If you’re looking for a diaper bag in the form of a backpack, the Forever Backpack by Jujube wouldn’t disappoint because it literally packs a punch and is definitely one of the more well designed bags around.

Let’s start with its appearance. I love the classic minimalist design in vegan leather. It comes in 3 stylish colours, namely Noir, Brûlée and Stone. More importantly, the sleek design is suitable for both genders, which explains why my hubby couldn’t wait to take over the diaper bag from me!

I couldn’t believe how light it is, even after transferring all the baby essentials over from my usual diaper bag.  There are 13 compartments, including 2 exterior bottle pockets, a roomy front pocket (I stuff tissues and wet wipes here for easy access), and an additional zippered flat pocket at the top for your phone and cards! I’ve honestly never felt more organised. This makes the perfect diaper bag for outings and overnight stays too. I’ll definitely be taking this along with me for our upcoming staycation!

And now, for the million dollar question. When is it launching? This baby hails from the latest Ever Collection, which will be launched in Singapore tomorrow (12 June 2018) along with the Olive Rose and Tula x Jujube collections!

As a first time mum, I’m definitely no expert when it comes to parenting. But having been a mum to baby R for 4 months, I’ve come to realise that there are 5 things I wish I knew about mummy hood to ease me into my new role. I’m hoping that by sharing my thoughts in this space, I’ll be able to help new mummies or soon-to-be mummies too.

1) Not to have any expectations of your child

Well-meaning friends and even the mummy community at large love to share about their children’s development. How much they weigh, how much they eat, whether they sleep through the night and which milestones they’ve achieved. Being a first time mum, I realised such information stressed me up more than anything else. For instance, I wondered why baby R was still waking up every 1.5-2 hours to feed, why she couldn’t sleep in her cot, didn’t seem to enjoy tummy time or put on as much weight. Instead of celebrating the milestones that she achieved ahead of her time (she loves books and is able to take instructions!), I was focusing on those that she hadn’t yet achieved, which I believe is unhealthy behaviour in the long run because every child grows differently and should be given the opportunity to develop to their full potential at their own pace. As a parent, I have learned to embrace that and as long as baby R is happy and healthy, that’s all that matters.

2) Not every baby is a textbook baby

I’m talking about strict routines, awake timings, sleep training and methods to teach your child to self soothe or to sleep through the night. I’ve tried some of them and while I seemed to be successful initially, the success was almost always short lived.

I had an epiphany one morning and decided to put a stop to everything. Instead, I decided to observe baby R closely to understand her preferences and behaviour better. Don’t get me wrong. I always made it a point to observe her but I think previously, I was more preoccupied with fitting her into a routine or using a particular method to train her. I mean, the lack of sleep is real and you don’t exactly make the best decisions when you are sleep deprived. I know she’s only 4 months old but I can tell she is so much happier now. She has always been smiley but she used to cry the house down as well. Now, she hardly cries and smiles all the time, even in her sleep.

I guess only a mother will be able to understand what her child needs, so do what you deem fit and don’t let someone else (or some book) make you feel bad about it.

3) You will feel alone

This rings true especially for nursing mums because who else can substitute you in the wee hours of the night? And in my household, nobody hears baby R’s cries when they’re fast asleep. Except me.

Adjusting to this new lifestyle took a while, but always remember there are tons of nursing mums out there who are awake in the dead of the night too. I find that connecting with mummy communities on Facebook and WhatsApp groups really help.

And again, always remember that this too shall pass but the bond with your child will last a lifetime.

One day, she’s not going to need her mummy anymore.

4) It’s ok to not feel ok sometimes

After all, a mummy’s body went through a lot. The physical trauma from birthing and hormonal changes wrecking havoc, coupled with perpetual lack of sleep and the responsibility of raising a child  – yup, a recipe for disaster. I have on many occasions broken down because I simply felt overwhelmed. And that’s ok (as long as it’s not an everyday affair) because raising a human is no mean feat!

