We are living in unprecedented times. A strange pandemic era, where staying at home and heading out only for essential needs have become the new normal, even as Singapore enters Phase 2 post circuit-breaker. Creating a clean, safe and serene sanctuary at home to bond with our loved ones has become more important than ever. Even more so with our decision to home-school the little one, I am grateful to have LG SmartThinQ household appliances like the LG TWINWash and LG HOM-BOT to take the stress out of housework this summer. Both appliances can be connected to Google Assistant using the LG AI speaker W7, hence I can easily activate them with my voice too.

The LG TWINWash has been a trusty helper in our household for the past 2 years (read my detailed review here). As it is able to wash two loads at one time, my mini-me’s clothes are washed separately in the mini washer using the Baby Care function while the rest of the laundry does its rounds in the main washer. The TruSteam technology penetrates fabrics with steam to eradicate up to 99.9% of household allergens, wrinkles and odours, giving me complete peace of mind as we welcome summer. Washing and ironing time is also dramatically reduced, leaving me with more quality family time.

As a proponent of sustainable living, I generally prefer natural cleaning agents as they are more environmentally friendly. Minimising the use of chemicals is also better for our overall health and wellbeing.  Here’s a cleaning tip to prevent your breezy summer whites from turning yellow, without the use of chemicals. Simply add half a cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle and hang your laundry in the sun. You can also use the rest of the lemon to clean and disinfect your kitchen sink!

Other than laundry, maintaining a clean, dust-free environment at home is no mean feat with a toddler around. Fortunately, the LG HOM-BOT keeps our home spick and span without me even having to lift a finger, freeing up precious time to teach Rhapsody and take her for her daily walks. I typically schedule it to run in the morning and evening, as well as whenever I declutter my bedroom or Rhapsody’s play area. Thanks to the LG SmartThinQ technology, I can check on the status of the cleaning and washing process on my phone even when I’m out running essential errands.

Here’s another eco-friendly cleaning tip this summer – after vacuuming Rhapsody’s play mat with the LG HOM-BOT, I use a mixture of baking soda and water to clean and remove any stains. Occasionally, I add a drop of lemon or lavender essential oil as a natural deodoriser and instant mood lifter! When the invigorating scent permeates the air, a sense of calm and tranquility ensues. I love how I can incorporate these natural cleaning methods into my lifestyle while creating a safe haven in our home with LG’s suite of appliances. Staying at home feels like a vacation when my home smells and feels as fresh as summer!

There’s nothing more important than being in the pink of health. I guess the current Covid19 situation really puts things in perspective. While prevention is always better than cure, it makes perfect sense to have a stash of medicine on standby, because no one can predict when they’ll be under the weather. Since perhaps a decade ago, I have always stocked up on Leftose in my medicine cabinet as I’m prone to sinus and that often leaves me with phlegm and a sore throat. I need relief fast to prevent the onslaught of a full-blown cough and Leftose does just that. Formulated with Lysozyme, a natural enzyme derived from eggs that is also found in the human body (tears and saliva), Leftose is a 2-in-1 natural, non-drowsy remedy for chesty cough and sore throat. It effectively relieves throat inflammation and breaks down phlegm, thus promoting throat comfort and supporting clear airways.
Leftose Tablets

Did you know that this proven formula has been trusted by adults and children around the world for more than four decades? I like the pint sized Leftose tablets which are a breeze to swallow and also carry around with me. I used to bring them along with me whenever I travel pre-covid19 days. The best part about Leftose is that I usually never have to take more than 3 tablets to fully recover from a bout of sore throat. Plus, the non-drowsy formula ensures that I can still go about my daily activities without dozing off.

Leftose Syrup

As a mum to a 2 year old toddler, I’m always on the lookout for safe yet effective medication and I’m so glad that Leftose comes in syrup form for my daughter. Suitable for children from the age of 1 onwards, it is formulated with 0.5% lysozyme and boasts a naturally sweet taste that goes down well with Rhapsody. It also comes with stickers to perk up your little one’s day.
Leftose Lozenges

Now, if you’re a mum as well, and yelling at your kids during the circuit breaker period is leaving your throat parched and inflamed, you’ll be happy to know that besides tablets, Leftose offers lozenges (also formulated with lysozyme) in blackcurrent and honey lemon flavours to soothe and dissolve the nasty phlegm in your vocal passages. The honey lemon flavoured lozenges are my personal favourite. If your child is able to suck without choking, he or she can take it too as it’s sugar-free!

