If you can reduce, you need not reuse... if you can reuse... you need not recycle... if you can recylcle, you need to throw away your money!
Yes... As my MIL once told me... it is not necessary to get expensive disposable sanitary pads... they are bought to be thrown away. It is like throwing away money. How true. Then again, she is also the one who shared her 'analysis' of using tissues with me... that it is cheaper to just wipe the dining table clean with tissues than to wipe it clean with cloth as you need to wash the cloth afterwards ??? Yes, you guessed it right. She is just one who is careful with money. Not so much a environmentalist.
Whatever it is, the point is, with disposables 'everything' from sanitary pads to cloth diapers to fork and spoons and even disposable panties... convenience certainly is taking its toll on the environment.
Thankfully, I've discovered Breastfeeding, Cloth Diapers, Cloth Pads... now, I am even considering using wipes myself and reducing the use of toilet tissues...
What has breastfeeding got to do with the 3Rs? How about reducing the use of plastic, milk tins etc. etc. etc.? You get it ;)
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
When is best to get a sling?
Well, coming from me, one might think I am pushing hard at my Peek-a-Pouches. That's why one seldom hears me mentioning it. Any mention of babywearing from me usually includes the information that there are many ways to wear a baby including the pouch, ring sling, wrap etc. etc.
Anyway, I was asked this question directly on the last market day (please be patient... will load pics and do a post on it soon). And, my honest and truthful answer couldn't be more than when you are expecting!
Why? Simple. I wish I had a sling with me during confinement. Arthur was a colicky and fussy baby. One who needs a feeding about every hour and a half, if not sooner.
Also, as he was diagnosed with breastmilk jaundice, we had to be in and out most of his first month of life... carrying him with my hands on these trips... one which lasted the whole day at a government hospital... resulted in Arthur's head being uneven.... yes, it is still obvious and visible if you look close enough. It's shaped as per where my arms were to cradle him... huh... not much choice here. He wouldn't go into the stroller then (indeed, he wouldn't go into the stroller anytime!)...
It really wasn't easy. It was during confinement that I wished soo sooo much I had a sling with me. It was during that month that I longed and longed for a way to have him close to me without straining myself.
I'll admit I didn't read up enough on babywearing then. Indeed, I wouldn't know to search on 'babywearing'. All I knew was that there's this fabric that people would tie around them to carry their babies... and confinement month was no way I was allowed near a computer .. not even books... these are supposed to be bad for my eyes... huh...
So, yes, while I would definitely advise anyone pregnant to have a sling before baby is due... again, it is up to personal preference.
At Peekaroobaby, I try my best to encourage this by offering an exchange within the first month from when baby is due. Of course, terms and conditions such as the sling has got to be new and in a sellable condition.
Anyway, I was asked this question directly on the last market day (please be patient... will load pics and do a post on it soon). And, my honest and truthful answer couldn't be more than when you are expecting!
Why? Simple. I wish I had a sling with me during confinement. Arthur was a colicky and fussy baby. One who needs a feeding about every hour and a half, if not sooner.
Also, as he was diagnosed with breastmilk jaundice, we had to be in and out most of his first month of life... carrying him with my hands on these trips... one which lasted the whole day at a government hospital... resulted in Arthur's head being uneven.... yes, it is still obvious and visible if you look close enough. It's shaped as per where my arms were to cradle him... huh... not much choice here. He wouldn't go into the stroller then (indeed, he wouldn't go into the stroller anytime!)...
It really wasn't easy. It was during confinement that I wished soo sooo much I had a sling with me. It was during that month that I longed and longed for a way to have him close to me without straining myself.
I'll admit I didn't read up enough on babywearing then. Indeed, I wouldn't know to search on 'babywearing'. All I knew was that there's this fabric that people would tie around them to carry their babies... and confinement month was no way I was allowed near a computer .. not even books... these are supposed to be bad for my eyes... huh...
So, yes, while I would definitely advise anyone pregnant to have a sling before baby is due... again, it is up to personal preference.
At Peekaroobaby, I try my best to encourage this by offering an exchange within the first month from when baby is due. Of course, terms and conditions such as the sling has got to be new and in a sellable condition.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Bonding in a sling
Babywearers!
Have you noticed that you tend to stroke your baby more when you are wearing him or her in a sling? I do. I stroke my little Arthur, give him a kiss whenever I feel like it and know what? he is now returning the favour. He would just turn my way and give me a kiss out of the blue... heart melting ;)
I am not sure how true this is but I notice that parents with baby carriers... those with buckles and looks like a school bag... they do not stroke their babies as often... have you used both of them? Did you feel like stroking your baby more when in a sling or a baby carrier?
Whatever it is, it is just a wonderful feeling for us both when Arthur is in the sling... he will even turn my way and hug me every now and then. Now, how could you possibly do that so often is he's in the stroller?
