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Natural Factor’s Fenugreek is Halal

August 25, 2009 at 1:50 pm | In breastfeeding | 2 Comments

In reference to this post, I popped by the shop today just to see if there have any other brands of fenugreek supplements.

With the arrival of number 2 soon, insya Allah, I have been thinking of ways to get my supply of fenugreek supplements. I thought of getting them online but prices seem to be steep, considering I took constant supply of it before. Besides that, there’s the issue of having it cleared by the Customs/ MoH, especially if I was going to buy ‘em in bulk. Also, we’re planning a family trip soon, so I thought maybe I can stock ‘em up and bring at least 6 months supply home. But again, it may need to be cleared by Customs/ MoH as well.

Anyways, I asked the lady at the Mall if they the capsule is made of vegetable gelatine or bovine or procine (we knew what the answer was but i was just testing :p). She told me it was made of bovine gelatine. Asked if they had alternative fenugreek supplements, which are Halal. That’s when she told me that Natural Factor’s Fenugreek is actually Halal! Not convinced, I told her that I was told previously that the capsules are made of bovine gelatine.This was when she explained that they actually have certificates saying that the capsules used are Halal and Kosher certified! Told her to show the certificates to me and it’s true, ladies. The capsules may be made of bovine gelatine but its Halal.

They received the memo on April 22, 2009 (I called then on April 7, 2009). The Halal certificate was dated 1st Jan 2009 (expiring Dec 2010) and so was the Kosher certificate. I presume that they are renewed each year (or 2 years). I’m guessing that either they were really waiting for the manufacturer to work on the certificate when I called in April or they only started working on it then. Regardless, I am now happy that it is Halal, which means I don’t have to rack my brain on how to get my supply once No. 2 arrives, insya Allah.

Besides that, if you’re breastfeeding during this Ramadhan and is worried about depleting supply, give fenugreek supplements a try, if you haven’t already.

Oh, btw, the Halal certificate is for the capsules, which we were concerned about. The content is obviously fenugreek. Hehe.

Marhaban Ya Ramadhan

August 23, 2009 at 10:44 am | In breastfeeding | 3 Comments

Alhamdullilah, I managed to get through the first day of puasa. I felt a tad bit dehydrated but it was nothing a nap or two could not cure. I have also set 2 other daily goals besides getting through puasa and so far, Alhamdullilah, I am on track.

I was initially hoping for a full puasa again but I have to go to the clinic next week and was told not to fast. Oh well. I just hope its only for a day.

Past couple of days, I have been asked on how I managed to fast and breastfeed at the same time last year. One obvious answer is too make sure you have plenty to eat and drink. I made sure I had rice for sungkai and sahur, plus I had at least 3 kurma for each meal too. I have to admit my supply did deteriorate, especially towards the end of Ramadhan but you just have to make sure you try your hardest to maintain supply.

Supplements also helped. I took Natural Factor’s fenugreek before I knew it was made of gelatine and that helped too. You can find alternatives in the form of different permissible brands or protein shakes or Anmum Lacta or its like. Another way to ensure your supply does not deteriorate by much is t continue to pump. Probably the best times to do this is early in the morning after sahur and when you come back from work. Unless of course, you have to work till late, maybe express once during midday can help, insyaAllah.

Other than that, one has to be positive. Regardless of whether you’re fasting or not, if you keep on thinking I will never have enough, you will NOT have enough. If you’re positive, your brain will send signals to the Bs to produce enough. If you’re not, then your Bs may not just produce enough. Of course, do not forget to pray that you are given strength, patience and ability to continue to bf your baby albeit it being Ramadhan.

Oh, there is of course the exit clause of which you can break your fast if you do not feel well when bfing your baby. Asal saja bayar balik

I hope this helps you one way or another.

