In hindsight, I would have done otherwise.

#1. NEVER allow nanny to walk, rock and pat baby when putting baby to sleep.  If these soothing techniques are required, please get nanny to stand still and lie baby on bed once baby stops crying.  Lie them on bed awake but drowsy.  Keep repeating this cycle so baby won't get used to it.



#2. SWADDLE baby during naptime and bedtime until the moro reflex disappears.  Most babies feel safe in swaddle. Moreover, babies won't be awaken by their moro reflex easily.  Rest assure baby will continue to snug comfortably in swaddle as we bend over to lie them down on bed.

Peanut seemed resentful when we attempted to swaddle him.  Only then I realised it was because the swaddle was too loose.  It has to be tight enough yet not restricting his breathing.

BONUS: Save your money on Sarong/buaian.

TIPS: Check out how hospital nurse swaddle babies.



#3. Since I would be taking care of baby alone at home, I should have started to train/learn to wear baby either in SLING OR CARRER as early as possible, so that I can wear him while doing housechores. 

Peanut has now reached a weight and length which is too heavy and inconvenient for me to wear him in front with sling and BOBA wrap.   We have just started to wear him with Ergo carrier.  He is fine when we bring him out (partly because he is distracted by the interesting and colourful outside world). 

However, he has yet to learn to sleep in it. During one of the busy afternoon shopping days, we were so heartbreaking seeing the drowsy and tearful Peanut remain still and pity, slouching in the carrier.  He refused to sleep until CJ took him out and cuddled him to sleep.



#4. BEDSIDE CRIB.  I strong encourage this if you have an insecured baby and sensitive parents.  Neither we want to disturb baby's sleep, nor our sleep quality. I haven't bought one yet, but I suppose that will be the answer for our sanity.

At first, Peanut slept in between us.  CJ did help alot when came to frequent diaper change or soothing during midnight wake.  However, as Peanut grows, I am the one waking up most of the time.  Naturally, it is more sensible to have a crib for Peanut to sleep separately on my side.

Haha... At first we were so ambitious wanting Peanut to sleep separately... in a separate room.  Now, it seems like a unrealistic dream.

2As: Amusing and Absurd

Absurd questions thrown to me: 

1. How much milk are you feeding baby? 
🙉Even upon knowing I'm fully breastfeeding baby and rarely bottle-feed baby.

2. Follow-up: You can "agak-agak" the quantity by feeling the fullness of breast, can't you?
🙈roll-eye question. 

3. Have you considered feeding baby milk powder, so that he gets sufficient protein?
🙉He is just 4-month-old. Plus, his weight, height and BMI are well along the fitness range.

4. Is he hungry?  I think he is hungry.  (repeat several times in half an hour OR repeat whenever we meet OR the moment hear/see baby crying)
🙊😂Whoa. Please teach me how to decode baby language, without touching him.   He was not crying madly with tears.  Moreover, I have just fed him.

5.  Is he dehydrated?  He pees alot (without asking me how many change of diapers daily OR the well-being of baby)
🙊I'm lost here. I don't get the logic of this.

6. WHAT DOES HE WANT? WHY IS HE CRYING?
🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉
HATE this most. I'm a first-time mom. I don't always know what baby needs and I don't decode baby language.  Meanwhile I'm also making a note in mind, to remind myself not to utter this on other mothers.

7. He is going to cry! Oh no! He is crying already! Baby! Mummy is coming, don't cry (standing and telling baby from a distance away)
🙈Can't you see I'm busy with chores?  You are his family member too.  Can you help to soothe baby while I wrap things up please?  


8. Why do you have migraine? You were just staying at home and taking care of baby?
🙊Yeah, right!  Try taking care of baby the whole day under this weather.

Updated: 3 July 2019