Muslim Mamas 2011 - Page 9

[umsami]

My one piece of advice is to nurse taking off and landng....so hold off if its near a feeding time until then. I'd bring some nice diaper covers and wipes as well. I'd also have disposables (with wipes) for traelling. If you have any favorite homeopathic teething remedies, I'd bring those... as well as at least one bottle of dye-free nfant ibuprofin/acetimonphin. When we were in Egypt, we could get liquid...but not as concentrated as the infants kind...so they need more. Oh.. a few board books might be nice as well.

[Amatullah0]

I would probably definitely make sure I had or would be able to get the following: The teething necklace, and a nose suction thingy(like nosefrida). And bug spray. Lots of bug spray. The stuff over there reeks of chemicals and scares me, lol. We don't use sun screen since neither I nor DH burn (and DS doesn't either). Get a few things of tylenol and teething medications, and maybe diaper cream. Lanisoh lanolin and a natural moisturizer (like unpetroleum jelly, waxelene, etc). Even if you're not using it for nursing, the lanolin can come in handy for other things(like diaper rash, dry skin, protecting cuts, etc.) Also, a manufactured baby carrier or sling, like a mei tai(my fave, lol). It would be easy to get a length of fabric there for something like a rebozo or ring sling, but maybe not so easy to find and sew a mei tai(especially if you don't sew, or would prefer something like an ergo). I lived on an exercise ball almost exclusively for a few months, bouncing DS to sleep in the mei tai on my back, so if it were me with a young baby, I would probably make sure I could get an exercise ball too.  

I'd get some natural toys (wood blocks or puzzles if you have room for them, and maybe a wooden teether), safe crayons(whatever that may mean to you), and board books(when we were in pakistan they had a handful of tiny board books, but not a great selection.)

Since it's warmer there, if you cloth diaper, and you want a waterproof diaper cover, bring wool covers. Most people who do diaper in paki though either use disposables(way too warm when summer hits) or just tie a folded cloth on that can absorb 1 pee or hold in poop. 

We don't vaccinate, so I don't know what to suggest to you regarding catching up/delaying vacinations, but I also probably wouldn't trust vaccines over seas in poorer countries with what happened in Nigeria with polio vaccine. Actually, polio was the one vaccine that my husband was a little bit intent on getting for DS. I thought about getting him the oral one in paki, but then decided against it partially for the above mentioned reason.

If you use johnson and johnson's shampoo or baby oil or baby lotion, they have a ton of that in pakistan, and probably bangladesh too. 

If you're going to have a car there, I'd bring a car seat too. A friend of mine in Islamabad was able to find higher cost things like car seats and baby gates, but I believe she said they were difficult to find. 

And just for fun, I'll add in a diva cup(or similar, since I really would have hated dealing with pads in that heat)

I would try to make sure I had access to these things if I were going for a year, and I'd live if I didn't have them I guess, lol. I would make sure sure that I could get the things I wanted if I thought I might need them later but didn't want to bring them with me(like leaving them in a box with a friend or relative and asking that person to ship the box if you decided you wanted the things later).

As for the plane ride, try to get a bulkhead seat and request a bassinet, especially if you don't have a car seat and seat for your baby, you'll probably get tired holding baby the whole ride. When I went to pakistan with DS, I got lucky and we had 3 seats to ourselves the whole way and we could both lay down and nap and nurse laying down even. I actually reserved an aisle and window seat for us, and got lucky that nobody wanted the middle seat(if someone had bought the middle seat I'm sure they wouldn't have minded trading it for one of the outside seats ;) 

I second the nursing on take off and landing. And wearing comfortable clothes that are easy to nurse in. And bringing a change of clothes for yourself, and 2 changes of clothes for the baby(including a blanket or warm clothes). And carry a couple days worth of diapers for the plane ride. And bring a bunch of plastic grocery bags for putting garbage in(and for dirty diapers). And disposable wipes for wiping every conceivable mess(because it will happen!). And a really large water bottle so you can drink as much water as you need on the plane, especially since you're nursing, without having to call the flight attendant over ever 5 min. Ask the flight attendant to fill up the water bottle when s/he comes around with drinks. You'll probably want to have some snacks for yourself too. Make sure to walk through the cabin a few times for exercise, And bring something to occupy yourself when you're not sleeping, because dang that flight is long! You're going to be by yourself, right? In that case, make sure your carry on bags especially are easy to carry on your own with the baby. 

