A review on coconut oil

Coconut oil is traditionally-akin to the "Jack of all trades" when it comes to usage. Its uses range from culinary to beauty, and remains as useful even in this modern day.

The cold press virgin coconut oil from Tanamera

Introduction
Long ago, I used to hear a lot of stories about coconut oil; good and otherwise... The good - it works wonders for the skin and hair, while the not-so-good thing I heard about coconut oil is that it has a peculiar smell.  I didn't know because I've not use it then.  So, what does experience tell me now?

The attracting factor
My first encounter with coconut oil came when I tried the Tanamera facial for the first time.  Part of the facial treatment involves facial massage using coconut oil.  Upon application, I immediately fell in love with the sweet scent of coconut oil.  I always associate its fragrance with the coconut candies that I used to encounter in my childhood (remember those brown candies in transparent wrappers?).

Good for....
Here's sharing a few things about coconut oil which I think worked as claimed.

Being a non-professional in cooking, I do not know why the oil is called "virgin", just like olive oil that comes with the "virgin" and "extra virgin" categories.

1. Make-up removal
Voila...  Since most make-ups are oil-based, coconut oil thus works effectively yet gently in removing make-ups.  Just dab a few drops of the oil onto the palm (or fingers if you prefer), massage onto the face in a circular motion, and wipe with cotton pads.  Then, wash your face with your regular cleanser.  You'll notice that your skin feels clean, yet fresh after that.

2. Pre-wash hair conditioner and hot oil
In order to use the coconut oil as pre-wash conditioner, simply apply the desired amount onto the strands of your hair (small amount should be sufficient in order not to cause excess greasiness), leave for 5 minutes and shampoo as usual.

Another use that's indicated on the label of Tanamera's coconut oil is as an alternative to hot oil, where you apply some oil to the hair after wash, leave for a few minutes, and rinse.

As I have naturally-oily scalp that warrants daily washing, I prefer to use the coconut oil at pre-wash rather than afterwards.

Having said the above i.e. the benefit of coconut oil for hair, it doesn't mean that I have the most perfect hair, although I have to admit that this coconut oil pre-conditioner helps tame my treases to some extent.  I'm currently battling with bad-hair days because my hair is occasionally frizzy and not straight by nature, and I have not done any sort of hairdo to rectify it since many months ago as I wasn't sure if chemical treatment goes well with pregnancy.

So if time permits now, I should really do something a.s.a.p. because to me, bad hair day = a compromised mood.   I'm not into super-straight hair because it doesn't suit me, but only desire something that looks neat and easy to manage. 

3. Massage oil
Tanamera spa uses coconut oil in many of its massage packages.

Miscellaneous
If I'm not mistaken, MCT Oil (MCT stands for Medium Chain Triglyceride) that's being used as one of the fortifications in breast milk for premature babies is made of coconut oil.  The smell is very familiar indeed.

Last but not least

If you like the scent of coconut oil, then this is a product worth consideration, bearing in mind the multiple uses and goodness of coconut oil.    :)

The Mentari Spa at Tanamera

Craving a self-reward after working hard in looking after the kid for the past few months, I have decided to head to Tanamera Spa for some pampering.   
 

View of the floor from above the bench ~ rose petals and chrysanthemum floating on water

Mentari Spa for the "night-owl"
After moments of consideration, I have decided to try the "Mentari Spa", a mini package comprising body massage, scrub and mask that takes about 2 hours.

There are a selection of plant-based massage oil to choose from - basil, coconut, ginger, coffee and mixed herbs.  The mixed herbs oil has a sharp but pleasant fragrance that's supposed to be stress-soothing.  Well, I am stressed because I have many new challenges to face nowadays, and sleep-deprived because my kid is a night-owl (and therefore I'm forced to be one too ).

For scrub and mask, I have chosen coconut-based selection.  The scrub and mask smell heavenly-sweet.  Upon application, I was reminded of kuih made of coconut milk, as if I'm in a kuih-making kitchen.  Yum... reminds me of  kuih lapis.  The coconut scrub and mask work wonders, where the skin feels much smoother in the aftermath.

A review
Overall, I'm happy with the 2-hours session.  The massage was professionally-done, and I feel fresher after that.   I really miss feeling fresh after not being able to sleep soundly uninterrupted.  Anyway, I don't mind the interruption because at least it shows the kid is more active compared to last time, although the timing (i.e. late at night) isn't ideal .

The scrub and mask were done after massage.  I noticed that it feels a little chilly in the spa room when mask is applied to the body.  But not to worry, the chill felt is only very mild.

After everything is done, you'll be shown to the shower room for a warm shower.  Bathing robe and towel are provided.

