Tips : Overcoming Breastfeeding Challenges (and Nursing Tops Giveaway, from LittleDreamer)
[Brie at 3 weeks old]
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Okay. Here’s the reality.
Breastfeeding may be one of the most natural things in the world, but it’s not that easy to many.
We all know its goodness and how it’s something that’s worth doing, but there ARE challenges that all moms face when it comes to actually doing it.
*wave if you agree =)*
Many moms need to persevere and even ‘learn’ it, and through time (and effort!), it IS possible to breastfeed a baby for weeks and months.
I am one who completely supports breastfeeding babies. I breastfed Anya for 14 months, Vai for 22 months and I hope to breastfeed Brie for around 18 months or so.
I know many moms hope to breastfeed their babies too, but are often discouraged by the tough reality of breastfeeding, especially since they face so many challenges in the early weeks. So today I hope to put together my top 4 common challenges all moms face when it comes breastfeeding.
Hope this post can encourage struggling or breastfeeding moms, to not give up, and to not feel that they’re facing such situations alone (Feel free to share and forward this post to other new moms too)
[One-day-old Brie, still at the hospital. One tip from me: Do inform the hospital staff early if you’d like to go for ‘total breastfeeding’. This way, whenever baby is hungry, baby is brought to your room, instead of being given formula in the nursery]
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Here goes.
> My baby can’t latch on properly
To many, this leads to painful breastfeeding and sore nipples.
Breastfeeding really should not be like this, and I’d really REALLY suggest that before it gets worse and you’re completely discouraged, do seek help and info. From websites (where step-by-step pictures can help), lactation consultants or even friends who have successfully breastfed their babies.
Here are some helpful links:
– Video – Latch Positioning and Breastfeeding (about.com)
– Breastfeeding : Help for Latch-on Difficulties (ivillage.com)
– Proper Positioning and Latch-On Skills (askdrsears.com)
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> “Do I have enough milk or not?”
I had this doubt too, for all THREE babies. The thought of ‘Should I perhaps add formula feeding too?’ crossed my mind as well.
For my case, I didn’t introduce the formula, instead I continued to breastfeed as often as I could in those early days (first two weeks to be exact). Lots of waking up a very sleepy baby involved.
This is a real challenge, I feel, because if we pump, we’d get so little, and we wonder why our baby takes very long to feed and still cry after being breastfed.
So yes, I did feel like a ‘milk machine’, having to breastfeed the baby throughout the day, for VERY often. And yes, I hardly got any sleep because newborn babies are naturally more awake at night and sleep more during the day (like when they’re still in the womb). But once you can pass the initial 3-4 weeks, it’ll be more predictable, and we should roughly be more used to the routine.
In the first few days and weeks, it’s more like a mind game, really.
If we think we CAN do it, we most likely will succeed. If we think we CANNOT do it, that you don’t have enough milk anyway and start to mix with formula, then most likely it’s tougher to breastfeed for very long too (because when we start mix feeding, baby is full for longer periods and is breastfed less, and our milk supply is consequently affected and we’ll have less and less produced)
So, how do I know my babies were getting enough milk? I based it on the baby’s increasing weight when we went to the doctor for baby’s regular check-ups and vaccinations =)
[In a changing room with Brie at 6 weeks. I knew Brie was getting enough milk from her weight gain]
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> My Confinement Lady and Mother In Law suggest that I also give baby some Formula
Errr … this is a tough one, because the last thing we need when we’re struggling with breastfeeding (and doubting ourselves if we have enough breastmilk for our baby) is people around us who discourage us from breastfeeding.
It’s frustrating. I mean, we are tired, sleep-deprived, wanting to succeed in breastfeeding the baby, but we keep on hearing remarks that confirm our doubts and worries? It can get really emotionally draining for moms.
Basically, we’ll most likely give up too (and start to mix with formula) when we don’t have people who are supportive of breastfeeding around us.
For this one, I say, surround yourself with people who SUPPORT breastfeeding. Chat and talk to friends who’ve managed to breastfeed successfully, and if you engage a confinement lady, then ensure that you’re getting one who supports breastfeeding. As for the MIL, errr … I pray that yours is a supportive one too. Having minimal ‘unsupportive of breastfeeding’ family members around too much in those first few weeks has its benefits somehow.
