Flash Card Stimulate Babies Brain Development

I got a set of flash card when I attend the antenatal class at Loh Guan Lye Hospital.

My baby was first introduced with the RBW (red-black-white) card when she reached two months old. She likes it very much every time I display the card in front her. I am surprised with my baby's reaction towards flash card, and start to study the theory behind the RBW.

Understand that black and white are the first colours that babies can see, and later on, red. These colors attract babies a lot. Stimulating baby's VISION is a great way to stimulate her BRAIN. Of all the five senses, vision takes the longest to develop but it also has the highest impact on the brain. The more visual stimulation a baby receives, the more her neural network will expand and connect. A well connected brains results in a smart baby! 

Playing flash cards for babies is a method to stimulate their right brain, which will increase concentration skills, enhance natural curiosity, and stimulate the creation of brain cell connections.

How to teach baby with flash card:

At the age of two months, my baby still not able to focus sufficiently to begin a learning programme. Images such as stars, squares, house etc were designed in black and white flash cards to help her focus. One card show to baby ten times a day, and introduce a new card everyday. 

Introduce math and reading programme when baby reach 3 months. begin with five words a day, flashing through the cards to baby is consider one session. Rest for at least 15 minutes before start the second session. Play at least 3 session a day to help baby remember the words. On fifth day, retire one card and replace a new word. always shuffle the cards to prevent baby memorise the words by their order.

I try to play with my baby, talk to her, feeding milk after each session so that she doesn't get bored with the cards. 

Babies never content to stay at their current level of skills, they are so inspiring to new things. As a mother, I would love to instill a lifelong love for learning in my baby,

A set of RBW flash card given during Antenatal Class at Loh Guan Lye Hospital

Cards designed in various shapes

Objects with words help my baby in her early learning stage

Breast Milk Storage

Expressing and storing breast milk are part of the experience for breast feed mother. Knowing how to safely and properly store expressed breast milk help you feed your baby better.

STORING BREAST MILK

1. Expressed milk can be stored in a clean, capped glass or hard plastic container. You can also use special plastic bags designed for milk collection and storage.
2. Label each container with the date you expressed the breast milk
3. Place the containers in the back of the refrigerator or freezer, not in the door. Keep in mind that breast milk expands as it freezes, so don't fill containers to the brim.

SAFE KEEP EXPRESSED BREAST MILK
 
Room Temperature                        : 4 to 6 hours
Insulated Cooler with ice packs  : 1 Day
Refrigerator                                     : 5 Days
Freezer                                             : 3 months
Deep Freezer                                   : 12 months

Note: storage guidelines might differ for preterm, sick or hospitalized infants.

Expressed milk stored in a clean capped container, label with the date and time.

Ice packs

Insulated cooler bag with ice packs keep fresh milk chill for up to 24 hours.

This insulated cooler bag cost RM26

THAWING FROZEN BREAST MILK 

1. Place the frozen container in the refrigerator the night before use.
2. Gently warm the milk by placing it in a bowl of warm water. 
3. Gently swirl the milk evenly to distribute the creamy portion of the milk that rises to the top of the container during storage.
4. Use thawed breast milk within 24 hours. Discard any remaining milk. Don't refreeze thawed or partially thawed breast milk.

 

ADDING FRESHLY EXPRESSED BREAST MILK TO ALREADY STORED MILK

You may add freshly expressed breast milk to refrigerated or frozen milk you expressed earlier in the same day. Keep milk expressed on different days in separate containers.
Don't add warm breast milk to frozen breast milk because it will cause the frozen milk to partially thaw. You can However, keep the freshly expressed breast milk in the refrigerator or a cooler with ice packs before adding it to previously chilled or frozen milk.

TECHNIQUES TO ENCOURAGE LET-DOWN REFLEX WHEN EXPRESSING BREAST MILK:

• Try to relax, express in a quiet, warm, relaxing area.
• Express after a warm shower, warm face washers on the breast for a few minutes may also help.
• Gently massaging your breasts.
• Thinking about your baby and how much breast milk benefits her 
• looking at your baby's photo.
• Having support from your partner, friend or breastfeeding counsellor

CLEANING OF EXPRESS EQUIPMENT

1. Take the breast pump kit apart, and separate all pieces. 
2. Rinse in cold water.
3. Wash with a small amount of detergent, using a brush kept only for this purpose.
4. Rinse all parts in hot water, at least twice.
5. Drain bottles and containers upside-down 
6. store the equipment in a clean, closed container

Antenatal Class in Penang

During the nine months of pregnancy, I could easily feel overwhelmed by questions, fears, and not knowing what to expect. I tried to read books, searched answer from the internet, talk to experienced mother.

I want to perform the best to deliver my baby. I want to hear from the expert. My husband and I decided to free up our Friday evening to attend an Antenatal Class run by an hospital in Penang.

Prenatal class is important to help prepare for labour, birth, and early parenthood. I gain fruitful information during the class. I feel stronger by understanding the changes happened to my body after being pregnant. I also learned how to take care of myself as well as the fetal. I learn antenatal exercise to built stronger muscle for delivery. I learned what to expect when I am in labour, what to bring to hospital, nutrients during pregnancy and after delivery, etc from antenatal class. Apart from that, freebees and samples such as milk powder for mother given during the class are also very helpful for mother who is still searching for a suitable brand.

Exercise session during the antenatal class at Loh Guan Lye Hospital

I’ve called up many hospitals to check on the class available. Antenatal class usually cost between RM80 to RM120 for a couple, some are free. Here is the list of hospitals offering antenatal classes in Penang:

Loh Guan Lye
5 consecutive weeks of course
every Friday, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Fees: RM100
Tel: 604-238 8888

Gleneagles
6 classes weekly
Friday 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Fees: RM100
Tel: 604 220 2103

Island Hospital
Saturday 2:30pm - 5:00pm
Fees: RM120/couple
Tel: 604 228 8222 Ext: 5043

Lam Wah Ee
2 Weeks class Saturday 10am - 3pm
Fees: RM80/couple
Tel: 604 652 8990 email: hlwe@po.jaring.my