[Parenting] Newborn 101 (Part 2)

 

 

Newborn 101 

•  The Art of the Diaper Change 
• The "Poop Explosion" Prevention: 
• Always point the "leaking guards" (the little ruffled edges around the legs) outward. If they are tucked in, the mess will find its way out. 
•  Front-to-Back: 
• Always wipe from front to back to prevent infections. 
•  Air Time: 
• If you notice redness, let the baby hang out diaper-free on a waterproof mat for 10 minutes. 
• Oxygen is the best healer for diaper rash. 
•  Handling and Bathing 
• Support the Neck: 
• A newborn’s head is the heaviest part of their body, and their neck muscles are weak. Always keep a hand behind the head when lifting or holding. 
•  The "Top-Down" Bath: 
• You don't need to submerge a newborn every day. 
• "Top and tailing" (washing the face/neck and then the diaper area with warm water) is enough until the umbilical cord stump falls off. 
•  Cord Care: 
• Keep the umbilical stump dry. 
• Fold the front of the diaper down so it doesn't rub against the stump or get soaked in urine. 
•  Soothing a Crying Baby 
• When the baby is fed and dry but still crying, try the 5 S's (developed by Dr. Harvey Karp): 
•  Swaddle: Snug (but not too tight on the hips) to stop the startle reflex. 
•  Side/Stomach Position: Hold them on their side or stomach while in your arms (never for sleep). 
•  Shush: A loud "shhhhh" mimics the sound of blood rushing through the placenta. White noise machines work wonders too. 
•  Swing: Gentle, rhythmic jiggling (supporting the head). 
•  Suck: A pacifier or a clean finger can trigger the calming reflex. 
•  Feeding 101 
• Burp Often: 
• Don't wait until the end of the feed. 
• Burping every 5–10 minutes (or between breasts) helps get rid of air bubbles that cause gas and fussiness later. 
•  The "Hunger Cues": 
• Don't wait for crying. Crying is a late hunger sign. 
• Look for: 
•  Smacking lips. 
•  Turning the head toward your chest (rooting). 
•  Sucking on hands or fingers. 
•  Health Red Flags 
•  I recommend knowing when to skip the internet and call the pediatrician immediately: 
•  Fever: Any temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher in a baby under 3 months is an automatic call to the doctor. 
•  Dehydration: If the baby has fewer than 6 wet diapers in 24 hours. 
•  Lethargy: If the baby is excessively sleepy and difficult to wake up for feedings. 
•  Jaundice: If the skin or the whites of the eyes look increasingly yellow. 
•  Survival Tips for the Mother Sleep 
• When They Sleep? This is classic advice that is hard to follow.
•  Instead:
•  Rest when they sleep. Don't use that time to scrub the floor; use it to lie down, even if you just stare at the ceiling. 
•  The 5-Minute Shower: 
• Make this a non-negotiable. 
• Put the baby in a safe spot (like a bassinet) and take 5 minutes for yourself. 
• It resets your nervous system. 
•  Night Shifts: 
• If you have a partner, try "shifts." 
• One person handles 9 PM–2 AM while the other sleeps, then swap. 
• Even 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep changes your entire outlook. 
•  A quick pro-tip: 
• Keep a "go-bag" by the door at all times with 3 diapers, a change of clothes for the baby (and a spare shirt for you!), and wipes. It makes getting out of the house much less stressful!

LANDED HOUSE BUILD CHECKLIST

 

 

LANDED HOUSE BUILD CHECKLIST (MALAYSIA) 