At that juncture, wishing all my Muslim family, friends and reader a happy and blessed Ramadhan. Maaf Zahir & Batin

Less Resistance

May 10, 2009 at 6:40 pm | In breastfeeding, formula feeding | 3 Comments

I finally got AH to drink some FM, and all with mixed feelings :S

I introduced Pe*diasure in vanilla to him today and initially, he resisted but we kept on saying nyummmmm! It was a 3oz feeding but he only took 2oz. I’m a little bit disappointed with myself because I know I should give him in a cup instead but I have not gotten around to it and I thought it would be easier for us to just introduce FM in a bottle. I have a feeling I will regret it if he is still using his bottle when he turns 4 or 5! Okay, maybe I should try harder.

I still have some frozen EBM though, so maybe will alternate between EBM and FM and slowly phase it out. Plus I don’t have much stock left and I am not pumping anymore too.

It has been a good 17 months of full breastfeeding and to think that I cried for the first month or so! I hope my breastfeeding journey has inspired other mothers to breastfeed or helped with breastfeeding challenges. I will definitely look forward to my next breastfeeding journey, insya Allah.

April 30, 2009 at 8:35 am | In baby AH, breastfeeding, feeding | 5 Comments

I’m thinking of McD’s breakfast. Not so random because I can see McDs from my hotel room. Har har har.

I had my brother get me some curry sauce from Singapore McDs and he got me TWO packets of it. Wel,, actually he got me a few but he said it burst on the plane or something like that. The two packets will be put into good use- 1 packet for McNuggets and 1 packet for Fillet o Fish. Nyums!

Whilst thinking of McDs is not random, this is probably a random post. There is actually so much to talk about but….

On AH, he is now 17 months! Oh my, he has grown so much. I wonder if I can last till 18 months without introducing him formula. Yes, I am looking at introducing him to FM at 18 months subject to my frozen EBM lasting that long. I suppose from that you can read between the line that my direct supply is not so great anymore that AH has shown a preference to feed directly from the bottle (am assuming because he can’t get much from me?). During our recent trip, I did not express at all and for this trip, I have only pumped once (9-10 0z in 48 hours!!!). So yes, I am thinking of giving pumping a break and rely on my frozen EBM before going on FM, especially since I am still get pains when pumping (I think I have posted about this before?).

So that is my bf update in a nutshell. I am not very happy about it but I know it is time to go on a break. I am bit worried on how to introduce AH to FM though, he likes soy milk though, so I hope he takes FM alright. I did ask my doctor about giving AH just fresh milk or soy milk but she was not too keen about the idea. Adam’s mum did mention that if your toddler eats a well-balanced meal, fresh milk should be okay as he is getting all the necessary nutrition from his meals anyway. But after much discussion and deliberation, we might be taking the FM direction considering that AH at times may not want to eat (ikut moodnya tuuuu. of recent, he likes to eat nasi and sayur but not beef and ayam!).

Anyhoos, I’m going to go off for breakfast now! xx

Weaning Off.

April 12, 2009 at 7:37 am | In baby products, breastfeeding, feeding | 4 Comments

Couple of days back, I was texting with Adam’s Mum on which formula is the best when we decide to wean off our sons.

Everytime I go grocery shopping, I will pass the formula aisle and try to see what formulas they are selling- they are plenty and you don’t really know where to start. From past conversations with family and friends (please correct me if I am wrong as I have only managed to pick up bits & pieces):

- Nan (or Nan 2?) if you are supplementing a breastfeeding child and that your child is lactose intolerant

- Enfalac if you feed more formula than breastmilk

- Progress & Pediasure if your child refuse to take other milk

- Isomil for the more ’sensitive’ babies

That’s all I know when it comes to formula though. I don’t even know if it is right or wrong. How do you decide? I have heard of babies constipated from drinking formula, which I am assuming either it’s to difficult to digest or the mixture is wrong. Again, I don’t know. Those are all my assumptions.

Most of my breastfeeding friends have now started or are thinking of weaning off their babies. AH is 16 months and I have been thinking of supplementing him with formula when he turns 18 months. But I have also come across some readings saying that in some countries, mothers just give their kids fresh milk from a glass instead of formula. Some are also saying that for as long as that your kid is eating enough nutritious food at this age, formula is not needed. Can you tell I’m baffled?