[For my case, my sisters, Mom and MIL didn’t breastfeed their children for more than three months. Their babies were given breastmilk mixed with formula from the start. Most nurses who helped them at the hospital also encouraged formula feeding. So I was the only one who managed to exclusively breastfeed for more than a year. Am grateful that I managed to overcome my doubts]
[Brie was about 7 weeks old here and we were in an outdoor food court in Jakarta when she’s breastfed]
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> Not feeling comfortable breastfeeding in public
Personally, I am quite casual when it comes to breastfeeding on the go.
When out and about, I’d wear a loose shirt, or a tight fitting top plus a cardigan, and breastfeed my babies covered with a sling or any piece of cloth. And I’d do this anywhere. On the bus, in a library, at a coffee shop, and I make sure it’s done discreetly and I don’t expose any ‘skin’ (It gets easier with practice =)
[Btw, in an Asian country like Singapore, some people still do ‘stare’ at moms when it’s obvious that they’re breastfeeding their baby in public. This reason, I assume, is one reason why some moms feel uncomfortable doing it in public, however discreet they already are]
[Breastfeeding Brie on the plane, during take-off and landing, helps to reduce the pressure on the baby’s ear]
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One thing that can help moms when breastfeeding in public is when they wear a nursing top, which most likely does not require any lifting of the shirt from below.
Like this top below from Earth, Mom and Baby, sold here in Singapore by LittleDreamer. You just have to lift the extra layer in front, and voila! =)
(Click HERE to read my review of this nursing top on Facebook)
[Wearing the Pika Bubi Nursing Top- Short Sleeved” by Earth, Mom and Baby]
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Did you encounter any breastfeeding challenges too? Did you manage to overcome them?
Hope to hear YOUR breastfeeding journey and any practical tips too yeah!
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Now, I really hope more moms are encouraged (and not give up) when their breastfeeding journey has its ups and downs.
And so I’m glad to host this ‘Post Chinese New Year’ giveaway today!
THREE PIKA BUBI NURSING TOPS (worth S$49.90 each), thanks to LittleDreamer!
Win it for yourself, or win it as a gift to another Mommy!
Here’s what you need to do :
1. ‘LIKE’ Our Everyday Things Facebook Page, if you haven’t done so =)
2. ‘LIKE’ Little Dreamer Facebook Page
3. Share this giveaway post on Facebook or Twitter
4. Leave a comment here on this post, and share your breastfeeding story or tips!
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Please still do share your story / tips even if you’re not entering the giveaway yeah! Would love to hear from you! (Perhaps just indicate in your comment that you’re not going for the giveaway? =)
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Note:
– Open only to those who reside in Singapore
– Contest closes on Tuesday, 31 January, 11.59pm
– Three winners will be randomly selected and announced the next day. Please do check my blog for the winners’ names, as all winners are to email me their mailing address within 48 hours to claim their prizes.
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All the best!
And here’s to a smooth breastfeeding journey!!
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[added on 1 Feb 2012]
Hello all!
Thanks for participating in the giveaway and for sharing your breastfeeding journey and thoughts on this! Really insightful! Lots of informative and helpful tips and info too! THANKS!!
Now, as to the winners, LittleDreamer the sponsor has chosen three names!
They are:
1. Jane
2. Vicky
3. Homeschool@SG
CONGRATULATIONS, ladies!!
Do remember to email me your mailing addresses in 48 hours to claim your prizes yeah!
leonny[at]oureverydaythings[dot]com
Another giveaway coming up REAL soon! Hope you all are having fun, learning from each other and enjoying the little gifts too! =D
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Hi everyone!!
Thanks so much for participating in this giveaway AND for sharing your breastfeeding journey too! I’m learning a lot from you guys, and I’m sure LOTS of other moms benefit from the helpful tips and info you all shared too!!
Btw, LittleDreamer the nursing top sponsor has chosen the three winners! The names are out!
Do check out the giveaway blog post yeah!!
