Getting Organised - use accessories

Wondering what to do with all the baby items you no longer need as your little one grows? Why not go to the "Swap & High Tea Party" happening on Tuesday 29th June 2010 at the Press Room, 108 Hollywood Road, Hong Kong.

Organised by Mommy Modernista, Hong Kong's Premiere Mommy Social Boutique, this Swap & High Tea party will allow modern and hip mommies to swap their "barely-used" or "not-used-at-all" baby items whilst socialise with fellow mommies over tea and tasty canapes.

What's more, each mom will receive a free gift from funkimama.com as well as having the chance to win fabulous prizes.

For further information, please contact: olivia@mommymodernista.com.hk

Mommy modernista: http://www.mommymodernista.com.hk/

朋友常常說小朋友大得很快, 面對一大埋寶寶幼時用的物品例如玩具, 服飾等等, 不知應如何處理, 掉了又太浪費, 送給朋友又不是每個朋友都適用, 十分苦惱, 與其煩惱怎樣處理, 何不參加於本月29日由Mommy Modernista於香港荷理活道108號舉辦的換物下午茶會?

歡迎所有媽咪將一些仍保存得很好, 甚至還未使用過的寶寶衣服, 物品等, 帶到會場, 趁這機會跟其他媽媽交換, 一邊享受茶點, 一邊跟媽咪們交換心得, 實屬難得

另外, funkimama.com亦會送出免費禮品一份給每位媽咪, 除此之外, 媽咪們還有機會嬴取神秘禮物呢!

如想索取資料, 歡迎到以下網址:

http://www.mommymodernista.com.hk

或電郵至:

olivia@mommymondernista.com.hk

Baby Yoga

Mom and baby yoga classes provide a relaxed enviornment for you to regain strength, flexibility and a renewed sense of calm, through post natal stretches and relaxation techniques.

The Yoga Room offers "Baby and Mom Yoga" classes every tuesday at 10am. The class is an hour long and is suitable for babies from 8 weeks up to crawling and is an enjoyable way to interact with other moms and foster a deeper connection with your baby, whilst enhancing their development.

Classes are HK$150 drop in or HK$1,200 for a packet of 10 classes.

For further information, contact The Yoga Room, Tel: 2544 8398 or Email: info@yogaroomhk.com

Photo Courtesy of Blue Bamboo Yoga

Personalised Lunch Bag

The terrible 2s

Are you constantly finding yourself getting stressed out trying to get your toddler to sit still, eat, get in or out of the bath? Funkimama was, until she adopts the principles of Jo Frost, a British nanny and the central figure of the reality television programme Supernanny.

"Darling, in 5 minutes, we will put away the toys and go to take a bath", funkimama declares clearly. She finds that letting her toddler know what he is going to be doing in the next 5 minutes has help him become more co-operative when it comes to switching activities. She has also adopted the "Naughty Step" idea and it work wonders too. Of course, there are still tears and resistance, but overall funkimama's toddler is now a lot more willing to co-operate than before, saving funkimama energy to enjoy her time with her son rather than getting stressed out.

For those parents looking for ideas on how to get the most out of your children, funkimama recommends trying Supernanny.

大家有否覺得, 要小寶寶坐好, 定定地進餐, 叫他去洗澡還是因洗太久要抹身等等, 都頗為令人沮喪, 他們彷彿要跟你作對, 專唱反調, funkimama的小寶寶就是這樣, 令她相當洩氣, 於是她嘗試照着超級褓母節目裡的照顧嬰兒專家Jo Frost的一些例子, 跟着去做, 發覺又可行呢!