FOR ARCHITECT + CONTRACTOR 

1. SITE & ORIENTATION (MANDATORY DESIGN INPUT) 
• House oriented North–South (avoid west-facing main glass walls) 
• Minimise west-facing windows (afternoon heat control) 
•  Design for natural wind flow (cross ventilation) 
• Identify slope & drainage flow before final layout 
•  Ensure no flood risk during heavy rain 
2. PASSIVE COOLING DESIGN (VERY IMPORTANT) 
•  Cross ventilation in every room (windows on opposite walls where possible) 
•  High ceiling design minimum 10 ft (prefer 11–12 ft living area) 
• Staircase designed as air “chimney effect” (hot air escape) 
•  Roof ventilation gap / ridge vent included 
• West-facing walls protected with shading or buffer rooms 
•  Trees/shading space planned on west side of house 
3. HEAT CONTROL CONSTRUCTION 
•   Roof insulation (foil + thermal layer mandatory) 
• Light-coloured roof material or heat-reflective coating 
• Heat-resistant exterior paint
• Insulated ceiling for all upper rooms 
• Minimise direct sun glass exposure on west side 
4. WINDOWS & NATURAL LIGHT 
•   Large windows on North/South sides 
• Avoid excessive west-facing glazing 
•  Natural daylight design (reduce need for artificial lights) 
•  Provision for blackout curtains in bedrooms 
• Optional: tinted or double-glazed glass for master bedroom 
5. ELECTRICAL DESIGN (VERY IMPORTANT) 
• DB BOARD (Distribution Board) 
•  Separate circuits for: 
•  Lighting (per floor / zone) 
• Sockets (per room) 
• Aircond (each room dedicated) 
• Kitchen heavy load 
• Outdoor lighting 
• Water heater 
•  Extra breaker slots (future expansion) 
•  Space reserved for smart breaker upgrade (future-proofing) 
•  WIRING INFRASTRUCTURE
•  Extra conduit pipes in all rooms (future smart upgrades) 
• LAN cable points in: 
•  Living room 
• TV area 
• Study room 
• Master bedroom 
•  Extra wall socket points (minimum 20–30% more than standard) 
• Dedicated power point for router + mesh WiFi system 
• SMART HOME READINESS
• Neutral wire available in all switch boxes (for smart switches) 
•  Smart switch compatible wall boxes installed 
•  Ceiling power points prepared for smart lighting 
•  Motion sensor wiring points in: 
•  Toilets 
• Corridor 
• Outdoor porch 
•  Central control point space (living room recommended) 
• SOLAR READINESS (FUTURE PROOF) 
•  Roof orientation suitable for solar installation 
•  Clear roof area reserved for panels (no obstruction design) 
•  Conduit pipe from roof → DB board (pre-installed) 
•  Space near DB board for inverter installation 
• Ground space reserved for future battery system 
6. WATER & DRAINAGE SYSTEM 
•  Proper drainage slope away from house 
•  Rainwater harvesting pipe routing included 
•  Space reserved for water tank (backyard/side)
•  Kitchen grease trap included 
•  Separate plumbing for garden irrigation system 
7. OUTDOOR DESIGN 
•  Shade trees planned on west side 
•  Backyard space for utility + ESG systems 
•  Outdoor lighting points installed (front + back + side) 
• Motion sensor-ready outdoor lighting points 
• Garden irrigation piping provision 
8.  ROOM LAYOUT FUNCTION DESIGN 
•  Living room designed for airflow + entertainment zone 
• Bedrooms placed away from west heat exposure where possible 
• Kitchen isolated from main airflow path (heat control) 
•  Bathrooms stacked vertically (for plumbing efficiency) 
•  Staircase positioned for ventilation flow (not blocked core) 
9.  FUTURE EXPANSION (VERY IMPORTANT) 
•  Structural allowance for future extension (if needed) 
•  Extra electrical capacity reserved in DB 
•  Spare conduit pipes in walls and ceilings 
• Roof structure allows possible solar expansion
• Space reserved for smart system upgrades 
10.  ENERGY EFFICIENCY TARGET 
•  Design optimized for minimal aircond usage during daytime 
• Ceiling fans planned in ALL rooms 
•  Natural lighting reduces daytime electricity use 
• House designed to reduce heat gain first (before adding tech) 
11.  COMMON THINGS NOT TO MISS 
•  Enough power sockets per room (avoid extension overload) 
• Proper placement of WiFi router + mesh nodes 
•  Outdoor waterproof electrical points 
• Proper ventilation in bathrooms 
•  Utility room for DB + inverter + control systems
12.  FINAL INSTRUCTION TO ARCHITECT 
•  👉 “Design the house with passive cooling + energy efficiency as the first priority, and ensure all electrical and structural systems are future-ready for smart home and solar integration.” 

 RESULT OF THIS DESIGN 

 If followed properly, your house will: 

•  ✔ Stay cooler naturally 
• ✔ Reduce aircond usage significantly 
• ✔ Be ready for smart home upgrades anytime 
• ✔ Support solar system in future 
• ✔ Have lower long-term electricity cost 
• ✔ Be easier to maintain and upgrade

Checklist of What To Consider Before Building A House

 

 

Checklist of What To Consider Before Building A House

Here’s a complete checklist of what to consider before building—in the order that actually matters. 