5) Get the best mattress, skincare and vitamins

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Can’t get enough sleep? What you can’t get in quantity, you make up for it in quality. I currently co sleep with baby R in a bid to get more sleep and I also realised that when you have a good mattress, it makes a world of difference. Same with skincare. For me, eye cream, skin brightening serum and sun block are my must-haves to look presentable. I’ll leave my beauty regime for another post if you’re interested to find out more.

Oh yes, remember your vitamins too. You need to stay in the pink of health to care for your little one!

Baby R has been sleeping in her cot in her own bedroom since birth. However during the 4th month sleep regression, my little baby suddenly decided she couldn’t sleep in her cot by herself anymore. She also needed to be held more often and woke up multiple times at night just to latch. Sometimes, she had problems falling back asleep. As a first time mum, it was a worrying phase for me, making sure she was well fed and feeling comforted while she was making a huge developmental leap. Fortunately, with Huggies® Gold Pants, a wet diaper was one less thing that I had to worry about.

If Baby R was a princess, she would be the princess in The Princess & the Pea, simply because she was exceptionally sensitive to her environment. Just like how the princess could feel there was a pea lying beneath layers of mattresses, she knew she was in her cot the minute she touched the mattress.

Besides watching out for hunger and sleepy cues, I would constantly check her diaper to ensure it wasn’t causing her any discomfort. After I switched her to Huggies® Gold Pants, I never had to change her diaper during the night as it remains dry for 12 hours thanks to its high absorbency and advanced leakage barriers! I also love the cushiony soft fit as my active little baby can move around comfortably all day long. Besides giving me complete peace of mind, the convenient slip on pants also made diaper changing a breeze. Newly improved with better comfort and fit for my little princess, the airy top sheet and 100% breathable waistband keeps her waist and bottom well ventilated too. Plus, the yellow patterns turn blue when the diaper is soiled, so we always know when to give her a diaper change!

Baby R loves getting her diaper changed and would often flash her signature toothless grin to indicate how pleased she was to feel clean again. Psst…I think she adores the cute design of the Huggies® Gold Pants too.

If you’ve read my earlier post on Dr Oatcare here, you would know that my breastfeeding journey was not a breeze. I didn’t latch as often as I should have in the first month as baby R had jaundice and the paediatrician recommended formula milk till she recovered. After taking several supplements, including Dr Oatcare for two months, my milk supply finally caught up and I’m happy to report that baby R is almost 100% on breast milk, with an occasional top up of 1-2 formula feeds per day. I chose to do a mixed feed so it’ll be easier to transition in future but I’ll save that story for another day.

I may be a late bloomer but I take great care in ensuring that I only take nutritious food because when it comes to breastfeeding, your baby literally reaps what you sow. And, if you don’t already know, oats are not only nutritious on so many levels, they boost milk supply too. I take Dr Oatcare every morning for breakfast and as a snack whenever I feel hungry (yes that’s what breastfeeding does to you) instead of reaching out for tidbits or fast food because I only want the best for baby R. Dr Oatcare is probably the best oats drink you can find in the market since it’s made of 76% whole grains and Montana embryo oats, a type of oats that’s superior in terms of protein, calcium and fibre, as compared to its counterparts in the market.

From baby R’s wide gummy smile, I suppose she’s pretty pleased with what she’s getting every meal.I’m not sure how long my breastfeeding journey will last but Dr Oatcare will be my trusty companion. Even after it comes to an end, I’ll continue taking Dr Oatcare simply because it keeps me in the pink of health too!

*****

Dr OatCare is available at http://www.healthdomain.com.sg.

For more information about Dr OatCare, do visit their FB (@HealthDomainSG) & IG (@healthdomain_sg).