例如, funkimama嘗試同寶寶話, 玩多5分鐘我們就要一起收拾玩具然後洗澡, 有了這時間上的準備, 寶寶果然非常合作, 雖然, 你會說寶寶還未知時間的概念, 但讓他有個心理準備, 知道他將要做什麼, 總比一下子就要改變或停止他之前的活動, 效果好很多, 而在改善行為舉止上, funkimama亦跟這專家的指示, 發覺真的有效, 雖然, 在過程上還是會有被打敗的感覺, 但總體上, 小寶寶真的有顯著改變, 比以往合作聽教得多

大家如果都想知多些怎樣教你的小朋友的話, funkimama提議參考"supernanny"

Yoga for mums - how to look good and feel good

Mia enjoying a great yoga session with her son, Dieter

Becoming a full time Mum does not mean giving up looking good and feeling great. Before during and after the birth of your baby, it is important to try and keep a regular exercise program, this not only enables you to withstand the physical and emotional rollercoaster of giving birth but also helps in a faster recovery and later on, the energy to keep up with your energetic infant/toddler!

Yoga is a wonderful practise which you can do throughout all stages of Motherhood. Pre-natal Yoga helps maintain fitness throughout your pregnancy while also encouraging breathing techniques helpful in labour. You can start Pre-natal Yoga at any level of fitness and as gentle or as vigorous as your body (and doctor) will permit. The meditation following the exercise also allows some quiet time for both you and your unborn baby to bond.

After the birth, you can resume your Yoga practise 6-8 weeks after delivery with the go ahead from your Doctor. Not only does it help you get back into shape but it also helps balance hormones, reduce stress levels and give you that much needed time out that you deserve. If getting back to a regular class sounds daunting, try Mummy and baby Yoga. It's a great way to gently introduce both you and baby into a Yoga practise while also meeting other Mummy and babies. You will find that there are some weeks where even doing a simple task seems impossible let alone going to a Yoga class. Don't let this deter you. Roll out your Yoga mat in the living room or hallway and start a home practise. Even a few minutes a day will bring some balance to your mind, body and spirit.

Before you know, your little bundle of joy will not be quite so little anymore and will be rolling, crawling or walking. Let your infant become part of your home practise. Become a tunnel in Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and let them crawl under you. Really feel the challenge of Tree pose (Vrkasana) when your toddler tries to push you over. Before you know it, your toddler will mimic the poses and will want to learn more. Not only will you benefit from a home practise but your child will also start to learn about the importance of exercise at an early age.

While it is important to have a home practise, try to go to a class as regularly as possible for that 60 to 90 minutes of time to dedicate to yourself. If possible, two classes per week is recommended for maximum benefit. There is such a variety of different styles of Yoga, if you don't like one, try another. Styles vary from the classic Hatha to powerful Ashtanga to the precise Iyengar or jump into the hot room with Bikram Yoga. If you love the class and the instructor, you will be sure to return to the next class.

If practised regularly, Yoga will not only increase strength, flexibility and balance to the body it will reduce stress, balance hormones, increase energy levels, concentration and focus.

The above article was written by our guest writer Mia Bartholomaeus - a superfit Mother of two beautiful children aged 4 and 2. She has been practising Yoga since 1999 under some wonderful instructors in Ireland, Australia and Hong Kong. After practising various styles such as Ashtanga and Iyengar as well as Pre-Natal Yoga, it led her to complete a Yoga Teacher Training Certificate in Hatha Yoga in 2008. She teaches private Hatha Yoga classes with a focus on the individual needs of the student (both physical and emotional) as well as group classes for the Pilates / Yoga studio, "Embody" in Discovery Bay. She is also a guest instructor for Lululemon's Causeway Bay workshop.

Contact Mia Batholomaeus at 9388 7824 or email: miavisser@hotmail.com

就算要作為一個全職媽咪, 也不代表要放棄自己的外表和感覺, 在生產寶寶前或之後, 都要定時進行一些有益身心的運動, 這除了可令生產後加快生理及心理迅速復完之外, 還可讓你更有能量地應付總是活力充沛及無時停的小寶寶呢

瑜珈對每一個階段的媽媽來說都是一項不錯的運動, 產前瑜珈對懷孕期間的媽媽, 可令她們保持體態結實及可以學習一些呼吸技巧, 對生產十分有用, 無論妳已懷孕多久都可以參與這產前運動, 而且, 還可以藉以跟小寶寶在寧靜舒適的環境下放鬆一下心情, 但大前提當然要注意自己身體狀況或可先向醫生查詢自己是否適合吧

