What's Your Job as a Nutritionist?

When we are sick, we look for a doctor. When our toilet is clogged, we look for a plumber.
When we are having toothache, we look for a dentist. When our car break down, we look for a mechanic.
But, do you realize that when we are looking for nutrition advice; we search on the internet; ask our relatives and friends; learn from supplement or food promoters. Do you know that there is a professional healthcare officer that you can look for?
Nutritionist and dietitian are experts that promote healthy lifestyle through food; with evidence based nutrition knowledge and without any bias.

You might have these questions in mind.
Is there any difference in between dietitian and nutritionist?
To be simple, dietitian can work in clinical settings; whereas nutritionist can't. This is because dietitian completes clinical attachment or practice. For example, dietitian can prescribe medical nutrition therapy towards cancer recovering patients or tube feeding patients; but nutritionist can't. Dietitian can treat ill patients, but nutritionist can't. Nutritionist play an important role to create health awareness.

Can anyone be nutritionist?

** Updates on July 2020** Allied Health Professions Act 2016 (Act 774) is to be enforced! Meaning to say nutritionists and dietitians need to register ourselves in order to practice our health services. 
Right now, there is no rules or law to be a nutritionist in Malaysia; therefore, you might find a lot of "self-recognize" nutritionist in the market; with limited nutrition knowledge or bias opinion. But, there are still a number of nutritionists who have complete their university studies and are well trained to consult people regarding their diet. I am proud to say that I am a nutritionist; graduated from The Ohio State University (USA) with B.Sc. in Human Ecology, major in Human Nutrition, Dietetics Option; and I have been working in healthcare industry for 4 years and still continuing my passion.

So,
when you are confuse on which food product to choose; ask a nutritionist to learn about food labeling. When you are confuse whether to take supplement; ask a nutritionist to assess on your nutritional and health needs. When you want to lose weight healthily; ask a nutritionist to plan and personalize your meal. When you want to create a healthy workplace; ask a nutritionist to conduct health talk or program. 

Nutrition is a growing field which has a lot of new things/researches popping up; but lacking of time to proof it right or wrong yet. I am learning and updating myself everyday and would like to share my nutrition knowledge towards the society.  I truly believe healthy eating makes a difference.

If you are looking for nutritionist, have tons of questions about your food; please contact me at nutrition.goodness. Visit GOODNESS page today. 

What You Don't Know About Breastfeeding

What makes me write about this? Cause I am in pain! I have been suffering from clogged milk ducts for 2 times in a row; having fever and shiver. I had multiple times of clogged milk ducts throughout this 7 months; but this time is serious; the pain is no kidding. Let's just forget about the benefits of breastfeeding for a second; let me shout out at how painful it is!

I can touch and feel small little pebble-like lumps at my breast area. Yup not one lump, but lumpSSS. I can see redness on my breast.What even worse? When milk clots at nipple; the milk turns dry and hard; forms a small white dot at nipple. If you want to know how it looks like search the word "milk bleb/ milk blister". My breast gets bigger and bigger, feel like it's going to burst; but it's not; it's as hard as a stone. (I DO NOT EXAGGERATE) 

What to do?
Latch
I quickly get back from my workplace and latch my baby. Baby suction is different from breast pump or hand expression. Of course, at the first place, baby rejected to latch, cause there's no flow. I try to communicate with baby and let baby latch as much as he can. I can't agree more; the best way to get unclogged duct is to continue nursing baby.

Massage & Hand Express
Before I start the real game of massaging the lumps, I use ice pack to cold compress the sore part of my breast; cold compress helps to soothe the pain for a while.My personal tip is always massage from the armpit towards outer breast and then nipple. Another tip is to slowly press on 乳根穴 a massage point below our 5th rib bone; align with our nipple, at our lower breast.
Then follow by, hand express to make sure breast is empty. At this moment of pain, I prefer to hand express as it allows me to control the speed and strength unlike breast pump. And ya, after multiple times of warm soak, massage and hand express, things get better, the milk bleb gets softer and able to be removed with my finger tips. I moisture my nipple using my own breast milk; just apply it over and over again.

Rest
I think this is the most crucial thing; sufficient rest is the best recovery method. I literally just sleep throughout the day and night but routinely wake up to pump. When this happens, it's very important to get supports from the other half. TQ dar for fully take charge of baby on that day. ♥

* If all these can't help to soothe your situation, please please consult a doctor.    

As a working mom, routine of work plus breastfeeding is honestly not easy. But will I continue breastfeeding? YES, YES, YES I WILL.  Although breastfeed baby get sick too, but I believe all the nutrients, antibodies, vitamins, minerals are the best for baby! It's all worth it for my little one!

Together with all the efforts that I have done, I am blessed with good supply of milk.So, checkout some useful tips that I have been practicing daily to keep my milk supply. If I skip any of these, then "OH NO".

Choose the correct bra 
A wrong bra not only hurts my breast; but causes clogged duct. I am currently wearing Shapee Nuring Bra.
*If you got to know any great nursing bras, please shares with me too.

