Swollen Leg Remedy

When my wife is reaching 3rd Trimester, the leg especially at the calf, ankle and feet are swollen and it's uncomfortable. The cause is due to the increase in weight that put pressure on the legs.

Below are the remedies that my wife has taken:
1) Massage using TYT Herbal Medicated Oil
We got TYT Herbal Medicated Oil as to improve blood circulation around the leg.

Here is the manufacturer link: 

http://tyt.com.my/products/tyt-herbal-medicated-oil/

2) Stretch the leg and put at higher position
This is to allow the blood circulation to flow back to the body. When my wife watch TV or resting at bed, she will put her leg on a pillow.

3) Scholl Compression Stocking
We grab this at Watson pharmacy for RM 102, and my wife was happy as the swollen has improved. She wear the Scholl Compression Stocking during sleep time and it helps on the blood circulation and minimized the swollen leg.

Understand Labor Induction

Induce labor is usually initiated once the pregnancy has reached 37 weeks and onwards because the infant has fully developed, and is ready to come out at anytime.

There are 3 methods to induce labor:
1) Medication Methods

Medication	Methods	Pro	Cons
Prostaglandin	A suppositories are inserted into vagina during evening causing uterus to go into labor by morning	Allow mother to freely move around labor room	May cause uterine rupture and it's a huge risk for both mum and baby
Oxytocin	The body naturally produces oxytocin hormone to stimulate contractions. Pitocin and Syntocinon are brand name medications that forms oxytocin given through an IVR at low doses to stimulate contractions.	Can initiate labor and speed up labor pace.	Labor can progress too fast, and cause contractions to become difficult to manage without pain medication. Oxytocin IV will be stop once contractions become too strong

2) Artificial Rupture of Membranes (AROM)
This method is to rupture the amniotic sacs.

Pro	Cons
- Labor may be shortened by an hour - The procedure allows amniotic fluid to be examined for the presence of meconium - Heart rate can be monitored with direct access to the baby's scalp	- Baby may turn to breech position, making birth more difficult if the membranes are ruptured before the baby's head is engaged - Possible for umbilical cord to slip out first - Infection can occur if there are too much time between rupture and birth

Warning:
Method 1 (Medication) and Method 2 (AROM) are risky methods as it's artificially method to "force" baby to come out. If everything goes fine, then everybody is happy but bear in mind the methods are very risky. The risk are:
- Increased risk of premature baby if due date calculation are miscalculated
- Uterine rupture is rare but if occurred, then C-section is required ASAP
- Induced labor usually ends up with C-section, forceps delivery and vacuum births
- Create stress for the baby

3) Natural Methods
a) Walking to increase the chance to draw baby head to pelvis

b) Have sex as sperm contains free prostaglandins hormone, and sexual orgasm in women releases oxytocin.

c) Increase oxytocin level
- Nipple stimulation
- Massage
- Hugging with partner
- Cuddling with partner

d) Do acupressure to jump start contractions

e) Eat spicy food to irritates the intestines and subsequently cause uterus to contracts.
Example: Nasi Lemak, Tom Yam Soup, anything spicy

f) Take herbs that helps labor. Example:
- Red raspberry leaf tea

- Primrose Oil

g) Eat fruits like mango, pineapple and kiwi

h) Drink coconut drink
Best to drink fresh coconut and has not been put in the cooler

Resources:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/inducinglabor.html
http://www.easybabylife.com/induced-labor.html
http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/photo-gallery/natural-ways-to-induce-labor.aspx
http://www.livestrong.com/article/2800-facts-inducing-labor-naturally/

Sterilize Baby Mouth's Equipment

The reason to sterilize baby feeding equipment is to ensure microbes (e.g. bacteria, fungi, virus, spore, etc) are destroyed before passing to baby for feeding or playing. Such equipment are baby bottles, nipples, pacifier, teethers or anything that baby's mouth touches.