在生產6-8星期後, 如得到醫生允許, 都可以再次進行瑜珈運動, 除了可幫助修身外, 還可幫助大家平衡荷爾蒙, 減去壓力等, 自己一個人進行, 似乎孤獨點, 而這次, 可以加入和妳的小寶寶一起, 嘗試一些專為媽媽及寶寶一起而設的瑜珈課程, 同時, 還可跟其他媽媽們交換心得呢! 可能有些媽媽會覺得要照顧寶寶何來再抽時間往瑜珈中心呢? 千萬不要為了這原因而阻礙妳, 盡量利用家中的客廳或迴廊進行吧, 即使是每日短短的數分鐘也可平衡得到妳的身體, 精神以及元氣

有很多時候, 小寶寶都不會有耐性靜靜地看着媽咪做瑜珈運動, 他們可能會在妳身前走動, 務求引妳注意, 何不讓小寶寶加入成為妳進行瑜珈姿勢的一部份? 例如當做"下狗式"時, 彎起的身體就似隧道一樣可讓小寶寶穿過, 通過其他的姿勢, 亦可引起小寶寶的興趣跟妳一起做呢, 這樣除可讓妳保持身心平衡外, 還可從小培養小寶寶對做運動的興趣和習慣是非常重要的

如可以的話, 盡量抽時間定期往瑜珈中心進行60-90分鐘的練習, 提議一星期2次, 定期的練習除了可讓妳增加柔軟度, 體能及平衡身心外, 還可減壓, 平衡荷爾蒙, 加強專注力和集中力呢!

English childrens & cook books at great value

If you remember, about a month ago we introduced our readers to Fun to read a specialist book supplier in childrens and cook books at amazing value.

We have news again - Fun to Read are having another road show at Vicwood Plaza (MTR - Sheung Wan Exit E), from 27 April - 30 April (Tue-Fri) 11am-8pm

Contact: Raymond Wong at +852 3105 3588

or email: raymond@funtoread.com.hk

Have fun reading!

Earth Day 2009

Let us celebrate and participate in this 39th year of Earth Day today. Do your share in caring for this earth we all live in, show your peers and children how you can look after the earth. Here are a number of ways in which we can all participate:

1 Replace your light bulbs with energy star bulbs. This simple step can reduce your carbon footprint by 450 pounds per year.

2 Plant a tree. Trees are Mother Nature's all-in-one air conditioner and heater.

3 Celebrate Earth Day with your friends and family, generating awareness and educate the next generation.

4 Buy local, organic food. Buying organic saves the Earth because you aren't adding harmful chemicals into our eco-system (not to mention they aren't going into your body). Read funkimama's article on a list of organic food suppliers in Hong Kong here.

5 Ride an Optibike. According to the Earth Day web site, by the year 2030 the world will consume 47% more oil than it did in 2003.

6 Use natural, non-chemical based cleaning agents for general cleaning. Funkimama previously wrote about natural cleaning alternatives, click here to find out more.

Above information courtesy of Environmental News Network. Full article available here.

世界地球日已經踏入第39年了, 大家有沒有參與慶祝呢? 有否跟閣下的小朋友及好朋友分享一下怎樣保護及愛惜大家所住的地球呢? 其實想保護我們這個地球, 方法很簡單, 以下有幾個提議, 大家不妨一齊參與:

1. 以慳電燈泡代替傳統的燈泡 - 這樣簡單的步驟就可以每年減少400磅碳的產生

2. 種植樹木 - 要知道綠化植物是有效地調節溫度和濕度呢

3. 跟家人和朋友慶祝世界地球日, 讓大家有所警惕及知識教育我們的下一代

4. 購買本地有機食品 - 有機食物可避免我們的土地及整個生態系統受化學物品破壞, 不用多說對我們身體會有什麼影響了, 如果想知有關本地有機產品資料, 可瀏覽funkimama之前有介紹過的有機產品供應商的資料呢

5. 改用自行車 - 根據世界地球日網站資料顯示, 到2030年時, 耗油量會比2003年消耗多47%以上

6. 用純天然, 不含化學劑的方法去清潔家居, funkimama亦曾分享過一些心得, 大家不妨來這裡參考一下

以上資料是由環境資訊網站為大家所提供,大家不妨去瀏覽一下他們的網址

Why Toddlers don't do what they're told?

