Hey njj, we got a personalised cake from forty carrots in Bloomingdales , Dubai mall. However that was a couple of years ago, so I am not sure if they still provide this service, but it is certainly worth asking. Every Child is different, and I know my daughter was very aware and excited when she saw her 1st birthday cake, so do not feel compelled to compromise. Hope you find someone to make your little princess a Sophia cake.
Oh my, are we still at it with this topic?
I have to say there are a great many posters here who are either very defensive or extremely easily offended. I didn't know.
There is one point I'd like to make as to "why do people with children have your sympathy ??i'm sorry to have to tell you that it is misplaced....."
Often in this forum ladies come here for practical advice, sometimes advice of the heart. In fact, I believe there is a current poster who spoke regarding a horrible holiday experience and how challenging her marriage is at the time? What is she getting here? An ear, support. Encouragement and some good advice as well.
I really believe that if a lady posted something along the lines of " I'm so overwhelmed with my children, I don't have any time for myself, I'm exhausted because I don't get enough sleep, etc.", I would almost bet MANY ladies would respond with
"hang in there, it's just one of those days"
"i'd like to offer you cyberhugs"
"I know what it's like"
"wishing you good thoughts and hope you get some rest soon......"
What do you call this?
I call it support, encouragement, and yes, s y m p a t h y.
So when *I'M* talking to a parent who is having a time like this, MY sympathy is no good? MY heart can't go out to this person because I don't know their pain or challenges personally?
It's in fact during these times that yes, i do feel lucky to be free of such major obligations, but am still realistic to know no one's life is perfect. I feel awkward at those times because there's little I can do to help except listen and gift the occasional trip to the spa, offer a girl's night in (after babies are asleep) or anything that will put a smile on this lady's face. SHE certainly doesn't mind that it comes from a person who uses a term others don't.
If I seem to feel strongly about parenthood and those who engage in it, it's because I know how serious it is, how it changes your life and one must be prepared for it. All this based on what I've seen.
You have made some awful and offensive statements about women who have children, so the issue here is not that you are offering support to the OP, the problem is that you have tried to offer support by insulting those who lead a life you clearly do not understand. And instead of acknowledging that fact, you continue to attempt to justify your statements. This is a public forum and we are all entitled to our opinions but surely you understand why some might take offense to your comments. No one ever said being a mum is easy, and yes, we do appreciate supportive friends and welcome spa days like any woman would (whether or not they have a child)..that does not mean we are unhappy with our lives or our decisions. It is possible to provide support and reassurance to the OP without causing offense to others and unfortunately you haven't done that.
Hi ilovewine,
My daughter usually finishes 100mls in one sitting, sometimes less. When she's had enough she lets me know. I usually burp her, wait 5 -10 minutes and try to see if she wants anymore. But every baby is different, so in time you will know how much your baby needs per feed, but it's better to have surplus in the bottle that doesn't get consumed, than to have an unsatisfied baby, so I usually make sure I heat up at least 100mls.
The breastflow bottles are great for my baby, as it mimics the let down of the breast and hasn't caused any nipple confusion. It took some time to get my head around milk pumping, storage and bottle use, but my baby is now almost 5 months, so i've had lots of practice and it's made such a difference as I don't have to worry about changing rooms or baby rooms when I am out and I can sit at a lunch table or coffee shop and feed her.
Good luck!
Hi there, I too exclusively breastfeed my 5 month old daughter and I have a system that works for me and hopefully for you too.
I regularly express into medela storage bottles which hold 100mls each. I am usually able to get between 100mls and 150mls from each breast, and I label the bottles with a date and time and pop them into the freezer where they can keep for up to 6 months. If i have to go out, I take a bottle out of the freezer into the fridge the night before so that it is defrosted by the next day, but still cold.
When I leave the house, I carry the defrosted milk in an insulated baby bottle bag which you can find in mother care or babyshop. I think I paid 70dhs for mine and it is big enough to hold 2 medela storage bottles. I also carry a small flask of hot water, just in case I am nowhere near a coffee shop. If you're in mall, you won't need to worry about a flask.
once out of the fridge, the milk has to be used within 4 hours. If I will be out longer than 4 hours, I take one frozen bottle as well as the defrosted bottle of milk and the frozen one can be used 6 to 8 hours after I leave my house, as long as it is in the insulated bag and remains cold.
The medela storage bottles are available in babyshop and you can get 10 bottles for 48dhs and I sterilize and re-use them. Also, to feed my daughter, I use the "breastflow" bottles, which I bought from Waitrose in Dubai mall but I believe they are available in babyshop too.
I hope you find this information useful. All the best!
