Remember the 5.12 earthquake in China that happened in May this year? Almost all the TV channels broadcasted 24 hours non-stop of every development and stories of all the rescue operations in all damaged locations.

But you are probably unaware of many important and inside details which are only known to people inside China. Coco Wang wanted to help but has no knowledge in first-aids etc… so she decided to tell these touching stories by drawing
comics.

I received a few comic strips today from a friend. And, all the comic made me cried and cried. And cried… sob.. sob..sob!

This is the first comic strip that I read and it made me cried instantly. Have a look. And, think how blessed we are with the gift of life (and family).

If this mother’s sacrifice touches your heart, please tell other mothers to read this comic….

A happy life is not easy to find…
We have so many temptations and desires…
We are often lost and forget what is important…
We complain so much, we appreciate so little…
Only the fear of losing can teach us the joy of having..
The 12th May reminded us one very important thing…
A happy life can be found very easily…
If you treasure what you got!

Coco Wang

Happy 3 months birthday Izzah Nabihah! You’re such a super wonderful baby. Hugs and kisses from Babah and Mama. Muah! We love you so much!

Let’s see baby Izzah’s milestones at 3 months old.

• Social smile (checked!)
• Track a slow moving object (checked!)
• Coos (oohs, ah, ee) (checked!)
• Roll part way when lying on back (checked!)
• Coos back and forth (conversation) with parent (checked!)
• Lifts head from prone position (checked!)
• Hold head steady (checked!)
• Open & close his hand (checked!)
• Putting hand into mouth & suck them (checked!)
• Babbles (checked!)
• Gurgle (checked!)
• Laugh (while sleeping only… ha..ha..ha)
• Bring hand together (checked!)
• Attempt to reach for toy (she’s more interested in mama & babah than toys..hu..hu)
• Sticking out his tongue (checked!)

Starting next Monday, Lil’ Izzah will be having car rides with me everyday from home to nursery. So, we tested her car seat last Sunday.

For the first 10-15 minutes, she was quiet and looked a bit confused. Perhaps thinking, why I’m in this thing? A bit later, my baby started to become restless and cried. Oh no…

You see, the journey from Meru to TTDI takes about 20-30 minutes. So, I wonder…. how to keep her from crying while I’m driving? 

Perhaps this new toy, Patty the Panda from Lamaze can make her happy during the car ride. Just hoping for the best!

Baby Izzah was born at 34 weeks and was hospitalised at day 6 due to mild jaundice and stomach infection. So, my husband was so worried to send her to a babysitter or a nursery after my maternity leave is over.

I asked him to find a good nursery (babysitter is not my choice) several weeks before I got back to work. He found a few but most of them do not achieve our expectation.

Small and crowded place, lack of staff, poorly ventilated rooms, bad hygiene and etc

Yup.. one nursery that I checked let older babies to sleep on a stained old mattress under the staircase. And, there were flies all over their delicate bodies!

Guess where they want to put my 2 months old baby? In in a small dusty room that looks more like a store (full of boxes and stuff) to me. Huh!

Time flew so fast and we didn’t have time to check other nurseries near our workplaces.

So my husband persuaded my mother-in-law to come over to our house during weekdays and took care of little Izzah. Hubby said his mom agreed to look after my baby for a few months, until she is bigger and stronger.

I was actually a bit hesitant but is left with no choice. Furthermore, mother-in-law boasted that she has babysitted so many babies and childrens when she was younger.

It has been a month now and guess what? My mother-in-law has raised a white flag! She told hubby that babysitting tires her so much. And, she doesn’t want to continue looking after my baby.

So, last weekend, me, hubby and little Izzah went to have a look at two nurseries in TTDI. These nurseries were close to our offices so it is easy to check on Izzah during lunch hour.

Both nurseries are good but we decided to choose the first one. The reasons:

• Puan Yati, the owner is friendly and knowledgable in handling babies
• The nursery has a quota for accepting new babies (not so crowded)
• Very near the main road (easy access from NKVE)
• Babies are put in the master room upstairs (well ventilated)
• Buaian are available for babies who can’t sleep on the mattress

The cost is RM270 per month - a bit higher than the second nursery of RM250 only. But, we decided to try that place because Puan Yati said she live nearby and always be there in the morning to monitor the nursery.

And, there is no string attach in the application form.

You see, the second nursery put a clause stating that parents agree not to take action or sue them in case of any accident happens. Huh!

So, baby Izzah will stay in the nursery starting next Monday. Meaning, she will has a car ride with me so very early in the morning from Meru to Shah Alam. Hopefully she will not make a fuss while sitting in her car seat!

I have listed some reputable online cloth diaper stores operated by Malaysian moms in a special page. Click here to have a look!

Notice the different? Clue: It’s round and shiny.

Babah finally shaved lil’ Izzah’s hair last Sunday (after postponing it for so many weeks)! So, here comes the bald girl, guys. Isn’t she such a pretty little bald baby?

Latest purchase of cloth diapering items:

BumGenius 3.0 - one size pocket diaper that comes with 2 microfibre inserts. Bought two colors (Blossom Pink and Grasshopper Green), so total of BumGenius that I have now is 7. I really love BumGenius!

Bummis Super Whisper Wrap - diaper cover to be used with prefolds & fitted diapers.

Note:

Sorry honey! Mama don’t know that you hate a hat on your head.. he..he.. Anyway, since I’ve bought a few cute & fancy hats for you already.. please learn to like it okay?

There are four types of modern cloth diapers.

1) Prefolds

Prefolds are rectangular in shape and similar to the traditional flat cotton lampin. But, thicker!

You no longer need to fold the cloth before using because it’s already folded (hence the name, prefold).

