Monday, December 28, 2009

Baby Discoveries

It's 3a.m in Malaysia and here I am, wide awake (not by choice). I used to be a good sleeper, sleeping all the way through the night like a rock. After the numerous trips to the loo during pregnancy, which was still okay, because I fall asleep right after... this time, it's different!

All the mothers out there know exactly how I feel and what I am going through. The 1st month of every baby is all about waking up every 2 hours, feeding, changing diapers, etc. You know the drill.

BREASTFEEDING & BREASTPUMPS!

Breastfeeding wasn't all the rage during my mom's time, so she didn't breastfeed any of us (me & my sisters). Now, all the books, websites, doctors and friends highly recommend it. Now that it's been a month after delivery and 2 purchases after (breastpumps), I highly recommend to all soon-to-be mom's to be ready with their pumps and I am confident in recommending my 2nd pump purchase which is Lactaline Ameda. I bought it recently for RM599 (which is a really good deal) and it has made the whole ordeal better.

At this point, I am writing this blog while pumping! This is made possible with the purchase of a Pumpin' Pal holder which makes it a hands-free experience! Also, I will spare you the hours of research online from actual users who have shared their experiences on different pumps (their success and frustrations!)

The 2 websites (in Malaysia) I found which offer the BEST prices for pumps and other baby accessories you may need are:

1. http://www.enjoybreastfeed.com/
2. http://www.fabulousmom.com/

They ship to any address. And for the #2 website, you will find their retail store location (which is the one I purchased from). You get to even test the pump you want -- which makes it a more comfortable choice for me bec I usually want to see what I am buying!

WHERE TO GO WITH BABY

Confinement for post-delivery lasts 1 month. I couldn't wait for 1 month to get out of the house... so armed with my hubby, my mother & my little baby girl ... we went out for small advetures at the mall!

The whole mall experience has totally changed. Whereas hubby and I used to choose the mall by points like: what restaurants are there, what shops to visit, what sale is going on, and which one can give us easier parking experience. Now, the consideration is if there is high traffic at the mall and if that mall has facilities like baby changing room / nappy room / breastfeeding room.

I never knew they had such facilities (I guess I was totally disinterested with these things). At present, this is my numero uno priority if we go out with little baby! So to share with you my top picks for shopping malls to visit with your little one:

1. Isetan, The Gardens MidValley - this is my favorite. Isetan in The Gardens has wonderful facilities! A number of changing tables plus breastfeeding rooms. Plus can do a little shopping right after :)

2. Isetan, KLCC - same as Gardens. Problem is more packed with customers as compared to Gardens

3. Parkson, 1 Utama - I never thought they had such a facility! In the new wing where Parkson is located, they have a dedicated room where you can have privacy with little one while feeding... and a number of changing tables.

4. Bangsar Shopping Centre - their 3rd and 4th floor have nappy changing rooms which are private. A tad bit too cold for my taste though (the aircon was blasting away and hubby got so cold!)

5. Parkson, Pavilion - they only had 1 baby room and because we went on a super-duper peak day (Dec 25), it was packed and people were lining up. We were able to have our turn. The room is nice, with a comfy seat plus running warm water!

Well, that's it for now. Time to switch off the pump and attend to the little one before I try to grab some ZZZZ's.

Friday, December 04, 2009

Pregnancy & Delivery in Kuala Lumpur

I just delivered a baby few days ago and I am an expatriate living in Kuala Lumpur.
The whole time during my pregnancy I was already living here, and I am fortunate that this is a lovely country with great services.

I would like to share a very brief blog so that other pregnant expatriates who may be planning to come to live in KL will have some knowledge about it.

A fellow expat recommended that I see this Doctor who works at Gleneagles Intan in Ampang. He is Indian Malaysian and very professional. At first I was hesitant with a guy doctor, but he sounded very experienced and there were always many, many expats at the waiting room coming to see him. It's always best to choose a doctor which is recommended by someone you know so that you are assured of his practice.

Gleneagles Intan is where I delivered my baby. All I can say is that their service and facilities are great. The prices will be higher than the other typical hospitals but it's because you are getting what you pay for. The staff are all nice and friendly and willing to help. Believe me, if you are the one lying there on the bed with a c-section & slowly recovering... you will appreciate all the kindness and friendliness around.

Also, prior to delivery, the hospital was offering some classes for new parents who may want to learn more about the baby, pregnancy and delivery. We paid for the classes (i think around RM300) for 3 classes on consecutive Saturdays. My husband and I attended the classes and some useful discussions were around:
- how to bathe the baby
- how husband can massage wife and other useful positions to help her relax
- how husband can assist in lamaze breathing techniques and we all practiced together
- options on drugs / pain relief during labor
- questions on vaccination for the newborn baby
- a trip to the labor room (where you may possibly deliver if you have a normal delivery)
- a trip to the nursery and the maternity floor which was dedicated only to baby deliveries
- a view of the different rooming options and their prices , so you are aware of how it will look like
- breastfeeding information session which was private (me and husband together with the midewife)
- they also offered the midwife services which you pay a fee (around RM300+) where she will come to visit you in 3 consecutive weeks after your delivery to measure, track the progress of your baby, your breastfeeding, etc questions on newborn baby

It's hard to summarize in words how I felt and what happened. All I know is that I am thankful there is such a hospital and such good services here in Kuala Lumpur. I stayed 4 days in the hospital because I went through an emergency c-section delivery. After 4 days stay ... the cost was around RM9,000++ which included all fees -- doctors, surgery, rooms, services, etc

I will surely recommend this hospital to fellow friends should anyone ask me about pregnancy and delivery.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...