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    The Chill Mom: How to go from anxious expectant mother to relaxed, confident mom
    The Chill Mom: How to go from anxious expectant mother to relaxed, confident mom
    The Chill Mom: How to go from anxious expectant mother to relaxed, confident mom
    Ebook188 pages2 hours

    The Chill Mom: How to go from anxious expectant mother to relaxed, confident mom

    By Michelle Hon

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    About this ebook

    Practical advice that takes pregnant and new mums from worried and fearful to cool and collected

    THE CHILL MOM — How to go from anxious expectant mother to relaxed, confident mom guides you through the sometimes lonely, scary, confusing journey of pregnancy and early motherhood—offering you real-life solutions, proven to work.

    Written by a seasoned baby planner and mother of three, who has been there and done that, this book teaches you the best ways to become the most blissful, self-assured mum on the block:

    Be mentally and physically ready for pregnancy and handling life as a new mother
    Know what to expect and how to prepare for childbirth and breastfeeding
    Be better equipped to listen to your instincts and trust your judgment in making decisions in your life
    Learn the child-caring techniques that work best for you
    Fearlessly, effectively balance pregnancy and motherhood with career and other responsibilities the chill mom way

    Michelle Hon began her first pregnancy like most moms, incredibly excited and secretly terrified. Being faced with the copious, seemingly unending, incredibly confusing, amount of information on the Internet, detailing all 'the right things to do', just added to her fear and confusion. Systematically sorting through all she found—through trial and error, three pregnancies and raising her children—she discovered the secrets to becoming a chill mom. She now passes her knowledge on to you.

    The Founder of The Chill Mom Baby Planner & Maternity Concierge, Michelle has helped many successful professional women plan for and manage the arrival of their babies. She has been featured in the Asian Entrepreneur and Lifetime Asia, and writes for New Age Parents and The Asian Parent. She shares her motherhood tips and advice on her award-winning blog, thechillmom.com.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThe Inspiration Hub
    Release dateJun 27, 2018
    ISBN9789670730332
    The Chill Mom: How to go from anxious expectant mother to relaxed, confident mom

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      The Chill Mom - Michelle Hon

      I wished Michelle had written this book 12 years ago when I was first expecting my twins! Her genuine and candid account about her own experience navigating this motherhood journey is very refreshing and you feel like you can relate to her right away! She is truly an inspiration to mothers everywhere!

      —Zoe Chu, SG Supernanny, baby and child sleep expert

      www.sgsupernanny.com

      From baby-proofing your home to buying the appropriate insurance. From debunking myths on childbirth to advocating self-care, Michelle has it all down here in an easy-to-read book that is full of practical tips and nuggets of wisdom. As a husband and a dad, I find this book a great resource and companion for all men to better understand and support our wives in this most important transition to a chill motherhood.

      —David Sim, daddy blogger

      www.lifestinymiracles.com

      (IG: @doting_dad)

      "This is the most down-to-earth honest localised guide for not just new mums, but it’s a very good read for new dads who wants to understand and share the burdens of birth and baby caring!

      I wished the book existed more than 9 years ago, then I would have done things more differently as well as know how to ask overly nice people to back off to give me the space I need!"

      —Ting, Mum of Kyle and Kyne

      miracule.blogspot.sg

      A book filled with meticulous research combined with years of practical experience. Michelle’s personal and professional practice exudes our local flavours of motherhood simply and powerfully. I wish I had her incredible guide book for my first baby!

      —Angie Yeow, mother of three and mummy blogger

      growinghearts123.wordpress.com

      THE CHILL MOM is a book that documented almost everything that first-time mothers should know about. Michelle is so brilliant to document every single bit and pieces of the journey of motherhood from conceiving till the fourth trimester when the baby is born. She uses the word ‘CHILL’ to break down the journey which makes it so easy for mothers to relate and remember. THE CHILL MOM is truly a book that every mother should get to learn about modern-day motherhood!

      —Kenneth Choo, author of Mother Industrialist

      – perfecting the balance between motherhood and business success

      www.motherindustrialistbook.com

      Definitely informative for first-timer parents! A book that covers everything – from before the birth of the child to the expectations of after birth.