And if the baby equipment are not cleaned, then there is a possibly infections that can cause discomfort to the baby as baby immune system is still weak after birth. Example of infection are oral thrush

By 6 months old, baby would have taken most of the vaccination jab. The continuation of sterilizing baby equipment depends on:

- Water condition at home whether it's clean or dirty (Some home have a rocket filter)

- Baby condition whether baby get sick easily

There are few ways on how to sterilize the baby equipment.

1) Hot Water

The old conventional which is to use hot water to kill the microbes. Back many many years ago, the baby bottle are made of glass and it's very safe to use this old convention methods. However nowadays most baby bottles are made of plastic and it's dangerous which can release a chemical call BPA which can disrupt the kid's health system.

2) Hot Water and Salt

This method is similar to method (1) but using salt to clean the bottle nipples.

3) Electric Steam Sterilizer

This method uses steam to sterilize the baby equipment.

4) Microwave

This method uses Microwave to sterilize the baby equipment. Ensure the baby equipment can be microwave

5) Sterilizing Tablets

Dump the sterilizing tablet in a 2 liter water with normal temperatures to create a sterilizing solutions. Put the baby equipment in the sterilizing solutions for 30 minutes and wash the baby equipment using clean waters. Another thing, we could use sterilizing tablet to clean big stuff like baby toys, playmat and etc.

Here are the summary:

No	Method	Cost (RM)	Duration to Sterilize (Minute)	Leach BPA in Plastic
1	Hot Water	Water Cost Electric/Gas Cost Water Pot	10 Minutes	Possible
2	Hot Water and Salt	Water Cost Electric/Gas Cost Water Pot Salt Cost (~RM2)	10 Minutes	Possible
3	Electric Steam Sterilizer	Electric Cost Little Water Cost Electric Steam Sterilizer (RM 100 - 350)	2 - 6 Minutes	No
4	Microwave	Electric CostMicrowave Oven (RM 250 - 450) Microwave Sterilizer Container (RM 70 - 150)	4 - 10 Minutes (Include Cooling Time)	Possible
5	Sterilizing Tablets	Water Cost 1 Box (RM 17 for 56 tablets)	30 Minutes	No

Note:
- For method 5, the example cost is Pureen Sterilising Table. Assuming 1 day uses 1 tablets for 24 hours, therefore it would cost RM 68 (6 Months x 31 Days x 1 Tablets = 186 tablets = 4 Box).
- If parent want to save time and have bigger budget, then best option would be Electric Steam Sterilizer.
- If parent are organized, clean baby equipment after use, then best option would be sterilizing tablet.

Resources:
http://www.parenting.com/article/toxic-baby-bottles

Adapt to Baby Sleep - Part II

This post continue from Baby Sleep Adaptation - Part I.

Moving forward, below is the step by step guide to get newborn baby to adapt to the 24-hour system and sleep better:
1) Exposure to light and darkness

Expose baby to lights when sun rises, and minimize light exposure during nighttime especially close to sleeping time. This allows baby to sync to the 24 hour clock system.

2) Ensure baby are comfortable - Check Diapers

Check diapers before sleep as to ensure diapers are dry or change in regular time. This is to prevent infections that subsequently cause baby to be uncomfortable with skin irritation or pain.

3) Ensure baby are comfortable - Check Room Temperatures and Humidity
Ensure room temperature are around 21 Celsius with humidity. Dry air can cause stuffy nose. High humidity can cause allergy-type molds. An air-con/heater and humidifier can helps maintain a consistent nice temperature and humidity in the sleeping room.

4) Ensure baby are comfortable - Check Nose Block
Check whether there are runny nose or baby mouth is mouth to breath. If yes, use nasal aspirator to clean the baby nose as to clear the nasal passage way. An air-filter would be great to minimize dust around the room as to ensure a consistent minimal dust in the sleeping room.

5) Ensure baby are comfortable - Check Baby Temperature
Do check baby body temperature as to ensure baby body are doing good before sleep.

