Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

Just recently, I had a chat with a friend about her history of breastfeeding and how it all started out badly for her.

After the baby was born, she was ready to exclusively breastfeed, but upon reaching home from the hospital, the confinement lady (whom her mother in law engaged as a ‘gift’ for her) kept giving the baby formula.

My friend shared with me how she’d wake up from her nap with painful and engorged breasts, ready to breastfeed her baby, only to see her baby sleeping soundly because the confinement lady chose to not wake the Mommy (though she’s been asked to do so), and simply gave the bottle.

It was a frustrating experience for her. She knew about the benefits of breastfeeding, tried to breastfeed her baby, but she didn’t have the support at home.

[Top right photo: Less than 10-minute-old Anya being weighed next to the delivery room at TMC. She was 3.970 kg]

…

How was YOUR breastfeeding experience, btw?

As for me, when I look back and think about my own experience, I must say it was all relatively smooth sailing (with minor hiccups here and there along the way).

Both Anya and Vai were born at Thomson Medical Centre (TMC), and the nurses were supportive when I asked for total breastfeeding.

[Photo: Less than a day old Vai and Mommy at TMC]

Wilson and I attended TMC’s in-house Parentcraft session, conducted by Mrs Wong Boh Boi (its Senior Lactation Consultant), and found the tips and live-demo REALLY helpful!

I exclusively breastfed Anya and Vai till they both started their solids at the age of 5.5 months.

Anya was breastfed for 13.5 months, and Vai for 22.5months.

…

[This was when we appeared in Baby Plus magazine back in 2007. That’s 3yo Anya on the right. Vai was 5.5 months old, and was sleeping AND breastfeeding in that shot!]

I know there are many mommies out there who’re struggling with breastfeeding, or are in a lookout for more insights and help from experts.

I sure am not an expert, but I’d like to share with you tips and other insights which I learned and picked up from different sources.

Here they are.

WHY BREAST MILK IS THE BEST SOURCE OF NUTRITION

– Human breast milk is designed to be THE perfect baby food because it has all the nutrients needed to support the optimal growth of a baby (ie. Though it may not be possible for everyone, … if you could, you should try and breastfeed your child)

– Health experts all over the world recommend that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life because of the overwhelming benefits for both mother and child

– A mother’s nutritional demands are greatest during breastfeeding and she needs MORE calories in her diet than when she was pregnant. Good nutrition is therefore extra important.

[Anya and Vai: Breastfed babies at 11 months old]

…

MORE BREASTFEEDING TIPS :

– Try to place baby at the breast as soon as possible after birth. Ideally, this will happen right in the delivery room.

– Try to get some professional help, such as a lactation specialist or a nurse who is knowledgeable about breastfeeding to help and observe your technique.

– It would be better to have mothers and babies in the same hospital room, as this allows mothers to rest while the baby nurses. Breastfeeding can be relaxing, not tiring.

– Try to nurse on demand (may be up to twelve feedings a day).

– Don’t let your baby sleep through a feeding. If it’s been three hours since your newborn last fed, then it’s time to wake him or her up.

– Nurse for as long as the baby wants. Most newborns require ten to forty-five minutes to complete a feeding.

– The key to successful breastfeeding is a proper latch. Before you leave the hospital you should be shown how to get your baby latched on properly. You should also know that he is actually getting milk from the breast.

…

More useful links on breastfeeding from:
– Health Promotion Board
– Familydoctor.org
– Breastfeeding.com

…

When I was breastfeeding Anya and Vai, I remember how I drank lots of water, soya milk and fresh milk every day.

I knew I had to eat well too as breast milk’s quality does depend on the mother’s dietary intake too.

[Btw, I ate a lot AND frequently as I was hungry all the time!  I tried to go for more nutritious meals over junk food too. Tough at times, I must say]

I didn’t know (until recently) that there’s apparently milk that’s specially formulated for breastfeeding moms, called Anmum^TM Lacta (the only one in the market!)

It contains all sorts of nutrients that breastfeeding moms need in order to give nutritious goodness to the breastfed child.

[If only I had known about this some few years ago!]

Anyway, while we’re on the topic of breastfeeding, I’d like to share with you THREE more things.

If you go to this link: http://www.anmum-mum.com.sg, you’ll find out how you can:

– request for a sample from Anmum^TM

– register for FREE to attend their Breastfeeding Forum, scheduled for July 31st!

The speakers include: Mrs Wong Boh Boi (an excellent lactation specialist!) and Dr Ang Poon Liat (who happened to be my two kids’ pediatrician at the time they’re born).

– enter a Breastfeeding Pledge Contest and WIN prizes!

…

And here’s one extra good news:

If you’re one of the selected contest winners, you’ll be receiving an EXTRA HAMPER from Our Everyday Things!

Yup, MORE goodies for you!

NOTE:

When you’re submitting your pledge online, there’ll be a drop down menu and remember to choose ‘BLOG’ and write ‘Our Everyday Things’ there to get that extra hamper from me, if you won the contest!

SO exciting!

Can’t wait to give that hamper away to you, readers! All the best!