Rujukan perbandingan susu formula anak selepas 1 tahun (September 2018)

Ni tips saya nak kongsi untuk ibu-ibu tentang memilih susu formula di pasaran. Kalau nak pilih susu formula, kena pastikan apa keperluan diet anak-anak. untuk anak-anak yang berumur 1 tahun, susu ini hanya sebagai makanan tambahan sahaja. Diet utama anak mesti la makanan seperti nasi, ayam, telur, sayur dan sebagainya. time pilih susu anak memang pening kepala. nak baca nutrisi susu pun suda pening. sebelum ni anak saya minum susu Enfagrow A+ step 3. Memang anak sesuai dengan susu ni tapi anak saya kuat minum susu smpi 4-5 kali sehari. Masi dalam proses kurangkan pengambilan susu. Dalam sebulan lebih kurang RM400 spend untuk susu sahaja. So, untuk kurangkan kos beli susu, saya ajar anak makan makanan berkhasiat. Duit invest lebih kepada makanan berkhasiat... at least satu keluarga makan makanan berkhasiat kan? ini opinion saya sahaja. kalau tdk bole terima tdk apa. Bukan kedekut tapi kewangan tidak izinkan. Ada duit lebih bole beli susu mahal. okla, di bawah ni jadual saya compile untuk perbandingan susu di pasaran, of course saya pilih brand susu yang lebih murah dari enfagrow untuk jimat. Parents bole tgk jadual tersebut dan buat perbandingan sendri. kalau ada silap content nutrient sila bagi tau dengan saya untuk buat pembetulan but sy dah cek bbrpa kali sblm post juga.

Kanak-kanak berumur 1 tahun memerlukan 900 calories sehari as recommended by The American Heart Association. Based on that saya bole estimate brapa anak saya perlu makan and untuk top up calories. tapi tidak perlu la stress tentang ni. anak saya kadang2 tiada selera untuk makan so calories kurang. Doctor pun x nasihat mesti ikut calories intake, dia just nasihat kalau graf pertumbuhan ok means healthy. selagi anak tak kurang berat maksudnya anak makan dengan baik. assuming parents bagi makanan yang sihat dengan anak. Jangan bagi makan jajan banyak. Banyak baby food yang processed high in sodium and sugar. Why is it no good if high in sugar and sodium??? because it will damage the kidney.

My opinion kalau tentang DHA ni tidak semestinya anak bole serap semua nutrient tersebut. So, better bagi anak makan makanan high in DHA seperti telur dan ikan. Actually as a mom, makanan spt telur dan ikan senang ja prepare. Memang favorite food masak untuk anak. DHA ni actually fatty acid dari Omega 3. Kedua-dua omega 3 dan omega 6 diperlukan untuk perkembangan otak dan mata anak. So, jangan bagi makan nasi dengan kuah sup ja dengan anak. Sometimes parents takut bagi makan anak makanan macam telur dan ikan tapi actually makanan ni bagus dan memang selamat. tapi kena pastikan anak tidak alergik dengan makanan ni dulu.

Anak berusia 1-3 tahun memerlukan kalsium sebanyak 500mg setiap hari. Tidak semua kalsium diserap oleh badan dari susu. Vitamin D sebenarnya penting untuk penyerapan kalsium secara optimum oleh usus kita. Jumlah Vitamin D hampir sama dalam semua brand Susu. Kalau banding dlam jadual atas, kandungan kalsium paling rendah ialah jenama S26 progress iaitu 347mg/100g. Mengikut maklumat nutrisi di kotak formula S26, satu sajian susu (44g) mengandungi 153mg kalsium. So, kalau sehari minum susu 3 kali mengikut sukatan betul, keperluan kalsium suda hampir cukup untuk anak. oleh kerana bukan semua kalsium boleh diserap oleh badan, boleh top up dengan sumber kalsium lain seperti cheese dan yogurt.

Zink pula diperlukan untuk tumbesaran. Anak-anak yang tidak cukup zink dalam diet akan terbantut tumbesaran tapi actually tak banyak zink diperlukan.. just 1mg -3mg satu hari ja. boleh rujuk dengan link saya bagi kat bawah kalau tdk percaya. sikit ja perlu so this one just minum susu pun dah ok. Tapi makan daging, telur, cheese, kekacang pun banyak zink juga so jarang kes kekurangan zink. it is already abundant in diet. 