6) Ensure baby are comfortable - Check Sleepwear
Check whether there are small rashes around baby skin or baby cries when wearing the sleepwear. This could be due to the detergent, fabric softener, newly bought cloths or polyester cloths.
If suspect detergent and fabric softeners, then get a mild type that is meant for baby cloths.
If suspect newly bought cloths, then wash a few times.
If suspect polyester cloths, then get 100% cotton sleepwear.

7) Ensure baby are comfortable - Feed Baby Before Sleep
A hungry baby is an angry baby. So it's best to feed baby before sleep.
Note:
- Breast milk that are expressed at night contains nucleotides (5'AMP, 5'GMP, 5'UMP) that are linked to sleepiness. Therefore it's best to feed baby with breast milk that are expressed during night time.

8) Avoid stimulation before bedtime

It's recommended to make the last 2-3 hours before bedtime as quiet and calm. And avoid any physical exercise or other forms of excitement that can keep baby alert. Baby may tend to cry in the middle of the night if there are too much stimulation especially approaching bed time.

Below video is an example of stimulation to the baby:

9) Massage Baby

Give baby a nice massage as to relax the muscle and preferably massage baby after bath.

Or do a colic massage:

10) Sleep Aid

Use sleeping aid when baby is about to go to sleep. An example of sleeping aid are pacifier, soft toys and blanket.

Warning: Avoid many soft toys and blanket as to prevent SIDS

11) Be Consistent on Sleep Routine
The reason to be consistent on the sleep routine is to indirectly guide newborn baby to sleep on consistent timing. This would be a win-win situation for both parents and baby sleep requirement. It won't be perfect in the initial plan sleep routine, but we can fine-tune the sleep routine from time to time. Below is an example guide and be flexible to fine-tune the sleep routine:

Resources:

http://www.neuroacoustic.com/methods.html

http://www.parentingscience.com/baby-sleep-chart.html
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17908-evening-breast-milk-means-a-good-sleep.html
http://www.birth.com.au/Newborn-fevers/What-is-a-normal-temperature

Adapt to Baby Sleep - Part I

Infant has accustomed to mother's physiological body during pregnancy period. Below are the key element that affect baby sleep pattern during pregnancy:
1) Noise in Amniotic Fluid inside Mummy's Tummy

The sense of hearing is more acute since sound travels through water more efficiently than air. While inside mother's tummy, the infant can hear mother's heart beat and various noises. This is the reason some parent uses white noises to get baby to sleep better.

2) Tight Space in Mummy's Tummy during Third Trimester

During last trimester, the fetus movement is restricted in a limited space in mother's tummy. This is one of the reason that some babies like swaddling.

3) Movement in Mummy's Tummy

Fetus has been living in amniotic fluid for so long to the extend got used to the movement inside mummy's tummy. This is the reason some parent uses swinging method to get baby to sleep better.

Once baby comes out to the world, the jet lag start to kicks in as newborn baby does not know when is the proper time to sleep. However, we do know the number of hours that baby requires. Below sleep chart is based on true evidence conducted in Switzerland on 493 babies in year 2003. We can use the sleep chart as a baseline as every baby are slightly different due to his/her sleep requirement.

Here are tips to simulate newborn baby environment as if baby is still inside mummy's tummy:
1) Turn on White Noise
This usually works from birth till 3 months old. Example of white noise are shhh sound, water flow sound, vacuum cleaner sound, hair dryer sound, microwave sound and etc...
http://incomingincomingbaby.blogspot.com/2012/09/getting-baby-to-sleep.html

2) Swaddle Baby
This usually works from birth till 4 months old, but avoid swaddle baby if baby can rollover as to prevent SIDS.
http://incomingincomingbaby.blogspot.com/2012/11/swaddling-newborn-baby.html

3) Rocking/Swinging Baby to Sleep
In southeast asia, using baby hammock is a common sleeping equipment. However the risk is that baby will get used to the swinging to the extend that baby can only sleep with baby hammock.
Warning:
- Make sure to get a good quality hammock as to avoid metal break or broken spring. And get the fabric which allow air to flow through so that baby can breath when baby turn around.
- There are cases which hammock cause problem to the baby. Therefore it's best to watch baby periodically as to anticipate the problem. Example of the problem: broken metal, swing too fast, electrical issue, baby knock to the side (awake baby), etc

Please click here for part II.