Where to get Leftose

As we are in the middle of a pandemic, I would highly recommend stocking up on medications such as Leftose. After all, we want to avoid making trips to the clinic, unless it is absolutely necessary right? Leftose is readily available at pharmacies such as Watson’s, Unity and Guardian. ** Disclaimer: Do note that as lysozyme used in Leftose is derived from eggs, this medication is not suitable for individuals with egg allergies.

Life is wonderful with children, they say. Children bring you so much joy and fill a gap in your heart that you never knew existed.

Everywhere on social media, my feed included, portrays motherhood as an extraordinary experience. A positive, fulfilling experience complete with gleeful smiles from cute babies who always seem to be beaming from ear to ear. People talk about the lack of sleep that becomes part and parcel of motherhood but hardly anyone talks about post natal blues, depression or even just the anxiety that comes along with being a mum. Nobody tells you your hormones are a mess after delivery. You cry a lot for no reason. You feel anxious because you have no idea how to deal with your newborn who is solely dependent on you for survival – even if you’ve placed him or her in the care of an experienced nanny or helper, you can’t help but check in ever so often just to make sure everything is ok, because your maternal instincts have kicked in, like it or not. You also realise that your baby wakes up frequently at night (it’s normal for young babies to feed a few times at night, especially during growth spurts). Rhapsody had colic from bottle feeding and would burst out crying for extended periods of time in the evening until we gave her medication. The nightmare finally ended when I decided to direct latch her and co-sleep (for my own sanity).

Physically, your body is not quite what it used to be. Your stomach feels jiggly because well, simply put, a 3-4kg human just evacuated from his/her home for the past 9 months. Without a body binder, you will feel your insides jiggle every time you move or laugh. When will you feel normal again? Will you ever get back into shape?

Then there’s breastfeeding. There’s societal pressure to breastfeed, which adds to the stress of a new mum. After all, breast milk is best right? I can probably write another post on breastfeeding alone but let me just keep this as succinct as I can. Your boobs get engorged on the 3rd or 4th day after delivery. The pain is worse than delivery (if you had epidural) especially when you try to massage the milk out. I got a trained masseuse in and to say the pain was excruciating is an understatement. Fortunately, R had no problems latching, As a newborn, they also latch all day but not everyone understands that that’s normal. I got asked all the time “Are you sure you have enough milk? Why is she always hungry?”. I must have rolled my eyes a million times. There were also times when I gave in to formula milk because the experienced nanny and mums around me told me she wasn’t full. I believe in fed is best. However, if I can offer breast milk, I would rather do so at least for the first 6 months. But I had no idea why every time formula milk was given during the first 2-3 months, a part of me just felt like I was inadequate.

And then comes the couple dynamics. If you think you’re clueless, your hubby probably is, or even more so. Also, your focus switches from your hubby to the baby. You try to strike a balance but when you face all these changes at the same time, this new normal doesn’t feel so normal. It is overwhelming, physically and psychologically for both parties.

Every mum gets some degree of post natal blues but some end up with post natal depression if they or their loved ones do not recognise the signs early and seek help in time. It doesn’t only happen to new mums. Every time you conceive and give birth, your hormones wreck havoc. Recently, someone told me that she knows a mum who is always behind locked doors sleeping and doesn’t seem interested in her kids. Perhaps it isn’t because she doesn’t care. It may be a sign that she needs help and isn’t getting it. Perhaps we need to stop being so judgmental and just be more supportive of one another.

My purpose of penning this post is to increase awareness on what motherhood entails so that everyone around us can hopefully empathise better and lend a helping hand when possible.

Now, the good news is, the days are long but the years are short. Things do get better with time and you begin to embrace the new normal. In the blink of an eye, it has been 1.5 years since I became a mum and it is still the most rewarding role I’ve taken on. Returning home to a little toddler running towards the door, flashing a wide, innocent smile with her arms flung open for a hug, is one of the simplest pleasures in life that also happens to be absolutely irreplaceable.

Today marks baby R’s first birthday and it only just struck me that I have never written about my birth story. Well, better late than never I suppose, and I thought I should recount the whole experience before my mum brain decides to fail me.