(and if you didn’t win it this time round, there’ll be more giveaways coming up REAL soon! =D )
Thanks for the post and giveaway! I agree it’s all about mind game in the first few days. Bfeeding is really hard work but I am glad I didn’t give up in the beginning.. I am able to bfeed baby Elin 100% 🙂
There is something strangely fun and fulfilling seeing milk pumped out from our bodies. That must be why the moms here sound so high when talking about our own encounters. 🙂
For moms who can’t do it cos of choice or situations, hey, who says only breastfed babies are the only ones loved! We are all mothers who care for our children. No one got the right to be judgmental. If there are such folks around, ignore them!
*I’m nursing my 7 month old DS2 as I’m typing this*
My breastfeeding journeys with DS1 and DS2 are vastly different.
DS1 ‘didn’t’ want to latch from day 3. He would fuss at my breast and push me away in anger. His whole face would turn red, then purple as he fought me off. To say that I was stressed is grossly understated. I later found out that my nipples were short and my milk wasn’t coming in. Yes, he was supplemented w FM at hospital as he was constantly crying. Back home, we gave him whatever BM i could pump out (was pathetic at the start, just 20ml per side from day 5) and topped up with formula. He took so much FM that I felt so terrible. I was determined to BF since during my pregnancy when I read all about the goodness of BM. I pumped religiously 6-8 times a day, took domperidone and my milk supply got going. But DS1 still refused to latch so I pumped exclusively. My supply peaked at month 3 and I was producing close to 2 litres a day! I was overjoyed and since then I was obsessed with the volumes. If somehow supply dropped, my heart would too. It was an emotional rollercoaster ride and I must say I didn’t enjoy pumping, though I was happy to have milk for DS1. So by 2nd month, he was on total expressed BM till 8 months. I finally gave up as i really hated the hassle of pumping.
With DS2, it was a different story altogether. He latched on and suckled well from the start. My short nipples didn’t faze him. Later, i read that babies are BREASTfeed, not NIPPLEfeed. All was fine and dandy until he was found to have severe jaundice at day 3. It was blood type incompatibility jaundice and PD advised that he be supplemented w FM. I read up and some websites even suggested no BM which can contribute to jaundice. I was devastated. My PD gave the ok to BM however. He had to undergo phototherapy for 3 days and that definitely interfered latching. I continued to pump from home and brought whatever little BM to give him at hospital. Leaving him behind tore my heart. I was a complete weepy worrywart. I worried abt his high jaundice level, my supply – with him just latching once a day, whether he would prefer artificial teats since he was having those more than my breasts at the hospital. Thank God he was able to be discharged after 3 ‘painful’ days and he still preferred breast… till today! I feel very blessed that BF is a success with DS2. I do enjoy the freedom to nurse on the go. My whole family used to need to accomodate to my ‘max 6 hours’ outing trips so i could come home to pump. With DS2, we go out for entire days ever so often and i have so much more time w DS1 since there’s no need to spend time pumping away, then washing, then sterilizing, then storing milk. DS2 didn’t have to wail in hunger as his milk didn’t need to be defrosted then warmed. I am truly enjoying the fuss-free nursing!
My nursing wardrobe is limited – a small sacrifice of BFing mothers. What works for me are nursing tanks which only exposes the aerola. I pair these with wrap-style tops for variety. Winning a nursing top will definitely help my dressing 🙂
Thanks Leonny for your wonderful blog, the insightful parenting tips and great giveaways! Love love love!
Just an add on that I believe made a difference to my successful BFing. One LC saw me struggling to latch newborn DS2 in cradle hold and ‘scolded’ me. Then she showed me the crossover hold which supposedly helps newborns hold the latch well. It worked like a charm! I used crossover hold until baby was 2 months and then its cradle hold till now.
Hi Jane
The crossover hold is fantastic! I also used the football hold very often, especially when I needed to clear blocked ducts in certain ‘tricky’ parts of the breasts. ;p
Hi Carol,
Yup i like the crossover hold as it really did work. What I didn’t like was that the position is not the most natural for our hands and left my muscles aching after a while, esp since newborns can nurse for a LONG time, naps in between too. So I grit my teeth and hung on. Eventually, I got my aching arms a nursing pillow – life-saver!! Nursing started looking up from there.