Resources:

http://www.neuroacoustic.com/methods.html

http://www.parentingscience.com/baby-sleep-chart.html
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17908-evening-breast-milk-means-a-good-sleep.html
http://www.birth.com.au/Newborn-fevers/What-is-a-normal-temperature

Daily Life with Newborn Baby

Here is a nice reality check for newly become parents in experiencing newborn baby in life:

Google Glass Interaction with Baby in New Perspective

Most of the time, people need use at least one hand to carry camera device, camera phone or video cam to capture the event. Isn't it great if we can free up both of our hand to capture the special moments. 

Introducing Google Glass which allows us to free up both of our hand and still able to capture the best moment in life. This is awesome!

Below is the awesome video on what can be achieved using Google Glass

Tentatively the cost to own Google Glass is USD 1,500 and it's available to consumer by year 2014.

Resources:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/27/google-unveils-project-glass-explorer-edition/
http://techland.time.com/2012/11/01/best-inventions-of-the-year-2012/slide/google-glass/

APGAR on Newborn Baby

Apgar score is a test conducted at 1minutes and 5 minutes after birth to quickly access the current health of newborn baby. The Apgar score is not meant to predict the future health of the baby.

Below is the matrix for the Apgar scoring:

Example:
When baby is out, the baby cries very loudly and skin color is fully pink but the leg have some blue color with pulse above 100 beats per minute. The baby muscle is also strong however not much active motions. Therefore the APGAR score is 8 (1+2+2+1+2).

Below is the definition for the Apgar scoring:

Below is the baby with Apgar score 7 on 1st minute and 9 on 5th minutes.
The video is on baby Xavier for 1st Apgar score

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apgar_score
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003402.htm

Getting Dry Shampoo for Confinement Period

During confinement period, my wife has been advised by parents to avoid washing the hair. The reason given are:
- Women give birth will have an open pores in the head, thus washing hair with water will cause health concern to the women at later age.
- Prevent hair loss (Based on AAD website, temporarily hair loss is due to fallen estrogen level)

One day, we've been informed that there is a product call dry shampoo which can serve the same purpose to clean the hair. We head out to Guardian pharmacy shop to look for dry shampoo, but was informed out of stocks. We went to Watson pharmacy shop instead and found the last dry shampoo bottle call "Comfy Care". Here is how it looks like and it cost RM 20.

Feel free to visit the below blog on how to use the dry shampoo.
http://soloverly.blogspot.com/2010/06/malaysian-dry-shampoo-comfy-care.html

Resources:
http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/skin-health-tips/hair-loss-and-new-mothers

Baby Walker Decision Making

My first thought is that baby walker device is meant to assist baby to walk earlier. After reading wikipedia and understand baby journey to walking, then my perception has changed.

The baby walker may delay baby's walking ability by 2-3 weeks. As per below video comparison, we can see that baby will use leg, hand and balance skills to walk independently. With baby walker, the baby can walk in dependent mode.

Below is the video on how baby gets up and start walking

Below is the video on baby using baby walker device

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_walker
http://incomingincomingbaby.blogspot.com/2012/11/babys-milestone-journey-to-walking.html

Newborn Baby Reflexes - Part II

Here is the continue information on the newborn baby reflexes from previous post:

Babinski and Plantar Reflex
Babinski reflex (toe curl up) begins from birth till less than 1 year old. While the brain is developing, the baby's reflex will goes to Plantar reflex (toe curl down).
Here is the video on Babinski Reflex

Here is the video on Plantar Reflex

Galant Reflex
Galant reflex begins from birth till 4-6 months old. Infant will swing towards the side that was stroked when the skin along the sides of an infant's back is stroked.