It was 4am when I woke up to head to the toilet, like every other pregnant mummy. How much longer would I have to do this for?! I let out a sigh and waddled back to bed. The heavens must have heard my pleas. As I lay down, I heard a pop sound and felt some fluid trickle down my legs. I immediately got up to check and I leaked even more! My waterbag had burst. Omg those squats worked?! That was the first thought that crossed my mind. I was doing squats the night before, as suggested by my prenatal masseuse to avoid being induced.

The second thought that crossed my mind was ok, I need to bathe now or I won’t get to bathe for a month (due to confinement)! I woke my hubby up before that and he was surprised by how calmly I told him I was gonna take a shower before heading to the hospital. I even remembered to line my undies with a thick pad and protect the car seat with a waterproof liner.

The journey to the hospital was rather uneventful, peaceful even. I think we have never enjoyed a smoother ride on the expressway as 3/4 of the country’s population was probably still in lala land. We arrived at the hospital at 5am and was promptly whisked into a room with several beds. I was hooked up to a machine that tracked my contractions and was told I was already experiencing mild contractions, although I hardly felt any pain. If I recall correctly, I was only 1cm dilated. After a visit to the washroom to cleanse my bowels, my hubby and I were asked to wait for my gynae in the labour ward.

6am – my gynae arrived! I wasn’t dilating fast enough and was induced via the drip. Contractions were mild initially but they became 1-2 minutes apart at around 730-8am. I immediately requested for an anaesthetist to administer epidural. I couldn’t be more relieved when the epidural took effect. I didn’t book a doctor in advance but by some stroke of luck, my preferred anaesthetist came to my rescue!  kept upping my epidural dose throughout as I felt my right side wasn’t as numb. If you’re afraid of pain, just get epidural right from the start and I assure you you won’t regret it. I experienced a number of side effects such as shivering and vomiting, which were still tolerable compared to labour pain.

Then the waiting game began. After countless programs on tv and multiple checks throughout the day, I was still only 5cm dilated at 7pm. In between, my hubby left for a short while to have dinner with his friends at the hospital’s delifrance. I was told it was probably going to be a long night for us until my gynae started inducing me via drip. By 9pm, I was fully dilated and asked to push. After an hour of pushing, nothing seemed to happen. Partially, I couldn’t feel anything down there so it took me a while to figure out which muscles to activate. I think I was also distracted by the tv as I was looking forward to watching Pompeii at 10pm. My gynae must have guessed my intention – she promptly turned off the tv and told me sternly that if I didn’t get the baby out soon, I would have settle for an emergency c section as baby was running out of oxygen. Her “encouragement” certainly helped as Rhapsody was born shortly after that, weighing a grand total of 2.82kg (sounds so auspicious). What a relief!

I remember I had a sudden craving for orange juice immediately after childbirth. But oops, bad move. I vomited immediately after. JW later told me that he thought he was going to lose me during the labour process as I looked like I was in tremendous pain but in reality, I was really just trying very hard to push despite not feeling  much pressure. Honestly I always had doubts about whether I could have done natural birth but my gynae never once wavered in her judgment. I couldn’t be more grateful to her for making my pregnancy and delivery a breeze.

And one year on, everything still feels so surreal.

Happy birthday baby R! We hope you’ll enjoy your cozy little celebration later today. Your papa and I still can’t believe we survived one year of parenthood! It’s an incredible feeling to hear you call me mama, and it’s a privilege to have you in my life. But..please call papa a little more often so mama can take a break too ;P

As a first time mum who works from home and cares for baby R at the same time, time isn’t always on my side. Laundry, honestly, is the last thing on my mind. I’m sure many mummies can relate to this, which is probably the reason why I received several queries about the latest LG TWINWash from those of you who saw my IG stories when I attended the launch event earlier last month.

And so the question ensues. Does it live up to its hype?

To answer this, I thought I’d share what I like about this washing machine after testing it for a couple of weeks:

1. Wash two loads at the same time to save time – What I love most about this washing machine is its ability to wash two loads at the same time. We used to wash baby R’s clothes by hand as we didn’t want to mix her laundry with ours for hygiene purposes. While I am fortunate to have a full-time helper, other baby-related chores such as additional cleaning and sanitizing require her immediate attention much more than before, especially now that baby R is on solids.

With LG TWINWash, we are now able to wash our clothes in the main washer and baby R’s clothes in the mini washer under an hour at the same time thanks to its TurboWash^TM technology which shortens the washing cycle time while according fabrics the proper care they deserve.