      —Cynthia Koh, mother of two

      ilovedefamily.blogspot.com

      An insightful yet easy-to-read guide for new mums-to-be! A beautifully written yet humourous take on pregnancy and motherhood.

      —Audrey Tan, business owner & mother of two

      forgetgrowingup.blogspot.sg

      I purchased the book thinking that it will teach me how to be a chill mummy after birth. But this book covers much more than that! It’s like a handy summary of all the important things we will need to know from pregnancy onwards.

      —Denise, writer and mum-to-be

      www.myfoodstory.sg

      I’m going to 5-star it! It gripped me until I finished reading essentially because it’s a detailed guide for parents and to be parents! Totally resonate with it and that’s exactly what I wanted to read.

      —Priyanka Bharwani @amominlove

      www.momspresso.com/parenting/amominlove

      As a mum of three herself, Michelle shares her experience generously, from tips on breastfeeding, all the way to how to get good and reliable help. I found myself nodding along to many of the points she made, and I wish I had read her book before I had my babies, so that I could test out the tips on deciphering the different cries!

      —Adeline Tan, mummy blogger & mother of three

      www.growingwiththetans.com

      A comprehensive book that all mums-to-be must read while enjoying their pregnancy! This book covers everything from identifying new mum’s emotions & fear, to healthy eating and ways to feel beautiful even after giving birth.

      —Jennifer Lim, working mum

      www.dinomama.com

      THE CHILL MOM

      ISBN 978-967-0730-31-8 (Paperback)

      ISBN 978-967-0730-33-2 (eBook)

      Copyright © 2018 by Hon Lai Kuen

      Published by The Inspiration Hub

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning or other — except for brief quotation in critical reviews or articles, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

      To my beautiful children, Lauren, Georgia and Will. You are the reason I wrote this book.

      To my husband, Nick, without whom I would not have my children. But really, you’re not just my babies’ daddy, you are the love of my life — even on your annoying days.

      To all mothers, who try and try and never give up.

      Contents

      Introduction

      The Chill Mom Manifesto

      C IS FOR Calm

      1. Calm mommy, healthy baby

      2. Overcome the common fears of motherhood

      •  Letting go of baggages

      •  Career woes

      •  Financial woes

      3. Coping with chronic pregnancy stress

      4. The No Fear Birth

      •  How would I know that it is time to give birth?

      •  Relieving labour pain

      •  No more fear of giving birth

      H IS FOR happy

      5. The importance of self care

      •  Mummy ‘Me-time’ is not selfish

      6. Pregnancy is the best time to eat

      •  Give in to your cravings

      •  Looking good with a baby bump

      •  How to fake a glow

      7. Looking after yourself postpartum

      •  Body changes to expect postpartum

      •  Getting back to shape

      8. Postpartum blues and postpartum depression

      •  Postnatal blues is real

      •  Postnatal depression

      9. Tactfully tell friends and family to back off

      10. Preparing your older child for new baby

      I IS FOR INSTINCT

      11. Taking care of your baby, your way

      •  Sleep

      •  Feed

      •  Breastfeeding step by step

      •  Formula feeding step by step

      •  Poop

      •  Nappy changing step by step

      •  Bath time step by step

      12. How to calm a crying baby

      •  Dunstan baby language

      •  Question time: Should I let my baby cry it out?

      •  How to calm a crying baby

      13. The truth about breastfeeding

      •  How our body produces milk

      •  How much does baby need?

      •  Let down triggers

      •  Proper breastfeeding positions

      •  Increasing milk supply

      •  Common breastfeeding misconceptions

      •  The pump

      •  Storing breast milk

      •  Frequently asked questions on breastfeeding

      •  Breastfeeding success for working mums

      L IS FOR LESS IS MORE

      14. The Minimalist Baby Preparation

      •  Your home does not have to turn into a children’s playground

      •  The ONLY baby essentials you will need

      •  What you don’t need – contrary to what magazines tell you

      •  Don’t waste money on toys

      •  The bare minimum baby-proofing

      15. Ditch the birth plan

      •  How to choose a hospital

      •  Hospital packing list

      L IS FOR Leverage

      16. Get help!

      •  Baby planner

      •  Doula

      •  Confinement nanny

      17. Transition back to work

      •  The reality of returning back to work

      •  Allow time to transition into your childcare routine

      •  Choosing a childcare centre

      •  Hiring a babysitter or nanny

      •  Hiring a live-in helper

      CONCLUSION

      About the author

      REFERENCES

      Introduction

      Hello. Thank you for choosing this book. I assume the reason you have this book in your hand is because you are currently pregnant, or you are trying to get pregnant, or you want to be a chill mum.

