilance is key.  Just read through it, it may come in handy one day (although, I, of course do not wish for any parent to have the need for it if possible).

Taiwan: In the eyes of a Travelling Mom

Before I had baby J, I assessed a country I was visiting depending on how much I enjoyed shopping there and the unique things they could offer me.  But now that I am a mother, I rate every country I visit on their "baby-friendliness".

The family recently went to Taiwan for its culture, gastronomic delights, and of course, shopping.  The minute we de-planed, I was already doing my assessment.  I was very happy that the airport offered a Breastfeeding Room.  I naturally decided to check it out.  When I got to the room, I was very happy to see that they really considered the comfort of mommy and baby in that room.  The room had changing tables, with free Mamy Poko wipes, a dryer, hot and cold water, baby powder, and individual rooms for breast feeding! 

I am attaching some of the photos I took there.

The baby-friendliness of Taiwan did not stop at the airport.  The malls also had dedicated breastfeeding rooms.  Even Guang Hua Digital Mall had a breastfeeding room! 

Another nice thing I noticed was sidewalks all had ramps for wheelchairs and strollers!  So walking to your favorite night market did not prove to be a problem either!

Taxi drivers also do not rush the passengers.  They would also even drive you cheerfully to your destination.

All in all, we had a pleasant stay in Taiwan.

I know how stressful it is to prepare for an overseas trip with a baby in tow, especially for the first time!  So, try to choose a baby-friendly country.  It will make your first trip a breeze! 

Breastfeeding Benefits - My Personal Experience

I have been breastfeeding baby J since I was wheeled out of the Operating Room ( baby J was delivered via Caesarean section) more than 15 months ago.  So, I have personally seen and experienced the many benefits of breastfeeding.

First of them is the bond you develop with your baby when you breastfeed.  I have personally seen this with my daughter.  She always prefers to be with me over everyone else (even her dad, who is the next best thing for her when I am not around).  It is also heart melting to hear her squeals of glee when I come home from work.  I now understand what people have always been saying about all your worries, stress, and tiredness disappearing when you see your baby.

Breastfeeding is also very easy on the go.  You do not have to prepare bottles, formula milk, and hot water before you leave the house.  You don't even have to spend time preparing the milk! Just bring along your trusty nursing cover and you're ready to feed your baby with fresh, warm milk.

The puplik nursing cover is what I am using because I like the rigid neckline design which allows me to view my baby while I am feeding her.

Breast milk has many nutritional benefits for your baby. It significantly increases brain development in your baby as well as improve the immune status of your little one.  Breast milk also has less fat content so fully breastfed babies are not as chubby as formula-fed babies.  With the rising number of childhood obesity, I think this is a very good thing.

Imagine the dollars you are saving also when you breastfeed your baby.  I estimated the dollars I have saved in the last 15 months, and guess what it amounted to?  The hubby and I have already saved more than 4,000 dollars!

But I think the benefit most women want out of breastfeeding is the weight loss! Yes, you read it right!  Breast feeding lets you burn an additional 500 kcal per day.  In my experience, I lost 7kg during my first month post-partum.  It was a very pleasant surprise to step on the weighing scale and find out I lost 7kg without doing anything.

So, mommies out there, plan to breastfeed (if you have not done so already), continue breastfeeding, and do it as long as you can!  The benefits are enormous.  Happy Breastfeeding!

Working moms and breastfeeding

I went back to work when baby J was just 2.5 months old.  Naturally, it was a very difficult time for me since that was the first time I had to leave the baby for hours at a time.  What made it even more difficult was the fact that baby J has been exclusively breastfed since birth.  And knowing the many benefits of breastfeeding, I have already decided to breastfeed her for as long as I have milk to offer. 

Balancing a full-time job (with frequent travelling involved) and being a full-time breastfeeding, hands-on mom has been the most difficult challenge I had to face.  If we had tons and tons of money, I would have let my career take a back seat and be a stay at home mom until baby J was old enough to enter pre-school.  But who am I kidding, I would probably have missed working also if I did that, plus the fact that the hubby and I now have a mini human being to raise and give the best possible future to.  So, of course, the extra income would go a long way for the little one.

