World Breastfeeding Week 2015

It's the first day of World Breastfeeding Week ya'll!!

I didn't know there was an annual celebration for breastfeeding until I had a baby, haha!

It gives me great comfort to know efforts to normalize breastfeeding again is happening everywhere around the world.

I don't think it's a fight against formula at all, in fact formula saved lives too.
I feel it's a drive to inform the masses that breastfeeding should be thought as the primary food source for babies during the first 6 months of life, secondary being formula.

How in the world did we (including myself) have become so brainwashed with advertisements saying formula IS the right way or the only way to go.

Our ancestors will probably be laughing their bums off watching us falling into the traps of marketing when we have been blessed with so much goodness already.

Anyhoos, thank god breastfeeding is back. However a number of people are not continuing or even starting because ;

1. Lack of Pro Breastfeeding Medical Professionals
It's vital for us as parents or future parents to educate ourselves on  breastfeeding. Yes I understand it's a natural act but it's the dispassionate medical professionals that are not pro breastfeeding are the ones that we got to worry about. There are a handful out there hence it is our responsibility to question and know your options when encountering milk/latching issues. Ask, ask and ask.

2. Support system
Family, friends, co-workers play a big role to a mother who breastfeeds. We could really not use remarks like
• oh, baby is crying cause you are not producing enough milk
• you have milk ah? Boobs so small
• could you cover up or breastfeed somewhere else? (No, I can't because I want to show you my boobs, really I do, makes me very comfortable -_-)
• please work instead of pumping every few hours or finish your work then pump (urmm okay, I'll quietly enjoy this wonderful feeling of engorgement)
• let your baby sleep well through the night, give some nestum or formula will you?!

The list goes on doesn't it.
I think it will be really helpful if family members including in laws have a little read on breastfeeding, youtube it or attend a class. Plus it's wise to have a little talk with your boss on your choice to breastfeed. More importantly, you, the mother, have got to give your 200% on this journey. 

3. Panic
Am I the only new mother who panics? A million things run through our heads when something doesn't go right. Like why is this baby still crying!!!!! I experienced that on the first week of my delivery. As much as I was prepared and determined to breastfeed, I broke down. If it wasn't for the calmness of my experienced brother and his wife, my son would have had his first formula feed because I was lost and only thought of crying a river to flood the whole neighborhood (yes post natal drama is real, hence cut the mama some slack for the first year at the very least). Keep some numbers of family/friends who are experienced and a few contacts of lactation consultants or even breastfeeding peer counselors. A fellow buddy, mummy blogger at Joycescapade, Joyce has just received her breastfeeding peer counselor certificate. I am sure she would love to help. Congratulations Joyce!!

I must highlight that today, breastfeeding is much more accepted with the masses. Plus we have various hospitals here in Malaysia that are breastfeeding friendly thanks to the UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.
Some of which are ;

1. Assunta Hospital
2. Pantai Hospital
3. KPJ Specialist Centres
4. All Malaysian government Hospitals 

I'd like to ask if most of you are aware that, under normal circumstances, if your baby has jaundice, you can request to stay in the hospital to ensure your are able to continue breastfeeding. You can. It is wise to breastfeed by direct latching fully at least for the first month to increase the chances of consistent milk production.

Now coming back to the World Breastfeeding Week, WBW for short, it's an annual campaign initiated by World Association of Breastfeeding Alliance.

WBW runs from 1st of Aug till 7th of Aug since 1992. I like the idea of having different themes every year coinciding with current issues on breastfeeding and raising awareness on it in a global scale.

This year, the theme is Make breastfeeding work, at work!

They call for 'concerted global action to support women to combine breastfeeding and work. It is necessary that she is empowered in claiming her and her baby's right to breastfeed.

How are you coping at work? Be it in a formal setting or at home. I find it challenging but with the right support, it makes it easier.

My #tseEmpower series will be kick starting this month, and I'd like to share about two mothers who breastfeeds and are running their very own business. I find them inspiring.

Do keep a lookout for #tseEmpower very first feature in the coming weeks.

In addition to that, I will be posting up sort of a 'did you know' or a fun fact pic about breastfeeding on my social media every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the month of August. The pics will be hashtagged under #tsebreastfeeding, be sure to check it out.

I know WBW is obviously for a week but That Skinny Elephant wants to honor their efforts for the whole month because I want to, heee

Whether you are a mother who breastfeeds, comfort feeds, dream feeds, pumps and bottle feeds, or mix feeds, I am sending over virtual warm hugs for that every little effort you put in providing the best for your baby.