The way things are going, I may have to start weaning AH much, much earlier than I plan to. The past 2 days, AH had cried and demanded his milk from the bottle instead of a direct feed when we were in the car. Yesterday, he had no choice though as we did not have any EBM with us. However, in the evening, when he is ready to go to bed, he is more than happy to feed directly.

So, now, I have to decide whether I want to continue expressing and give him bottled EBMs only or is this a sign that he is ready to wean off? I know, for the next 2 weeks, I am going to just direct feed him during our holiday. I will most likely continue to give him water, fresh milk, soya bean or non-sweet drinks to quench his thirst in between too.

What about you? How did you wean your baby off? Did he/ she show an indication he/ she is ready? Did you have to, say maybe because you’re pregnant (although I read that tandem nursing is safe)? Are you giving fresh milk or fomula? From a bottle or a glass? How did you decide which brand/ type to give?

Baby Changing Room?

April 9, 2009 at 11:20 pm | In breastfeeding, changing room, reviews | 3 Comments

I’m not sure if I have set my standards too high or I am feeling a bit hormonal or the changing room was just plain disgusting!

AH needed a change as soon as we arrived at Hua Ho Tanjung Bunut Mall and as I wasn’t sure where the toilets were, let alone if they had a changing room, I told the husband that AH has just to wait till we get home. When we stepped out of the elevator on Level 1, we saw a changing room sign! Elated, the husband said he would get the diaper bag and when he did, we found out that the changing room was locked!! Asked one of the booth operators and she said to ask the security guard. When we found him, he said ‘oh yang tingkat satu ani berkunci, kita pakai yang di ground floor’.

I remember using the changing room at Hua Ho Manggis Mall (there’s a post complete with photos somewhere here) and I was impressed. It had a small plastic mattress to change your babies, it has posters, a chair if you want to breastfeed your baby and a sink. Although it smelled like those industrial cleaning thing, which I always thought to smell a little bit like vomit, it was clean!! Oh, there were soap too! It was good enough for our standard and I was truly impressed.

Hua Ho Tanjung Bunut was something else! At the door, a man and a women were casually chatting, or more like flirting, blocking my way to the the changing room. I thought it was occupied but it wasn’t, I guess they just like to chat dipisuk-pisuk. Har har har. When I went in, I was shocked and disgusted!! They only had a sink (with a reasonable amount of tabletop to go with) and an open dustbin!! There were NOTHING ELSE in the changing room! Nothing! No changing mat, no posters, no chairs, no soaps. Nothing! Nada. Zilch! I automatically blocked my sense of smell, so I don’t really remember how the changing room smelled.

As I was already with AH in there, I thought- ‘Sod it! I’ll just change him.’ I’ve changed him in a small toilet with wet floors that I had to ’silat’ my way through all the changing process. After washing him off, I noticed that the sink was clogged!! ARGH!! Plus, the room had a LOT of ants! Galiiii! If I had my phone or camera, I would gladly take photos of the room and post it up! God, I don’t even want to imagine how their toilets are! When putting on his diapers (I use pull-up diapers when we go out) I held him with one hand and try to put the diapers on with the other hand- yes, I, too, am amazed of the things I can do simultaneously with limited resources now! I refused to let his little feet touch the tabletop. Put on his pants and quickly put back his shoes. I told him to behave whilst I furiously wash my hands.

Ewww! Ewww! Ewww! If I had a choice, I wouldn’t use it but I didn’t. Sigh. I do hope, one day, the authorities realise the importance of having buildings which are breastfeeding-friendly, babies/ kids- friendly and of course, disabled-friendly too. Imagine if they claim that they have a breastfeeding/ changing room and to find a room of such! Argh! You would not want to eat in that room, so why would you want to feed your kids in that room!