Swimming Reflex
Swimming reflex begins from birth till 4-6 months. Infant will paddle and kick in swimming motion when face down in a pool of water. Swimming lesson is recommended after 3 months old.
Warning: Baby will swallow large amount of water that can cause water intoxication.

Babkin Reflex
Babkin reflex occurs in infant baby. When apply pressure to infant's both palms, there are few possible action may occur:
- Head flexion
- Head rotation
- Opening of the mouth
- Combinations of the 3 possibility

Snout Reflex
Snout reflex is present since birth till 1 year old. Snout reflex is a pouting or pursing of the lips when there is a light tapping of the closed lips.

Glabellar Reflex
Glabellar reflex or called tap reflex is an action that repetitive tapping on the infant's forehead and infant's eye blink in response.

Parachute Reflex
Parachute reflex occurs at later months after birth and we can see the comparison in the video between a newborn baby and baby whom has aged about 1 years old. Parachute reflex is meant to stretch the arms as to protect from falling.
Warning: Ensure baby are held properly as to avoid unintentional fall.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Startle_reaction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_reflexes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snout_reflex
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glabellar_reflex

Newborn Baby Reflexes - Part I

This is going to be very interesting as to understand new born baby reflexes. Enjoy !!!
Be gentle when attempting with newborn baby.

Moro / Startle Reflex
Moro reflex begins from birth till around 3-4 months old. It usually occur with this conditions:
- Infant's head suddenly shifts position (Warning: Ensure baby are held properly as to avoid unintentional fall)
- Change of temperature
- Sudden stimuli
- Startled by sudden noise

Walking/Stepping Reflex
Walking/stepping reflex starts from birth till 6 weeks old, and reappears as voluntary behaviour at around 8-12 months old. Newborn baby will attempt to walk by placing one foot in front of another when the soles of both feet touch a flat surface.
Warning: Ensure baby are held properly as to avoid unintentional fall

Rooting Reflex
Rooting reflex starts from birth till around 4 months old and gradually becomes voluntary control. Newborn baby will turn his head towards anything that stroke his/her cheeck or mouth

Sucking reflex
Sucking reflex is linked to rooting reflex and breastfeeding that causes the baby to instinctively suck at anything that touches the roof of their mouth and suddenly starts to suck simulating the way babies naturally eat.

Tonic Neck Reflex
The tonic neck reflex (called asymmetric tonic neck reflex / 'fencing posture') starts from 1 month old till 4 months old. When the child's head is turned to the left side, the left arm will straighten and right arm will bend. This is vice-versa when child's head is turned to the right side.
Warning: Be gentle when turning baby's head

Palmar Grasp Reflex
Palmar grasp reflex starts from birth till 5-6 months old. Palmar grasp happen when an object is placed in infant's hand and strokes his/her palm and subsequently baby's finger will close and grasp the object. The reverse motion can be induced by stroking the back or side of baby's hand.

Click here to view Part II.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Startle_reaction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_reflexes

Swaddling Newborn Baby

Swaddling is a traditional practice of wrapping infants in swaddling cloths or blankets as to restrict infant's limbs. There are two school of thoughts in swaddling the infants.

View that Agree Swaddling Technique
- To settling and soothing irritable infants
- To help babies to sleep longer with fewer awakenings
- Babies sleeping in the back position can reduce SIDS risk
- Prevent infants from waking up with his/her moro reflex
Note:
- Parent should transition from swaddling to non-swaddling when baby can roll over which are around 4-5 months
Warning:
- Loose and ineffective swaddling can increase the risk of SIDS because blanket may cover baby's face.
- Risk of overheating if uses multiple blanket or thick fabric that creates excessive thermal insulation

View that Disagree Swaddling Technique
- There is a risk in impairing the motor skills especially tight swaddling
- Baby that can roll over from back to tummy have a risk of SIDS
- Tight swaddling with head covered reduces the infant's ability to cool it's body temperature which can lead to hyperthermia.

Here is how to swaddle the newborn baby

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaddling

Growing Up Time Lapse Since Birth

WOW.. Many thanks to Frans Hofmeester for his awesome efforts in sharing his daughter and son progress from birth till now (2012).