It is designed with three areas of varying thickness. For example, a 4×8x4 prefolds had 4 layers of cotton twill on the side panels with 8 layers in the middle where the maximum absorbencies is needed.

Prefolds are very durable and the cheapest choice of modern cloth diapers. The cost is only around RM90 per dozen.

These diapers require waterproof outer covers. So, it’s a three piece diapering system (diaper, cover, closure for diaper).

Typically these diapers are closed with either diaper pins or a Snappi fastener. You can also simply lay them in a wrap style cover.

2) Fitted Diaper

Fitted diapers closely resemble disposable diapers. They are contoured and fitted with elastic around the legs and back. And, they’re fasten with Velcro or snaps.

Fitted diapers are not waterproof so you do need a diaper cover. So, it’s a two piece diapering system (diaper + cover).

They are very absorbent and easy to put on a baby.

Fitted diapers come in a variety of materials. Some of the most popular choices are cotton knits, flannel, hemp, terry cloth, sherpa, bamboo, or velour.

Fitted diapers available in various sizes (XS, S, M, L) but some brands do offer one-size fitted.

Depends on type of material used, fitted diaper may cost from RM80 to RM90 each.

Example of fitted diapers: Kissaluvs, Baby BeeHinds

3) Pocket Diaper

Pocket diapers are cloth diapers that have a pocket (hence the name, pocket diaper). It also closely resemble disposable diapers.

Pocket diapers have an outer layer of a waterproof material and an inner layer of a stay dry material, like microfleece or suedecloth. And, they close with Velcro or snaps.

There is a pocket opening that allows for the absorbent material to be stuffed in the pocket and then removed for laundering. The absorbent material for stuffing can be an insert that comes with the diaper or a pre-fold or doubler.

Pocket diapers are a popular choice among cloth diapering moms because you can customize the amount of absorbent material.

Pocket diapers are also available in various sizes (XS, S, M, L) and one-size.

Depends on type and brand of pocket diapers, it may cost you from RM40 to RM90 each.

Example of pocket diapers: BumGenius, Happy Heiny’s, Drybees

4) AIO (All-in-one)

AIOs are fitted diapers that have a waterproof outer layer. This layer usually consists of fabric that has a PUL (polyurethane) backing, polar fleece or wool.

These are the closest in similarity to disposable diapers since they are a one-piece diapering system. The absorbent soaker material is often sewn into the diaper or it may be detachable.

AIOs diapers are also available in various sizes (XS, S, M, L) and one-size.

Depends on type and brand of pocket diapers, it may cost you from RM80 to RM90 each.

Example of AOI’s diapers: BumGenius, Happy Heiny’s

That’s it guys. Hope this information useful.

By the way, I have already tried prefolds and pocket diapers last weekend. And, I love them both!

When I mention cloth diapers, many would think of thin flat cotton lampin that need to be folded. And, fastened with diaper pin and covered with plastic.

Nay! That’s the old way. Cloth diapers has evolved. Yes, really!

Modern cloth diapers are so very cute. There are a lot of pretty colors & prints. And, many luxurious textures and fabric.

So, why use cloth diapers?

Cloth Diapers Are As Convenient As Disposable Diapers

Cloth diapers today have either Velcro fastening’s or use snaps. So, it is easy to put on and take off just like disposables. They also have multiple layers of fabric with high absorbency that can last for hours.

Cloth Diapers Are Cheaper Than Disposable Diapers

The initial cost of using modern cloth diapers seems so expensive.

For example, a pocket diaper with insert may cost about RM80 each. Lets say, your baby need about 8 pocket diapers a day (assuming 3 hours between changes). And, if you wash it daily, you’ll need another 4 while waiting for the diapers to dry. So, total is at least 12 diapers.

12 x RM80 = RM960

Hmm… seems expensive, right?

But, consider this.

You’ll usually go through 6 to 8 thousand disposable diapers per child, from birth to about age three. If we take an average of what those diapers cost, that equates to between RM3,500 and RM4,000 per baby.

Once those children are potty trained those diapers are gone. They can’t be re-used. So a significant chunk of our heard earned money has gone to buying, what is essentially, garbage.

But, enough cloth diapers to last for three years will usually cost between RM1,200 to RM1,800. At minimum that is about a RM2,500 savings!

But wait, consider too, that those cloth diapers may last for one or more successive children and your savings doubles and even triples!

So, using cloth diapers ABSOLUTELY cheaper than disposables in the long run!

Cloth Diapers Are Healthier For Your Baby

Cloth diapers contain toxic chemicals that are dangerous to your baby.

1) Dioxin

Dioxin according to the Environmental Protection Agency is known to cause damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, and liver (http://www.ejnet.org/dioxin/)

It has been shown to cause cancer, birth defects, liver damage, and skin diseases and genetic damage.

2) Sodium polyacrylate (the super absorbent gel)

Sodium polyacrylate is the same substance that was removed from tampons because of its link to toxic shock syndrome.

3) Tributyl-tin (TBT)

A toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals.

4) Chemical emmission

Studies have also been done to show that the chemical emissions from disposable diapers can cause respiratory problems (athma) in children.

According to the Journal of Pediatrics, 54% of one-month old babies using disposable diapers had rashes, 16% having severe rashes.

So, consider the long-term effects of this chemical being in contact with a baby’s reproductive organs 24 hours a day for upwards of two years!

Cloth Diapers Are Better For The Environment

It is estimated that roughly 5 million tons of untreated waste and a total of 2 billion tons of urine, feces, plastic and paper are added to landfills annually.

It takes around 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees a year to manufacture the disposable diapers for American babies alone!

Although some disposables are said to be biodegradable; in order for these diapers to decompose, they must be exposed to air and sun.  Since this is highly unlikely, it can take several hundred years for the decomposition of disposables to take place, with some of the plastic material never decomposing.