Join in and create a little awareness on breastfeeding. Hopefully we don't have to run so many campaigns in the future because we have made breastfeeding a norm again.

Back to basics.

Kisses of au naturales from That Skinny Elephant.

Bio Oil 'Be Skin Confident' Workshop

Bio Oil.

My go to moisturizer when I was flying.

I pretty much wiped out the Bio Oil bottles in the pharmacy every time I had a flight to South Africa, hahaha!!

No, really I did.

I swear some of us flight attendants really take our shopping around the world seriously.

Years ago I often used Bio Oil during my travels. It absorbs really quick and retains moisture. With all that climate change and dehydrated skin, It was a must it my suitcase and at home.

I was using it for a few years until  I became pregnant. 

Something about pregancy made me transition to the extreme of my interests. Like going back to basics and really lovin' desserts, heee.

I have always been a supporter of all things natural and/or organic. If it's homemade, even better. Being a stay-at-home-mum currently allows me to explore these area of handmade goodness.

So it was no surprise that I stopped using Bio Oil due to a number of ingredients that I wasn't too happy about and swapped to good ol' coconut oil.

However a few weeks ago, I got a little invitation to participate in a Bio Oil talk. 

I was super excited. Then I started thinking, oh man, but I don't use this anymore, so should I still go? 

After hours of contemplation, a few conversations with my loved ones about principles and how I'd like to only preach about what I'd practice, I decided to go as a guest, not as a participant. 

I'm glad I attended.

I was taken care of by lovely PR professionals who took the time to introduce me to Stephanie Ng, Product Manager and Ms Low Hooi Wan, Division Manager of Nuvanta Sdn. Bhd.,distributor of Bio-Oil Malaysia who helped address my concerns about Bio-Oil.

Azzura the warmest PR rep I've met.

From left to right; Stephanie Ng, Product Manager, R. Yogash, MUMO Talent Coach and Ms Low Hooi Wan, Division Manager
Photo Courtesy of  Access Coms

Photo courtesy of Access Coms

Come to think of it, it was kind of funny, I may have been known as the girl who had heard some bad rep about Bio-Oil, haha!

Well like some of you who googled mineral oils like parranifum liquidum and realised words like petroleum, crude oil, toxic popped up, I obviously freaked out.

So I decided to read a little more and hear both sides of the story. 

Yes a number of cosmetics and skin care companies use mineral oil like parranifum liquidum as a base for their products.

Yes it is derived from petroleum.

I had a mindset that thought, ok, its petroleum, stash it. Without thinking that there are different grades of petroleum after it has been 'specifically isolated and prepared fraction of petroleum' that's meant for pharmaceutical use. 

For example, water. You can't just drink water from anywhere these days. It is not clean, heck, we can't even drink water from the tap here in  Malaysia!

However after it has gone through proper filteration process, you can.

That's how I look at it.

Now I have this thing where I try to avoid products with ingredients I can't pronounce or I'm not familiar with. So what about the rest of the concoction? 

Here's a list of the ingredients I pasted from Bio Oil.com for you to do a little research on your own if it's a cause of concern.

Botanicals - My favourite ingredients from Bio-Oil

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract (Calendula Oil)
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil (Lavender Oil)
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil (Rosemary Oil)
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil (Chamomile Oil)

Vitamins

Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A)
Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)

Oil base

Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum)
Triisononanoin
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Isopropyl Myristate
Glycine Soja Oil
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
BHT
Bisabolol

Fragrance (Rose)

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Amyl Cinnamal
Benzyl Salicylate
Citronellol
Coumarin
Eugenol
Farnesol
Geraniol
Hydroxycitronellal
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Limonene
Linalool

Color

Orange: CI 26100 (Red 17)

Looking through the contents, I am no pharmacist to tell you what is good and what is not. But as much as I'm not too keen on the added colour and fragrance, it does not contain parabens or phthalates which are pretty toxic for your skin.

With regards to its fragrance, it has been added to obviously make it smell nice. I'm ok with smelling like a coconut (hah!) but when I'm out, I could definitely appreciate smelling a little bit more pleasant. Hence it's something I'd personally use from to time to time. 

Wooh, I really went off road here.
Haha!
Perhaps, I should get back to sharing with you about what I experienced during the event, yes?

Bio-Oil 'Be Skin Confident' Workshop was pretty insightful, both on the product and ourselves.
Stephanie Ng, Product Manager gave a presentation about Bio-Oil and why it has won 222 skincare awards.

Most of us in the room have used Bio-Oil, which we realized during the warm set sharing session.