Funkimama now knows why her toddler doesn't listen to what he's told - well actually he does! He's just not using it immediately but choose to store this information for future use. Intrigued? Here's an article from Live Science to tell you more:

Why Toddlers Don't Do What They're Told

Posted: 24 Mar 2009

Are you listening to me? Didn't I just tell you to get your coat? Helloooo! It's cold out there... So goes many a conversation between parent and toddler. It seems everything you tell them either falls on deaf ears or goes in one ear and out the other. But that's not how it works. Toddlers listen, they just store the information for later use, a new study finds.

"I went into this study expecting a completely different set of findings," said psychology professor Yuko Munakata at the University of Colorado at Boulder. "There is a lot of work in the field of cognitive development that focuses on how kids are basically little versions of adults trying to do the same things adults do, but they're just not as good at it yet. What we show here is they are doing something completely different."

Munakata and colleagues used a computer game and a setup that measures the diameter of the pupil of the eye to determine the mental effort of the child to study the cognitive abilities of 3-and-a-half-year-olds and 8-year-olds.

The game involved teaching children simple rules about two cartoon characters — Blue from Blue's Clues and SpongeBob SquarePants — and their preferences for different objects. The children were told that Blue likes watermelon, so they were to press the happy face on the computer screen only when they saw Blue followed by a watermelon. When SpongeBob appeared, they were to press the sad face on the screen.

"The older kids found this sequence easy, because they can anticipate the answer before the object appears," said doctoral student Christopher Chatham, who participated in the study. "But preschoolers fail to anticipate in this way. Instead, they slow down and exert mental effort after being presented with the watermelon, as if they're thinking back to the character they had seen only after the fact."

The pupil measurements showed that 3-year-olds neither plan for the future nor live completely in the present. Instead, they call up the past as they need it.

"For example, let's say it's cold outside and you tell your 3-year-old to go get his jacket out of his bedroom and get ready to go outside," Chatham explained. "You might expect the child to plan for the future, think 'OK it's cold outside so the jacket will keep me warm.' But what we suggest is that this isn't what goes on in a 3-year-old's brain. Rather, they run outside, discover that it is cold, and then retrieve the memory of where their jacket is, and then they go get it."

The findings are detailed this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Munakata figures the results might help with real situations.

"If you just repeat something again and again that requires your young child to prepare for something in advance, that is not likely to be effective," Munakata said. "What would be more effective would be to somehow try to trigger this reactive function. So don't do something that requires them to plan ahead in their mind, but rather try to highlight the conflict that they are going to face. Perhaps you could say something like 'I know you don't want to take your coat now, but when you're standing in the yard shivering later, remember that you can get your coat from your bedroom."

article courtesy of Live Science

"你有沒有聽到我叫你拿外套穿呀? 喂喂! 外面很涼呀....." 以上類似媽媽跟小寶寶之間的對話相信大家都試過, 就好似你所講的每一個指示, 小寶寶總是好像完全聽不明, 甚至是左耳入右耳出呢? 其實並不如表面所想的, 小寶寶是明白的, 只不過他們不會立即跟指示做, 而是儲存在小腦子內稍後運用, 現在funkimama明白為何她的小寶寶總是不會跟自己的指示做了 就以上每個家長都有類似的問題, 科羅拉多大學心理學教授-Yuko Munakata就作出了研究與測試, 詳細的資料及內容, 可瀏覽他們的網址http://www.livescience.com/

Infant / Child Safety

Funkimama has read a very sad piece of news yesterday about an 18-month old baby boy found dead from strangulation by a curtain cord at home in Hong Kong. It was reported that the baby was discovered unconcious by his carer, who was at the time cooking a meal while leaving the infant unattended. Both parents were away from home at the time.