So, it was off to work I went with my handy electronic breastpump complete with the ice pack and insulated bag.  Lucky for me, the office was very close to our house, so I would go home for lunch to feed baby J when time permitted.  On busy days, I would express milk 2-3 times in the office, leave everything in the office freezer, and just get it before I went home.  Usually, by the time I bring it home, the milk has been frozen already. 

My greatest fear with expressing breastmilk is its "life expectancy".  I did not want to give baby J spoiled milk, at the same time, I did not want to waste a single drop of breastmilk (all breastfeeding moms would understand this!).  With this in mind, I stumbled across the guidelines from La Leche League regarding storage of breastmilk.  Check the link below if you are unsure.

http://www.llli.org/faq/milkstorage.html

Difficult as it is to work and fully breastfeed baby J, we have successfully managed to do it for the last 15 months!  I am proud to say that baby J is still breastfed (and eating solids, of course), and we will keep going until she decides to stop wanting it (at the rate we are going, I don't see her wanting to stop anytime soon).

All moms want the best for their kids.  Since breastfeeding is best for babies, that is what I am giving her! Thankfully, I have been blessed with very good milk supply.  So, if you have good milk supply, just go for it.  Know that there are millions of women out there with the same situation as you.

Child Nutrition Course, anyone?

Once your baby enters the sixth month, your pediatrician may start advising you to start feeding your baby.  Naturally, we always want only the best and most nutritious food for our little one.  But what constitutes healthy food for our kids?

Before baby J started on semi-solids at 6 months, the hubby and I were already reading books on food preparation for babies.  We bought a few books on this, just to be well equipped in providing nutritious food for our baby that is also age-appropriate.

I have recently started joining the Child Nutrition and Cooking 2.0 course by Stanford Medicine on Coursera. Coursera is a free online education course on various topics ranging from Medicine to Business.

Below is a link to the course.  Currently, we are on third week of the five week lecture series already.
https://class.coursera.org/childnutrition-002/lecture

The lectures include discussions on what constitutes a balanced diet, discussion on the different food group as well as creating healthy, easy to cook food to serve our kids.

I am not really a Pro when it comes to cooking, but watching how easy it is to create healthy meals is actually inspiring me to be more pro-active in the kitchen.

For moms and dads out there who would like to further their knowledge, try signing up with Coursera (No, I was not sponsored by Coursera!), it is quite interesting.

Cloth diapering anyone?

Child rearing has changed so much over the years, yet some fundamental aspects are still the same.  When I was a baby(let's not talk about how long ago it was), cloth diapering used to be the norm, where an eyelet cloth was artfully folded to create the perfect "diaper" for the baby, fastened with safety pins. 

After some time, because of potentially pricking the baby when the safety pin comes loose, the non-safety pin fasteners were introduced.  Then came disposable diapers, with so many brands to choose from. Now, it's back to cloth diapering, but this time with a more modern approach.

When I became pregnant with my first (and only for now) child, I decided to go with cloth diapering instead of using disposable diapers.  I checked the different brands available out there and checked the feel of the materials before I decided to choose which brand I wanted for my baby.

I decided to go with Charlie Banana (as pictured below) because I felt they offered the softest material for my baby's bottoms.   Since they offer OS (one size), I decided to go with this instead of buying different sizes as my baby grew older.  OS size is slightly more expensive than the S, M, L, XL options.  But I felt that since I can adjust the sizing to fit my baby's current weight, I can save money as well.

Cloth diapering is not fun.  Initial cost outlay is significantly higher than buying disposable diapers.  Plus the fact that you have to manually scrub the diaper clean before you leave it overnight in a pail of soap and water.  But a few significant reasons made me decide on this.