I am only 19 weeks into my pregnancy. No first-hand experiences to share.
But I do hope that I would be able to breastfeed my baby. My cousins, my friends have all been breastfeeding their babies.
Well, the least I could offer some tips to mothers-to-be to prepare themselves for breastfeeding.
1. Educating yourself and your family the benefits of breastfeeding. This would definitely be the best motivator, when you understand the benefits it brings to your child. Believe in yourself. It might be difficult at first, but breastfeeding is one of the most innate gift from god. You can do it!
It is really important to educate your husband and your family as well, that it is something that shouldn’t be shame of when you need to feed to baby in the public.
2. Having your baby brought to you as soon as your baby is born.
3. Prepare yourself with the breastfeeding accessories eg. breast pump, clothes suitable for breastfeeding, nursing pads etc.
4. Most importantly, one should not not stress yourself too much over breastfeeding your babies.
I found out from my mother that she had ALOT of milk and had breastfed me for a month before seeking medical assistance to cut her milk supply…yes…it sounds so rediculous when mostly what we hear are lack-of-milk complains from willing mothers! However, my mother also mentioned that during her time, breastfeeding wasn’t *in fashion* and that her gynae did not support the natural act!
Now that I’m a mother myself, and m equipped with information about the goodness of breastmilk, how can I not give the best to my children? I have breastfeedingbreastfed my elder till 3.5yo and am exclusively breastfeeding my 7weeks old baby. Both latch on.
The last I heard there’s a new ruling that all hospitals here are to stop goodgiving out milk powder samples in the attempt to encourage breastfeeding…I cheer for that!
(
Though I’m a ln ardent supporter of breastfeeding, I’d say it’s ultimately a personal decisionthat outsidersshould not be judgmental about. My mom recently told me how my SIL wasn’t too keen on breastfeeding her baby exclusively and wanted me to prep-talk her…I declined and reminded my mum that it’s her choice and that doesn’t mean she is a bad mother at all.
Last but not least, I’m a formula fed child too and I think I grow up fine 🙂
I am so glad my breastfeeding journey for my 3 kids were not tough (At least by they were before 3 weeks old, I manage to latch them old). My first 2 had breastmilk for 18 months. Now 4 months old baby still breastfeed in progress, I hope I can feed her till 18 months too.
I enjoyed breastfeeding as it’s the only thing I can give the best to them, since I am a busy working mother. Not to mention the bonding with them that I will definitely miss when they grow up;)
Carol: that’s not the same with every case. my cousin is now breastfeeding her baby (as in exclusive breastfeeding) and found out that baby is allergic to cows milk so now my cousin CAN’T drink milk or have any dairy products and have to drink soy milk cos her newborn apparently is allergic to dairy products. we’re talking about 1 month old here. so apparently, no breastmilk is NOT 100% compatible
Actually, I also have a friend who now avoids taking dairy products because she feels it’s affecting the baby’s health (baby’s poo was bloodied since birth =(.
Weird, may be … and the doctor said that it’s not medically proven (ie. that it’s caused by baby being allergic to dairy products passed thru via breastmilk, etc) … but anyway, the mom stopped taking dairy products and baby is now healthy and well, and exclusively breastfed.
I guess, there are just unique situations that many others encounter as well.
Thanks for sharing Sis!
Hi Siska
I think you misunderstood my point. Breastmilk itself, instrinsically, is 100% compatible with babies. Breastmilk = human milk. The allergy that your friend’s baby has towards her breastmilk is not because of her breastmilk per se, but allergy towards the dairy products. It’s dairy allergy, not breastmilk allergy.
In my family’s case, DS1 doesn’t have any allergy towards dairy, but DS2 does. I am the one, same and only source of breastmilk (also exclusive breastfeeding) for both boys. But because of DS2’s allergy to dairy, he gets moderate eczema from time to time if I increase my milk or cheese intake.
Sorry if I sound like I am nitpicking, but due to a lot of inaccurate myths and misconceptions about breastfeeding and breastmilk, I feel compelled to set the record right here, in case any less informed moms-to-be misunderstand and think that there is really some breastmilk which is not suitable for babies.