Begitu juga nutrient lain seperti Zat besi, Protein dan Serat. These nutrient memang abundant dalam diet kita. Zat besi diperlukan untuk pembentukan sel darah. While protein as we know untuk repair tisu badan, pertumbuhan dan immune system. Kanak-kanak just perlu 30-45g sehari (refer link below). Serat juga jangan lupa include dalam makanan anak2 kita. Kadang2 parents tidak bagi anak makan sayur kalau anak refuse to eat vege tapi it is good untuk pencernaan anak2. Bacteria di dalam usus anak actually thrive because of serat yang kita makan. Anak pun senang pg tandas. Tidak boleh bergantung dengan serat dalam susu kerana tidak cukup untuk anak kita. 

So, lastly saya just nak cakap kalau nak pilih susu kena pilih based on diet anak masing2. kalau anak tidak suka makan cheese atau yogurt boleh bagi susu yang lebih tinggi kalsium. Kalau sikit serat dalam diet anak bagi la susu yang tinggi serat. DHA pun sma juga. Actually anak 1 tahun dah boleh minum susu full cream tenusu seperti fernleaf yang viral di fb. Susu formula actually fortified dengan nutrient because they make it as a supplement. For me kalau tentang anak cirit birit atau sembelit tu kena try and error each brand la. Choose a brand that you think the best for your child lepas tu bagi try dengan anak kalau sesuai. Saya bukan la dietitian but sejak jadi ibu ni terpaksa buat banyak research supaya boleh pilih yang terbaik untuk anak. This entry is just for me to share my research. tidak payah ambil bulat2 entry saya ni. Suda la buruk penulisan banyak spelling error lagi kan. haha. So, buat research sendiri apa terbaik untuk anak kerana entry saya ni just sebagai rujukan sahaja. Susu Murah tidak semestinya tidak baik. Banyak parents rasa guilty/risau nak tukar susu murah. No...don't feel guilty atau stress. Why do you want to feel guilty atau stress kalau anak makan dengan baik? susu is just supplementary. Kalau omputih dorang bagi susu tenusu full cream saja after 1 year sebab semua nutrient actually dari makanan. So, sampai sni saja post saya hari ni. Sorry kalau entry saya buruk.

Thank you for reading. 

Source:

Calories recommendation :   http://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/dietary-recommendations-for-healthy-children

Omega3 :   https://www.cgbabyclub.co.uk/article/the-importance-of-omega3-and-6-for-toddlers

Kalsium:  http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=302&id=1788

Zinc:     https://www.babycenter.com/0_zinc-in-your-childs-diet_10324698.bc

protein:   https://www.parents.com/blogs/food-scoop/2015/01/07/health/is-your-child-eating-too-much-protein/

Roadtrip with baby in Borneo essential list

I have a one year old daughter who constantly running around the house and picking up everything she can find on the floor. I constantly have the phobia of her eating her own poop or cockroach poop or whatever looks like poop on the floor so I mop the floor once a week (or biweekly). Now, don't judge me for not mopping the floor every day because I also work part time as a *writer* at home so I really need to focus on my work and have a ME time to keep me sane. I know that it is not easy to have a kid especially if you are a first time mom. The elderly (relatives, long lost relatives, neighbor etc) will be skeptical about how you handling your child so they will give a lot of advice which sometimes true and sometimes just utterly ridiculous but you don't have to follow everything because advice by different people often contradicts with one another. e.g. some elderly people advice you to feed your baby porridge only and some will ask why I haven't introduce soft rice to my one year daughter. So, no need to worry. It is totally normal for people to overwhelm you with their advice because they feel responsible or they just want to make conversation. As long as you check with the pediatrician before trying anything new with your baby. Don't just blindly follow your relatives advice. Know what is best for your baby instead of trying to make everyone happy. 