2. Designed for washing baby clothes – We wash baby R’s clothes, bibs and socks everyday, and the mini washer is just the perfect size. It even has a “Baby Care” laundry option, which I think is very thoughtful indeed. I’ve never seen this option on other washing machines.

3. Cleaner laundry and less ironing is required – I noticed that many of the dresses that used to require ironing (after washing with my previous washing machine) do not need to be ironed anymore, which translates to even more time savings.

Credit goes to the TrueSteam technology, which penetrates fabrics with steam to eradicate 99.9% of household allergens, wrinkles and odors. The 6 Motion Direct Drive Technology also mimics hand washing action to ensure your laundry is as clean as it can get. Naturally, cleanliness and hygiene are of utmost importance with a baby in the household, hence knowing that my bedsheets and clothes are free from most allergens gives me complete peace of mind too.

4. Operate the machine and monitor your laundry anywhere, anytime – Did you know that the LG TWINWash is WIFI enabled? I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I can operate the machine when I’m out of the house using the SmartThinQ^TM app and time it such that I can hang my laundry immediately upon reaching home. How convenient!

5. Sleek Design – This is probably the sleekest washing machine in the market. It packs a punch in terms of both functionality and efficiency without compromising on design.

Most importantly, I love that the LG TWINWash gives me more time to bond with baby R and my family. It has certainly improved my quality of life and I would recommend that you check out this innovative appliance here if you’re on the lookout for a new washing machine!

*This is a sponsored post by LG but all opinions are my own.

Minimalism may be right up my alley when it comes to style, but did you know I’m a closet Sanrio fan too? My favourite character is My Melody!

Thanks to baby R, I have every reason to indulge in this Jujube Hello Sanrio Sweets Mini Helix bag. It’s a cute little bag that fits all my essentials when I want to travel light (when we grab groceries in the neighbourhood or when the hubby carries the diaper bag)!

Believe it or not, my iphone 7+, keys, cards, cash and hand sanitizer fit beautifully in this bag. I can even slip in a lip balm in the front zippered compartment. It’s so handy and I really adore the aquamarine strap which adds a pop of colour. The sweet combination of pastel hues also makes it a breeze to match with most casual wear in solid colours. In this series of photos, I was feeling a little cutesy so I amped up the cute factor by adding a unicorn keychain from my Little Twin Stars collection.

What I love most about this bag is that baby R gets to use it when she’s older. As you can tell, even at the tender age of 7 months, she can’t keep her hands and eyes off it.

Jujube Hello Sanrio Sweets collection will be launched alongside Red Ruby and Cleopatra on 17 July at 12pm. I’m hoping to snag a Be Neat to match my Mini Helix!

It never struck me that it was a culture here to touch babies who belong to strangers until I had a baby myself. When I first shared about a waiter at So Pho (Clementi Mall) who had the audacity to kiss (yes, not just touch!!!) baby R without any warning on my igstories, I received a deluge of direct messages from fellow mummies who empathized with me and told me they shared similar experiences. In my case, I told the waiter and the manager off right away but many mummies were shocked beyond words and couldn’t react in time.

Some mummies told me that they’re afraid of offending people who touch their babies as they are just friendly souls who probably mean no harm. But  what truly bothers me is the issue of awareness over here. Isn’t it common sense that babies are the most vulnerable to diseases?

I’m sick and tired of having to avoid strangers who can’t wait to lay their hands on baby R.
I don’t know where you’ve been, what you’ve touched and if your hands or mouth are clean before you happily reach over to touch my baby. There have been actual cases of babies dying from cold sores because of an “innocent” kiss from a stranger. In fact, more than half the population carries the oral herpes virus. Did you know that when this virus is passed on to a baby through what you may think is just a kiss, it can cause serious illness or even death? Our hygiene awareness surely isn’t on par with our economic development (most people still choose not to wear a mask when they’re sick) and I’m not sure if that could be one of the causes of the HFMD outbreak here in recent years.

Also, just because babies can’t defend themselves yet doesn’t mean that you can treat them any way you wish. Babies are not toys. They are little human beings and should be treated with respect. How would you feel if a stranger suddenly came up to you on the streets and pinched your cheeks, let alone give you a kiss just because he or she thought you were cute? Wouldn’t that be akin to molest?

We all know how difficult it is to care for babies, even more so when they are not in the best of health. So please spare a thought to the next parent you see on the street. No matter how cute his or her baby may be, exercise some self-control and do not, I repeat, do not, reach over to touch the baby without the parent’s consent.

