In the second episode of Growing Pains Season 2, we talk to mum-of-one and Fluff Bakery co-founder Nursyazanna Syaira about her adoption journey. She also shares some good advice for those looking to adopt here in Singapore.
About our guest – Nursyazanna Syaira
Before motherhood, this cupcake connoisseur was baking up a storm with Fluff Bakery, which Syaira co-founded with her husband. Lately, she’s been busy with the next stage of Fluff’s evolution – an expanded new space at North Bridge Road. Besides her bakery, she’s also occupied with Noah, her adopted son. Noah is the happy ending after an emotional rollercoaster involving a tumour in her husband’s brain and unsuccessful fertility journeys. We sat down with Syaira to find out more about her adoption story.
Key points we covered in this episode to take a listen to…
03:32 – What’s the adoption process in Singapore like? Syaira elucidates the private and public routes families can go through in order to adopt. According to Syaira, going through the private route may be fast, but it can be “transactional” and costly. The public route requires potential adopters to go through briefings and extensive assessments called a home study. She also elaborates more on the latter.
12:02 – Syaira’s first meeting with Noah felt unreal, according to her. The reality only sunk in after she was done with the formal process at the adoption agency. She goes on to share the first few weeks after Noah entered her life, and answers the perennial question: Is it true that it takes a village to raise a baby?
15:44 – Choosing to breastfeed her son: Syaira talks about her breastfeeding journey, and why she decided to do so. Was it as scary and painful as everything that she’s read up on the internet? She also explains the concept of “milk mothers”, which is prevalent in the Muslim community.
18:16 – Why is it important that Noah knows his adoption story at a young age? Syaira and Ange discuss the topic of adoption being taboo, how society has changed when it comes to adoption, and the secrecy of adoption.
22:15 – To parents who are looking into adopting in Singapore, Syaira recommends reading up on adoptions, understanding the processes, and doing extensive research. She also suggests speaking with someone who’s gone through the adoption process to know more.
Want to know more? Check out these resources…
If you’re curious about other adoption stories, check out our features on Linda Isham, an influencer and food reviewer who adopted initially before conceiving naturally, and Sarah Salmon, who has adopted two beautiful babies from Cambodia. We’ve also got a guide on the adoption process in Singapore.
Hungry after all that talk about Fluff Bakery? Well, you don’t have to look far – our site has the lowdown of all the best places to buy doughnuts, cupcakes, and more!
Speaking of Fluff, are you inspired by Syaira’s entrepreneurial journey? Read up on how she and other Singapore-based entrepreneurs juggle running a business and being a parent. Psst, Syaira is also featured in our coolest Instagram mums to follow roundup!
Watch this space for Episode 3, dropping next week!