Pledge for a Malaysian Breastfeeding AD

Did you ever think about breastfeeding before you were married or had kids?

I didn't.

What was the idea you had in your head when it comes to feeding a baby?

Yeah milk and some water in the first few months I guess?

How did you react when you see a mother breastfeeding?

I have never seen one!

Did you ever wonder what you were fed with when you were a baby?

Nooo idea until I had my own, hahah!

How many of you have had these same thoughts and questions after you had a baby?
I sure do hope I'm not the only one.

Breastfeeding is something I learnt during pregnancy.
Yup, like most people I knew a baby drinks milk. It was only during pregnancy I started asking myself, what milk?
I thought yes okay formula, which to me was milk. I didn't even know that infant milk that comes in a tin is called formula, to me it was..,well milk.

My sister and my brother's wife both recommended me to check out a breastfeeding talk.

Wait, what? Breastfeeding? Breastfeeding talk?

Ouh ya totally forgot about breastfeeding. It is only the most natural thing to do, breastfeeding your baby!

My sister was going to give me a super long lecture if didn't sign up for the talk. Maybe she might just skip the lecturing and just drive me there and tie me to a seat during the breastfeeding talk.

So I went for it, together with my mum and husband.

Thank you sis for the push :)

I started thinking, the marketing of baby formula was so convincing that they have successfully implanted deep in our heads that feeding your baby formula is the norm, for years!!!

I have nothing against formula, I too wasn't a breastfed baby. I'd like to think I turned out fine, hahaha!!

BUT what I find disturbing is that the concept of breastfeeding has been pretty much wiped out of our heads. The fact that we think formula feeding is the way to go because that is what most of us know and breastfeeding isn't socially accepted especially when in public.

Shouldn't breastfeeding come first, and if for some reason it cannot be accomplished then it's formula milk?

I swear the world we live in is so weird. You are already given what you need but somehow we are programmed to think that what we have is not enough.

After going for the talk, I joined a breastfeeding group on Facebook called The Breastfeeding Advocates Network aka TBAN.
Having read through their files, questions and comments from everyone was a massive eye opener.

I too have realized the importance and benefits of nursing your baby.

Did you know that they're mothers who go on hormone therapy to breastfeed their adopted babies? 

Induced lactation.
I have never thought of such thing. Or even thought it's possible.

TBAN was created by Gina Yong, a breastfeeding advocate. She holds talks, runs a confinement center, a breastfeeding peer counselor, a daughter, a wife and a mother of 4! 

Along with her group of friends, the admins of TBAN, they have tirelessly been sharing information and organising events and/or talks to normalise breastfeeding since 2009. TBAN today has over 65000 members and are growing.

The admins of TBAN are all mothers with children and full time jobs, sacrificing their time to create an awareness on breastfeeding. 

This too means getting messages from distressed mothers at 4 am who are wondering why isn't my baby latching or help me I don't know what I'm doing etc.

Bless. I cannot imagine having that amount of responsibility.

When I found out that TBAN needed help, I felt it was simply the right thing to do to offer a hand, and so I approached them.

One of the main reasons why I started out my blog was to not only share my journey in motherhood but to write about breastfeeding.

As you may have noticed, I have not done so. This is shall be a good time to start.

I will start by seeking your help into the production of the very first Breastfeeding AD in Malaysia that the admins of TBAN  have been working on.

Yes yes.

You and I know its about time.

Thanks to the admins of TBAN, the idea is now made possible.

Any idea how much a TV Commercial would cost though? Even a magazine spread costs a bomb, imagine advertising on TV.

That's where we come in. The commercial will only be possible if we help.

A total sum of USD65000 needs to be reached to make this commercial possible. That is approximately MYR200000.

I know it looks like a big lump sum but it isn't that big when there are thousands of people involved in donating, crowdfunding!

All you got to do is maybe skip one thing that you were planning to spend on for a day and donate instead! 

Skip that LV bag?
Skip that one night of having dinner in a restaurant?
Skip that Starbucks drinks for four?

All you got to do is skip it one time.
Trust me you will make all the difference.

I'm no where near that LV status or even having dinner in a fine dining restaurant (Yes being a SAHM comes with a very tight budget, haha!) but I'm skipping a day out in the mall to donate.

Here's the link to send in your kind contributions TBAN Breastfeeding Video.

In addition to that, TBAN Gift Of Love will be organizing a Charity Bazaar in August 2015.

It's the world's Breastfeeding Month!!

Everyone is welcome to join in and support. A note to Mummypreneurs and businesses, come on over and open up a booth! Check out their page for more information and updates. They are having an early bird promotion till the end of June 2015. Drop them an email at tban.giftoflove@gmail.com. 

Here's a big hug to EVERYONE working together to reach a goal that brings back a little bit of what I believe is the natural way of life to the masses, breastfeeding.