Chicken essence is a popular gift given to post partum mummies. The fatigue after delivery is real guys. Not to mention the pain if you had a C section or episiotomy. Throw in breastfeeding by demand and that means you hardly get any rest. Nobody really talks about post partum recovery and how difficult it is for some mummies. Well, I guess that’s where Tian Yuan Xiang chicken essence comes to the rescue to boost energy levels and reduce fatigue.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you would probably know that I’ve been taking chicken essence from Tian Yuan Xiang since I was pregnant (you can check out my previous post here). They have different flavours to cater to your various needs. For instance, post partum mummies who breastfeed as well should definitely go for the chicken essence with vaccaria seed flavour 王不留行 flavour.

Unlike the typical nursing teas in the market which only help to unclog milk ducts, the herbs used in this flavour of chicken essence support breastfeeding by replenishing both blood and Qi. This ensures that you’re able to maintain your milk supply and also boost the quality of your breast milk. I’ve recently finished a box of chicken essence with vaccaria seed and I’m ordering my second box right away!

Here’s the good news. From now to 28 Feb, get $5 off both online and at retail store with the code <TYX5MIGHTY>. Also, pop by @mightysprouts.sg on IG and participate in their giveaway! Who knows, you might just win a box of chicken essence!

Huh, so little milk. That’s a comment I often get from some well-meaning but tactless people around me after I pump. I know many mums swear by oats for milk supply and if you are committed to increasing and maintaining your milk supply, Dr OatCare is an oats supplement you might want to include into your daily regime.

Oats are known as a lactogenic superfood as they contain beta-glucans, a soluble fibre that increases the breastfeeding hormone prolactin. The pressure to be able to breastfeed exclusively hits some mums really hard especially during the first 2 weeks postpartum when hormones are still haywire and mums are more susceptible to post natal blues. We all want the best for our child and honestly, any amount of breast milk is beneficial to baby.

I have been taking Dr OatCare at least once a day for a week now and while I still can’t meet Baby R’s demand at the moment, each pump yields me a respectable amount as compared to the first few weeks postpartum. Baby seems more satisfied after latching too. The best part is, my supply has been increasing steadily although I still receive the “huh, still so little” comments.  If you too are facing such issues, just hang in there, tune out the toxic comments, and drink Dr OatCare everyday.

Why Dr OatCare?

Given the multitude of oat drinks in the market, what exactly makes Dr OatCare stand out from the rest?Now, Dr Oatcare carries the Healthier Choice symbol as it is made from 76% whole grains. It contains Montana embryo oats sourced from the United States, 17 organic seeds, nine types of mixed nuts, and fortified with seaweed calcium. Montana embryo oats contain a higher protein, dietary fibre and calcium content than ordinary oats.

Did you know that breastfeeding mums need more iron, calcium and folate? Besides the ability to boost milk supply, Dr OatCare offers all these nutrients too. Trying to conceive or currently pregnant? Oats are equally beneficial for you as folate helps to reduce the possibility of major birth defects in babies.

What I love about the drink is that it’s 100% natural and free from additives and sugar, so expectant mums with gestational diabetes (like me before I popped!) can take this with complete peace of mind. Just add hot water, give it a good stir and enjoy. If you prefer something more flavourful, there’s nothing stopping you from adding it to your favourite beverage too. You can also share this drink with everyone in your family (including toddlers, students, seniors) as it promotes healthy growth, stronger bone and teeth, brain power, and lowers cholesterol too.

If you want oats that pack a punch, this is it.

Due to its high nutritional content, it can also be taken as a meal replacement. Need to travel or pack this with you when you head to the office? Dr OatCare comes in sachets too so you can always have it on the go.

I only recommend products that I have personally tried and tested, because credibility means the world to me. I’m very happy with the results thus far, and I’ll definitely continue to take Dr OatCare as a supplement even after I stop breastfeeding.

*****

Dr OatCare is available at http://www.healthdomain.com.sg. Have it delivered to you for free  when you purchase via their website! Perfect for us busy mus who need to juggle several roles and still take care of our babies at home!

You can also find Dr OatCare at FairPrice Xtra, selected FairPrice Finest, Sheng Siong supermarkets, Watsons, and Unity pharmacies.