So, the main thing i want to share is my list of things that I always brought with me because I travel (roadtrip) a lot with my baby since she is one month old where she travel by plane for the first time. Some of the things list down below might not be for everybody but you can adjust it according to your liking and also compare with other moms. Actually you can only prepare your essential list after you travel a lot with your baby because we moms learn from experience. This list might not be suitable for minimalist parents because as you can see I have a long list. I pack my baby's essential things in different bag so it is easier for us. Actually the list looks long but everything can fit into a medium size nappy bag. I try to travel as light as possible but there are just some things that I cannot skip like the medicine, baby soap, nappy, wet tissue etc. My baby still have bad eczema when i put things that can trigger her allergies on her skin. Most parents find it is more convenient to buy baby wipes or diaper at the holiday destination but I prefer to bring from home so I don't have to panic if they don't sell any regular brand my baby use.  

List of things to bring to travel (3 days 2 night)

1. Three pairs of baby clothes 
2. One dress
3. Wet tissue
4. Diapers (usually12-15 pcs)
5. Baby Oat (Quick Breakfast for lil one when you are late)
6. Milk Powder (or breast pump if you breastfeeding)
7. Two cloth diapers (very versatile from wiping spit to temporary poncho)
8. Bath towel (one is enough)
9. Hot water thermos (not many budget hotel provide kettle in room here so it will be very useful)
10. Feeding bottle 
11. Dish soap
12. Bottle brush
13. Baby cutlery (optional)
14. Baby medicine (eczema flair, cough, fever, syringe etc)
15. Baby soap (Head to Toe)
16. Two pair of socks
17. Changing mat (I bring one reusable and two disposable handy)
18. Insect repellent
19. Baby water bottle (if baby start to drink water)
20. Baby snack (so your baby won't get hungry in car)
21. Sun hat
22. Favorite blanket
23. Baby coat/cardigan
24. Mini portable fan (this is a must in tropical country)
25. Toys for distraction (I choose toys over mobile phone)
26. Baby sandal/shoe
27. Hand sanitizer (I prefer spray bottle because it is easier to disinfect surface and hand)

I usually wash 1-2 pair of my baby clothes when traveling. If you plan to wash baby clothes please bring gentle detergent. I prefer solid soap but you can also just use the hotel soap. If you don't plan to wash clothes then bring extra clothes but extra clothes mean you need extra space in luggage. If you plan to go for a swim with your baby please bring along her swimwear and swim diaper. For the hot water thermos, I find it easier to bring the hot water in the car and night use. My baby won't drink her milk if it isn't warm. I usually bring 2 feeding bottle for 3-5 hour drive. I brought more feeding bottles when my baby younger (under 6 months). My baby will feed before we start our journey. Keep your baby happy by keeping her well-fed and well rested and everything will be fine. A few tantrum is normal but you can handle it with a few distractions by singing to your baby, take your baby for a walk, play with her or give her favorite toy. I think that's all that I can think of now. Hopefully it will help to make your roadtrip smoother and happy. It is also important for parents to keep their stress level down during traveling because that is what traveling for right? So, don't fret if things don't fall into your plan because IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. Don't try to get over your head squeezing 3-5 activities in a day. Try to plan one activity in the morning and one in the evening so you don't have to rush and overtired the baby. Remember, a baby needs to feed and take a nap or they will get cranky and cry. It is their way to communicate. Just relax, laugh, enjoy every moment and take lots of adorable photos!

Happy Roadtrip Mommies!!

Backpacking tips #1 :Keep the product samples when traveling

Travel tips #1 : Have you ever bought a magazine with samples inside it? Don't keep it in the drawer and forget about it. Keep the product samples that you get from magazine, shopping mall, goodies bag etc. Some shop will give you free samples if you buy something from their shop. Products' samples like shampoo, shower gel, feminin wash, perfume, and lotion usually packed in sachets or small bottles under 70ml. It will lighten your burden and the the volume is usually allowed by the airport. If you don't fancy the product, you can always give it to someone else.

Some of the samples in sachets and small bottle that I keep for my next backpacking. I love these brands and it works great for me.

Backpacking Songs Suggestion

What makes a song so special while backpacking? It might be the beat, it might be the lyric or it might be the right mood but if you are looking for backpacking song to add in your mp3 take a look at these songs and maybe add a few songs to your list. Anyone want to share your favourite song is welcome. :)

1. Around the world by ATC

This song might be a bit old but I just love this song... Maybe because of the cheerful beat? 