Drink plenty of water 
I need a lot of water during breastfeeding; As 88% of breast milk is made up of water. Not just 1.5 litres of water, I also drink plenty of liquid, not just soup during meals but also dessert soups, milk and oat drink. PS oats have  beta-glucans that act as milk booster too.Thanks to my MIL and my mummy; they both cook realgood soups.

Schedule pumping 
Our body is smart; if you empty the milk in the mammary gland; it will reproduce. So the more frequent you empty your breast; the more milk you will get. When I was at home with my baby for the first 2 months, I pump after I breastfeed my baby; cause newborn baby has small stomach, he can't empty my breast.  I fix my schedule to pump; if I delay my schedule; I will get lumps at my breast. Now that my milk supply is steady,  I only pump 3 times per day, 5-6 hours apart; and breastfeed before sleep.
* Want to know what breast pump I am using, check on this post  Being A New Mom.
Everyone is different. As a mum, I believe we know what's the best for us and  baby !

Baby Jayden is 7 months 4 weeks old ; growing up into a big baby. He crawls, sits,eats solid food and grows teeth (Sprouted 2 bottom teeth). Mummy hopes you grow up happily and healthily.

Love,

Yvonne  

Being a New Mom

Can you believe this?  Jayden is already 3 months 4 weeks old. When people ask me how does it feel to be a new mom? Honestly, the first word pops up in mind is TIRING! (If you see me, please ignore my panda eyes. >.<) There is no break during this 3 months. It's overwhelming; be it mentally or physically. There are so many things to learn.... so much more than I ever imagine...

First Touch
The moment when I first hold my baby; all those pains just left behind. Yes; those pains just magically disappeared for sometime. (30 minutes maybe? LOL, then there was still more or less contraction pain) . He did not look as wrinkle as I thought; nor dirty as I thought; but he was small in size with a pair of big eyes.

Our very first family photo ♥ 

Full of sweats!

Milk Job 
Upon his arrival, I started my job as a milk machine. I am thankful to have guidance from nurses at Penang Adventist Hospital. Each time when baby was brought to my ward, the nurse stood by my side; helped me to adjust position (cradle, football, sleeping position; you named it ) ; then only left when baby started to suck. With their help, I was not so panic to breastfeed my little one.

The challenge started when I was back to confinement center. Since Jayden had a slightly high bilirubin level, the nurse tried to convince me to formula feed. She even fed him with formula claiming that it was upon my husband's agreement. I was mad; sad; confused; and helpless. I kept questioning myself, should I let my baby formula-fed. I insisted on breastfeeding. That was the time when all the emotions broke down. I cried almost everyday for the first week. (I believe that was so called postpartum blues)

I was on antibiotic and pain killer medication for a week due to open stitches; with dr.'s advice, I continue to breastfeed my baby. I even called Kangaroo Club breastfeeding support group to seek for help and answered my query. Breastfeeding is not always blissful. When bottle-feed was introduced, there were some days that baby had nipple confusion. I saw my baby struggling in front of my nipple; unable to catch and suck. It was tough at the first place but things got better.

It's all worth it when he sleeps in my arms after nursing
I can feel the bond in between me and my baby ♥ 

Now that I resume my job, I am a fully breast pump mom; my baby only latches at night. During the day, my babysitter bottle- feeds him. I am using Cimilre F1 handsfree double breast pump which was given by my sister-in-law. It serves me well! It has 2 different modes: massage and expression with different intensity levels. I love that it's small and compact but has powerful suction. A good breast pump is the best investment. I did have several times of clogged milk duct which was so uncomfortable and painful; my breast was as hard as a stone. 
I learnt from my lesson; these are tips to prevent and treat clogged milk duct: 
1. pump on time ( 1st & 2nd month: every 2-3 hours; 3rd month: 4-6 hours) 
2. hand massage while pumping
3. drink plenty of water
4. use warm towel to massage; don't leave it unattended even it's just a little clog
5. let baby latch on (trust me, it will be painful at the first place; but after a while, the magic door will open, and there will be smooth flow of milk) 

My buddy - Cimilre F1 !

Sleepless Nights 
If you think that babies are good sleeper, then you are absolutely wrong. Jayden used to wake up every 2 hours for milk during his first week at home. He did not wake up silently but cried loudly for milk/comfort. And I got to accept that crying is the only way a newborn baby expressed his feelings! I was like a zombie back then (no kidding! ) but thankfully he is now sleeping well. ( 4-6 hours stretch * Finger crossed!* ) He sleeps in his own baby cot, besides our bed. We are so afraid to wake him up again so we tip toe in our room. (like a thief  lol!) I even used to wake up looking for my baby. Those mentally insecure is just deep inside my heart.

Hands up when he sleeps soundly  !

Smile & Coo
These days, I start to understand his cues and things get easier. The fun part begins when he starts to smile, giggle, and coo. His smile and touch melts my heart.

We are learning together, my son.

Love,
Yvonne