What to expect with a Rooster baby!

Congratulations if you are expecting a baby in the lunar year of 2017! According to Chinese Zodiac your baby will be a Rooster sign. We have put together some information on the character and personality of a Rooster so you can get prepared!

Your Rooster child is a self-starter, disciplined and not shy about expressing their opinions, they could even have an eccentric character! An optimistic dreamer, as his parent, you may have to stand by and watch as your fearless Rooster child heads toward certain failure, you’ll learn early that wild horses couldn’t drag them away from their intention. And, to be fair, many of the schemes do pay off!

With their boundless energy, optimistic outlook, and healthy self-regard, they are capable of reaching for the stars. Their personality can be misunderstood, imposing, opinionated and critical. However they are loved for their witty, amusing, efficient character that has a heart of gold.

The Rooster is the strutting peacock of the Chinese Zodiac! Roosters can be blind to their own faults and stubborn to accepting when they are wrong. They love taking the spotlight, and are gifted at self-expression. With their cool swagger life often leads them to a career in the public eye.

These quick thinkers are practical and resourceful; preferring to stick to what is tried and true rather than taking any unnecessary risks. Roosters are keenly observant, this quality can lead others to think the Rooster is psychic, but that’s not generally the case. This sign enjoys a keen attention to detail that makes them good at anything requiring close analysis. Roosters make great lawyers, brain surgeons and accountants.

Roosters tend to be perfectionists and expect to be in control, especially over their appearance. They also love going out and socialising, that’s after many hours of getting ready in front of the mirror. The Rooster will also be the best-dressed, style is important with this sign, regardless of the cost, so start saving now!

Roosters also expect to be in control of their surroundings, including the people that are in it. They keep a tidy house and expect others to maintain the same high standards as they do. This can cause problems with others who take a more relaxed approach to life.

Rooster Baby Parenting

Focused at school and a fast learner, they enjoy learning and will approach their studies tirelessly with 110% commitment.

The rooster likes being centre of attention, is knowledgeable and has a love of being right. They would never admit to being wrong, you can help them understand it is very human to not know everything and that we learn from being wrong sometimes.

As a parent you will certainly learn from caring for a Rooster, they sound like a great character. Good luck in the year ahead and hopefully you won’t be pulling out too many feathers!

Rooster Baby Gifts

You can add a Rooster baby gift tag design to any of our gifts with your own personal message.               We also have a Year of the Rooster baby clothes bouquet. Packed with baby clothes rolled as flowers, beautifully finished with red flowers and red floral wrap. Take a look here.

Rooster gift tag design

Year of the Rooster baby gift

 

Meet Melanie Clough, a midwife and breast feeding consultant

An interview with Melanie Clough, Midwife and Breastfeeding Consultant.

Melanie has set up a Breast Feeding Support company to help and guide new parents in their journey. She recently had her midwifery registration rubber stamped here in Hong Kong and can now offer more extended care.

We had a quick chat with her to get some snippets of her wisdom!

There’s an overwhelming amount of items you can buy to prepare for a baby arrival, a lot of them are not essential. What are the purchases you think are worthwhile?

You’re absolutely right that a lot of them are not essential and it’s so hard as expectant parents (or grandparents or aunties and uncles) not to get over-excited or overwhelmed with purchases, some of which may be redundant very quickly or are no-nos from the start, such as cot bumpers and crib toys for newborns.  Remember that your new baby is going to grow, and keep growing, quicker than you imagine.  Do buy practical, soft, comfortable clothes i.e. popper vests and sleepsuits in newborn, 1 month and 3-6month sizes.  Also cotton undersheets for crib, cot and pram. A Grobag (or other reputable brand) in the right size and of the right toggage for the season your baby needs it, and small cellular cotton or bamboo blankets for when you’re not using the Grobag (avoid the fleece ones as they’re not made of natural fibres and have very high toggage).  Muslins or soft flannels to mop up the possit (from your shoulder if not off baby’s chin).  As a rule (considering possit, poo and pee) have enough clothes for at least 3 sets on the go, 3 in the wash and 3 in the draw.

As access is an issue in HK a sling and a carrier are more important than a pram or buggie, especially to begin with.  You’ll also reap the benefits from having your hands free at home if you have an unsettled baby you can soothe in a sling (make sure you carry your newborn in a sling so that he’s “kissable” when you tilt your head down).

Lansinoh for sore nipples! (If you buy too much it’s good lip balm and hand cream!)

You’ll want a good bag to transport changing and feeding equipment but don’t be too hasty.  Wait until you’ve been out a few times so you know exactly what you need and what size and style of bag is going to work for you.

Any tips on what to take to hospital?