If they are pushing for ‘green-buildings’, maybe about time they try to introduce more breastfeeding-friendly and babies-friendly buildings. Do you guys realise that if you go to the Mall and you’re at Basement 1 (supermarket level), the only right way for a parent with a stroller to get to the Ground Floor (concourse/ entrance to Rizqun) is to go back out the parking lot and get an elevator up? Do tell me if there is an elevator inside the supermarket, we couldn’t find it. We always end up just pushing the stroller up the escalator, despite the warning sign. Shrugs. Jauh kali ah kan ke parking lot lagi :p

Natural Factor’s Fenugreek

April 8, 2009 at 4:38 pm | In breastfeeding | 6 Comments

This is a quick post. My friend has brought to our attention that Natural Factor’s Fenugreek that I have been recommending is not suitable for Muslims!

Emails from the manufacturer have confirmed that the gelatin capsules are made of animal gelatin! I have not purchased it for awhile, i think the last time I purchased it was during puasa to help increase my supply! I still have a few capsules left in my last bottle, which I took couple of weeks back to help boost my detriorating supply!

The local distributor is being a little bit dodgy and vague about it. Yesterday when called, the lady at their Soon Lee branch confirmed that it is, in fact, halal and they have a halal certificate for it. Today, I popped by their Mall’s branch and this is what they said- ‘Unless the manufacturer confirms that it is not suitable for Muslims, then we will inform our customers. ‘ In MY interpretation, if we are not sure whether it is made of animal or vegetable gelatin then we will not inform. This brings keraguan, right? I tried to explain to her that there is no such thing as if it is not confirmed. It is either halal or not. So, I called the Soon Lee branch again earlier and told them that since they claim they have the halal certificate, can they please fax it to me. 10 mins later they called and said that the halal certificate is on its way and that the manufacturer is working on it. Okay, not convinced anymore!!

Anyhoos, to re-confirm please find excerpts from Natural Factors when queried (source: N’s blog ).

Exhibition 1

Dear N***

Thank you for your inquiry regarding Natural Factors Fenugreek Seed product, we appreciate you taking the time to contact us.

Each Capsule Contains:

Fenugreek Powder (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) (seed)….. 500 mg

Non-medicinal ingredients: Gelatin capsule (animal gelatin (beef/pork), purified water),

croscarmellose sodium, vegetable grade magnesium stearate (lubricant).

Recommended Adult Dose: 2 capsules, 3 times daily or as directed

by a health care practitioner.

We hope this information is helpful. If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Customer Service

Natural Factors

Exhibition 2

Thank you for your inquiry regarding Natural Factors products; we appreciate you taking the time to contact us.

Natural Factors labels include the description “vegetarian capsule” where vegetarian are used, otherwise our hard gelatin capsules may be sourced from bovine (beef), porcine (pork) or a mixture of bovine/porcine. Natural Factors softgels are sourced from bovine gelatin. Our latest information on file states that the gelatin used for product code 2200 (Fenugreek) is sourced from bovine.

We hope this information is helpful. If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Customer Service

Natural Factors

I’m still kicking myself trying to think why I was convinced Natural Factor’s Fenugreek was Halal. I saw a comment I made saying that GNC’s fenugreek was not (although I just saw in a forum that it claimed to be using vegetable gelatin capsules). I even remember comparing both and even asked for the husband’s opinion as he is quite particular in what i eat and drink, especially since I am still breastfeeding (okay, fine spatutnya all the time mesti check pulang :p ). I have not eaten pringles for sooooo long that everytime I go Singapore, I will make sure I get at least 1 tube! (Pringles have some enhancements yang mencurigakan but the ones being sold in Singapore ada cap halal and is from Malaysia, if I’m not mistaken)

Degressing. Anyways, I hope this blog post makes up for my lack of substantial posts. I apologise for recommending Natural factor’s Fenugreek (apparently they are always sold out now!!) and not did extensive research on it (although I thought I did!! Uwaaaa!). As an economist I met recently said that we are always allowed to change our opinions with new information received ;p

p.s. one of my bf-ing friends has recommended ‘Motherlove More Milk Plus Capsules – More Milk Plus is a liquid concentrate in vegetarian capsules that are easy to swallow without any noticeable taste. This product does not contain any milk, dairy, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, or gluten. It is not for use during pregnancy.