If you’re looking for a diaper bag in the form of a backpack, the Forever Backpack by Jujube wouldn’t disappoint because it literally packs a punch and is definitely one of the more well designed bags around.

Let’s start with its appearance. I love the classic minimalist design in vegan leather. It comes in 3 stylish colours, namely Noir, Brûlée and Stone. More importantly, the sleek design is suitable for both genders, which explains why my hubby couldn’t wait to take over the diaper bag from me!

I couldn’t believe how light it is, even after transferring all the baby essentials over from my usual diaper bag.  There are 13 compartments, including 2 exterior bottle pockets, a roomy front pocket (I stuff tissues and wet wipes here for easy access), and an additional zippered flat pocket at the top for your phone and cards! I’ve honestly never felt more organised. This makes the perfect diaper bag for outings and overnight stays too. I’ll definitely be taking this along with me for our upcoming staycation!

And now, for the million dollar question. When is it launching? This baby hails from the latest Ever Collection, which will be launched in Singapore tomorrow (12 June 2018) along with the Olive Rose and Tula x Jujube collections!

As a first time mum, I’m definitely no expert when it comes to parenting. But having been a mum to baby R for 4 months, I’ve come to realise that there are 5 things I wish I knew about mummy hood to ease me into my new role. I’m hoping that by sharing my thoughts in this space, I’ll be able to help new mummies or soon-to-be mummies too.

1) Not to have any expectations of your child

Well-meaning friends and even the mummy community at large love to share about their children’s development. How much they weigh, how much they eat, whether they sleep through the night and which milestones they’ve achieved. Being a first time mum, I realised such information stressed me up more than anything else. For instance, I wondered why baby R was still waking up every 1.5-2 hours to feed, why she couldn’t sleep in her cot, didn’t seem to enjoy tummy time or put on as much weight. Instead of celebrating the milestones that she achieved ahead of her time (she loves books and is able to take instructions!), I was focusing on those that she hadn’t yet achieved, which I believe is unhealthy behaviour in the long run because every child grows differently and should be given the opportunity to develop to their full potential at their own pace. As a parent, I have learned to embrace that and as long as baby R is happy and healthy, that’s all that matters.

2) Not every baby is a textbook baby

I’m talking about strict routines, awake timings, sleep training and methods to teach your child to self soothe or to sleep through the night. I’ve tried some of them and while I seemed to be successful initially, the success was almost always short lived.

I had an epiphany one morning and decided to put a stop to everything. Instead, I decided to observe baby R closely to understand her preferences and behaviour better. Don’t get me wrong. I always made it a point to observe her but I think previously, I was more preoccupied with fitting her into a routine or using a particular method to train her. I mean, the lack of sleep is real and you don’t exactly make the best decisions when you are sleep deprived. I know she’s only 4 months old but I can tell she is so much happier now. She has always been smiley but she used to cry the house down as well. Now, she hardly cries and smiles all the time, even in her sleep.

I guess only a mother will be able to understand what her child needs, so do what you deem fit and don’t let someone else (or some book) make you feel bad about it.

3) You will feel alone

This rings true especially for nursing mums because who else can substitute you in the wee hours of the night? And in my household, nobody hears baby R’s cries when they’re fast asleep. Except me.

Adjusting to this new lifestyle took a while, but always remember there are tons of nursing mums out there who are awake in the dead of the night too. I find that connecting with mummy communities on Facebook and WhatsApp groups really help.

And again, always remember that this too shall pass but the bond with your child will last a lifetime.

One day, she’s not going to need her mummy anymore.

4) It’s ok to not feel ok sometimes

After all, a mummy’s body went through a lot. The physical trauma from birthing and hormonal changes wrecking havoc, coupled with perpetual lack of sleep and the responsibility of raising a child  – yup, a recipe for disaster. I have on many occasions broken down because I simply felt overwhelmed. And that’s ok (as long as it’s not an everyday affair) because raising a human is no mean feat!

5) Get the best mattress, skincare and vitamins

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Can’t get enough sleep? What you can’t get in quantity, you make up for it in quality. I currently co sleep with baby R in a bid to get more sleep and I also realised that when you have a good mattress, it makes a world of difference. Same with skincare. For me, eye cream, skin brightening serum and sun block are my must-haves to look presentable. I’ll leave my beauty regime for another post if you’re interested to find out more.

Oh yes, remember your vitamins too. You need to stay in the pink of health to care for your little one!