For more information about Dr OatCare, do visit their FB (@HealthDomainSG) & IG (healthdomain_sg).

As I approached my third trimester, I wondered if I should do a maternity shoot with my growing bump. After all, this is probably the only time I’ll ever sport a bump as we fully intend to stop at one. The next question then was who’s going to do the shoot? Should my hubby be in it too? He actually offered to take my maternity shots but thank goodness Hong Ray Photography came into the picture and the rest was history.

I generally have the impression that maternity shoots are a little cheesy (you cannot imagine the number of people who asked me if my hubby did a heart shape with his hands in front of my bump). Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against such poses. I just can’t imagine us doing it that’s all, which is why I can’t stress enough the importance of chemistry with your photographer. I was already in my 35th week when we agreed on the shoot and I couldn’t be happier that we could just cut to the chase since we shared similar ideas on the photography concept (no time to lose and I was paranoid that the baby will be early!).  We really liked Hong Ray’s affable personality and from his portfolio (he does mainly wedding photography), you can easily tell that aside from his passion for photography, he has a keen eye for aesthetics too. From our interactions with him, we could also tell he truly enjoys what he does. That probably explains why many of his works have been featured in Singapore Tatler Weddings as well.

We decided to go for a more timeless and artistic studio shoot to capture our most intimate moments.

I personally feel that styling for a shoot is just as crucial as the shoot itself and it was great that Hong Ray’s studio had a wide range of props and fairy lights for us to experiment with as well. If you were wondering, yes, he provides props and styling for outdoor shoots too. How creative! Props aside, Hong Ray’s efferverscent and easy-going personality put us at ease instantly and injected a dose of fun into the shoot. There was never an awkward or dull moment.

It was a breeze working with Hong Ray and we couldn’t be more pleased with the photos we received. Thank you for creating these wonderful memories with us as we embark on the next chapter of our lives.

Here’s also a special shoutout to my makeup artist and friend, Clara for my gorgeous hair and makeup.

For more of Hong Ray’s works, check out his website here and IG account (@hongrayphotography).

For enquiries, feel free to drop him an email at enquiry@hongrayphotography.com too.

Wanna relieve common problems such as fatigue, constipation and backache during pregnancy? Perhaps Tian Yuan Xiang Chicken Essence (滴鸡精) will come in handy! A popular brand in Taiwan, I couldn’t be happier when they finally set up shop in Singapore during my second trimester! One of my girlfriends couldn’t stop waxing lyrical about the benefits of this tasty chicken essence hence I’ve been taking Tian Yuan Xiang’s chicken essence as a dietary supplement ever since I could get my hands on them here.

Why Tian Yuan Xiang?

Their chicken essence tastes different from what you usually get off the shelves. It tastes just like freshly brewed chicken broth. In fact, it’s so delicious, I look forward to drinking it every morning.

Their chicken essence is as pure as it can possibly get and there aren’t any added preservatives or water at all. What’s even more interesting is that they rear their own free-range, hormone-free chickens so preggy ladies like us can have absolute peace of mind.

The best way to ensure optimal absorption is to consume the chicken essence on an empty stomach every morning. Alternatively, you can have it with or after your meals, preferably before 4pm to prevent insomnia at night. All you have to do is to thaw a packet in the microwave or by boiling it over the stove and you’ll get to savour a piping hot bowl of natural chicken essence. How very convenient.

While I never had backache (thankfully!), I was plagued by fatigue and constipation, particularly at the start of my third trimester. I was so tired most of the time and my energy level was at an all-time low. I used to drink their Pure Chicken Essence (no herbs at all) once to twice a week in my second trimester but I  decided it was time to up my game with their Original Chicken Essence and Chicken Essence with Eucommia.  These two flavours include pregnancy-safe herbs and are suitable not only for pregnant ladies but for postpartum care and breastfeeding ladies too. You can also share these flavours with the rest of your family as teenagers, adults and the elderly can take them too!

