Breast milk is best for your baby

Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for healthy growth and development of babies. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the optimal way of feeding infants. Thereafter infants should receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to two years or beyond. Good maternal nutrition helps sustain an adequate supply and quality of breast milk. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding, partially or fully, or of other complementary foods and drinks may have a negative impact on breastfeeding, which may be irreversible. Consult your doctor and consider the social and financial implications before deciding to use breast milk substitutes or if you have difficulty breastfeeding. Follow usage, preparation and storage instructions of breast milk substitutes or of other complementary foods and drinks carefully as improper or unnecessary use may pose a health hazard.

Growing Up Together Naturally

A Perfect Stress-Free 100-Day Party

Congratulations! You’ve made it through the first few weeks of parenthood. As you adapt to a new schedule and addition, there’s no time to rest just yet. It’s time to throw that first party, the 100-day party!

Start your own traditions
Consider putting a memorable touch on the day by allowing yourself some time before the party. This way, you can reflect on special and/or personal touches you would like to add, so that you can start a birthday tradition. It should be something that you will cherish, and something that is just between your immediate family.

"Save the date!"
In this digital age, e-invites via WhatsApp or websites are perfectly acceptable. However, the older generations might still appreciate a physical invite. Plus, you can save the physical invite as a memento. Do ask invited guests to respond to your invitation, and to confirm their attendance two to three days before the party. This will definitely help you with food and beverage preparations and plan for any potential food allergies or special needs your guests may have.

Stick to a simple theme
Use shapes (e.g. hearts) and colour combinations (e.g. pink and orange) to make the party look cohesive and colourful. Balloons are an easy and quick way to liven up a party, and younger guests can take them away as an after-party gift. There’s also no need for a huge gathering. Bear in mind that a small and simpler event would just be as special.

1-2-3 SMILE!
Designate a few family and friends to take photos and videos on the day itself. You could even split the responsibilities where some of them just take videos, and the rest take photos only. This way, you can focus on your guests, and ensure that you will be in the photos and videos as well!

A quiet area to zone out… for a while
Create an area or room for guests who may want a break from the party. Leave some snacks for adults who want a spot for quiet conversation or soft toys for other children who may feel overwhelmed by the party. Also, remember to remove any fragile or sentimental items so that you will have party peace of mind.

A moment for mementos
Before cleaning up, be sure to save a few mementos from the day. An extra invite, leftover unused cutlery, the half-used birthday candle, deflated balloons, or anything that captures your heart, can build the foundation for a birthday time capsule. Add a few mementos from each party, and soon, you will have a wonderful storage of memories.

Remember, the 100-day bash is a great way to begin creating epic memories. But above all, remember to enjoy the day!