Thank you Gina, Daphne, Felicia and Ashley for your constant efforts in normalizing breastfeeding.

Felicia, Ashley, Daphne and Gina (TBAN Admins & Breastfeeding Peer Counselors)
Photo take from: Indiegogo Gallery

Pledge and share.

Kisses of love from That Skinny Elephant.

Black Milk Project Raya Collection

Here's a confession.

I have been stalking a mother on Instagram.

A mother who happens to be a very talented illustrator and designer for Black Milk Project, her very own canvas.

Photo credit:Black Milk Project

I was thinking to myself, since I have this platform, why not showcase Black Milk Project to all my lovely readers! Everyone has got to see her work, yes yes!

(If you are wondering why do I keep saying yes yes a couple of times in my posts, it's simply because I've watched Lisa Nichols videos one too many times, haha!!) 

After a few weeks of figuring out what to say, writing, scrapping it off and then re-writting again, then saving it in my draft folder (you get the drift) I decided to go for it and sent her an email. I kept delaying because I was trying to maintain 'I'm really a big fan but I don't want to end up sounding like a stalker' tone in a professional manner.

She replied! Yes she did, tee hee. 

Ms Wei Tieng, the founder of Black Milk Project, is one upbeat mummy, as she puts it  "who loves all things whimsical and quirky". By looking at her designs, I totally agree!!

The sweetest wife and husband duo, Wei Tieng & Thomas

All hail BabyCruz!!
Photo credit:Black Milk Project

Her son, BabyCruz, fuels her artsy hands. How adorable is he? Babies are one of the most precious inspirations you'll ever get. I personally believe so. They make you as dreamy and imaginary as they are until you come to a point and say why not?

Why not I do what I love and be merry.

Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone did what they love. I feel like I'm going to break into a song.

Stop.

I'm pretty tone deaf. It's not even funny.

Black Milk Project's mama does just that. She loves designing and BabyCruz drives her passion further. She has been doodling his pictures since he was born. Black Milk Project's Instagram has loads of BabyCruz's doodles, do check it out. She even has videos of her art in progress, it's only a few seconds but I love watching it coming to live.

That face!!! BabyCruz
Photo credit:Black Milk Project

There're plenty of companies designing customized rompers and tees out there, what is it about Black Milk Project that I love?

Besides the fact that I fully support mums who are trying to break from the office working cycle aka Mummypreneurs, Wei Tieng's designs are from the heart and some are even hand drawn.

Wei Tieng aims to have her designs fully hand drawn in the future. Currently Black Milk Project offers both printed and hand drawn pieces. You are free to brainstorm with her if you'd like your own design or choose one of her existing prints. 

Now let's talk Raya!!! 

I'm not a Malay, but I am a Malaysian.

A true Malaysian who loves celebrating wonderful festivals that we are blessed with from the ALL the different cultures in our very rojak land, hee.

With ketupats and pelikats in abundance, I'd like to introduce Black Milk Project Hari Raya Collection, featuring Encik Kuching!

Too cute. I swear.

MYR49.00
Photo credit:Black Milk Project

So unique. Her designs have so much character, even the little ketupat is a smiley weave!

MYR49.00
Photo credit:Black Milk Project

Bring on the green packets!!

MYR45.00
Photo credit:Black Milk Project

These Jawi printed tees are one of my favorites. Simplicity at its best.

MYR39.00
Photo credit:Black Milk Project

See what I mean about passion driven business?! All the effort in little details and personality on each design. 

Black Milk Project has a variety of customizable prints, from kids rompers & tees, adult tees, tote bags, head gear (a very cute knitted crown which you have to check it out!!) and the latest, plushies!

Get in touch with them at Black Milk Project and follow them on their Facebook & Instagram for the latest updates and cute doodles!

That's not all folks, Wei Tieng is extending a 10% discount code for all of my lovely readers on any purchase of Black Milk Project items!!

Just type in the discount code below upon check out in Black Milk Project. Offer is valid till the 30th of June 2015.

Enjoy browsing through their witty designs, and be sure to say Hi to Encik Kucing ;)

Thank you Black Milk Project for being a sport!

Salam Lebaran.

Kisses of ketupats from That Skinny Elephant.

*This is not a sponsored post. 

Photo Credit:Black Milk Project

That Purple Beauty - Beaba Babycook

I was eyeing on this beauty
.

Beaba Babycook Solo

My soulies know me too well (I call my bestfriends soulies because simply said, we are soulmates). They booked it on Petit Suite and surprised me during my Baby Shower. Bless.

My beautiful Soulies
Photo credit : Sabine

Not only did they organize my baby shower with help from Ms All Things Pretty Party Planner aka Ms Babyclopedia aka my super awesome brother's wife, Krystal, they got me the Beaba Babycook Solo. 

One of my soulie is missing here cause she was busy with her thesis in a different part of the world. (Flying kisses to Padfoot!)

