Things I learnt since the birth of Meagan

What are the 5 most dead giveaways that you're a mother?

• Flabby tummy
• Gigantic thighs
• Saggy breasts
• Plump-looking arms
• Oversized buttocks

How do you know you're latched onto motherhood?

• You begin to like the smell of soiled diapers.
• You handle a newborn like some mamak making roti canai, shifting the baby from one arm to another like a pro.
• You miss your baby when you don't see them for hours.
• You're more tempted to shop at Baby Land than Marc Jacobs.
• You don't mind having another baby despite all the unpleasant pain and discomfort during pregnancy and labour.
• You feel 10 times stronger by just looking at the little angel.
• You've uncontrollable tears flowing down your cheeks when baby's unwell.

List of not-to-buy baby things:

• Too many baby clothes, especially in newborn size. They grow up so fast.
• Baby body suit / jumper - if you intend to use nappies instead of diapers.
• Automatic breast pump - it's expensive and slow.
• Baby cot, unless you have a room for the baby. Although it comes with wheels for you to move it around with ease, it doesn't fit through the standard sized door. Playpen with a 3 inches mattress should work just fine.
• Pillows - You'll find that baby sleeps better on the mattress without a pillow. Moreover you'll be paranoid that baby will suffocate himself / herself on the pillow once the head is turned to either side while sleeping.
• Soft toys - they'll be sitting at the side of the cot, collecting unwanted dusts day after day.

List of things to stock up:

• Diapers / nappies and nappy liners
• Milk bottles / milk storage containers
• Bottle warmer
• Baby oil / lotion - baby tends to have very dry skin
• Water-proof changing mat - sometimes baby does pee and poo during change of diaper or nappy.
• Lots of absorbent hankies for feeding time
• Breast pads - and I mean LOTS of them. Get the disposable ones with adhesive strips. - you'll be leaking like a faulty tap.