And have a good trip inshallah! 

[kangamitroo]

assalamu alaykum,

i'm thinking of enrolling my 8yo for sunday school. however, she would be far behind the others her age in reading Quran.(she reads no arabic, and i can recognize the fatiha when i see it.) does anyone have a suggestion for book/video that could get us going?

also looking for suggestions for a children's book in English with stories from the life of the Prophet Muhammad saws. she is an advanced reader for her age.

thanks. I wish each of you a beautiful day inshaAllah.

[umsami]

Wa'alaikum Assalam Kanga:

I don't think she'd be that far behind, honestly.  DS1 (8) attended weekend school last year, and he just learned how to read last year.  I don't think everybody in his class can read either.  My guess is that somebody at the school could help get your daughter up to speed, if she was behind.  We paid a tutor $5/lesson/kid to help our kids and it made a big difference.  :)

We love this youtube video.  It's teaching the letter sounds with the different vowel markings... all of my kids love singing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joaa_H3ejoM&feature=related

This guy is really good too.  I have his Bayyinah learn to read Arabic DVDs but they'r emore for adults.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72rHwvMjNCA

[kangamitroo]

thanks for the feedback, umsami. it's helpful & reassuring.

I hope everyone is doing well, inshaAllah.

[noorjahan]

Salaam everyone

Thanks 1jooj, umsami and Amatulla for your suggestions. I've read your replies on my ph, but was unable to reply soon. I've pretty much got what you recommended Amatullah. Things are getting so crazy here. I got few California Baby bug spray. I don't use J&J products, but got others for baby. Got the teething necklace as well. Seems like we're good to go. I am currently cloth diapering like 50-50, but plan on doing it 100% of the time. Got CD friendly detergent too! So many things to take..!

1jooj, if you don't mind giving me your contact info via pm that would be great. I've sort of planned our 3 days stay like this- day 1 saturday dec 3-brunch (apparently Dubai tradition?) at JBH and visit Souk Madinat (I know fake!)....Dec 4- Spice/Gold souk and dubai Museum and at night Dubail mall for fountain show....Monday Dec5- nothing planned till 4.30 p.m., we've a reservation for Burj Khalifa obs deck....I hope all go smooth considering a baby and jet lag!

[1jooj]

Just an FYI, the Dubai brunch tradition is more an...ahem...drunken expat thing than anything else. We were invited to join at Ibn Battuta and we went and it was fine, but expect large crowds of (mostly British) people drinking rounds and rounds of champagne, eventually staggering around, getting very loud, etc. FTR, the food was incredible, luxurious, outrageous. And we never would have gone had we had to pay for it. Extremely expensive, of course to offset the all-you-can-drink aspect. That said, you might request a quiet table. 

[youngspiritmom]

Just wanted to drop by and thank you all for your compassion and helpful messages regarding miscarriage. I'm more removed from the immediate grief at this point, and sometimes I feel like I am "over it", but other times out of nowhere I find myself really feeling that baby and mourning the lost pregnancy. Your messages really mean so much to me. Miscarriage is a strange thing because it happens often but no one speaks about it....I didn't really tell anyone except my husband, my mom, and my doctors. It's such a strange, silent type of grief. I guess I am thankful for mdc because it allowed me to make it "public" somehow and get some (online) support.

Thanks, and making dua for you all.