This has given Funkimama a strong wish to share the importance of infant / child safety with fellow parents and carers.

Here is a booklet titled The Safe Nursery published by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission with very detailed tips on what parents and carers should watch out for with regard to infant safety. Safety tips provided in this booklet are not only for infant products but there is also a section with tips on general household safety.

If you are a working parent and your children spend the majority of the day with a carer, do ensure your carer is aware of the potential hazards and how to prevent injuries from occuring. Afterall, it is better safe than sorry.

funkimama在咋天的報章上看見一則令人傷感的新聞報導, 就是有一個18個月大的小朋友被家中的窗簾布繩索勒死了, 他的父母當時外出上班, 平常都是交由工人照顧, 而今次剛巧工人正忙著在煮飯, 只有小朋友獨個兒在客廳中玩耍, 在沒有任何成年人看顧下, 意外就發生了

這事令funkimama有很深刻的沖擊, 而且很希望可以在此和各位父母或照顧者分享一些有關嬰兒/兒童安全資訊

這裡有一本由美國安全產品委員會出版的小冊子 - The Safe Nursery, 詳細記錄及教導父母或看顧者應怎樣注意兒童安全問題, 避免意外發生, 而這本安全小貼士並不是只針對兒童方面, 它還教導一些日常生活家居安全小貼士呢

如閣下是上班一族, 而寶寶通常都是托他人照顧的話, 請務必確定所托之人是會注意並懂得避免那些潛在危險的事件發生

事前注重總好過事後後悔吧!

It's fun to read

It is indeed fun to read. And it will probably be more fun to read if parents can make savings by purchasing brand new English books at an attractive discount!

Fun to Read specialises in childrens and cook books in the English language. By importing directly from overseas publishers (UK, US & Australia), Fun to Read are able to offer all items at extremely keen prices to benefit their direct customers.

You may purchase from their warehouse in Kwun Tong (prior appointments necessary, see details & map here), or if Kwun Tong is a bit too much of a hike for you, follow their book fair road shows. Funkimama summarises below a couple of upcoming road shows in Hong Kong shopping malls:

1) Olympian City Phase I - Central Atrium, U/G (MTR - Olympic Station), 24-29 March (Tue-Sun) 11am-9pm

2) Vicwood Plaza (MTR - Sheung Wan Exit E), 31 March - 3 April (Tue-Fri) 11am-8pm

Contact: Raymond Wong at +852 3105 3588 or email: raymond@funtoread.com.hk

Have fun reading!

Fun to Read 這間網上書店, 現正舉行折扣優惠, 務求令各家長更有樂趣地選購心儀的英文書籍給自己或小寶寶閱讀

這書店專門出售英文兒童圖書及烹飪書籍, 而且全是從外國入口的, 包括英國, 美國及澳洲, 所有產品, Fun to Read都會以絕對優惠的價錢來優惠他們的顧客

其實, 你可到他們位於觀塘的公司購買, 不過要先跟他們預約, 地址及資料如上, 如果覺得觀塘對你來說不大方便的話, funkimama提議你可選擇他們以下的流動售賣點:

1) 奧海城1期商場 - 地下中庭商場 (港鐡奧海城站) , 日期: 3月24-29日 (星期二至日), 時間: 早上11時至晚上九時

2) 維德廣場 - 港鐡上環站E出口, 日期: 3月31日- 4月3日(星期二至五), 時間: 早上11時至晚上8時

聯絡人: Raymond Wong - 3105 3588, 電郵: raymond@funtoread.com.hk

Personalised Birthday Cakes - where to find?

Organising a birthday party for your loved ones?

Looking for a cake that gives that "WOW" effect to everyone who sees it?

Or looking for a wedding cake that's classy and personal?

Funkimama is a great fan of all things creative and personalised, therefore she is also a great fan of Nina's Cake.

Offering genuine home-baked cakes with a twist, Nina will bake just the cake you dream about. Be it a 3-D train, a swimming pool filled with friends and cool drinks, a barn filled with your kid's favourite animals, or a wedding cake to mark your "once-in-a-lifetime" moment ..... you give the idea , Nina will turn this into a "super WOW" cake which is also really tasty too! Prices are totally reasonable and delivery service is available.

