Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) for Babies less than one year.

Hi all,

Last month, my baby was sick and the doctor confirmed it was RSV virus. He was admitted at PCMC after his third visit as outpatient and at the same time my baby started to have difficulties in breathing. To me and hubs, that was the scariest moment seeing our little one crying, turning into blue and of course the high fever of more than 40deg.

What is RSV?

I also have no idea how severe this RSV thing is. The doctor mentioned that this virus can easily spread through airborne. I believe someone must had sneeze or cough near him. Doctor even mentioned that us, the parents probably will get infected too since we're spending the whole 24hr taking care of him. To cure, will take roughly at least a month. And today, my little one is 90% recovered.

It started with a fever. I was feeling a bit unwell that night and thought that it was just a fever and realize my that my baby has a high fever too. Since we're at a convocation fest a week before, so gave me a thought maybe we are just tired. We went to hospital the next day and doctor decided to do blood test to mommy first. Well they probably thought too if I may having dengue fever, but the result came out negative. Took the medicine home and thinking that we both will be okay.

Funny, my little one only fall sick once when he was around 3 months old and he recovers from it on the second day. But this time around, my baby started to have cough and flu. Well, now we don't have any medication for that,so went again to the hospital. Took nabulizer and back home with another bag of medicine.

A day before Raya Hajj, my baby started to have difficulties in breathing. Oh god. We took him to the hospital immediately. The Malay doctor suggested to do blood test and nose swab test. After an hour there, and it's almost midnight the doctor called my husband in and explain to him about our baby condition. He mentioned that he got infected by this RSV and need further care in the hospital as his temperature started to go hiking up plus on top of that he has cough and flu too that causing him to difficulties in breathing.

No Raya Hajj for our little family.

His paed was on leave for international vacation. And only be back a day after.

My mom flew all the way from Sabah after seeing a picture of my baby. It was one of toughest night me and my husband went thru. And of course the scariest one. He's turning blue and we started to put ice pack at his back to reduce his temperature. At the hospital, my baby had few session physio to loosen up his phlegm.He also had every 6 hours session of nabulizer and of course a pack of drip that didn't seems to work out on him.

After 5 days in hospital, we finally discharged. Yay! But with lotsa advice from the doctor. We still need to monitor for at least one month until my baby is fully recover. Yup, it's real truth!

Total cost at PCMC is around RM4k. And we only pay RM70 for non-claimable item such as extra tissue boxes, tempat muntah, new padding for my baby bed and bed sheet. All thanks to our insurance.

P/S: mommy started to fall sick after that and warded at the extend where I started to lose my hearing. To be continue till next post!

xx

mommy nfs

What to do in Sabah - PART 1

Hi,

As a Sabahan, a lot of my semenanjung friends will ask this question. Sometimes, I get a bit blur too. (Obviously, I grown up in a boarding life for the past 10 years) My siblings is the most trusted people I will ask since some of them at occasion do drive tourist/family/friends around. They knew good spots too! As I am married to KL man, I always wanted to entertain him and bring him around Sabah, well although he did amazing job in researching/following Sabah famous blog/insta and that makes him more knowledgeable than me. 

Desa Cattle Dairy Farm Kundasang Sabah.

Also known as Sabah own New Zealand land together with the black and white calf. (Lembu NZ)

1) Drive: 

I suggest you guys to have a local driver instead of driving on your own due to the road and loads of big loaded lorry and trucks. It takes roughly 2 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu.

2) Time:

The best is morning drive. So by the time you reach the town of Ranau, you get the chance to see the beautiful Mt Kinabalu. And of course the nice, windy and cold air is a plus!

3) Food:

If you're a big eater then pack your own! I bought Mama Homemade Nasi Lemak all the way up. At Ranau town also have KFC. Don't worry.

4) Fuel: Don't load your tank way to full since you gonna drive up the hill.(Berat nanti).

5) Fee: To enter the farm will cost you RM5(Adult) Free for under 7(Tell them this,Budak belum sekolah)

6) Products: They sell cow milk (plus Chocolate), Goat milk, cheese, yogurt, gelato/ice cream (plus chocolate), waffles, sausages, pizza and other merchandise (T-shirt,fridge magnet and keychain)

7) Activities: You can walk around the farm with a proper walking path. Wear shoes instead of slipper since you gonna dip you shoe in biochemical area to have a clean shoe before entering the barn area. You can feed the goat (RM1.50 per stack of grass) and give milk to the cow (RM1.00 per small bottle). You can watch the milking process too from the viewing room at higher ground (covered area).