Breastmilk is God-created food for babies: how can it not be compatible? Societies past and present, which had or have no access to infant formula, have brought up generations on breastmilk. How can breastmilk per se not be compatible with babies?
I’m all for breastfeeding. But not all people have enough breastmilk. I hate to say that a lot of breastfeeding mothers do judge those who do not breastfeeding. For me, if I could (read: have the milk), I will cos tightass like me won’t spend money on formula if not necessary. But I didn’t have milk. Yes, I engaged with the lactation consultant on regular basis and at the end of the month they agreed that I just didn’t produce enough milk. So do i have to so blinded with breastfeeding that I starved my baby, insisting NO FORMULA?? I can’t be that cruel. For those breastfeeding mums, they only have one mindset and they swear by it. Their mindset is ALL MOTHERS have milk. and they don’t and cant accept the fact that some mothers don’t have milk. That is why I ‘hate’ breastfeeding mums. most of them have that mindset.
Breastfeeding mums think that they are the best and will always convinced (and by that putting down non breastfeeding mothers) that breastfeeding babies will have better immune system than formula fed babies or babies will have less allergies if they are breastfed. Ya, ya, ya… i had to put up with that A LOT!!!!! esp in here where everyone is so fanatic about breastfeeding. it’s almost like a crime to formula feed your babies. Well, guess what??? My 2 sisters and I are product of formula fed babies. We grew up fine. My 2 children are formula fed. and they got sick less often (way less often) than a lot of breastfeeding babies that i know (in my mother’s group). My daughter fell sick for the first time when she was 2 yo. as in catching cold. common sickness. As for food allergies… my breastfeeding friends’ children have a lot of allergies, to a point that is life threatening. i’m talking about those exclusively breastfed babies. My 2 kids have got NO food allergies whatsoever.
So, what i want to say is that while breastfeeding is the best option. some have to resort to formula feed. and i want to say, it’s PERFECTLY OKAY… it’s not a crime to formula feed your babies eventhough they make it sound like we’re commiting the biggest crime by not breastfeeding our babies.
For those breastfeeding mothers, good on you! but please please please please in promoting breastfeeding, NEVER judge those who don’t/can’t breastfeed. the tone of your voice, the choice of words… it’s a very fine line between promoting breastfeeding and making it sound like formula feed mothers are bad mothers
Thanks for bringing up this point, Sis …
I have a good friend who tried her best in breastfeeding her firstborn, … like she really tried her best, and felt really bad for not being able to breastfeed her baby in the end, and gave the formula instead.
We comforted her and encouraged her to not feel down, not to feel ‘guilty’, and that formula is also not all bad, especially since we knew how she’s tried her best anyway.
(of course it’s easier said than done, especially if we’re not the one who experienced the situation)
Not easy for the moms who really wanted to breastfeed but somehow for reasons we don’t know…they simply can’t.
As you said, formula fed babies of course grow up fine too. I am one of them =)
Personally, I say, the key is … to not give up easily when challenges are there, because it IS not easy to most moms. But IF, in the end, for some reasons, it’s just not working out after trying all sorts of ways, … we all want the best for the baby, and so giving the baby formula is of course completely fine too.
Hi Siska
Communication is two-way. On one hand, I agree that nursing moms should not judge or sound judgemental, because really this is not a competition and it is so futile to do such comparisons. The time and energy can be better spent elsewhere.
On the other hand, non-nursing moms also need not feel defensive when they hear others advocate (no matter how fiercely) breastfeeding or breastmilk. After all, consider the context of their passionate advocation. If it is on blogs or forums or websites that seek to promote breastfeeding, their zeal is well-placed and apt. In the case of this blog entry, clearly Leonny is promoting breastmilk (but not at the detriment of infant formula) and other mummies who have posted comments are just sharing our zeal and breastfeeding experiences for mutual encouragement and edification.