Contact Nina: +852 2987 5217 or email: e3kan@netvigator.com

想為摰愛安排一個生日派對? 想找一個與眾不同的旦糕, 待每個人看見都會發出驚嘆聲? 甚至乎想找一個既典雅又獨特的個人結婚旦糕? funkimama平時就對一些創作新穎和專門為個人而設的產品特別有興趣, 而今次, Nina's Cake就成為她的特別推介! Nina的旦糕全是她親手製造, 只要是你想像得到的, 她都能為你一一做出, 無論是立體火車, 一個有人物, 有飲品的熱鬧游泳池, 一個有你寶貝喜歡的動物農莊, 或是你希望擁有一個獨特的結婚旦糕而為你人生最重要的日子留下難忘回憶, 只要你有任何構思, Nina最後都會為你做出一個令人驚嘆的作品, 不用擔心, 旦糕的味道也十分美味, 而且價錢合理, 還有送貨服務呢! 聯絡Nina可致電 2987 5217或電郵至 e3kan@netvigator.com

Quality infant & toddlerwear at super value

Looking for high quality infant and toddler wear from major UK & US retailers here in HK, yet don't want to break your wallets? Look no more, Togs Unlimited specialises in the retail & wholesale of quality samples & production over-runs of infant & kidswear direct from factories at very attractive prices. Their Central and Discovery Bay stores are totally clean and super well organised, mother and child friendly too.

Contact by phone: +852 2333 7525, or check out their website to find out more!

想在香港找到專營外國高品質的嬰兒或小朋友衣服的零售商嗎? 這間Togs是不錯的, 她們專門零售及批發這類既高品質又獨特的嬰兒衣飾, 而她們2間店舖均儲存了很多不同款式及不同品牌的嬰兒及小童衣服, 有些更是歐洲的大品牌, 而她們對產品的分類, 在系統上亦十分完善, 大家不妨瀏覽她們的網址及店舖地點再找多一點資料吧!

Calming music for you and your little ones

Feeling like having a quiet moment, either for you and/or for your little ones? No problem, you can tune in to Solo Piano Radio, for some music to quiet your world.

Funkimama is a fan of this online radio station. Founded by pianist and composer David Nevue, this station offers high quality solo piano music from various piano artists whose music calms the mind and soothes the soul. Solo piano music is especially soothing for women during pregnancy, and it can help bring about a more tranquil and secure atmosphere for your babies too.

Listeners can tune in for free online directly from their website, or through the use an internet radio tuner such as itunes or window media player. In itunes, this radio station is categorised under "Classical".

Happy listening!

如妳想和妳的小寶寶享受一個安寧的空間, 平靜的世界, 不妨收聽一下這Solo Piano Radio網上音樂頻道, funkimama十分喜歡這個音樂頻道, 尤其這兒可找到她喜歡的鋼琴作曲家 - David Nevue, 除他以外, 還有很多不到世界各地的鋼琴演奏家, 聽聽他們高水準的個人鋼琴演奏, 絕對可撫慰平日緊張的思緒及心寧, 鋼琴音樂對平伏媽媽在懷孕期間所產生的緊張心情尤其有效, 而同時亦可帶給小寶寶一個既穩定又安全的氣氛呢! 妳可直接由他們的網站上收聽, 或可以經網上播放機的itunes/ window media player收聽, 如用itunes收聽的話, 他們的頻道是分類為"classical"

Separation Anxiety

Scared, originally uploaded by Finn Coleman.

Separation anxiety is a fear experienced by babies as young as nine months old and this can affect a child of up to 10 years of age. Until young children understands the concepts of "object permanence" and the passage of time, their fears of a loved one or a carer disappearing are indeed very real. As a working mother, funkimama used to experience separation anxiety with her little one every morning of the week as she left home for work. She used to just slip away while her little one was engaged in an activity or with a toy, which actually made matters worst. The best thing to do, according to experts is to let your child know that you are leaving and explain to him/her that you will be back later.