"Just, la la la la la
It goes around the world
Just, la la la la la
It's all around the world
Just, la la la la la
And everybody's singing
La la la la la
And now the bells are ringing
La la la la la la..."

2. So good by B.o.B

Some might not like this song because the lyric may refer to posh vacation... I still love this song but it depends on someone to interpret it.

"Suffering from first class cabin fever
Five hour layovers from Norway to Egypt
I'm to the point like the pyramids of Giza
Still lean to the left like the tower out in Pisa"

3. I'm yours by Jason Mraz

I have most of Jason mraz songs in my backpacking playlist but this one is still my favourite. Most of his songs lift up my mood to backpack. The video clip for this song shows Jason mraz backpacking in some tropical country if I'm not mistaken.

"Well open up your mind and see like meOpen up your plans and damn you're freeLook into your heart and you'll find love love love love"

4. 0% interest by Jason Mraz

I think only Jason knew the real meaning of this song but I love when he sing this part. Maybe this is not a backpacking song but I love to hear this song during long journey in bus or train. I kind of have my own interpretation of the song... :P

"slide your foot off the gas 
before we crash right back into the median
it separates our house from the middle of the street.. talking about our house"

5. Strawberry Swing by Coldplay

"I remember we were walking up to strawberry swing
I can't wait 'til the morning, wouldn't wanna change a thing
People moving all the time inside a perfectly straight line
Don't you wanna curve away?
It's such it's such a perfect day, it's such a perfect day"


6. Destination Unknown by Alex Gaudino

I love the intro of this song. 

"I left my job, my boss, my car and my home
I'm leaving for a destination I still don't know
Somewhere nobody must have duties at home
And if you like this, you can follow me
So let's go"

7. Road trippin by Red Hot Chilli Peppers

I'm sure everyone had road trippin :)

"Road trippin' with my two favorite allies
Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies
It's time to leave this town
It's time to steal away
Let's go get lost
Anywhere in the U.S.A."

8. Pure Shores by All saints

"Never been here before
I'm intrigued, I'm unsure
I'm searching for more
I've got something thats all mine
I've got something thats all mine

Take me somewhere I can breathe
I've got so much to see
This is where I want to be
In a place I can call mine
In a place I can call mine"

9. Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield

For the bad days during backpacking?

"I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine
I got a love and I know that it's all mine, oh, oh oh oh
Do what you want but you're never gonna break me
Sticks and stones are never gonna shake me, oh, oh oh oh

Take me away(take me away), a secret place(a secret place)
A sweet escape(a sweet escape), take me away(take me away)
Take me away(take me away) to better days(to better days)
Take me away(take me away), a hiding place( a hiding place)"

Fighting scar: Adult Chicken Pox!

It is my third week after I had been confirmed to have chicken pox. Now, 95% of my crusted poxy fall off. The scars are fading fast... The crusts will fall off itself so do not try to remove it yourself or it will form small ring shape scar. In second week, half of the crusts are gone and I started taking Kinohimitsu and Kitsui Collagen drink. I was very tempted to try it because according to the product description it can help reduce scar and repair skin damage caused by the sun. Other than that, I use Bio Oil as moisturiser. If I want to go out, I use BB cream with SPF protection. I avoid getting out in the sun and spent my free time in shopping complex. I use long sleeve when in direct sun. I also use driving glove when driving but for my face and neck constantly exposed to sun.

Picture 1: Third week of chicken pox (Top), Three days of chicken pox (Bottom)

The best way to reduce dark scar is covering it with clothes. I use cardigan to cover my scar and I am very satisfied with the result. I can't cover my whole face and neck while driving so the scar on my face and other exposed area tends to be darker. That is the reason I experiment with cosmetic products to reduce the scar.

I didn't notice the difference before I compare my previous picture. Now, I do see the difference is quite impressive. The Dark Spot getting smaller but still noticeable after taking collagen for 6 days. But I am also using Bio Oil as moisturiser and In the left picture is the 10th days using Bio Oil. The Right Picture is 4 days using Bio Oil. I Don't remember how long I had been taking Redoxon Vitamin C. The improvement of my skin makes make up application easier and better texture on skin. I notice my skin getting fairer after I take collagen drink. I think the effect of collagen is different from one person to another person  because there are other negative review by others. Its a beauty product not to be relied 100% to heal scar.