1. LAND & SITE CONDITIONS (MOST IMPORTANT) 
• Orientation (critical for Malaysia climate) 
• Avoid strong west-facing main windows (afternoon heat) 
• Prefer house aligned North–South 
• Decide where morning sun vs afternoon sun enters 
•  👉 This alone can change your cooling cost significantly. 
•  Drainage & flood risk 
• Check if area floods during heavy rain 
• Natural slope of land 
• Where water flows during storms 
• Wind direction 
• Identify prevailing breeze direction 
• Plan window placement for cross ventilation
2. HOUSE DESIGN FUNCTION (HOW YOU LIVE) 
•  Lifestyle planning Ask: 
•  Do I work from home? 
• How many people live here? 
• Do I host guests often?
•  Room requirements 
• Number of bedrooms (now + future) 
• Guest room needed? 
• Study room / office? 
• Space needs 
• Car porch size (1–3 cars?) 
• Outdoor space / garden 
• Storage room (very important but often ignored) 
3.  COMFORT & CLIMATE DESIGN (VERY IMPORTANT IN MALAYSIA) 
•  Cooling strategy (before aircond) 
• Cross ventilation design 
• Ceiling height (10–12 ft ideal) 
• Window placement for airflow 
•  Heat control 
• Roof insulation (mandatory) 
• Light-coloured roof 
• West wall protection (trees / shading) 
•  Natural lighting 
• Maximise daylight (reduce electricity) 
• Avoid too much west sunlight glare 
4.  ELECTRICAL & SMART SYSTEM PLANNING 
•  Circuit planning (very important but often ignored) 
•  Separate: 
•  Lighting circuits 
• Socket circuits 
• Aircond circuits 
• Kitchen heavy load 
• Outdoor circuits 
• Smart home readiness 
•  Plan early for: 
•  Extra wiring conduits 
• LAN cable points (not just WiFi) 
• Smart switch boxes 
• DB board space for future upgrades 
• Solar readiness 
• Roof orientation suitable for solar 
• Space for inverter near DB 
• Future battery storage space 
5. WATER & DRAINAGE SYSTEM 
• Rainwater harvesting 
• Roof gutter planning 
• Tank placement area 
•  Water pressure system 
• Pump location 
• Pipe routing efficiency 
• Waste water 
• Kitchen grease trap 
• Sewer flow direction
• Septic system (if applicable) 
6.  STRUCTURE & MATERIALS 
•  Wall & roof materials 
• Heat-resistant roofing material 
• Insulated walls (important in Malaysia heat) 
• Windows 
• Double-layer glass (if budget allows) 
• Anti-heat tinted windows 
• Secure but ventilated design 
7. FUTURE PROOFING (MOST PEOPLE MISS THIS) 
•  Expansion planning 
• Can you extend house later? 
• Space for extra rooms? 
• Staircase position (for future floor expansion) 
• Electrical expansion space 
• Extra DB breaker slots 
• Spare conduits in walls 
• Empty pipe routes for future cables 
• Smart home evolution 
• Start simple but scalable 
• Don’t block future upgrades 
8.  OUTDOOR & LIFESTYLE DESIGN 
•  Garden space 
• Shade trees for cooling 
• Outdoor relaxing area 
• Lifestyle zones 
• BBQ area 
• Outdoor seating
•  Kids play area (if relevant) 
9.  BUDGET & COST PLANNING 
•  Split budget properly: 
• Structure (foundation + walls) 
• Roof + insulation 
• Electrical system 
• Plumbing 
• Interior finishing 
• Smart/ESG upgrades (optional phase) 
•  👉 Most people overspend on finishing and underinvest in structure. 
10.  COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID 
•  Ignoring sun direction 
•  No future electrical planning 
•  Not enough windows for airflow 
•  Weak roof insulation 
•  No outdoor shading 
• No spare pipes/conduits 
• Designing before lifestyle planning 
11.  SIMPLE DECISION FRAMEWORK 
•  Before building, ask: 
•  “Will this house be cool naturally?” 
•  “Will this house waste or save energy?” 
•  “Can I upgrade this house later easily?” 
•  “Does this match my real lifestyle?” 
12. FINAL SUMMARY 
•  A well-planned landed house in Malaysia is built on 4 pillars: 
•  ✔ Climate-first design (heat + airflow) 
• ✔ Energy-efficient structure (not just gadgets) 
• ✔ Future-ready electrical system 
• ✔ Lifestyle-driven layout

[Scent] Suga - Studio Nocturne

 

Studio Nocturne

Inspired by SUGA 

Concept: late-night studio, minimalism, emotional depth 

 Scent identity: dark woody focus 

Controlled intensity, creative solitude

 Sandalwood Cedarwood: 0.55 

Vanilla Bean & Tonka: 0.30  

Bergamot Citrus: 0.15 

[ Scent] Mon Paris Romance

 

 

Mon Paris Romance 

Vibe: Sweet, fruity, seductive 

 like YSL Mon Paris.

Raspberry →4  

Patchouli → 4 

Vanilla → 2 

[Parenting] Week 2–4 survival plan

 

 

Week 2–4 survival plan

Weeks 2–4 are where things get real. The adrenaline from birth fades, sleep debt builds up, and your baby becomes more alert (and sometimes fussier). This phase isn’t easier—it’s just different. The goal here is to stabilize, not perfect. 

 WEEK 2 – “Why is my baby crying more?” 