Remaining calm yet firm when faced with separation anxiety is important as young children can sense negative emotions and can be affected by it. One tried and tested method funkimama wishes to share with her fellow moms is this: Tell your child that you are going to work, leave home together with your child and the carer as you leave for work in the morning, let him/her say goodbye e.g. at the bus stop or in a nearby park. This change of environment helps funkimama's little one feel less left behind, as he gets to go out with mommy. It also gives mommy an extended, albeit short, time with her little one. Funkimama also finds it helpful to let her child know of his planned activities of the day first thing in the morning, e.g. "You are going to your playgroup today!" so that he knows what to look forward to. It has worked very well for funkimama, and it is certainly worth a try.

當父母要離家外出工作, 對無論是9個月大的小寶寶至到10歲的小朋友來說, 都是一個既害怕又焦慮的經驗, 在小朋友理解即使物件沒有出現在眼前但仍然存在的道理之前, 在這段時間, 他/她們對最愛的父母, 對照顧他/她們的保母, 突然不出現在他/她們眼前, 這種消失感是非常確實及害怕的, 作為一個需要工作的funkimama, 亦曾試過跟小寶寶在每天早上離別時有焦慮的情緒, 每次都是趁小寶寶在玩玩具或進行其他活動時偷偷地溜走, 但其實這樣做只會令情況更壞, 其實最好是令到小寶寶知道你有事需要離開一段時間, 告訴他/她你會稍後回到他/她身邊

最重要是媽媽要保持冷靜, 要知道小寶寶對於你的情緒反應, 是極之敏感的, 如你也出現焦慮的情緒, 他/她們是一定感覺得到的, 以下是funkimama嘗試過的成功經驗, 可作為媽媽們參考: 告訴小寶寶妳即將外出上班, 讓他/她及保母跟妳一齊出門口說再見, 例如在車站或附近的公園, 環境改變令funkimama的小寶寶對離別時所產生的焦慮大大降低, 因他知道他是跟媽媽一起出門嘛, 而同時, 媽媽亦可趁這短暫的路程而加長了和寶寶相處的時間, funkimama每天也會跟小寶寶說他今天會有甚麼活動, 例如, 他會知道當天會上幼兒遊戲班, 或是跟好朋友玩一玩, 這令他開心地期待每一天的到來, 對funkimama來說, 這肯定是非常成功及有效, 各位媽媽真的不妨一試!

Breast / Bottle Feeding - which is best?

first bottle, originally uploaded by Stephie*.

If you find it too tiring to be exclusively breastfeeding your little one, try alternating feeds with bottle substitute. Either breast milk or formula is fine. This will also give daddy or any other family member a chance to bond with your little one. My baby has always been given alternative feeds and he has very little nipple confusion and is as contented as he has always been!

各位媽咪會否跟我一樣發覺只是餵哺小寶寶吃母乳, 有時真的很累, 很累? 又怕他/她將來習慣了媽媽的乳頭而不喜歡吃奶咀, 其實妳們可以嘗試用奶樽來互相交替的, 無論是母乳或是奶粉也可, 我就是用這個方法, 成功地令小寶寶接受這2種吃奶方式, 而他也分別不到呢!

Toddlers' Menu

Tri-Color pasta, originally uploaded by DTufte.