Till next post. Hugs!

love,

mommy nfs

The Milk Journey (Breast-feeding, Pumping & Bottle feeding)

Hi all,

Being a new mom is always about milk. I wanna share my first experience on this one! I started my journey at the hospital. Few hours after gave birth, it's time to learn how to feed your hungry baby. Honestly, I am clueless. I did learnt online (YouTube & Blogs) on how to breastfeed. Funny but true. Must learn religiously all this new stuff. 

So on my hospital bed, I struggled for almost an hour or maybe more with the nurse (paed ward). Thank god, PCMC has the best nurses. She stood next to me teaching me how to hold, feed and whatever needed. She's a bit hesitant to leave at first until I really-really get to do on my own. Susah gila I almost cry.

Well, as good things are meant to be difficult to get (I am talking about the Pahala of Breastfeeding), I believe I can do this. All along the confinement period, I still in learning progress. There're stage where I almost give up. I cried and hate how tired to bent down few hours. But, I realised how much hard work my parents did to me too. (Ya Allah, promise my mom heaven)

I am very lucky, as everyone around me support my journey. It's not easy to do it alone. Especially you're lock into the position and not being able to move. (READ : handphone and remote control)

Breast-Feeding

1) It's all about the position. Since, my lil one is a bit small, I only comfortable with Cradle Hold. Side Lying Position only when my lil one is four month (I just discover how to properly did this position)

[TIP] Lay down at one side (left or right but remember to switch), take your baby closer to your boobs. Make sure the baby is turning to your side and always check they can breath. Place a pillow behind your back for support.

2) Tools. Nursing cover and nursing pillow is great to have. 

3) Booster. Daikon (White Radish), Horlicks and Water. Work amazingly!

4) Heated pack to sooth your sore engorged boobies. (I bought Tommy Tippee Brand that can be use as Hot and Cold. Convenient!) 

Breast Milk Pumping

1) Essential item, obviously a pump. Light, easy and handy is a big plus! Invest if you have more but remember more is not always a winner. I bought Dual Lacte and loving except when comes to cleaning and washing.

[TIP] So, what I did was putting all the pump in a big Tupperware and store in the fridge after pumping session. I will wash everything at the end of the day!

3) Ice pack and milk bag. I bought mine from Daiso. It's a food bag (some sort of aluminium look a like on inside of the bag). Very cheap and easy to clean or when you want toss it away.

4) Storage. I store most of them in the storage bag instead of bottle. It use lesser space in the fridge and I don't need to do any washing! (Hahaha, time is super precious when you have a baby).

Bottle Feeding

1) Much needed a bottle that your baby love. I am using Tommy Tippee all the way. I bought the stater pack  (2x5floz, 4x9floz, 2 bottle handles, 1 bottle brush and 1 soother). 

2) Napkin.

3) Baby Formula. (Whatever suit your budget and of course the baby itself!)

Since day 1, my baby already start consuming formula milk. I started with Similac since they gave this at the hospital. I finished my first can (got this free from his paed) and start giving breast milk only. Then as I worried I may not being able to give enough supply to my baby, we try another brand (I forgot. Also got it for free from the paed). My baby also have some poo poo situation problem. He didn't poop for almost a week and this new mother and father is freaked out! We went to the hospital just to make him poo. (God bless us all). On the third or fourth visit, we decided to meet the paed just to make sure everything is okay. Doctor said everything is okay and normal. It always about what the mommy eat if they breastfeed. Well at this point, my baby is kindda 50-50 feeding situation, that is why we are confused. We went out the room with another new can of milk powder (for free again) as a suggestion to ease my baby poop. It's Enfalac Gentlease. 

[TIP] These days, our baby formula is getting finer. Thus, for formula milk preparation I don't use hot water anymore. I just pour room temperature mineral water. Easy peasy! And less hassle to travel. Big YAY!!

(Disclaimer: As advice and suggested by our doctor to us.)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“The reward of a woman, from the time of pregnancy until birth and breastfeeding, is the same as the reward of one on the path of Allah, and if a woman leaves this world during that time because of the hardship and pains of birth, she has the reward of a martyr.” [Makarim al-Akhlāq, pg. 238]

xx
Mommy nfs 

Easy Durian Cheesecake Recipe [No-Bake Cake]

Hi,

We are almost at the end of Ramadhan. I would like to share easy no-bake durian cheesecake!