Have you noticed that you tend to stroke your baby more when you are wearing him or her in a sling? I do. I stroke my little Arthur, give him a kiss whenever I feel like it and know what? he is now returning the favour. He would just turn my way and give me a kiss out of the blue... heart melting ;)
I am not sure how true this is but I notice that parents with baby carriers... those with buckles and looks like a school bag... they do not stroke their babies as often... have you used both of them? Did you feel like stroking your baby more when in a sling or a baby carrier?
Whatever it is, it is just a wonderful feeling for us both when Arthur is in the sling... he will even turn my way and hug me every now and then. Now, how could you possibly do that so often is he's in the stroller?
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Debt Management How To
I have never imagined that I will be in debt one day but then, when I think of it again... Hey! I'm using credit cards, which translates to... I'm owing the bank some money until I pay up... Which also means, I could one day be in serious enough debt to need professional advise and assistance.
All these while, it never hit me that I could one day be in debt as I usually do a mental calculation on how much I have left in the bank before I make a swipe. In other words, I make sure that I have the money to pay my credit card bills even before it arrives on my doorstep. However, ever since I discovered online shopping and with the convenience of internet banking, it is making savings more and more difficult to attain. If I do not start controlling myself, could just wake up and find myself going bankcrupt one day! Now, this is definitely a scary thought.
Wouldn't it be great to know, if you are in debt, that there is a way around it?
Yes, no matter how small or huge the amount is, there are ways to overcome your debts!
For huge amounts of debts, the ones that gets you in deep trouble, do you know that an IVA (i.e. Individual Voluntary Arrangements) will actually help you clear your debt and will legally prevent your creditors from taking any action against you? That means, you could still keep your house!
Sounds good? What's even better? At ClearDebt, your IVA can actually be underway within 24 hours from your application! Talk about taking care of your troubles... FAST! Still not good enough? How about not charging for advice and assistance? Wait no more! Check out ClearDebt now!
All these while, it never hit me that I could one day be in debt as I usually do a mental calculation on how much I have left in the bank before I make a swipe. In other words, I make sure that I have the money to pay my credit card bills even before it arrives on my doorstep. However, ever since I discovered online shopping and with the convenience of internet banking, it is making savings more and more difficult to attain. If I do not start controlling myself, could just wake up and find myself going bankcrupt one day! Now, this is definitely a scary thought.
Wouldn't it be great to know, if you are in debt, that there is a way around it?
Yes, no matter how small or huge the amount is, there are ways to overcome your debts!
For huge amounts of debts, the ones that gets you in deep trouble, do you know that an IVA (i.e. Individual Voluntary Arrangements) will actually help you clear your debt and will legally prevent your creditors from taking any action against you? That means, you could still keep your house!
Sounds good? What's even better? At ClearDebt, your IVA can actually be underway within 24 hours from your application! Talk about taking care of your troubles... FAST! Still not good enough? How about not charging for advice and assistance? Wait no more! Check out ClearDebt now!
DO NOT PAY FOR A SLING PATTERN!
As I read more and more blogs of new parents, I've come to realise we all just love bargains. At the same time, we try to save money here and there, just so we can have the best for our children.
When it comes to online shopping, especially for baby slings, cloth diapers etc... which could cost quite a lot, we are often tempted to get something cheaper.
I am all for online shopping... well, I have Peekaroobaby... the word of caution, though, with online shopping, is to read the details and make sure you are comfortable with the product you are buying before making such commitment.
Just like me, I am sure there are many others who loves to get a good deal... or trying hard to save some money... So, we spend hours and days trying to get great deals off online auctions etc. etc.
While I agree that slings can be quite expensive to acquire (but, really, if you think of how much you'll use it... even more than your favourite piece of clothing!, you'll start thinking that it's actually quite cheap)... many will look for ways to DIY... and, to my surprise, even these DIY instructions and patterns are up for bid!
The word of caution here is... YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY FOR A PATTERN! You don't really have to. If you have not already noticed, for as long as I remember, I have put a permanent link on this blog that leads to a page of DIY links through The Baby Wearer... and, YES! many of them are free! And, if you don't understand the instructions well enough to begin with your sling project, just ask me. For free ;) Really ;) ;)
When it comes to online shopping, especially for baby slings, cloth diapers etc... which could cost quite a lot, we are often tempted to get something cheaper.
I am all for online shopping... well, I have Peekaroobaby... the word of caution, though, with online shopping, is to read the details and make sure you are comfortable with the product you are buying before making such commitment.
Just like me, I am sure there are many others who loves to get a good deal... or trying hard to save some money... So, we spend hours and days trying to get great deals off online auctions etc. etc.
While I agree that slings can be quite expensive to acquire (but, really, if you think of how much you'll use it... even more than your favourite piece of clothing!, you'll start thinking that it's actually quite cheap)... many will look for ways to DIY... and, to my surprise, even these DIY instructions and patterns are up for bid!
The word of caution here is... YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY FOR A PATTERN! You don't really have to. If you have not already noticed, for as long as I remember, I have put a permanent link on this blog that leads to a page of DIY links through The Baby Wearer... and, YES! many of them are free! And, if you don't understand the instructions well enough to begin with your sling project, just ask me. For free ;) Really ;) ;)
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