The Hidden Gem

The flea market at the LG floor... 

I wish I have discovered the "hidden gem" of PJ earlier... having stayed there for 9 years when I was a student and during the early years of my work life.

Call it the hidden gem, for it has what I've always been looking for - good CDs, turntable for my father to play his old records, and other goodies that I did not expect to see in a humble-looking shopping mall.  Here's speaking of Amcorp Mall.

So near, yet so far
Years ago, I used to take the LRT from PJ to KL and thus, passed by Amcorp Mall, which is located next to the Taman Jaya station.  In short, I was a frequent passer by, but strangely never visited it when I was in PJ.

I wish I found it earlier

Penang Asam Laksa at Ka Fei Dian 

I felt as if on cloud nine when I saw this Asam Laksa... a dream that finally came true a little too late, but still better than none.  Being a frequent passenger of public transport, I could have conveniently taken the LRT to Taman Jaya and then walk over to Amcorp Mall to pacify my food crave, but no.... I didn't know earlier.  Anyway, I still enjoy Asam Laksa very much although not the same way as when I used to crave for it
.

Milk oh milk!

Advocating Breastfeeding, but....
Mother's milk is surely the best nourishment for babies.  I'm a supporter of breastfeeding and would like to do so for as long as possible.  Coming from a different path from most mothers out there as I didn't have the privileged opportunity to breastfeed my baby from Day 1, I later realised that it's actually easier said than done.

The Sudden Cessation
Yes, milk just kinda dwindled from about 100 ml per yield to 20 ml.  Who wouldn't be concerned, especially when there's someone in need of milk?

The doctors at Ampang (while I was still there rooming-in with baby) told that I was probably too exhausted but should be able to resume production as usual once I'm back home.

Back home, the situation did not improve.  Left without a choice but to top up.  :(

The Gamble Thus Begins
Similac Neosure
Similac Neosure is formulated for premature babies or babies in need of catching up. My kid likes it... and so do I because it doesn't taste sweet. But still, nothing beats breast milk. 

However, my big nightmare came within a week thereafter when he became constipated.

Eek!
And then we brought the kid to our local pediatrician, who prescribed enema (it contains normal saline solution) to help ease his constipation.  I  dread the idea of having to administer enema to my kid, bearing in mind the discomfort that ensues in the process of "receiving" it.  

My father had told me before that I used have enemas as a baby too.  Oh gosh, my kid seems to be very similar to me... us being premature babies although I was not as prem as him, etc... and now constipated babies.  Poor little fella.

A week later, the kid's constipation didn't improve and we went to the pediatrician again.  This time, she had recommended us to try either Frisolac Comfort (formulated with bean gum for babies prone to reflux and constipation) or Novalac IT (specifically formulated for constipated babies).

Frisolac Comfort
Not really sure which is better, we've first decided to try a small tin of Frisolac Comfort (FC).  2 days after usage, we still didn't see any difference.  In fact, I thought my kid looked more restless and his constipation unimproved with FC, which means FC is not suitable for him.  Sigh......

Taste and texture-wise, FC is thicker than ordinary milk, doesn't taste sweet but smells a bit vanilla.  I notice that the thickness is more so when the milk gets cold, hence making it more difficult to suck through a normal hole on the teat.

Note (added later):  Frisolac Comfort is more suitable for those with reflux problem.  A thicker texture = less likely for milk "come out" after feeding.

Novalac IT
The Novalac IT formula is available at pharmacies.  Here, it costs RM62.50 per tin of 900 g. 
I do not know if this will work or otherwise.  If it doesn't, I really don't know what to do.  It's all because of my own bodily failure,my kid may not be so badly constipated if I had more milk of my own although he'd experienced constipation twice when in NICU where he was exclusively fed on my expressed milk (but it's just twice over a period of 1 1/2 month... not everyday like now).  Why does my body always work against the innocent kid?

Conclusion
Each time I see the restlessness on my kid's face, I feel helpless.  Tummy massage doesn't work, switching formula hasn't proven to work, and my milk production hasn't shown improvement despite consuming what I was advised to consume, and also despite being on a medication to so-call increase prolactin level.  

I wouldn't dare to put a blanket-blame on all formula-using moms.  Not all mothers who use infant formula are lazy.  Although some may use it for convenience reason, there are a number who use it either because they're unable to naturally produce sufficient milk to feed their babies, or the nature of their job is such that there's not opportunity to express milk at workplace (or due to insufficient knowledge about breastfeeding which leads to premature cessation/decline in lactation).

P/S: 
1. The Novalac IT started showing its effect upon consumption for 2 days. Poop comes out soft.  
2. This post is not intended to promote formula milk but only to share a personal experience.  Mother's milk is the best.