[noorjahan]

Originally Posted by 1jooj 

Just an FYI, the Dubai brunch tradition is more an...ahem...drunken expat thing than anything else. We were invited to join at Ibn Battuta and we went and it was fine, but expect large crowds of (mostly British) people drinking rounds and rounds of champagne, eventually staggering around, getting very loud, etc. FTR, the food was incredible, luxurious, outrageous. And we never would have gone had we had to pay for it. Extremely expensive, of course to offset the all-you-can-drink aspect. That said, you might request a quiet table. 

 Interesting. On tripadvisor ppl talk about this brunch thing (specially Friday) as if it's an Emirati cultural thing. Oh well...this is the only splurge for me! I really wanted to do this at JBH only caz I can eat all I want sitting on a beachside looking at Burj Al Arab...hahahahaha....and I like South East Asian food. This one has SEA buffet. All I'm hoping baby stays good. I sent you a PM. Hope we can meet up.
 

YSP, It's great that somehow you found a bit support even though it's on the net. ! Hope you're doing well!

[kangamitroo]

Assalamu alaykum ladies. I hope you all are doing well. I have a few quick questions, all related to my wish for a study group. (The masjid near me is 40+ minutes, and it seems the dars for sisters is only in Urdu.)

(1) do you know of websites with study groups/discussions where you have had positive experiences? A while ago I took a Seekers Guidance course, but that is not a suitable option right now. I have found some audio, but I'd really like sisters' feedback.

(2) if you would recommend one favorite book by Imam Al Ghazzali (or another favorite scholar of your choice) it would be __________________

(3) if you would recommend one favorite book about Shia piety/practices/history it would be _____________

JAK

[kangamitroo]

salaam again—

also wanted to recommend a fun book: Love in a Headscarf by Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

http://lighttoreadby.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/love-in-a-headscarf/

[vpolo]

Hi everyone,

Salam Aleikum!  It am a little late to this thread since it is now 2012, but I dont think it is ever too late to post about aspirations on the path. 

So many wonderful messages posted here, I need to take my time to read them more carefully. I have a crying baby in my arms now so I am going to have to make this quick for now.

My wish is to be able to do salat more regularly since right now I barely even do it once or twice a day.  How about you all?  Perhaps somebody has already broached this subject previously.

I saw some people had asked about sufi orders etc.  I came to the first very slowly, first just by reading Rumi's poetry, and then by incorporating Bawa Muhaiyadeen's teachings.  Bawa was a  .  sufi teacher from Sri Lanka who came to the United States and brought people to God through very peace-loving and universal teachings (www.bmf.org). The mazaar where he is buried was the first to be built in the united states and serves as a place of pilgrimage for seekers.  The sufi path has allowed me to approach Islam gently in a non-threatening way, and has allowed me over time to come to undertand the original sources of Islam - Quran and Hadith.

What has been a challenge for me as modern western woman has been to overcome some of my over-rational and cynical inclinations in order to let the Light of the teachings in.  

But it is getting better with time.

Blessings to you all.

V

PS: I wish these posting were not public.

[youngspiritmom]

Salaam kangamitroo,

Registration is closed on Seekers Guidance but I did get an e-mail from them a while back announcing that they have now made all their classes available for free (or maybe pay what you can), so that might be something nice to keep in mind for the future.

:)

[kangamitroo]

there is an event in NJ next month, Shaykha Fest, & i thought some of you might be interested:

http://www.alrawiya.org/shaykhafest/2012speakers.html

if you plan to go, and have any interest in saying salaam in person, perhaps you could send me a PM.
 

[youngspiritmom]

Thanks for letting us know kangamitroo! This thread has been dead for a while....how is everyone?? Ramadan is coming up fast. I'm due with my second during Ramadan, so I've been focusing more on that than planning for Ramadan. I probably won't cook much, and I'm not planning on fasting, although I know a woman who did fast during her third trimester.

[~bookcase~]

as salaamu alaikum sisters

I'm joining in from the UK.

YSM, I'm 27 weeks pregnant atm, so insha'allah we will be welcoming our little ones around the same time insha'Allah