Now, let’s consider the larger societal context. Nursing moms may sound even over-zealous simply because no one spends zillions of dollars advertising for breastmilk; the persuasion/conversion is by word of mouth, one mom at a time. Hence we may feel we need to speak louder, sound more passionate, just to be heard above all the commercials done by infant formula companies and the misconceptions commonly perpetuated about the ‘ills’ of breastfeeding or breastmilk. A louder voice also because it is so much easier to just give up trying to breastfeed, especially given that breastfeeding difficulties on average last for some six weeks after delivery. So we share and cheer louder, in the hope that other mommies will persevere longer.
My sister gave birth last year to my nephew. Due to a whole host of different contributing factors, my nephew couldn’t suckle properly and her milk supply was affected (because the body read it as diminished demand and hence produced less milk). To make matters worse, she had breast infection on one side, which meant she had to let the infection heal fully before she could even try to pump on that side. With one side down, and the other diminished, she used infant formula to supplement. My response to her then was to keep encouraging her, telling her not to give up, assuring her that it was not because she ‘naturally’ had less milk, encouraging her to keep pumping the side that was uninfected and to resume pumping when the infected side had recovered. We lived apart, but kept each other going at night by SMS-ing each other when we both woke up to pump, twice every night. From full infant formula supplementation when my nephew was a couple of weeks old to full breastmilk when my nephew turned six months old, it was one long hard journey for her, but she kept to a simple faith and pumped doggedly away day after day, night after night. I am really proud of her perseverance. My nephew is nearly one year old now, and still on total breastmilk.
I have no qualms defending my sister’s right, as well as any other mommies’ right, to choose whatever type of milk they want to feed their babies with. After all, it’s their children and it is their own or their families’ lifestyle choice.
But it is one thing to say that it is perfectly acceptable to have infant formula as an alternative to breastmilk. It is another thing to say infant formula is the same (and hence by inference, just as good) as breastmilk, which is what a lot of the marketing campaigns by infant formula companies would like mommies to believe. Infant formula, derived from cow’s milk mainly (or soybean for the soy-based formula), is a ‘simulation’ of human milk. In comparison, human milk contains active, ‘live’ micro-organisms and antibodies that, to date, have chemical properties that are not fully understood by scientists and thus they cannot be re-created in infant formula.
Whether breastmilk truly boosts immunity or not, I will leave it to scientific research to back up or prove otherwise since I am not the expert. As with all tests, surveys and research, there will always be exceptions to the majority. I suspect most of us who have chosen to breastfeed did so out of a much more ‘basic’ instinct though. That is simply that breastfeeding is the natural way to feed newborns, and breastmilk is the natural food for them.
Ironically, many of us breastfeeding moms now were fed infant formula as babies. Are we worse off or better off? The jury is still out there. But do we judge our moms? No. We are thankful we live in times when information is more readily available to help us make informed choices, whatever these may be.
Ok, my comment is lost? I’m in! I hope to win this! I need it! I’ve liked in FB using my own private account though. My only tip for successful breastfeeding: latch, latch, latch. Surest way to make milk. :))
I forgot to mention that we recently discovered that my younger boy is allergic to cow’s milk, when we fed him a few spoonfuls of natural yoghurt for the first time. We truly felt relieved that he was breastfed from birth. With breastmilk, we didn’t have to worry about allergy or lactose intolerance, as breastmilk is 100% compatible with babies! =)
I am tandem nursing my 32 month-old boy and my 11-month old boy. Both have been breastfed since birth and had no FM till date. Despite our journey being fraught with difficulties such as recurrent mastitis, blocked ducts, ‘strawberry milk’, it has been very rewarding growing in confidence with my two nurslings in our breastfeeding journey.
I would strongly encourage all MTBs to arm yourselves with as much information and knowledge about breastfeeding during your pregnancy so that you will not get confused into self-doubt by the myths and misconceptions that most non-practising breastfeeding moms perpetuate. Attend breastfeeding workshops run by the Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group. They were invaluable in my own experience, and also linked me up with many breastfeeding moms who became my own little breastfeeding support network.
More importantly, take your husbands along to the workshops, so that they will be equipped with the same knowledge and will share your conviction to breastfeed. I credit my husband – my ultimate breastfeeding champion, cheerleader and defender – for my being able to sustain the journey so far. He does his share in the breastfeeding journey – taking charge of most of the other household chores, bathing and diapering the boys, thus enabling me to focus on breastfeeding and have enough rest. Indeed, sometimes, he is the more ardent advocate in our family. Breastfeeding was not just my own decision, but our family’s decision.