Another thing that I learn in a hard way is to avoid bad foods for chicken pox scar. I ate wrong food a few days ago and my scars is so itchy. Now, I am more careful in my diet to prevent another itchy scars day. I also prevent foods that contain soy sauce because my mum believe it will make my scar permanently dark. That is my experience reducing my chicken pox scars. If you have suggestions to reduce scars, please share with me in this blog because I am still looking better method to reduce my scar quickly before my special day arrive. Any suggestion will be appreciated. I just bought Hiruscar from Watson so I can't wait to try it on my scar and write a review about it. :)

Chicken pox and traditional treatment

I was confirmed to have chicken pox 2 days ago and I had been following my mom's advice to make sure I won't get this in the future... there are 4 things that my mom wants me to follow strictly...

1. Do not touch water or bath until poxy blisters appear on palm and foot

Okay... some may think this is a myth but there is a reason behind this. This is what my mom tell me... the poxy needs to come out to the skin surface... water will make the temperature outside our body to be cool so the poxy will prefer to bloom inside of our body and cause complication. If you touch the blisters, you will feel it warmer than non blister skin. The more blisters come out, the less probability it will happen in the future... more or less the same what the doctor told me.

2. Drink coconut water

Coconut water has been used traditionally to bring down body temperature and it is a great source of electrolyte. Coconut water is like 100 plus drink that people always take during fever. It is isotonic... so it is good to bring down fever during chicken pox. Some says the coconut must not touch the ground when plucked... but I think it is just a myth... no way the content of the coconut water change because the coconut touch the ground.

3. Stay away from fan or air-conditioning

Fan or air-cond makes the poxy blisters to come out slowly. the last thing you want to do is to delay the duration of fever. Everytime a red poxy come out, fever will come out too... so... the faster the the poxy come out, the shorter duration it will take for you to heal. staying away from fan/air-cond will lessen probability of complication too because fan/air-cond will  cause reduce in skin temperature but inside of the body is burning hot.

4. Bath with "jambu air" leaves

My mom says it can help to reduce the itchiness and makes the poxy to dry fast.


One of the tips from my aunt, keep wet towel at armpit to reduce body temperature rather than put it forehead. Even if the rule 1 apply, this method can be used to reduce the body temperature safely.

Pet Shop will lie...

I just adopt a sick piggy from pet shop. I don't even know if it is proper for the pet shop to call "adoption" because adoption suppose to be free of charge. But then again, Adoption centre also charge management fee per adoption but the money will be used to buy necessities for the adoption centre which make it ok. There is no guinea pigs available for adoption in my area so I bought a guinea pig from a pet shop... but it turns out that they give wrong piggy. I ask for a female piggy but they gave me male. After taking care of it for 2 weeks, I return to the shop and demand to change it. The only female piggy in the shop is sick. She has crusty eyes, runny nose, anorexic and bleeding from its genital. It is up for adoption for discounted payment. The male piggy that I had is fat, clean and healthy so I could not imagine how cruel I am if I leave him in the pet shop so I did not change the piggy but adopted the sick female piggy. To tell you the truth I feel hurt when I see the sick piggy. The pet shop owner insist that the piggy is not sick but it is simply tired? What more lies the pet shop can give me... but I know for sure that the piggy should be rush to a vet or it will suffer slow death because I can see the poor piggy is anorexic. I did bring it to the vet after I adopted it. I clean her everyday and after 2 weeks, I see her getting better, her weight is increasing. It weight 190g when I adopted it and after 2 weeks her weight increased to 250g. Even so, 250g is still considered underweight for 2 months piggy so I keep giving her multivitamin from the vet and give her proper food to get her back normal. I would be relieve if her weight reach 400g.

The day I adopted her, I decided it will be my last time adopting piggy from the pet shop... They do not care about the piggies.. they only care about profit. I have 3 piggies which adopted from private breeder and their piggies are well taken care of. All of the 3 piggies come without health issues. So, if you decide to adopt, choose from private breeder. Private breeder are usually guinea pig lover and they will offer better advice on how take care of a piggy.