Original Chicken Essence

The original flavour includes wolfberries and red dates to boost vital energy and Qi, astragalus to strengthen your lungs and black dates to relieve constipation. Sure enough, constipation became a problem of the past for me once I started taking this. Quite miraculous if you ask me, and believe me, I tried eating bananas, vegetables, drinking more water etc. Nothing worked for me till this came along.

Chicken Essence with Eucommia

I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly thirsty during pregnancy. My mouth feels dry all the time and skin breakouts are now as regular as my visits to the toilet. I swear I spot new spots emerging at different times of the day. Well, according to TCM, this is linked to the body’s heatiness and Tian Yuan Xiang’s Chicken Essence with Eucommia contains several Chinese herbs to dispel heatiness, aid with insomnia (yup that’s me at 2am) and constipation, and nourish blood. The star ingredient here, Eucommia, helps to relieve backaches too. After taking this, I feel less thirsty and my skin doesn’t look as bad as it did before, plus I do sleep much better now. Not preggy? That’s fine. If you’re used to pulling all nighters, you can try this too!

Nourish Your Family

Do you feel that you’ve been neglecting your hubby ever since you got preggy?  Now, you can treat the man to some Tian Yuan Xiang Chicken Essence. There are many flavors to choose from and I personally think that the American Ginseng flavor is suitable for my hubby. American Ginseng can help to replenish his energy level  and lessen the effects of fatigue(especially if he has been staying up late due to work and nursery planning :P). Worried about your kids during the exam period? Or are you feeling drained and weak after your menstrual cycle? You can drink this to boost energy levels too! However, do note that American Ginseng is not suitable for pregnant ladies, breastfeeding mummies or ladies during their menstrual periods.

There’s only so much that I can say, and nothing beats experiencing it for yourself. Go ahead, try their chicken essence. There’s complimentary sampling at their store at United Square. No time to head down? You can also order online here and they’ll deliver the products right to your doorstep. Psst…I found out recently that HK and Taiwanese celebrities such as Linda Chung, Sharon Chan, Barbie Hsu and Ruby Lin are fans. In Singapore, they count Tay Kewei and Leelian Chua as fans too.

No wonder all the products were completely wiped out when I visited their shop in Singapore a few weeks after their opening.

*****

Tian Yuan Xiang

Address:

101 Thomson Road

#B1-24A United Square

S307591

Opening Hours:

10.30am – 9pm

Contact No.:

6200 6789

Click on the links below for more details:

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

It may come as a shock to some that I lived alone during the whole of my second trimester. My hubby had a 3-month overseas stint and since I embrace solitude, being home alone didn’t bother me at all.

What if there was an emergency and I had to go to the hospital? I would probably have just called for the ambulance. That said, directing my focus towards leading a healthy lifestyle served as a distraction from any negativity.

 
Home-cooked meals & Gestational Diabetes
I failed my  gestational diabetes test when I was in my 29th week. Well, my dad has type 2 diabetes so it didn’t exactly come as a surprise. This meant that I had to watch my diet carefully and test my sugar level on a daily basis.

Simple carbs were out of the question and I took mainly brown rice or low GI breads with meat and vegetables. To break the monotony, I also slipped in my favourite Raffles Hotel mooncake on cheat days. Surprisingly, my sugar level didn’t shoot up.

On the other hand, I tried taking simple carbs for all 3 meals one day and omg my sugar level 2 hours after dinner shot up. What a stark reminder that moderation is key.

Of course, having a mother-in-law who cooks well helped. I had my fair share of delicious yet healthy home-cooked meals delivered to my doorstep. Whenever I had time at home, I would also whip up some western meals that are high in protein and low in carbs.

Sufficient sleep
I don’t have a habit of sleeping early, but I made sure I had sufficient rest. At least 8 hours of quality sleep on average.

These days, I’ve to admit it’s getting harder to get up in the mornings.