Ingredients:
1) Graham Cracker or Digestive Biscuit
2) Cream Cheese  (Room Temperature)
3) Unsalted Butter (Room Temperature)
4) Condensed Milk
5) Durian  (Room Temperature)

Directions:
1) Mix graham cracker crumb (blend) with butter (3spoonfull) and prepare the crust in pan
2) Mix cream cheese and condensed milk (half) together with durian (blend) in a bowl.
3) Pour the mix of cream onto the prepared crust.
4) Chill for at least 3 hours.
5) Ready to serve

Tip:
Pour in gelatin or agar powder if you want your cheesecake to set into pudding state.

Good luck!

xx
Mommy nfs 

[HOSPITAL BAG] The essential for labour (PCMC Hospital)

Hi,
Today I am going to share about my hospital bag!
I have already packed my bah slowly since 5 months pregnant.
I know some might gonna say it's way to early, well there are few reasons why:

1) You gonna forget things
2) How am I suppose to pack with big tummy later?

Hehe.. Pack early so you dont have to worryyy!
I've made a list of three . For Mommy, for Daddy and for Baby.
BUT, honestly I packed too much and didn't know that my hospital provide a lot! Hehe,

Mommy
1)Disposable-briefs (They sell it at the pharmacy at level 1)
2)Maternity Bra
3)Socks
4)Going home outfit (I bought long black dress and instant hijab)
5)Make-up bag
6)Food and drinks (I bought with me ZamZam water and dates into labour room)
7)Mobile phone/purse/charger
8)Medicines (Phamaton is good during nursing too)
9)Pregnancy book

Daddy
1)T-shirt
2)Pants/Sarong
3)Briefs
4)Solitariness
5)Towel
6)Mobile phone/wallet/charger
7)Quran (He read at night next to me)

Baby
1)Onesie
2)Mittens & Booties
3)Hat (My baby kindda smalll, none of the hat fits. Luckily the hospital's hat fits perfectly!)
4)Blankie
5)Tummy Binder
6)Swaddle

I'd packed over 50 items and yup I did over pack. So above is the only things I actually need.
Since the hospital also provide a lot of item, I did save bulk of unused item at home.

Things that PCMC provide for Mommy
1)Disposable-brief (very comfy!!)
2)Maternity Pad (sooo many of themm. Pureen brand)
3)Toiletries (everythingggggg in a very nice black velvet bag)
4)Wipes

Things that PCMC provide for Baby
1)Hospital Onesie (so cute)
2)Baby hat (the perfect fit)
3)Swaddle/blankie
4)Disposable Diapers (Huggies brand)
5)Toiletries i.e baby oil (Pigeon brand and it's awesome!)


Don't panic since everything provided at the hospital. Pray for your smooth delivery then!

“The reward of a woman, from the time of pregnancy until birth and breastfeeding, is the same as the reward of one on the path of Allah, and if a woman leaves this world during that time because of the hardship and pains of birth, she has the reward of a martyr.” [Makarim al-Akhlāq, pg. 238]

xx
Mommy fyth

THE BIRTH - Finale

22nd October 2015, Thursday.

I woke up early that day. Feeling a bit worried and curious like a cat. Nurses send my report to the gynae to see if there any progress from my contraction last night. Alhamdulillah. Around 11.00am, my gynae came in and told me that I'm progressing while holding a stick. Oh god. I am super duper nervous and scared. She did tried to break my water, but nope didn't worked. So she told me to get ready to go labour room. Few minutes later, nurse came in with a wheelchair. I told her it's okay. I can walk. She's impressed and I am so proud! (Well without knowing what gonna happen next). Walking peacefully to the labour room just across the corridor of our ward. Oh hello bed. I met you twice!

11.30am

Midwife starts to drip me. She said I'll fall asleep maybe around an hour. She also told hubs to get his lunch or he might not gonna get the chance to eat later. zzz

12.00pm

I can barely open my eyes. I realise it was my second pint or drip. I saw my MIL sat next to me.I closed my eyes again.

12.30pm

I saw my mum! Mama kept on holding my head. She's worried I guess. Suddenly I felt my water broke. I'm in shocked. Told Mama that I want to see hubs. She immediately went out and inform the midwife about me. Hubs came in, just at the right time. I was only 3cm.

1.00pm

The adventure began. At that time, my contraction was really-really-really painful. Hubs keeps holding my hand. Gave me water and dates. But at some point I can even open my eyes. Super painful. Happy gas doesn't really worked as expected. It does reduce the pain just few minutes before it started again. The contraction is real. 

2.00pm

I started scream here and there. Maybe I did scare few other patients next door.(Sorry!) Hubs kept on asking if I need epidural. I was so macho saying NO! I was sure that my pain tolerance is high enough to endure. NO!