      Maybe you are experiencing none of the above. Maybe you are a dad who wants your wife to just chill out. Whichever situation you are in, I sincerely thank you for your interest in this book.

      Back in the old days, women’s sole responsibility was to bear children and be a homemaker. When they were young, they learnt about homemaking and child rearing, often caring for their younger siblings. After they were married and had given birth, many were surrounded by a large support group of family members and neighbours.

      Times have changed. These days, we have at least eleven years of formal education that prepare us for our working life outside of home. By the time we get married and have babies, many of us are already in our thirties. We live with our partner/husband and have a small support group. Only a few lucky ones live near their parents or siblings. But nothing in our lives so far has prepared us for motherhood.

      When I was expecting my first child, I was at where you are right now. I had no idea what to expect, how my body would change and what’s with all the different types of baby bottles? Why should I pay more for peristaltic bottle? What had I got myself into? What did all the pregnancy symptoms mean?

      I turned to Google. The availability of resources and advice on the internet are both a blessing and a curse. The more I read, the more confused I became because there was so much of conflicting information out there.

      My first postnatal experience was just as confusing. I wish someone would have told me how excruciating after-birth pain is. Urinating and going to the toilet was a nightmare and I felt like a cow with the constant breastfeeding throughout the day. Postnatal blues weren’t helping either.

      Fast-forward to today. Two gorgeous daughters and a son later and through helping many mothers-to-be in my profession as a baby planner, I realised I wasn’t alone. We all need just the right amount of unbiased information and support in this scary yet exciting journey of pregnancy and those early months motherhood.

      Surprisingly, while I was lost and trying to figure this thing called motherhood, people around me seemed to think I have it all under control. Soon, I realised mothers who make it looks easy, actually enjoy the whole process of pregnancy more than others.

      These mothers are often described as ‘chill’, share similar values and are confident in their role as a mum. They are bound by the same way of thinking throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey. They have a way of simplifying things and focus on things that really matter.

      So what is the chill mum’s secret?

      That’s why I’m writing this book. I believe a happy pregnancy and a confident motherhood will give you a good head start to a lifelong role as a mother. Yes, it sucks at times. Acknowledge that motherhood is not a bed of roses, but do stay positive and learn to see the good of it. I believe in listening to your natural mothering instinct and using it to your advantage because it is YOU who are carrying this child. And it is YOU who knows what’s best for yourself and your baby.

      The purpose of this book is to help you develop a positive approach to pregnancy, be prepared for the birth, and look forward to welcoming your new baby into your family, by increasing your self-confidence and encouraging you to stay in control and listen to your own instinct.

      I will not only walk you through dealing with common pregnancy physical discomforts, but also your mental and emotional wellbeing, relationship and how to balance home and work life.

      Throughout the pages this book, you will find topics on breastfeeding, childcare techniques that work for you, tips on beauty and dressing the bump, stories from experienced mothers who went through it all, and checklists for baby essentials, enlisting help and packing for your birth.

      You could read the book all at once, or go and come back to refer to it whenever you need to. The chapters are listed out from preconception to postnatal stages, as well as every stage in between. My intention is for you to come back and refer to topics that relate to you at a particular point in time.

      There is also a chapter for further reading in case you need more information on the topic. However, sometimes more is not always better. What I have included in the book is all you need to have an informed, enjoyable and successful pregnancy and early months of motherhood.

      Before you know it, you will be a chill mum who has everything under control.

      Happy reading.

      Michelle Hon

      Singapore

      The Chill Mom Manifesto

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