Breastfeeding has also redefined my wardrobe since two years back. Boring? Maybe, to some. But I enjoy seeking out nursing clothes that marry functionality with good design. And I believe that the prize for this giveaway represents one such winsome ‘marriage’. =)
Hope i can win for my friend =)
breastfeeding my son has taught me so many things about myself, about God’s grace and about bonding with your child in a way like no other. But it really wasn’t easy for me at first. My son wouldn’t latch on when he was born and I had to turn to a pump to stimulate the milk. Even after hourly pumping for 2 straight days I had no milk at all and everyone was telling me to give formula, which i evenutally caved in and did because the doc said my boy was beginning to get dehydrated. I felt like such a horrible mum! Then i remember seeing the first few droplets of colostrum coming out on the 4th day and i was so so happy! The nurses fed it to my boy with a syringe. Even then, my boy didn’t want to latch on throughout the entire duration of my confinement but because i so badly wanted to breastfeed him i kept pumping till my nipples were sore and cracked. To motivate myself, i would pray over each pumping session and listen to Christian music, then take photos of the amount of milk i pumped.
Then after my confinement, i kept trying to latch my boy on (my confinement lady hardly let me carry him because she wanted me to rest, so i had minimal contact with him in the first month). He would scream, kick and cry and i felt so helpless. but surprise surprise, one day he just decided to latch on and suckle! i was so overjoyed. That, and constant pumping got my supply up to speed pronto.
So far my greatest challenges have been: 1) enduring the pain of blocked ducts so bad i had to go to the hospital to get a lactation consultant’s hep 2) maintaining a pump schedule while at work that minimally affects my time away from my work 3) gracefully and patiently receiving and responding to criticism that i am too ‘extreme’ in my breastfeeding endeavours because i have crossed the recommended minimum length of time to exclusively breastfeed my baby (my boy is now 7mths). And no doubt after all these challenges i have been more than tempted to give up. But who is anybody to tell me i shld give up this precious bonding time with my baby? It’s really gone beyond the nutritional aspect; i want to continue to enjoy this once-only time with my son because i know the time for him to wean off will come sooner than later.
Ditto ditto on everything Leonny! A well written post. I feel so nostalgic thinking about breastfeeding, the feeling of having a “let down” of milk… it is just, indescribable! You definitely need to trust your own body, its supply vs demand, and definitely surround yourself with positive people who support BFding. I really couldn’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t though!!
I heard of confinement ladies who would feed the babies formula milk so as to “not wake the mom up”. I think that is SO totally unhelpful towards the supply of milk though. It would compromise the supply wouldn’t it?? Here in Australia, the baby stays with the mom from the moment it is born. No such thing as “nursery” unless your child or the mother is unwell. I remember my three little ones, just being put on my chest the moment they were born, and there they are suckling away for hours and hours even before they were cleaned up!
So when babie cries, she/he is just right next to you, the cries stimulate the “milk reaction”. It’s a totally natural thing…. OH I MISS IT SO MUCH I WANT TO CRY!
Anyways, great giveaway! I will share on my FB page anyways 🙂
XXX
I am currently still breastfeeding my almost 6-months old daughter and I must say the journey isn’t easy. My little girl went through a nursing strike and refused my breasts when I went back to work after my maternity leave. She cried so hard for the bottle and I had to spend weeks to entice her to latch directly. My personal tips: (1) Green papaya with fish bones soup helps a lot to encourage milk flow. Whenever I feel that my milk supply is running low, I will cook the soup and milk flow will improve by the next day! (2) Instead of pumping exclusively, do try to let baby latch directly. The suckling motion of baby’s mouth will stimulate milk flow. (3) Eat well. Many moms want to slim down as soon as possible but without a good diet of proteins, carbs and vitamins, there will be no milk. I hope to breastfeed my daughter until she is at least 1 yr old. Another 6 months to go!
I had very little milk since beginning, even my gynae said so and prescribed me with domperidone. The lactation consultants at the hospital were helpful but when I was discharged she suggested that I supplement with formula until my supply increase.