Exercise
I took up prenatal pilates (after friends told me it’ll be easier to get back into shape after delivery) but I came to realise I really enjoy this sport, even more so than my first love yoga. I started pilates from the beginning of my second trimester and I think it’s very effective in preventing backaches.

For the record, I sit on backless bar stools at Foxhole Cafe all the time and I don’t use any form of back support. I’m 35 weeks now and nope, I haven’t experienced any backaches (I hope I don’t jinx this *touchwood*).

Supplements
In addition to supplements prescribed by my gynae, I also take chicken essence and occasioinally bird’s nest. My mother-in-law buys black chicken from the market and makes chicken essence from scratch  for me once a week. I supplement that with chicken essence from Tian Yuan Xiang, a popular Taiwanese brand favoured by Hong Kong and Taiwanese celebs, on alternate days or daily (if my pregnant brain remembers). I’ll be writing a review on their products soon, so if this is of interest to you, do keep a lookout for my upcoming post.

Natural remedies
I caught a cold towards the end of my second trimester due to the sudden dip in temperature islandwide. Runny nose, scratchy throat, you get the drift…I mean, can you believe it was 26 degrees in Singapore during the day? It wasn’t even the monsoon period.

I wasn’t keen on taking medication so I relied mainly on my best friend Google who told me that Manuka honey and lemon water as well as a salt gurgle would help to ease my symptoms. These worked like a charm, but it still took me about two weeks to fully recover. Fortunately, I felt well enough to head to Foxhole Cafe for my shifts.

Bad news. I think my nose is extra sensitive during pregnancy as I am nursing another cold right now.

Staying positive
I know it can be tough when pregnancy hormones are wrecking havoc. It helped that I had the support of likeminded mummy and non-mummy friends/clients who empathised with me. Two of my best friends even came to do a massive clean up of my house before my helper arrived! I also indulged in hair treatments (thanks to ToliV salon) and antenatal massages to keep stress levels down and basically just unwind.

And now that the hubby is back, I’ve happily passed on the responsibility of setting up the nursery and grocery shopping to him while I kick back and relax by shopping on Pupsik, Redmart and Mothercare.😆

Before I even received my first bottle of su:m37˚’s Secret Essence, I’ve already heard so much about it thanks to the glowing reviews online. I couldn’t wait to try it for myself as I was experiencing dull and dehydrated skin (no thanks to pregnancy hormones).  

As the star product of su:m37˚which hails from Korea, the Secret Essence consists of over 80 types of plants that have been naturally fermented for 365 days at a temperature of – yes you guessed it 37˚. How did this magic number 37˚ come about? That’s actually the optimal temperature for both the fermentation process and the human body.

City dwellers like you and me would love this product because the key active ingredient used, Cytosis®, is known to effectively strengthen your skin’s foundation and protect it from environmental aggressors when combined with ferulic acid, a patented ingredient derived from the fermentation process. It promises to enhance your skin tone, texture and hydration level after just 2 weeks of usage.

I put it to the test by applying it after toner every morning and evening, before layering with moisturizer. It has a very lightweight, watery consistency and absorbs instantly into the skin without any sticky after feel. 

Although you practically can’t feel it on your skin after patting it on, I noticed that my dry spots looked more moisturized immediately and the effect lasted throughout the day. Did I also mention that I absolutely adore the soothing lavender scent which is perfect for lulling me to sleep at bedtime? 

After two weeks of usage, I’m happy to report that my skin became noticeably brighter, smoother and more hydrated. My make-up glides on more easily and I no longer have to apply as much blusher for the pigments to show up. This product certainly lives up to its claims. With continued use, I trust that I can finally bid adieu to my dry and dull skin! 

Experience the benefits for yourself! Visit the new su:m37˚in Isetan Tampines  to collect a best-seller trial pack from 3rd – 31st October 2017!

su:m37˚is also available at TANGS in Tangs Plaza and VivoCity.

**Trial pack is exclusive to Tampines Mall.