1.  After the initial cost of buying the cloth diapers (with prices ranging from approximately 5 - 15 USD per piece), you will actually be saving money in the long run.  Baby J has been using cloth diapers since she was a month old.  She just turned 15 months today, and we are still using the same cloth diapers.  I am very happy that the cloth diaper I chose has retained its softness and elasticity despite the many washings it has endured.
2. Using cloth diapers reduces the incidence of diaper rash on our babies.  Putting diaper rash cream or ointment is also not necessary when using cloth diapers.  The only downside to this is you need to change the cloth diapers more often (although this is a minor issue for me). 
In the 15 months I have been caring for my daughter, she has never had a very bad diaper rash.  I believe this is because of the cloth diapers we are using.
3.  With all the climate change happening around us, I would like to do my share to try and help save the enviroment from further damage.  Using cloth diapers decreases the carbon footprint.

Have I convinced you yet to try and go with cloth diapering?  If I have managed to convince you, please read on for some tips!

1. When I started buying cloth diapers, I was advised by a friend to buy at least 24 pairs of cloth diapers.  I followed her advise.
You may ask me, why 24 pairs right?  Why not less?  In the course of 24 hours, you will easily use up around 6 cloth diapers.  These used cloth diapers will need to soaked in soap with water at least overnight before they are actually washed and dried.  Because of the material that is being used, it then takes a minimum of 24 hours for them to dry and be ready for use again.  It is best to have a few extra pairs ready as we dont know when our baby will need to change more often.

2. The minute you notice there is poo, after washing your baby, make sure to scrub the stains on the cloth diaper right away.  It goes away faster the sooner you wash it.  I should know, I have been doing it for the last 15 months.  Being able to scrub it clean is one of the small joys you will have with cloth diapering ( HAHA).

3. While you are soaking the cloth diaper, it is best to add approximately 1/4 tablespoon of vinegar to the soap and water.  It helps to decrease the odor.

4.  If you're concerned about spills, you just have to make sure that you have buttoned it snugly to fit your baby.  Make sure it's not too loose as this will cause spillage.  Buttoning it too tight is also not recommended as it will not be good for your baby.

If at this point, you do decide on cloth diapering, trust me, you won't regret it.  Seeing my baby's smooth bottom, without diaper rash, is worth it even if I have to keep scrubbing countless diapers day in and day out!  Happy cloth diapering Mommies!

Feeding on the go

I am frequently asked by friends how I prepare for trips out of town.  Normally, I send them the link to my previous post listing the things I bring on our trips (which I am attaching here).

http://pedramusings.blogspot.sg/2013/07/travelling-with-baby.html

Yesterday, a friend asked me what I do for long haul flights.  Her questions inspired me to write this blog.

My husband and I have always prepared stuff depending on the age of our baby J and her developmental milestones at the time of travel.  When baby J was just starting semi-solids, we would bring along home cooked blended/pureed fruits and vegetables for the entire duration of the trip.  We had to ensure that the ice pack would last the entire duration of the journey until the time we can safely deposit the food in the hotel room's refrigerator.

Then came the time baby J liked those organic baby meals pre-packed for travelling.  This became easier for us logistically since all we had to prepare for was how many of those we had to bring.  Another plus for this type of meal is that you can also buy spoons that went with the container.  This made feeding very easy on the go.  The only thing you need to remember about this type of food though, is that it needs to be refrigerated once opened and it will only last 24 hours from the time you open it.

Above are some of the pictures of the organic baby food we bring on our trips together with the spoon.  And NO, I was not sponsored by Plum organics for this post.

Aside from this, we also always make sure to bring snacks for her to munch on in-flight, especially during take off and landing.  There are various options for this.  Among the snack items baby J likes are: Happy Yogi pre and probiotic snack, Gerber's yoghurt melts, Plum's eat your color snacks, and organic rice crackers.

Another thing I  always bring along is the Medela quick clean bags.  Bringing a sterilizer along is very bulky.  So, if you know that you will have access to a microwave during your travel, then you just need to bring the quick clean bag.  Each bag can be used 20 times before it needs to be replaced.

I have noticed that as baby J gets older, it is getting easier for us to travel.  Now, I do not even have to bring food for her when we go out.  I just bring her plates and utensils plus water and her snacks. She eats whatever we order for her in the restaurant.  It is very nice to bring her to buffet  restaurants as well as she gleefully tries a lot of food!

My husband and I share the same sentiment when it comes to travelling with a baby.  We should not see travelling with them as a burden.  Rather, we should always see it as an experience that all of us will remember.