2.30pm

Hurm. Not working. Final call if i want to have epidural. I told hubs, YES YES, I want. Not so macho anymore. The anaesthetic specialist went down to my room. Since, I'm in pain the doctor can't take the risk to insert the needle in sitting position. So, he insert the needle while me laying and facing my left. I keep on calling hubs to not let go my hand. I am super scared.

3.30pm

The pain didn't go away yet. Aaaa. The specialist kindda pity me. He advised hubs to let me take spinal anaesthetic now or I wont be able to push later. Hubs came straight to me and asked me if I can bare the pain or not. I told him, I'm in pain. So pain. Therefore, another YES to spinal anaesthetic. Fuh.

3.45pm

I get to rest and feel bit better. Just the right amount to anaesthetic. I can still feel when the contraction coming. There's 2 midwives assisting me now. And my hubs, who kept on giving me Zam Zam water. Thank god for the existence of straw. I can sip my drink peacefully. The midwives called my gynea. Informed her that I'm about to push out my baby. She told hubs to look underneath and told me he can already sees the baby head. His hair very visible I guess.

4.00pm

My gynae arrived just in time. She wore her yellow flowered cooking apron, face mask, gloves and big giant medical glass. I feel like laughing now. HEHE. She told hubs to make me look pretty since the baby is coming out any time now. Hubs cleaned my face and tied my hair. Feel refresh. Once a while, when there's contraction I will start to push and push. Honestly, I never attend any birth class. So now it's a real experience and real class. Tip one, when ever there's a contraction you gotta push. Tip two, down lift your bump up or it gonna make your tear much more larger. Tip three, dont scream or you might be out of breath aka tired.

4.16pm

My dear baby is out from the oven. Alhamdulillah Ya Allah.

“Any time a woman leaves this world because of labor pains, on the Day of Judgement, Allāh  will raise her from the grave pure and without an account (of sins), because such a woman has given her life due to the  hardship and pain  of labour .” [Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 101, pg. 108]

“Every time a woman becomes pregnant, during the whole period of pregnancy she has the status of one who fasts, one who worships during the night, and one who fights for Allah with her life and possessions. And when she is giving birth, Allah grants her so much reward that nobody knows its limit because of its greatness. And when she is giving milk to her child, for every suck of the child, Allah gives her the reward of freeing a slave from the children of Ismā’īl, and when the period of breastfeeding the child is finished, one of the great angels of Allah taps her side and says: “Start your deeds afresh, for Allah has forgiven all your minor sins.” [al-Kāfī, vol. 5, pg. 496]

love mommy nfs

  

THE BIRTH-Part 3

21st October 2015,Wednesday.

3am in the morning, I got the urged to go pee-pee. Well, thats normal for every pregnant women out there. You just can't hold your bladder. I went to toilet and i discover my first blood show. Kindda panic. I went straight to sleepy husband and wake him up. Oh dear, is it happening? Since Mama is around, we wake her up and went straight to the hospital. Cold and windy morning, we arrived at the hospital that just 3.7km away. Assist by few nurses, they check my opening 2cm. Well it's progressing. However, the contraction graph not really at point yet. So they take me ward waiting for my gynea. Around 10am, my dear gynae arrived. Checked my opening and seems like there's no progress thou. She gave me few options either to stay or go back home. Since this is our very pregnancy, we decided to just stay. The only thing is, 2cm can last for weeks. urgh. The gynae mentioned that if there's no progress until tomorrow, she will discharge me to avoid sky high bills. That day, I walk up and down the stairs at the hospital. Hoping for more opening progress. I ordered the hospital infamous lamb for my lunch and it was the bomb! nyummy! The best! Day to night,patiently waiting. They monitor my contraction the whole night. Oh the beginning of sleepless night..

“Allah has given every woman the patience of 10 men, and during pregnancy Allah grants her the ability of 10 more men.” [Mustadrak al-Wasāil, vol. 10, pg. 46]

love mommy nfs

THE BIRTH-Part 2

20^th October 2015, Tuesday.

1cm. That was the last thing the nurse told me and my husband. Well as this is our first pregnancy, we both kindda nervous and don’t really know what to do. But, I am very lucky as all the midwives are very helpful and informative. Midwives told me to start take leave and monitor this few days progress at home. My gynae strictly wanted a natural birth and try to avoid any induce method. As I told mom about yesterday, she immediately book a flight ticket and fly to KL to meet her one and only princess. ME! Haha. She’s worried If I gave birth without her around. Love you ma! She arrived around 8PM and went to have dinner with hubs. I didn’t follow him as everyone is worried if I gave birth on-the-road. I spent wisely my day with SIL. We went to KLCC and do last minute shopping. Well, they advice me to walk a much as I can so here I am. Walking from KLCC to Avenue K with my big tummy. We even drop by to Manjaku at WangsaMaju to get my breast pump. Tea time at Lapis and eat like nobody business.