As we all know, our little toddlers are more interested in playing than eating, and many of us find it a real challenge to get our toddlers to sit still in their high chairs come feeding times. Why not make meal times as much fun as play times - try offering pasta of varying shapes and colours. For example, Funkimama's toddler favours tri-colour spaghetti and shell pasta, accompanied by a tomato and minced meat sauce, steamed with a table spoon of olive oil. You can also throw in some skinned yellow and red bell peppers. Take the opportunity to teach your toddlers the different colours too, e.g. "Where is the piece of yellow bell pepper? Yes, that's right, here it is, let's see how it tastes like ..." This type of dish looks and tastes so fabulous your toddler will have very little difficulty eating it. Happy Feeding! 要令喜歡玩多於吃的小寶寶乖乖坐定定在椅子上進餐, 想必是對媽媽的一個大挑戰吧! 其實, 我們是可以將進餐環節變成遊戲的一部份, 媽媽可將食物切成不同形狀, 另加入不同顏色的蔬菜, 這便可把普通的食物變得更吸引了, 就像funkimama一樣, 她的小寶寶比較喜歡吃意粉類食物, 於是她便將幾種顏色和不同形狀的意粉, 配以蕃茄肉醬, 加一小匙橄欖油一拚蒸煮, 這樣, 便成功地令她的小寶寶安坐位中進餐了, 除此之外, 我們亦可以加入一些顏色豊富的青色, 黃色及紅色的甜辣椒, 這類食物營養高, 賣相又吸引, 小寶寶一定喜歡, 試試看!

Comforting a crying little one .....

Cry baby Originally uploaded by photosavvy

What makes a baby cry? Hunger? Needing diaper change? Unable to fall asleep? Illness? Or is it just a simple need for mami's attention? There is absolutely no harm in picking your baby up and giving him/her a gentle hug and rock in your arms. This will make him/her feel safe and secure. In fact, most babies love rhythmic motions, so try rocking or swaying him/her gently. You can also try playing some soothing music - funkimama has tried, and it did work wonders. 小寶寶無原因地哭, 我們應該怎做好? 但媽媽當然要先檢查清楚小寶寶哭的原因, 因小寶寶還未可以講出自己為何哭呢, 所以, 要看看小寶寶是否太熱? 肚子餓了? 小尿片濕了? 生病? 還是, 只是想媽媽注意他/她呢? 如果只是想媽媽注意的話, 妳可以先抱一抱他/她, 等他/她感覺安全和受到保護, 而大多數小寶寶都喜歡別人輕輕地搖晃, 妳或可以播放一些溫柔的童謠, 甚至, 媽媽可以一邊輕輕搖晃, 一邊哼着屬於妳們的歌曲, 小寶寶很快就不哭了!

Tips on preparations for a baby's bath

Baby bathing, originally uploaded by almoko.

Before undressing your little darling, ensure you have everything handy for an enjoyable and uninterrupted bathing session. Make sure you have a clean towel or cuddle robe, baby bath, shampoo, basin, clothing, creams, cotton pads and diapers all ready. Closed the door and windows beforehand and check that the water temperature is comfortable. Water too hot or too cold can chill or burn your baby. Make sure you do not bath your baby right after a meal. And the most important thing of all is to never leave your baby alone in the water. Finally, get those rubber ducks ready and have fun! 各位媽咪, 如要幫小寶寶洗澡, 記謹要先預備好以下物品才開始啊! 包括要有: 嬰兒沐浴露, 嬰兒洗頭水, 大浴巾, 小沐浴膠盆, 小寶寶的衣服和尿片, 記得要先關好門窗, 否則, 小寶寶很容易着涼呢, 另外, 媽媽一定要先試好水的溫度才放小寶寶入水中, 因為太熱和太冷會燙傷和凍傷妳的小寶寶, 而最重要一點是, 千萬不可留下小寶寶獨自在浴盆內, 因他們太小了, 很容易滑入水中和弄傷自己的, 所以, 一定要注意呵!

Baby care - night time feedings

always tuck me in at night Originally uploaded by J-Rose

Did you know that babies do not physically need night feedings when they reach a weight of 5.5kg? This is good news for those first time parents who are unsure if their babies are getting enough to eat. So if your babies prefer to sleep through the night, then by all means don't wake them, let them (and you too) sleep through.

各位媽咪, 其實你們知不知道, 原來當小寶寶體重有5.5公斤時, 是不一定需要食夜奶的, 對第一次當媽媽及有懷疑小寶寶在晚上睡了後會否肚餓的妳, 是不是一個好消息呢? 所以, 如果當妳的小寶寶是選擇一覺睡天光的話, 請妳不要弄醒他/她了, 讓他/她睡過飽飽吧, 妳也可以趁這機會好好的睡過夠, 休息一下呢