Time-lapse on Lotte from birth till 12 years old:

Time-lapse on Vince from birth till 9 years old:

How to Clean Baby Nose

Babies are unable to blow their noses and the tiny nasal passages can cause uncomfortable situation when there is a congestion. To allow baby to breath through the nose comfortably while drinking milk, it's best to flush baby's nasal passages and suck out the congestion in the baby's nose.

Here is a good video on how to clean baby's nose using nasal aspirator:

Resources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/199842-how-to-aspirate-a-babys-nose

How to Bath Newborn Baby

This post will focus more on baby whom are less than 6 months as the baby is still fragile and require a special way to bath the newborn baby. Here is a good video to guide parents on how to bath a newborn baby:

Note:
It's best to bath the baby under the water when the umbilical cord has fallen off which should take about 2 weeks time. This is to prevent infection at the belly button area. After bath, make sure the belly button area are dry. Feel free to check out this post on umbilical cord healing progress:
http://incomingincomingbaby.blogspot.sg/2012/08/baby-belly-button-healing.html

Glucose Screening Test

During week 29 pregnancy, we found out that the baby weight is 1.6 kg and was informed to take glucose screening test in the subsequent visit to find out whether my wife have gestational diabetes. My wife had the glucose screening test when she is in week 31 pregnancy.

To start off, she have to fast for 8 hours before taking the glucose screening test meaning she can only take pure water only. We went to visit the clinic at 9+ am and was informed to draw the blood first. Then she finish drinking the glucose water within 10 minutes. Btw, the glucose water taste is sweet.

Once finished drinking the glucose water, then she have to continue fasting for 2 hours meaning no food nor drink consumption. After 2 hours, she have to draw the blood again. The cost for the glucose test is RM 60.

1 week later, we've been informed of the result and fortunately the glucose level is normal.
Below are how the report looks like:

Conclusion is that there is no gestational diabetes and the baby is growing normally.

Getting Breast Milk Pump

This post is about the analysis and evaluation in getting a breast pump products. There are tons of breast pump products and my wife and myself are quite puzzling on what breast pump product to decide. There are cheap and expensive and it's very hard to part a hard-earned money to something which we've no clue how it works. Enjoy the reading...

Hand vs Manual Pump vs Electric Pump
First of all, there are 3 mechanism to extract the breast milk which are as per below:

Using hand method would take a very long time and tiring to express the breast milk.
Using manual pump method would take some time, and tiring too to express the breast milk.
However using electric pump method would take shorter time without much efforts.
Finally we decided to go for electric pump device.

What Brand?
The next puzzling thing in our head is to go for which brand. Upon asking lactation consultant, we've been informed that Avent and Medela brand are good. So I went to Philips showroom and ask to get a whole list of Avent products and breast pump is in the list. I was informed that Philips representative would email me about the good price as I could get corporate discount. 1 week passed, 2 week passed and still no news. So finally decided to look for other brands like Medela. We come across that many baby shops sells Medela product but kind of doubt on the warranty and Medela product is not cheap. As warranty is an important factor in our decision, therefore we drill down to Medela distributor and found out that lacta-equip is the only distributor in Malaysia. And lacta-equip provide a 1 year warranty.
Medela distributor for Malaysia link:
http://www.medela.com/IW/en/breastfeeding/about-medela/distributors.html?country=Malaysia
Lacta-Equip Website
http://www.lacta-equip.com/
Warning: If purchased Medela product from other source (e.g. ebay) which lacta-equip does not recognize, then be prepare to fork out more $$$ for repair as lacta-equip company is the only service centre for Medela products in Malaysia.

Which Model to Choose?
Finally we have decided to go for Medela brand, and the next question is which model. Medela have 3 types of electric breast pump:

Swing is a single electric breast pump that cost RM 799.
Pump In Style Advanced (PISA) can be a single or dual electric breast pump that cost RM 1,788.
Freestyle is similar to PISA but it's mobile that cost RM 2,299.