However, I was surrounded by unsupportive family members and always discouraged me from breastfeeding as they always commented that I did not feed my baby enough milk.
After the first month, I went back to stay at my own house and determined to continue breastfeed my baby. I tried taking fenugreek, google a lot of info about low supply in breastfeeding even changed my breastpump. I managed to breastfeed him for most of feeding time and limit formula for once or twice per day.
Once I started working again, I continued to pump at office. I did not get much, at most 2 bottles but I persevere. At this point, I accepted the fact that I did not have enough supply but a little is still better than nothing. So I continued to pump and let my boy latch on at night. A lot of sleepless night and lack of sleep as he can wake up 2-3 times at night.
14 months later I still breastfed him at night but I stop pumping at all when he turned 1 year old. Surprisingly, there is still milk until now and my boy still like me to feed him especially when he wants to sleep.
Lesson learnt, breastfeed is not easy and you need a lot of perserverence and patience. =)
I was nodding and nodding my head to all the things u said in yr article! I breastfed my eldest for 32 months. And probably will still let her nurse if not for the threatened abortion situation I was facing with her unborn sibling.
I have to say that no one was around to really guide me into total breastfeeding. Folks around me all gave up on it like right from the start or when the baby turns 1 month. I was terribly shocked when I tried to pump out milk at the hospital after delivery to find that I don’t have a single drop! It was definitely one of the reasons I immediately gave up and ask the hospital to provide formula. Looking back, I realized that I started off with the wrong pump. It was a little battery operated single pump! A dual pump is highly recommended! Saves time and increase flow cos yr body thinks u r feeding twins! It’s a demand and need system. Anyway I was also too anxious then and too inexperienced to have given up so quickly.
My flow was established when my eldest started to reject the bottle at about 3 months old! We were touring Bali and I very nearly went mad when she started to diarrhea from formula and only wanted my breasts. I was so stressed but it was then that she forced my body to meet her needs 🙂 I’m very thankful!
Now with my son, breastfeeding has become such a natural thing to me! At the hospital I didn’t force myself to say no to formula completely cos I know I was too tired. The last thing I want to do is stress myself out. So though I put him to my breasts, I still allow the nurses to feed him. My baby was 4.2kg so if he didn’t get enough milk his glucose level will plummet.
All is well after we got home. And u r right, weight gain means you are feeding him enough! And another way to tell would be whether yr baby wets himself about 4-6 times every day.
I don’t have such a lot of breast milk like those ladies out there who boast of having so much that they want to give or sell away. But as long as my son doesn’t complain, I already give myself a huge pat on the back.
Now that I’m back at work, I also still pump to make sure he is fully
On breast milk till at least 6 months old. After that it will just serve as a supplement and bonding after being away hours at work.
The key thing really is not to force it. That way breast feeding can be such a huge joy!
As for breastfeeding in public, I’m easy. Haha. In fact it’s my family who
Keeps getting nervous and try to cOver me all the time. If pple stare then let them, you are doing the most natural and ancient thing of all times. Ignore but definitely use the right clothes and feeding cloth to ensure you dont show anything that others shouldn’t be seeing!
Good luck to mothers out there who are also breast feeding. Drink lots of soup and water, it works wonders to the volume generated.
Oh and even when the breasts are not hard, doesn’t mean you don’t have milk. It may just mean that yr baby has successfully emptied them and milk is being generated for the next feed.
Thanks for this giveaway!
In the first few days, I used to pump for 5 minutes each side in between feeds to get a good flow going!
Alex refused to latch and breastfeed for the first three days. He slept most of the time & never cried for milk. Since I was determined to breastfeed, I told the nurses not to feed him formula or glucose water during our hospital stay. But I was so worried when he started to have jaundice and blood stained urine on the forth day.
I quickly pump out my breast milk (was still colostrum at that time) and let him drink by using syringe.
I still try to let him latch on for every 2-3 hours. And forced him to wake up and drink by open up his clothes and diapers =P Have to be cruel at that time, otherwise he will keep on sleeping and his jaundice will get worse.
Thank God, it gets better after one week =)
One thing that I learnt, perseverance is what I need.