Ingredients: fenugreek seed, blessed thistle, nettle leaf, fennel seed, non-GMO soy lecithin, coconut oil, vegetable cellulose. All herbs are certified organic.

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FS Parts Replacement

April 1, 2009 at 9:24 pm | In breastfeeding | Leave a Comment

Just a quick post.

Today I rushed home at 5pm to express but was disappointed that I only managed to express 8oz (my last session was at about 630am). My Bs still felt full but I had been expressing for 30 minutes. I’m not sure whether this was contributed by me taking fenugreek last night as I wanted to increase my suppy (the full Bs, btw.)

Hence, I’m thinking it is time to replace the some parts of my FS- specifically the softfit breastshields, as per discussed with Idola previously. I hope that will help, although my shields are not wrinkling much as I usually sterilize once a day only.

So yes, if anyone wants me to get replacement parts for their FS (or the FS, if there’s still anyone who wants it- my friend just got back from Spore and she said the FS is SG$800 there and S$1,100 when not on sale), do let me know! I will be placing my order tomorrow night and hopefully, it will arrive before I go on holiday (which I doubt though but I am going to try and also why I will placing my order tomorrow).

March 26, 2009 at 6:50 am | In AH's mummy, baby AH, breastfeeding, travelling | 1 Comment

It has been awhile since I last posted on breastfeeding! Hehe.

Yes, I am still breastfeeding AH, if you’re wondering but I have to admit that I have been scouting for formula and asking family and friends on the kind of formula they use. However, I cannot bring myself to start supplementing AH yet! LOL. Yes, the mummy is the challenge.

For a few days last week, AH seemed to show a preference for bottled EBM over direct feeding. Once it was in the middle of the night and he kept on pointing out and refusing to direct feed. Being used to just feeding him in bed without having to get out and make (or reheat) milk, I continued to try and feed him directly. Again, he refused and instead, pointed to my water bottle. He was really thirsty!! He had a little bit of water then.

This went on the next day as well, when he kept on pointing his bottle warmer for a feed instead of asking to be direct fed. Mummy was too lazy to reheat and just sort of forced him to direct feed.

I know that were probably signs that he was ready to be weaned off my Bs and start feeding from bottles full-time but we’re going on a 10 days trip soon with a relatively long flight (by long I mean more than his past 2-3 hours trips). I guess you know where I am getting at. Har har har. I would have to pump all the time and feed him from bottles or bring formula, if I was going to supplement. Right now, I much prefer direct feeding- it’s more convenient!

So yes, no weaning off yet. We will try again nanti okay, AH!

I am going to leave you with a picture of AH to wish you a good start to the weekend!

Har har har. No, social services & health advocates, I do not usually feed him chocolate excessively. This is him trying to finish my (already finished but not completely clean cup) B&J Choc Fudge Brownie Ice Cream!

Oh, to be young & without a care in the world! xx

Mum Bathes Baby in Breastmilk

March 18, 2009 at 6:51 am | In breastfeeding | 2 Comments

…got this email from one of my girlfriends

Shan Shan being bathed in breast milk /Quirky China News

A Chinese new mother is producing so much breast milk that she baths her baby in the excess each day.

Mrs Luo, of Chongqing, says she is producing two litres of milk more than she needs to feed her six-week-old daughter Shan Shan.

Mother, husband and her mother-in-law had all been drinking the extra milk but she says they still have plenty left over.

Luo’s mother-in-law said they were all beginning to feel like they were drinking too much milk: “Then I suggested why not give the baby a breast milk bath, and they took my advice,” she said.

Luo said the milk bath makes her Shan Shan’s skin really smooth and white, reports the Chingqing Times.

But she is looking for someone to donate her extra breast milk to as she feels that bathing her baby in breast milk is too much of an indulgence.– Courtesy of Ananova.com

———————————————

Erk. 2 litres extra when the bay was only 2 weeks? 100ml is approximately 4 oz. So 1l is about 10 bottles of 4 oz and 2l will be 20 bottles of 4 oz!! This is all EXTRA!!

We need to find out what she takes to produce so much extra! Hehehehehe.