•  Focus: Understanding baby + managing exhaustion
•  What’s happening: 
• Baby is more awake and aware 
• Cluster feeding becomes common (especially evenings) 
• Crying may increase (often called “witching hour”) 
• Your body is still recovering 
• What to do: 
• Feed on demand—this is normal, not a problem 
• Start noticing patterns (sleep cues, hunger timing) 
• Use simple soothing: 
• Swaddle 
• Rocking 
• White noise 
• Holding close 
• Reality check: 
• Evenings may feel chaotic 
• You might feel like you're doing something wrong—you’re not 

 WEEK 3 – Peak Fussiness Phase 

•  Focus: Survive crying + protect mental health 
•  What’s happening: 
• Many babies hit peak crying around this time 
• Possible gas/discomfort 
• Sleep still very irregular 
•  This is often linked to purple crying: 
•  Period of increased crying 
• Peaks around 6–8 weeks (you’re approaching it) 
• Not caused by bad parenting 
• What to do: 
• Try a calming sequence: 
• Feed 
• Burp 
• Hold upright 
• Sway/rock 
• Babywearing (carrier) helps a lot 
• Take breaks—put baby down safely if overwhelmed 
• Reality check: 
• Some days will feel endless 
• It’s okay to feel frustrated—step away briefly if needed 

 WEEK 4 – Slight Rhythm (But Not Routine) 

•  Focus: Build gentle structure without pressure 
•  What’s happening: 
• Baby may start showing loose patterns 
• Slightly longer sleep stretches (sometimes) 
• You’re more confident—but still tired 
• What to do: 
• Introduce a loose flow: 
• Wake → Feed → Awake → Sleep 
• Watch for sleep cues: 
• Yawning 
• Red eyelids 
• Fussiness 
• Reality check: 
• Don’t expect a fixed schedule yet 
• Progress is inconsistent 

 SLEEP STRATEGY (WEEKS 2–4) 

•  Instead of forcing a routine: 
•  Focus on awake windows (45–90 mins max) 
• Don’t keep baby awake too long → overtired = more crying 
• Prioritize naps over “training” 
•  Safe sleep still matters to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: 
•  Baby on back 
• Clear sleep space 

 FEEDING REALITY (THIS PHASE) 

• Growth spurts → baby feeds more often 
• Cluster feeding ≠ low milk supply 
• Formula-fed babies may also want more frequent feeds 
•  Key sign things are okay: 
•  Regular wet diapers 
• Baby gaining weight 

 MOTHER’S MENTAL STATE (CRITICAL) 

•  This is when many mothers struggle quietly. 
•  Watch for: 
•  Constant overwhelm 
• Irritability or anger 
• Feeling trapped or regretful 
•  If it persists, consider support for postpartum depression. 

 SUPPORT STRATEGY (GAME-CHANGER)

•  At this stage, help matters even more: 
•  Partner handles: 
• Diapers 
• Burping 
• Holding baby after feeds 
• Others help with: 
• Meals 
• Laundry 
• Cleaning 
•  Your job is still: recover + feed + rest 

 COMMON MISTAKES IN WEEKS 2–4 

• Trying to force a strict schedule too early 
• Thinking crying = something is wrong 
• Comparing your baby to “easy babies” online 
• Ignoring your own exhaustion 

 YOUR UPGRADED DAILY LOOP 

•  Still simple, just more intense: Feed → Burp → Hold → Soothe → Sleep → Repeat (Some cycles will feel like they never end—that’s normal.) 

 MOST IMPORTANT SHIFT 

•  Week 1 was shock. 
•  Weeks 2–4 are about: 
•  Building confidence 
• Accepting unpredictability
•  Learning your baby’s personality 
•  You’re not supposed to have control—you’re supposed to adapt.

[Novel] Suamiku Mr Perfect 10 - Syamnuriezmil

 

 

Suamiku Mr. Perfect 10 merupakan sebuah novel romantik yang popular kerana jalan ceritanya yang ringan, lucu dan penuh momen manis antara watak utama. 

Kisah ini menampilkan hubungan suami isteri yang bermula dengan pelbagai cabaran dan perbezaan sikap, namun perlahan-lahan berkembang menjadi hubungan yang lebih matang dan penuh kasih sayang. 

 Kekuatan novel ini terletak pada watak hero yang digambarkan sebagai “lelaki sempurna” — penyayang, bertanggungjawab dan romantik — sehingga membuatkan pembaca mudah jatuh hati dengan karakternya. Watak heroin pula bersahaja dan ceria, menjadikan interaksi mereka menghiburkan serta tidak terlalu berat. Dialog yang santai dan humor yang diselitkan turut menjadikan pembacaan lebih menyeronokkan. 

 Secara keseluruhannya, novel ini sesuai untuk pembaca yang gemarkan kisah cinta romantik dengan elemen komedi dan konflik ringan. Ia memberi hiburan santai sambil menyampaikan nilai tentang kesetiaan, toleransi dan kebahagiaan dalam rumah tangga.