Mothering Corner

This is an old post from one of my blogs dated 2006-12-30…

This post will not be sponsored by PPP, but I insisted on writing it as I’m a breastfeeding fanatic. Why won’t it be sponsored? It’s because I don’t meet the page rank 4 requirement, but I’m doing this to support breastfeeding. Anyway, I didn’t get the opportunity, it’s gone by the time I clicked on it!

If you’re a regular to my blog, you’ll know by now that I exclusively breastfed Justin for 9 months (with solid food after 4 months), and I’m still breastfeeding Isabelle exclusively, and she’s 8 months old now.

To succeed in breastfeeding, these are my 3 keywords:

1. KNOWLEDGE

• Read up as much as you can on breastfeeding. I was born in an era when everyone believed formula milk is the best and convenient way of feeding babies. I don’t have many to turn to when it comes to breastfeeding.
• My mum nursed me, but not exclusively as she thought breastmilk is not filling enough for babies. To avoid starving me, she supplemented formula milk, but this it not true. Human babies need only breastmilk for the first 6 months, then you can start solid food slowly while still breastfeed the baby until 2 years old.
• I failed on Justin because I was pregnant with Isabelle, and despite my effort in trying to breastfeed during pregnancy, I couldn’t do it because I had placenta previa and was bleeding and been advised by my gynae not to breastfeed anymore.
• During confinement, you’ll have lots of “experts” around you whom will give you lots of advice, without the proper knowledge, you just don’t know which to follow. So, if you read up and knowledgable on breastfeeding, you can filter the unnecessary nonsence, and concentrate on doing what’s the best for you baby.
• Buy and learn how to use a breast pump. Good breast pumps are expensive, but they’ll save up the money you’ll be spending on formula and medical bills. Breastfed babies are generally healthier, I have 2, so you can count on this.
• Oh ya, buy breastpads, lots of them! LOL!

2. DETERMINATION

• I’m very determined since young. I’ve made up my mind to breastfeed my kids when I was pregnant, so I won’t let myself failed.
• I didn’t stand by formula milk, that means breastmilk is the only food source my babies get right after delivery.
• Hide all the bottles, if you bought any. Only take them out after the first month or 6 weeks to avoid nipple confusion.
• Baby suckles a lot, so you have to bear being a pacifier to her. No artificial pacifier please, your breasts are meant for the baby!
• Keep telling yourself, you’re tired, but one day, you’ll still sleep thru the night. I haven’t slept thru the night since Justin was born, but I’m still as determined as before, wanna breastfeed Isabelle as long as possible.
• Remember, we humans are mammals, and mammals breastfeed their youngs. There’s no such thing as NO MILK, only lazy, inadequate knowledge, and no support for mothers who want to breastfeed. So, refer to point #1.

3. SUPPORT

• Get some support from hubby, tell him everything you know about breastfeeding. If there’re negative comments about it, let hubby handle for you during confinement as during that time, with baby blues, engorgement, colic, etc, the last thing you want to hear is unpleasant remark on your breastfeeding effort.
• I educated my MIL as she’s with me during confinement. I didn’ want her to stand against my will to breastfeed. But my mum who’s miles away was against my effort to breastfeeding Justin at first. She was worried that I didn’t get enough rest, but now, when she sees how healthy Justin is, and how slim I can (ahem..) she supports breastfeeding!!! Even asked my brother’s wife to fully breastfeeding baby Elizabeth.
• Join breastfeeding support groups. There’re a few online groups, but I prefer local forum where I feel homely.
• If you need any help, please email me, I’m more than willing to help you out.