The learning journey

Rules/advice followed/used by a mommy in confinement:-
1) I'm not to bathe with normal tap water but instead with chinese herbs (dont remember the name of the daun-daun and herbs)
2) I'm to drink red & black dates water instead of plain water
3) I'm to eat and to make sure that my stomach is not empty at ALL times
4) I'm to drink Dome or Chinese herbal wine every night (or even during the day if I can tahan)
5) I cant wash my hair for fear that wind will 'attack' my head :P
6) I cant go out to collect clothes or step out of the house (also for fear that I'll catch a cold or wind will 'attack' the suppose-to-be very weak me)
7) I'm to eat LOTS and LOTSSSSSSss of ginger in every meal
8) I absolutely am forbidden to take anything cool in nature ('leung' in canto) and nothing cold (as in drinks).
9) I'm to lie down alot in order to rest my backbone

Ways to take care of my episiotomy stitches and wound:-
1) Walk and sit carefully
2) Do not squat
3) Wash and air the wound area as much as possible
4) Deep the wound in warm salt water 3 times a day or as and when needed (when there's pain)
5) Do not take anything 'poisonous' in nature (chinese belief... 'poisonous' food as in prawns, crabs, etc)

Items used by ME during this mah-fan period:-
1) Pureen disposable panties (super not comfy.. only used it during the first few days when I was leaking like a tap :P)
2) Pureen self-adhesive breastpad (this is good. pls do not use any other brands as the self-adhesive sticker doesnt work as well and the padding is not as comfy)
3) Pureen breast pump (this is good as well, but do buy rechargeable batteries as the pump "makan" battery like giler!)
4) Pureen maternity pads (that are suupppppperrrr long and comfy, especially when u have a wound... it'll be so comfy to sit on the super padded pad.. hahaha)
*hm.. I didnt realize that I'm a fan of Pureen until now. hehehe... It's coincidental that all my stuff are from the same brand*
5) So-Hup Pills to reduce wind

Items used by lil Anne:-
1) S size Drypers during the day and S size Huggies during the night (I TOTOLLY DO NOT reccomend Drypers coz it leaks and the self adhesive stickers are far too sticky; till the point if the sticker touches the baby's skin, it might hurt when removing it)
2) Cloth nappies
3) Enfalac A+ milk powder
4) 2 baby sizes Avent milk bottles
5) Baby size Avent pacifier
6) Anakku baby wet wipes
7) Yu Yee oil
8) Herbal daun for bathing
9) Drapolene nappy rash cream
10) Alcohol swabs
11) Johnson baby cream
12) Johnson baby powder
13) Belly button binders

Things I've learnt during these 2 weeks:-
1) Breast milk has 90% water content. Breastmilk only come when the baby sucks off all the colestrum (liquid that's good for baby's antibody). So if there's no milk during the first 4-5 days, fret not and dont give up! Milk will come soon.
2) Babies are only to be fed with plain water should they go on formula milk. They need not be given plain water if they are on 100% breastmilk as breastmilk has enough water contents. But if on formula, water must be fed to prevent constipation.
3) Anne can sleep soundly for 2+ hours if given breastmilk and can go for 3+ - 4 hours if given formula milk
4) Breastmilk that are expressed/pumped can be kept for max of 5 hours in room temperature before having to be kept in the fridge. If kept in the fridge, the milk can last for 3 days. If kept in the freezer, it can last up to 3 weeks. Some books say it can go up to 3 months but the nurses do not advice milk to be kept for such a long time.
5) Do not expressed/pump milk only when we feel the breast engorging. Milk should be pumped out even before the tightness comes to prevent the nipple from cracking
6) Babies MUST burp after each feeding or the parent/adult feeding them must at least wipe their backs after each feeding long enough (say around 15-20mins) to ensure that the milk has gone down.
7) Babies are absolutely not to lie flat on their backs after feeding to prevent them from swallowing extra milk that are vomitted out. Swallowing the liquid could cause water in their lungs. It's best to keep them at a 45degree position or lie them on their tummy with head turned to one side.
8) Baby's temperature ranges from 36-37 degrees. If temperature is taken from the armpit, add 1 degree. If taken through the rectum, minus 1 degree
9) Baby's breathing is fast and rapid and it's normal.
10) Baby's breathing might appear noisy when lying flat on their backs. It's normal as their throat valve is still very small and will create phlegm-like noise when they breath. As long as baby is pink and cries well, there's nothing to worry about. To enable baby to breath/sleep better, do not let her lie flat on her back. Tilt to one side or lift the head a little.
11) Jaundice can be traced from the baby's eye-white. If the white of the eye is yellowish, carry the baby and sun them in the morning. Do not stand directly under the sun and protect the baby's eye from sunlight. It's sufficient as long as she gets the heat (as in stand at the balcony/porch and ensure that baby gets the ray/heat)
12) Baby's stool are very loose, especially if they are breastfed. Passing stool 4-5 times a day is normal. Sticky green stool (meconium) during the first week is nomal.
13) Massaging the baby's tummy and applying oitment on the baby's belly button helps reduce wind and soothes the young one.

Well, that's all I can remember for now. Hopefully the above will be of good use to mommy-to-be's or for myself to read if ever needed in future :P