“His mother carried him through weakness upon weakness.” [Surat Luqmān, Verse 14]

Love mommy nfs

THE BIRTH - Part 1

19^th October 2015, Monday.

Woke up as usual and getting ready. There’s slightly pain but it has been very normal for the past few weeks to have this pain kindda feeling in the morning. I thought to myself it will get away around 8AM like before. Off to work with hubs around 7.30AM and while on the way dropping of my hubs, I did told him and wander why the pain still won’t go away? I was running late due to traffic, reached the office around 9AM and guess what the pain is still there. How can I describe the pain huh? It’s a tingly feeling around your tummy, sometime there’s a bit squishy pain and sometime it just a funny feeling that I couldn’t even tell. And guess what, the pain continues till lunch time. I told my kakaks colleagues about the pain. They advise me to immediately visit the doctor just in case I am actually in active labour. Well as usual and normal me, I made funny jokes with the kakaks. Asked them what they gonna do if I gave birth in the office and they come out with many version superheros. LOL.

Although the pain is quite bearable, all the way driving back home is a bit scary. My mouth can stop praying to Allah Swt to ease my journey back home. I called my SIL and asked her to wait for me at home that I need her company to go to the hospital. SIL thought it was a normal visit to the hospital till only when I told her about my pain. We reached the hospital around 4.30PM. Went to A&E and they immediately referred me to labour room for checkups. Being on wheelchair make me even nervous. Called hubs and inform him to come. He took a cab and even get a discount from the taxi man! Thanks bruhh. He’s here and kiss me on my forehead. “Nak beranak dah ke b?”  

Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Paradise is under the feet of the mother.” [Mustadrak al-Wasāil, vol. 15, pg. 180]

love mama nfs

Week-by-week pregnancy updates (FINAL)

Hi,

Just a continuation of my pregnancy updates (thou I already safely delivered my baby :p)...

Week 35

Story : My insurance agent sent our baby insurance to my office this week. On top of that, iced chocolate for mommy.. hehe..   

Medication : Pharmaton Matruelle + Calcium(with Vit D)

Body Changes : Feels good. Planned my cuti already.

Week 36 & 37

Story : Still working like normal until 37w+3d... 

Medication : Pharmaton Matruelle + Calcium(with Vit D)

Body Changes : With high hope and well planned cuti.. Still have energy to eat, walk and dance!

UNTIL 37W+3D...

6.00AM : Woke with funny tummy feeling. Bit pain here and there.. thinking it will go away on my to work.

8.00AM : Drop-off hubs at his office as usual... Told him that the pain still there.. Well, still believe it will go away by the time I reach office.

9.00AM : Reach office a bit late, pain still there and proceed my work as usual. Hurm, is that u contraction?

12.00PM : Told kakak-kakak office about my pain. They told me to go hospital for check up. Erm, lunch first can ah?

1.30PM : Red alert! Why pain no-go-away.... Told kakak-kakak office again about my tummy pain. And, yup it never stops. 

2.15PM : Reach home and SIL took me to the hospital. Ermm, hello machines with white straps and that round thing..oh hi graph....

Will update more about the BIRTH :)


xx
nfs.

2016

Dear 2015,

I want to thank for all the lesson about life, love, friendship and of course my food book.

I welcomed my baby 2-3weeks earlier that due date, with the help of injection, happy gas, epidural and spinal anaesthetic. Alhamdulillah, born healthy and now 5 months old.My husband is the greatest supporter in the labour room despite getting scratch here and there. 

Trust. I learnt that trust sometimes unbreakable when we really love a person. Even when we hurt the most. And don't un-spell the magic of trust, because the second time you trust will never be the same as the first pure trust.

Love. Love grows with the additional member to our lil family. This baby is a pure miracle that could build another definition of love again.

Marks. Hello stretch marks.. The real beginning of motherhood.

“When talking about marriage, Allah says your spouses are garments for you. A garment may or may not fit perfectly-but either way, it covers imperfections, protects and beautifies.” Yasmin Mogahed

“When someone proposes marriage to one of you whose religion and character pleases you, then you should marry him. If you do not do so, there will be tribulations in the earth and the proliferation of corruption.” Hadith

love,

nfs :)