Photo Courtesy of Access Coms

I found out on an average, people have 3 scars on their bodies. I myself have about 5? I think. Probably more, we are talking oven burns on my arms during flying, cervical halo brace scars, and other unidentified marks which I don't even remember how it got there.

Oh my gawd, don't even get me started on stretch marks. I'm surprised I'm not a tiger.

I was one of those teenagers who developed stretch marks at a very young age.
I felt that Bio-Oil did help in retaining moisture around my hips to avoid any new formation of stretch marks.

I think it's only fair to myself to accept these scars and marks by not relying 100% on products but on my inner confidence instead.

We all come in different shapes, sizes, colors. It's best to work with what you have, because that acceptance of your true self will show in your total outlook. That glow. Please note I am saying this statement after years of struggling with self confidence, haha. We all have our roller-coaster rides.

One of the highlight for me in that afternoon was meeting R. Yogaash, Miss Universe Malaysia Organization Talent Coach and a renowned stylist.
I swear he has that 'glow' I mentioned earlier. So approachable and warm.
He mentioned how important it is to be well groomed to your liking because that immediately lifts your self esteem.

The simplest things you do for yourself can empower you in a big way.

I like how the Bio-Oil Workshop focused on building up your confidence first and using a product second.

As I've mentioned earlier Bio-Oil hydrates pretty well and absorbs real quick too. The thing about scars is that you have got to be disciplined enough to massage onto your skin twice a day every day for at least 3 months. Which is actually no biggie, once after your morning shower and once before bed, easy.
Have you tried it before? What were your problem areas? Do share.

Thank you Bio-Oil for an afternoon of self boosting tips and these lovely gift. I always appreciate a little attention to detail.

A little shoutout to Roost KL, Bangsar, compliments to Chef on that ravioli and the dessert, was it a passionfruit panna cota? It was simply divine.

Feast! Roost KL, Bangsar

I hope you enjoyed reading my long winded post this time. I honestly have so much to say.

There's more really, but I should take a chill pill.

Do share your experience on Bio-Oil yes? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Blessed Friday everyone.

Kisses of self love by That Skinny Elephant.

*This is not a sponsored post

Gotta take a group pic hey ;)
Photo courtesy of Access Coms

Ange Dispensing Spoon at Keiko's Store

Have you heard of Ange? 

I didn't.
Yea case of a katak di bawah tempurung here.

Until a few months ago when I was in Happikiddo where Keiko introduced to some of her products she supplies to them.

Keiko's Store

Thank goodness for social interactions, yay!

Ange is a sub brand of Takos, a baby safety specialist since 1992 based in Busan, Korea. They claim to produce fun and safe baby products bearing in mind convenience for parents.

So let's see.

I'd like to share my thoughts on the dispensing spoon.
Yes I know, it has a close resemblance to Boon Squirt Spoon, which I am more than happy to do a little comparison in the future.

Here's the little bulb. Looks like a chubby carrot. Our bunny like baby would totally dig this. Hehe

I just had to put a carrot next to it

Sorry, I like to laugh at my own jokes. Since I have the pleasure to type in my blog, I shall share my lame jokes here because, ... I can.
Thank you for your patience.
Plus it's past midnight, It's personify my blog time,

Ok.
About this chubby spoon, I must say it's pretty cool.

Ange Jjayo Dispensing Spoon
Photo Credit; www.keikostore.com.my

Puree Bubs meals and pop it in the tube.
Squeeze and serve.

Really, that's it.

Besides the fact that while squeezing the puree out (especially when the contents gets less), you might just squirt right into Bubs face, or yours, (HAHA) it's great to use it on the go.

Golden Kiwi puree

I wished I had these earlier when Bubs was starting his solids, it would have save a whole lot of time cleaning up. However I would not use a dispensing spoon on a daily basis because I believe it's important for Bubs to hold his own spoon and mimic the movement of feeding himself by watching us eat together.
Hence I mentioned its a superb idea for on-the-go feeds and when you had enough of cleaning on that one day.

Since Bubs has passed the puree foods stage, I thought I'll mash in his favorite avocado and banana into the dispensing spoon and give it a go. 
Comes out pretty nicely, be sure to mash it till its fine.

Next I tried it with some good ol' golden kiwi. Works as good and the cap holds in the juice pretty well.

If I were to use this for Bubs, I would have probably used it when he was around 8 months plus. Not so much in the beginning because I'd prefer a softer tip. Other than that, I simply love the idea of mess free table sessions  and it so easy to use.

Cleaning is a breeze too. I used a straw brush to gently clean the little tube where the puree comes through.