New Path Ahead

Here's a view that's breathtaking enough for one who's been under intense stress for the past few days, or weeks for that matter... and after not seeing the sun for 10 days.

One of the views from Ward 4A at Hospital Ampang

All day all night
A call from the hospital for me to stay in with my kid was a positive one indeed.  Deep inside, I also knew that it's the beginning of a changed lifestyle.

How does it feel to be in hospital for 10 days without any contact with the world out there?

The facilities at Hospital Ampang are generally good, but the lack of access to news and such soon made me lost track of the date, as well as how many days I've been there.  

At the Mothers' Room of the NICU, the lights were on all day and night with no room for darkness.  All of us there face various types of stress - worrying about our babies, adapting to taking care of babies by ourselves (for first timers), and so on.  The NICU is very cold.  I'm not fearful of cold temperature, yet this one was a challenge to me.

Bring your own cutleries!
The food at Hospital Ampang is generally ok, but mothers who check in to the Mothers' Room of the NICU are advised to bring along their own fork and spoon as none are provided there.  Cutleries are only provided for people in the wards, not NICU.  Also, it's advisable to bring along a small knife if you prefer to skin your apple or pear.

 Meal at NICU

Lunch at Ward 4A.  Nasi briyani... yum........

Everything first time
Indeed it was.  It's the first time I changed diapers, first time feeding a baby, and first time swaddling one.  I also didn't know how to burp a baby.  I had no idea how it's done until I observed it from the nurses and my fellow roommates.  So much of theoretical knowledge and yet zero experience in actual handling!

Among the challenges
...are feeding a baby using a syringe instead of bottle.  According to the doctor, it's to avoid nipple confusion among babies.  Not unexpected though, as Hospital Ampang is categorised as "Hospital Rakan Bayi" (or baby-friendly) that endorses breastfeeding.

When I first checked in, I was disappointed by my kid's poor appetite.  I'd have to wake him up every 3 hours for feeding (33 cc EBM+1/2 scope Carborie+0.6 cc MCT oil) or else there wouldn't be feeding at all.      And using a syringe is not exactly pleasant in motivating a baby to feed because a syringe is hard while a baby's natural instinct is to suckle on a soft surface.

There's a distinction between spitting up and vomiting, but in reality it's not really easy for a first timer to tell the difference in the beginning.  A vomiting-phobia person who'd do anything to prevent vomiting and also fearful of seeing others puke, I ended up wearing a thick face by frequently referring to the nurses and also doctors whenever I saw anything spilling out from my kid.

I didn't have much time to sleep.  Perhaps only 4 hours daily, if any.  I was working round-the-clock.  In short, you may say that I had a relaxing "confinement month" because I didn't need to care for a baby immediately after delivery, but the following month I had to do double the amount.

Anyway, a mother who's concerned about her child will not mind doing everything she can for her child.  After going through a long journey of challenges, I'm grateful for the opportunity, because to be called in to live with the baby means a progress is underway.

A few days later (I don't know how many days because I've lost track of the calender), I was told that my child and I would be out of the NICU to the ordinary ward for babies.  And thus we moved to Ward 4A, which is much more pleasant because it has a more relaxed environment, less cold, and more spacious.

I wish to continue, but.....

The Lactation Room at Ward 4A

Nothing beats what's natural, so mother's milk is always the best.  I used to have an abundant supply of milk until a sudden cessation when I checked in to 4A.  A typical single yield of 100ml suddenly dwindled to 20-40ml.

I don't know what went wrong.  I've highlighted it to the doctors, but things mysteriously didn't work out even though I went along with the advices.  My favourite question is "Why does my body always work against my kid?"

I'm a little disappointed by the fact that I'm now relying on premature formula >50% of the time.  The maximum I managed to provide my kid now is about 20 ml of EBM, and about 30 minutes of breastfeeding which seemed inadequate because my kid isn't satisfied with me due to my slow flow.  

So difficult to obtain
I had difficulties finding pharmacies that sell Carborie and MCT oil (MCT stands for medium chain triglyceride) to fortify my milk as advised by the dietician.  After calling up the pharmacies of various hospitals, I only managed to find Carborie at Pantai Hospital Ampang.

Conclusion
Prior to discharge, I was taught BLS.  Other advices including not to bring baby to public places when he's still small, visitors must be well when they come, and that we should see a pediatrician if the baby is unwell.

And now is the beginning of a new journey ahead.  A journey which I do not know what to expect, so I shall only go along with what needs to be done for the moment.  Now that we've gone through the 1st phase, a new set of concern thus comes.