It’s more about how you pack it, or more importantly, how your husband sees you or helps you pack it.  It’ll most likely be him trying to find things whilst your giving increasingly frustrated directions from a birthing pool, chair, bed or shower.  Pack a 24hr bag.  Inside that put one change of lounging clothes, a nursing bra, 2 pairs of Bridget Jones pants, long sanitary towels and toiletries for yourself; and 2 vests, 2 sleepsuits, a hat and 8 nappies for the baby. In a carrier bag on top of that put stuff for delivery – what you want to wear (if you do), snacks (at least for your partner even if you don’t want/can’t have), a container for jewellery and your watch, and anything personal like an ipod and speaker. Additionally, pack things for a further 4 days in a separate bag that can either stay out of the way initially or be left in the car when you’re first admitted in labour.

When labour starts you want to stay at home for as long as possible, what are the key signs to look for that it is time to make that dash…?

The latent phase of labour can be a lengthy process of increasingly frequent and uncomfortable abdominal tightening’s that stops and starts.  During this time your cervix is ripening, becoming softer and shorter and starting to dilate a little.  The mucousy blood-stained plug in the middle of the cervix may be passed as a “show” whilst this is happening.  It’s all quite normal as long as you can feel your baby moving in a pattern that’s normal for him, you’re 37-42 weeks, in good health and have not been given any personal instructions to make early contact with the hospital.  The more mobile you can be during this time if its daytime (up and down the stairs or go out for a walk) and, if it’s night, the more rested you can be in between tightening (yes, power nap for 5 mins at a time – it makes a difference) the better.  You need to call and go in if:-

• your membranes rupture (waters break)
• you baby’s movements are not good (have a glass of cold water and sit and concentrate on them for 10mins first though)
• you have a frank, red blood loss (not mucousy)
• you have regular, painful contractions that have formed a pattern of at least every 5 mins
• you feel unwell

What should you expect your emotional state to be after labour?

Everyone’s experience is unique to them and I’d be hard pushed to find a feeling that someone didn’t have after birth.  It’s a rollercoaster!  But I suppose the most common feeling, unsurprisingly, is overwhelming relief.

What are the key benefits to having a doula/ private midwife?

Whilst doulas’ and midwives’ roles overlap to some extent they have very distinct responsibilities.  “Midwife” is the legally protected title of a professional and as such the midwife has responsibility for the mother and child in her care; she gives full midwifery care which involves all the things a doula does but also manages the labour and conducts the delivery.  A doula is an invaluable support offering massage, reassurance and techniques for coping (and I can heartily recommend Kathy http://www.kathykitzis.com/about-kathy/ if anyone is looking for a doula).

Breastfeeding can be hard at the beginning while you and your baby are learning. What are the common mistakes?

Breastfeeding is a skill, and like any skill the more practiced you are the easier it becomes.  The biggest pitfall is starting from a point where you believe it’s all going to happen “naturally” and then feeling downhearted when it seems like an uphill struggle.  First time mums often give themselves a very hard time for “doing nothing but breastfeed”.  I like to look on that first breastfeeding experience as a wonderful moment in time you’ll never get again because the next time you’ll have a toddler to look after at the same time!  Get comfy, remote control, ipad, book, phone and pint of water in reach and enjoy your new and very important job as Director of Breastfeeding.

Do watch some videos on Youtube to familiarize yourself with what a well latched baby feeding looks like.  Do get some advice or attend a session antenatally.  Call for help from hospital staff or go to a clinic or call a breastfeeding counsellor sooner rather than later after delivery.  Don’t lose heart. You’ll be doing much better than you’re giving yourself credit for.

A helpful little mantra is…..

Tummy to mummy, nose to nipple, baby to breast.

So make sure baby is positioned with his tummy to yours so his neck is not turning.

Nose at the level of the nipple so he reaches up with an open mouth to take the nipple up and into the back of his mouth.  Sometimes just lowering the baby a centimeter can make all the difference.

Bring him towards you, don’t chase him with the breast.  As he roots (moves his head to and fro), he’s working out where the nipple is as it brushes past his lips and cheeks.

What websites do you recommend for guidance on looking after a newborn and breast feeding support?

There’s no public domicillary midwifery service in HK though there are Mother and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) http://www.fhs.gov.hk/english/centre_det/maternal/maternal.html.  There are several midwives and breastfeeding counsellors (also known as lactation consultants or LCs) working in HK who will visit you at home.  There are some great websites with childbearing and breastfeeding advice such as www.kellymom.com, www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk, http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/benefits-breastfeeding.aspx on safe sleeping www.lullabytrust.org.uk.  I am very happy to come out at any stage to help you with any aspect of breastfeeding, looking after a newborn, debrief you on your delivery or provide support and give you confidence if you feel you aren’t coping as well as you’d hoped. There’s always someone to turn to and we’re happy to help.

For more information or to get in contact with Melanie please visit her website www.skbreastfeeding.com or call/whatsapp her on 6778 9102.