A little more about Ange dispensing spoon from the manufacturer ;
- Dispenses baby food one bite at a time
- Convenient one-handed feeding
- Includes cap for storage
- Large easy-to-clean bulb holds up to 90 ml of baby food
- Great for on-the-go
- Made in Korea
- BPA-Free & Free from toxic materials
- Can be sterilized

I like the fact that it can be sterilized, it's so important that baby utensils are kept clean all the time. It is always a good idea to separate baby utensils from the regular dishware (including chopping boards) to avoid any chance of food contamination.

Besides the dispensing spoon, Ange has a variety of bpa-free teethers, shampoo caps, mutlipurpose locks, door stoppers etc.

Ange Banana teether
Photo credit: www.keikostore.com.my

To learn more about Keiko's Store and her products, be sure to follow her on Facebook for the latest updates.

www.facebook.com/KeikosStore

Along with other goodies Keiko's Store has, Ange products are available for purchase online or at the following stores;

1. Happikiddo Stores

2. Camomile Spring in Bangsar Village II 

3. Baby Land in SS2

4. Chubby Chubby in Desa ParkCity

It's quite fun watching Bubs trying to figure out this chubby spoon. I guess he thought it'll be a good idea cooking it cause it ended up in his little frying pan.

Dear Keiko, thank you as always :)

Kisses of mushy golden kiwi from That Skinny Elephant.

#tseEmpower

I remembered this young low self esteemed girl in high school who often seeked validation.

I'm happy to say that she is now evolving into a confident woman, finally, haha!

Blessed for her supportive family and loved ones, wonderful soulies (my best friends), her travels, an inspiring little man and most importantly, her choice to change.

Yes.

She chose to change.

It's one thing to have all the support on your side but none of it will work if

You don't allow yourself to grow

You feel your dreams are so out of reach that you don't even feel like setting goals towards to it.

Your mind is in living in the past

You blame everything for your downfalls, from the stars to the moon to yourself

You are battling with skeletons in your closet

You constantly feel insignificant

You are not embracing the good

The list can really go on but why should it.

I am choosing to empower.

It has been almost a year now that I've been blogging. All I wanted to do was write about my transition into a mother who is trying to avoid cereal for her son, haha!

With growth, we evolve and so is this blog.

I was given the opportunity to write about a store launch in April 2015.
Happikiddo was my very first event, I felt truly inspired at the ceremony.

Inspired to keep doing what I'm doing.
Little did I know that people actually read my stuff!

It helped them in their little ones adventure of weaning.

Along the way I started receiving messages from mothers thanking me for putting out there what they really feel.
They could relate.

Oh boy was I elated!!

One thing that caught my attention in the event was how Elaine, Happikiddo's Founder, was giving her speech with her two lovely daughters.

Isn't that just wonderful? 

I know I've said it before, but there's no other way for me to put it without the word wonderful in it. Doing your own thing with your kids around. I'd love to see more of that. A family friendly work environment.

It got me thinking, I should use my blog as a platform to empower the masses, especially parentpreneurs, to give their dreams a chase. Be it to spend more time with the kids or to share with the world about your passion. What ever the reason may be that empowered you to take the plunge.

Doesn't every cell in your body feel revitalised when you burst that spark into flames.

Recently I attended another event that spoke of confidence. Honestly it was just what I needed to hear to get into my little project in full gear. 

Basically, I stopped questioning myself so much and I'm using all that energy to trust my thoughts a little more. 

That Skinny Elephant Empower project begins.

In short I'm going to hashtag it to #tseempower because I am pretty hooked on Instagram haha!

I want to share stories of mothers, fathers, young adults, even kids (oh boy you are going to love that one) on their journey of chasing their rainbows.

I'm not sure how I'm going to this while being a homemaker, stay at home mother and a blogger, but I am going to do it because it has been in my head for months and I have got to penned it.

Period.

Tee hee.

My sister told me that we all inspire someone, we just don't know who. Everyone one of us is an inspiration to somebody out there. 

Yes.

We are significant.

I will be kick starting this project of mine in August onwards. I hope to feature a dream chaser once a month. 

Twice if Bubs has longer naps, heee.

Super stoked. 

Bubs really makes me alive everyday. Something about this little man drives me. 

And this blog of mine, pushes me to create, move, share, and learn daily.

My Idols, Mum and Bubs Troy

I am looking forward to getting in touch with many of you through my blog.

Grow with me.

I hope to empower you with people we can all relate too.

Thank you lovely readers, you really got me chasing my little rainbow too.

