Since my baby began attending infant care centre at 3+ months old, she's been experiencing more frequent bouts of flu and cough. There was a time when her nose was blocked, making her quite cranky, especially during feeding. It's disheartening to witness her struggle to sleep well due to her congested nose. Thankfully, she bounced back within just 2 days and resumed her regular feeding routine.

I use Sterimar Nasal Hygiene Easy Breathe Easy with Chiboji Nasal Aspirator to gently remove mucus. On regular days, I typically clean my baby's nose once a day. However, on days when my baby experiences a runny or blocked nose, I'll attend to her nose more frequently. When compared to other nasal aspirators I've tested, such as Haakaa Nasal Aspirator and Rechargeable Baby Nasal Aspirator, the Chiboji Nasal Aspirator proves to be the most effective in removing thick and sticky mucus. I highly recommend every household with babies to have this magic tool.

⚠ An important point to remember is to follow the cleaning instruction properly! Regrettably, other family members inadvertently placed the nasal bottle in my steam + dry steriliser, resulting in considerable difficulty when opening and closing the bottle. In the end, I had to acquire a new nose bottle.

While it may sound cliché, it's important to keep your baby's bath time short and warm. Avoid lingering or singing during bath time. Additionally, ensure the changing room is comfortably warm for your baby. Switch off the air conditioning system 30 minutes before your baby's bath time.

This Garlic Balm is a natural remedy made by infusing garlic cloves in olive oil and beewax. This infusion process allows the beneficial properties of garlic, such as its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities, to transfer into the oil. The resulting balm is often used topically for various purposes, including to alleviate cough, flu, phlegm, runny nose, blocked nose, and helps strengthening kids immunity. It's essential to be cautious when using garlic balm, especially on sensitive skin, and it's advisable to perform a patch test before widespread use to ensure no adverse reactions occur. When my baby experiences a runny or blocked nose, I apply garlic balm to her chest, forehead, and nose bridge once in the morning and once before bedtime.

If your baby needs to sleep in an air-conditioned room, consider leaving a small gap in the door to regulate the room temperature. Ensure your baby stays warm by dressing them in long sleeves, pants, and covering them with a blanket. If your baby experiences a congested nose, elevating their head with Flat Head Prevention Pillow while sleeping can help alleviate nighttime nasal congestion.

When my 4 month old suffered from severe nasal congestion, she had a distressing, sleepless night, struggling to breathe comfortably. The doctor at the polyclinic prescribed Illiadin, advising 1 drop per nostril twice a day. However, I opted to use it only once on my baby, as I prefer natural remedies for her blocked nose. It's crucial to follow the prescribed usage of Illiadin or any nasal decongestant for a limited duration to prevent 'rebound congestion,' where prolonged use can worsen nasal blockage after the effects wear off. Consulting a healthcare professional, especially when using such medications for infants or young children, is advisable.

If your baby has flu symptoms, especially if they're under 3 months old, has a high fever, is struggling to breathe, or if you're concerned, seek medical advice promptly.

During my confinement period, my incredible nanny tended to my baby with such care and dedication. Every two hours, she nourished my little one, ensured my meals were taken care of, and maintained my baby's cleanliness. It was a blessing—I found myself solely focused on providing milk for my baby while everything else was expertly managed. Once our nanny departed, the weight of responsibility fell squarely on our shoulders. Those initial weeks were a whirlwind of sleepless nights, feeling drained and mentally exhausted despite our shared efforts in caring for our precious child. I marvelled at how the nanny managed it all. Despite not being young, she navigated the relentless cycle with grace. It led us to consider hiring a nanny or finding a helper, knowing deep down it wasn't a sustainable solution. It was during this time that a friend of my husband's, aware of our struggles, suggested the Little Ones Sleep Program as a potential remedy.

This is a program comprising tailored sleeping and feeding schedules crafted for specific age ranges. It's a comprehensive guide that outlines optimal times for naps and feeding. Furthermore, it offers invaluable advice on age-appropriate methods for calming and fostering self-soothing in babies, empowering parents with effective techniques to encourage better sleep patterns for their little ones.

I enrolled in their Newborn Sleep Program (0 - 3 months) when my baby reached 2 months old. The program is impressively thorough, offering a comprehensive guide for nurturing a baby's sleep patterns. Admittedly, adhering precisely to their prescribed schedule proved challenging. Nevertheless, the program thoughtfully includes steps for moments when it's not feasible to follow the schedule precisely. It advises on how to compensate for any missed timings, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of caring for an infant. 

Some parents might feel unsettled by aspects of the program, particularly the inclusion of waking the baby at specified times and imposing a set of schedule for baby's feeding. However, the program's approach varies and depends on individual comfort levels. Parents should decide how strictly they want to adhere to the suggested routine. What works best may differ from family to family.

Overall, I've found that it significantly assists in establishing a routine for our baby. I firmly believe that effective sleep training largely centers around establishing a consistent schedule for your baby. Ensuring longer wake times during the day contributes to extended periods of sleep at night. Creating the appropriate environment is key: dimming lights and speaking softly during nighttime. Additionally, gradually extending intervals between your baby's feeding times also helps in this process.

Between 4 and 5 months old, my baby typically needs 3 feedings from 8:00 PM until 7:30 AM the following day, gradually decreasing to 2 feedings during this time.

    - Feed #1 takes place between 8.00 PM - 10.00 PM

    - Feed #2 takes place between 12.00 AM - 2.00 AM

    - Feed #3 takes place between 4.00 AM - 6.00 AM