We decided to get dual electric breast pump as this provides a better mechanism for breast milk expression. However the cost is a bomb to the family budget.

Decision Time
Finally we decided to get Pump In Style Advanced at lacta-equip because:
1) Based on Amazon.com product review, we come to the conclusion that PISA is better than Freestyle because the suction power in Freestyle is weaker than PISA.
2) Lacta-equip company have promotion in selling PISA at RM 1,399
Do call up lacta-equip whether they have promotion as it's much cheaper and with warranty.

Also, do get Hands Free Breast Pump Bra that can free up the hands for multi-task purpose. The product that we got is from Simple Wishes that cost RM 132.

Try First Before Buy
Recently a friend share his experience in which a shop allows the mum to try different types of breast pump product before buying, and this is a good idea and friendly way to allow mum to experience different type of breast pump before parting hard-earned money. The shop is located at Klang and here are the website:
http://www.enjoybreastfeed.com/aboutus.php

What is all these BPA stuff in baby bottles

BPA represent Bisphenol A and was initially used as an artificial estrogen. The purpose of BPA are:
1) Enhance the growth of cattle and poultry.
2) Used as an estrogen replacement for women. BPA was only briefly used as an estrogen replacement and was replaced by diethylstilbestrol (DES)
3) Used to harden polycarbonate plastics and make epoxy resin, and in the lining of food and beverage containers.

With more research, the BPA chemicals are link to many health problem and can be refer to more information at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A

Back to baby products, here are the do and don't
1) Get glass, metal or ceramic baby bottle
2) Get BPA free plastic baby bottle, however avoid a high heat up on the plastic as we're not sure on other chemicals may present in the plastics
3) Avoid heat up the plastic in boiling water or microwave to as avoid leeching chemicals into the food/drink

Here are a quick video explanation on BPA heath problem prevention:

Flat Head Syndrome

Flat head syndrome is a situation which the baby's head are flat in one position. There are many reason that cause flat head syndrome such as:

1) Sleeping Position (Highest probability to cause flat head syndrome)

When baby sleep in one position for too long, the head tends to be flat.

Left Side: Baby experiencing flat head at the back
Right side: Baby's head cranium is in normal position

2) Factors in the womb

3) Giving birth prematurely

4) Muscle problems

5) Craniosynostosis

Below are the medical terms of the flat head syndrome:

The key solution is to encourage baby to change sleeping position as to allow a proper growth on the baby's head.

Below is a good video on flat head syndrome:

Resources:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Plagiocephaly/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.londonorthotics.co.uk/plagiocephaly/deformational.html

Baby's Milestone Journey to Walking

It's nice to know baby's first journey to his/her walking and enjoy...

Baby's first holds head up (2-6 weeks)
Place baby's tummy on the floor to encourage lifting of the head and help to develop a strong neck and back muscle to roll and crawl later. After a while, baby can hold his/her heads for longer periods.

Baby's first rolls over (4-8 months)
Rolling over is from tummy to back and vice-versa.
Here are the video from tummy to back:

Here are the video from back to tummy:

Warning: Always observe baby when he/she can roll over to his/her tummy as to avoid SIDS when he/she put her face on the floor and subsequently sleep.

Baby's first sit up unsupported (5-9 months)
Then the next milestone is to encourage baby to sit up unsupported. Place pillow around baby as to avoid any minor injury when baby falls to the side when baby gets tired.

Baby's first crawl (6-10 months)
Crawling requires baby to be able to hold his/her heads and soon use the hand and leg to propel him/her forward. Place a cute/colourful in front of baby to encourage crawling.

Warning: Always observe baby when he/she can start to crawl as to avoid SIDS when he/she put her face on the floor and subsequently sleep.

Baby's first walk (11-18 months)
Finally, the baby starts to progress to walking stage...

Here is a very good video in explaining the journey to walking
Part I

Part II

Resources:
http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/baby/growth-and-development/milestones/