Empowered kisses from That Skinny Elephant

P/s: If you would like to be part of #tseEmpower, feel free to drop me a message at hello@thatskinnyelephant.com.

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1st Stay At Home Mummyversary

Amazing.

A wonderful year has flown past since I left my job. 

I came across this post on my Facebook a few days ago and I thought to myself, what a blessing.

As much as I felt that I kind of lost myself half way through being a stay at home parent, I will do it all over again, haha!

When bubs turned 3 months old, I took over the care of my son. Bless my mother who cared for him day in and day out when I was working. I know it's cliché to say I don't know what I'd do without my mother, but really I don't. She sacrifices so much, too much sometimes.

I love you mum.

My life turned upside down inside out after becoming a homemaker, in a good way. 

Most of my time is spent in the kitchen. Chop, rinse, wash, cook, clean, organize, preps, marinate...the list goes on.

I even got to bake again.

The last time I baked a cake was when I was 19 perhaps, lol.

I'd love to spend more time experimenting with different recipes however that's not possible yet because the little one gets my full attention first. 

Yup.

I plan my time around Bubs.

There was once when I had to leave him for a few hours. Separation anxiety made me a little crazy. The only way for me to focus is if my husband or my mum updates me consistently. With pictures. I need to see pictures! 

When I came back, he immediately hugged me so tight, I wished I didn't have to leave him again.

Maybe I'm just too sentimental because his father was like Bubs was really fine. 

My hormones are all over the place man.

Now it's different with Bubs. After I returned home from a long day out, there was no running to me or any drama of that sort.

The boy was chilling in his chair, snacking on blueberries and baby talking to his grandmother. 

I wasn't sure how to react to this big boy at first. Then I realized, wow, he has grown.

Maybe now I can make that 4 hour spa appointments hey? 

I used to feel a little too guilty going for a spa. The husband works and I work at home.

He gets an income every month, I didn't.

He gets his time outs, lunch breaks, I don't.

However I have come to a realization that this is how it is for now. No one told me to resign and be a stay at home parent. It was my decision which he supported wholeheartedly.

It is a big responsibility for man to carry upon his shoulders in providing for his family with the monthly income coming only from him.

To be honest, I do know how stressful his job can get but I too need a break. When he is home, I expected him to care for Bubs straight away because I felt that he did have a break at work, whereas I did not. 

I continue with dinner and clearing up even after he is home.

But that's not quite fair yea?

The poor guy must be pretty exhausted too.

It was super challenging for the both of us. We hardly had time for ourselves and both of us kept believing that one of us needs more of a break than the other.

Well we were both tired. Both of us needed to chill.

We just had to find a way to compromise, be patient and hang on. 

Marcus' Onederful Birthday 

Give a little, take a little. 

Today after a year, I really need babysitter.

Kidding!! Tee hee.

We are grateful for every bit of time spent with Bubs. I am not sure how long I'll be a stay at home parent for, I'm just going with the flow really.

With the current economy looking pretty scary, I'll probably won't be able to buy anymore shoes, haha!

I'm happy where I'm at and excited with where I'm going. I am forever grateful for this wonderful privilege of being able to watch over my boy.

I'll shall keep chasing my dreams together with Bubs, husband by my side and my dear family's continuous support.

Yes, it's possible.

On my first draft, this was actually the end of this post. But I thought I'll add just a little more because I simply felt like it.

I want to type out the differences of what I was before pregnancy and what I am today, a stay at home parent. Yea, a before and after thing so I can look back years later and laugh my bum off.

Before.

The songs I had in my head were some pretty cool adult songs.

After.

The wheels on the bus go round and round *on repeat*

It's on some high pitched note even when I sing it in my head.

Before.

Pretty organized and careful I'd say. I do get a little clumsy once in awhile but nothing major. Except that one time I spilled a glass of champagne on a business class passenger. Yep.

After.

CLUMSY. Forgetful and kinda all over the place. Every time I arrange something, my dear Bubs feels the need to rearrange. 

Right. You get the drift.

Before.

Walked a lot. A beginner in Ashtanga yoga which I enjoyed so much. 

After. 

Screw that. I need sleep.
Can't even touch my toes. pffft. 

Before.

I am generally a quiet person who enjoyed one to one conversations.

After.

I have conversation with toddlers.

Before.

I take my time to eat. My plate is well organized and neat. I chew.

After.

Ohmygawd. I have no idea what is going on my plate and in my mouth. 

Ah the joy of parenthood.

Kisses of gratefulness from That Skinny Elephant.