Surviving the Haze

Living with the Haze is challenging enough for many of us: Itchy skin, sniffy noses, scratchy throats, dry & teary eyes and for some of us, congested respiratory systems. Can you imagine what such polluted air does to the small ones?

With the PSI fluctuating, new mothers might particularly find it alarming that your breastfeeding babies are fussing and demand to be constantly breastfed. Our family went through the last most terrible haze when our DS #2 was a 7 month-old baby in Year 1997, and I too wondered why the poor baby was asking to nurse all the time!

Do not have the mistaken idea that you suddenly have *lost* your milk supply. It is easy to get disheartened in this manner. Do reflect on how you yourself are coping with the haze. If you are already drinking more fluids and possibly cooling "liangteh" to keep the stuffy noses & allergies away, wouldn't your baby also feel equally in need of hydration?

Breastmilk would be the cleanest fluid and most nutritious in this time of pollution. So do allow your baby to nurse frequently to cope with the haze! If your baby is more than 6 months old and already taking some solids, you can also offer some water in a cup, although continuing to breastfeed frequently would suffice too.

If baby does get a stuffy nose or teary eyes, you can also squirt some breastmilk into their little noses or eyes to clear such irritations. Not kidding ! Just one of the many wonders of breastmilk!

That being said, do take steps to keep the family indoors if the haze situation worsens. Have the aircon on if possible and the aircleaners working. It would help relieve everyone's discomfort. And yes, for you as a breastfeeding mother - do drink up! And frequently too!

Aloe Vera & Breastfeeding

It was reported in the Sunday Times (2 Oct)that pregnant & nursing mothers should
avoid aloe vera.

A netsearch revealed this:
http://au.health.yahoo.com/041101/25/1uk6.html?r=967673075

Aloe Vera should not be taken by women during pregnancy or while breastfeeding as it may cause uterine contractions which could induce labour. A woman taking Aloe vera whilst breastfeeding can pass it onto her child as it is excreted into breast milk. The aloe may be too harsh on the immature digestive system of the infant which can result in nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Information shared...

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Yoga for Kids

Had a yoga session for kids today