They know my love for desserts, Heee.
Photo credit: Sabine

The Beaba Babycook allows me to give Bubs a healthy start with his meals because it is so convenient for me to make them!

During my pregnancy, I pretty much decided that I was going to pureè Bubs food once he was ready to eat. BLW (baby led weaning) has its advantages but like I mentioned in my previous blog on Solids, it's too traumatising for my sanity.

And Ooooooh boy you got to wait for the best part.

We can't deny the fact that these days we need things to get done at a certain speed.

For the working mamas (FTWMs), you want to spend more time interacting with Bubs whereas the homemakers mama's (SAHMs), you would like a little time out once in awhile (note to self-it's ok, stop feeling guilty).

Hence instead of me being in the kitchen for...ever, I just have to Beaba Babycook it!

Step 1

Chop chop.

Pears & Peas

Step 2

Add water in that little hole.

Step 3

Press steam button. Wait 15 minutes. 

The Beaba Babycook lets out a beeping sound to let you know its ready and the steam light flashes.

Keep your distance when opening the lid due to the steam coming out.

Step 4

Blend. Or mash it.

Homemade Brown Rice Cereal & Broccoli
Want to make your own cereal too? Here's the link - Homemade Brown Rice Cereal

Step 5

Give em' to Bubs!

Puree's are smooth

See it's so easy.

Now the washing dishes phase.

Before I continue, did you realise suddenly you have something to wash frequently ever since you had a baby? I swear sometimes I feel that my relationship with the sink and washing machine is much closer than with my man.

Hpmh.

Ok. Back to Beaba. Three things to wash. Thats it.

The blade, sieve and jug. Plus the cover if you blend.

Life just got simplified eh.

I must mention that the blade is removable. This means I'm able to wash it clean everytime after use. Some blenders has its blade fixed, and I can't really give it a thorough cleaning. Unless of course you get a really small brush to scrub, immerse in hot water, bla bla bla...yeah no. Enough time spent at the sink thank you very much.

You must be wondering what's the best part.

Well, it's the fact that you can operate Beaba Babycook with one hand!!

Once it's cooked, you can lift up the sieve using the spatula provided. I find that brilliant!

Our little ones are jolly one minute and the next they can be crying (think teething or growth spurts phases). Not a problem, you can still cook.

Real life saver this Beaba.

My sister is always ready with her manicured nails hence my star hand model there, tee hee.

I think it's important to have a separate blender and steamer for Bubs. This includes utensils when cooking for Bubs. By doing so, I'm minimising the risk of food contamination.

The Beaba Babycook Solo has a large capacity which allows you to prepare a big amount of pureè for freezing. Perfect for working mums like my sister.

In addition to that, this lil' beauty does not take up much counter space. I have a small kitchen thus the compact design is definitely a plus point. The plug-in is safely tucked in under the Beaba Babycook, so it looks neat and most importantly safe.

We are planning to travel next year, little did I know that the Beaba Babycook has a perfect bag. It's big enough to fit in the machine and baby food. It does come with a hefty price tag (Well not-so-hefty if you are a FTWM) but I couldn't resist.

Look at how it sits! Love!

Fits all three types of Beaba Babycook

There are a few Beaba Babycook designs, me and my sis has the solo and my sis in law has the original with size being the major difference. In my review, I'm showcasing two different colours, purple and grey, it does come in other colours too. 

My fellow mummypreneur on Petit Suite no longer orders the Beaba BabyCook, hence the revision of this post. Beaba Babycook however is now available at Happikiddo!!

Yes, that mummy store which is run by a mummy herself! I did a review for them recently and we are now collaborating to offer you a discount on any model of the Beaba Babycook from Happikiddo Stores.

Upon visiting their store, all you have to do is mention my blog " That Skinny Elephant" and provide the discount code above. This offer is valid from 2nd of June 2015 till 15th of June 2015.
It's only running for two weeks, so be sure to get it by then yes!

www.Happikiddo.com.my is under maintenance hence the code is only applicable for in-store purchases of the Beaba Babycook.

I hope you found this review somewhat helpful for you in someway.

To all Mamas & Papas starting their Bubs on solids, happy experimenting!!

Waiiiit!

I decided to run a contest called Guess 'That Purple Beauty' item/product I was going to review. I had so much fun reading through all your guesses and interacting with you. Thank you so much for your participation and support. I might just run contests regularly just cause it feels good making someones day.

It's was pretty hard choosing a winner, most of you got it right!

Here it is, introducing our first ever That Skinny Elephant lucky winner, Ms Angel Ng!!!

Hit me up with your contact details Angel, your mystery gift awaits! 

Thank you once again for joining in the contest. More to come in the future ;)
Kisses of mushy broccoli from That Skinny Elephant.

*This post on Beaba Babycook Solo is a personal review based on my experience with this awesome machine. It is not sponsored a post