After giving birth to my 1st child I made an ode to myself that I will ensure to exclusively breastfeed my 2nd child without formula supplementation.
I made extensive preparations from deeper learning and research on how to exclusively breastfeed. I read books and articles online regarding successful breastfeeding.
I also invested in equipment I purchased a double electric breast pump, deep chest freezer. breastmilk storage.
Also, I talked with my husband regarding my desire to exclusively breastfeed.
And ask for his moral support to succeed in my mission.
On May 13 exactly 6 years ago. I gave birth via caesarian operation with my youngest daughter Alexis.
I remembered vividly my happiness upon seeing Alexis for the first time. And having the opportunity to breastfeed Alexis for the first time. We had an instant connection it was deeply joyful.
As a 2nd time mother, I am more confident with my child's latching. I know for a fact that my milk supply is sufficient for my newborn baby.
After recovery from CS operation, I had given the chance to breastfeed Alexis. Rooming-in your baby after giving birth is important ensuring that no formula milk is given to your baby and feeding your baby directly to your breast.
For all the future breastfeeding mothers.
You do not need to be stressed out about your milk supply. Stay calm and be informed of the size of your newborn baby's stomach and its developmental growth.
For the first few days upon given birth breastmilk supply is richly concentrated with colostrum thus breastmilk supply of all mothers is actually low.
Colostrum is the first milk you produce when starting breastfeeding it is the ideal nourishment for a newborn. It’s highly concentrated, full of protein and nutrient-dense – so a little goes a long way in your baby’s tiny tummy. It’s also low in fat, easy to digest, and brimming with components that start his development in the best possible way. And, perhaps even more importantly, it plays a crucial role in building his immune system.
Colostrum looks thicker and more yellow than mature milk. Its composition is different too because it’s tailored to your newborn’s specific needs.SOURCE -Medela.com
We did not buy any formula milk for Alexis since birth up to this day.
I practically saved a huge sum of money with the help of my exclusive breastfeeding.
Not buying formula milk is one of the primary reasons why I was successful in exclusively breastfeeding Alexis.
Being dependent on formula milk and feeding it to a newborn baby drastically change the feeding habits of a baby.
The baby feels milk is unlimited and your baby tends to overfeed on formula. Thus in effect, the mother's milk supply becomes low. When your baby's demand for breast milk lessens due to formula feeding mother's breastmilk supply lessen too.
The mother's body is so amazing! It acts out double time or decreases production if needed. If your baby breastfeeds more it produces more milk. Inversely, if your baby breastfeeds lesser your body will adjust its supply thinking your baby does not need milk. That is why it is very crucial that in the first months of your newborn direct breastfeeding the baby is a must to ensure proper feeding, establishing mom's good milk supply, and avoiding overfeeding the small tummy of a baby.
I firmly believe that knowledge is power so it is beneficial for a mother to deeply understand the intricacies and know-how of successful breastfeeding. Education is the key to empowerment. This will ensure confident mother successfully breastfeeding their child and providing the ultimate nutritious food and love for your growing baby.
Every mother and future mother should know this. This should also be taught in school.
If a mother of a newborn baby knows that her low breastmilk supply is absolutely normal then breastfeeding would be less more stressful and becomes more joyful and rewarding.
When I was discharged from the hospital I had always breastfed Alexis on-demand learning and observing her feeding cues. From our breastfeeding moments, I observe her tiny hands always twiddling and in action. I also have seen this with my 1st daughter Anika but not being creative at that time I had not been able to address the situation. Now with Alexis, I learned to be more creative and offer her the ends of a blanket to twiddle on.
I had been blessed to stay longer with Alexis because my company had been generous to give me 90 days of paid Maternity leave. With constant direct breastfeeding Alexis and ensuring I eat nutritious meals and have enough rest, I was able to develop a good supply of breastmilk.
After some time, I planned on how to establish my breastmilk stash for Alexis when it's time to go back to work. After a few months from delivery, I started pumping my breastmilk and storing it in the deep chest freezer. I followed a schedule of pumping my breastmilk daily. I usually do it after breastfeeding Alexis. My pump schedule at home would be ideally every 3-4 hours.
This was my initial stash of breastmilk before going back to work. I labeled each bottle with the date and time of breastmilk extraction. The rule of the thumb is always first in first out. My breastmilk stored in the deep chest freezer is my emergency supply when I ran out of fresh breastmilk. This was my ultimate hack in achieving successful exclusively breastfeeding Alexis.
My 1st supply of fresh breastmilk since I am going back to work.
It is important to educate the caregiver of your child once you return to work. Breastmilk is composed of live enzymes containing tons of good bacteria thus fresh breastmilk should never be heated and handled with extra care. Shaking the breastmilk while thawing is a no-no. See the picture below for your quick guide on the proper storing of breastmilk and thawing.
At the office, I maintained a regular pumping schedule for extracting Alexis breastmilk.
I did this for 3 years. Sometimes my breastmilk output is high sometimes it's low. When my output is low I used my milk stash from the deep chest freezer. Having a milk stash and a deep chest freezer gave me peace of mind and security that no matter what happened I can give Alexis my breastmilk.
A breastfeeding mother needs to have patience, determination, and a strong will to succeed.
I have it all!! The sacrifices I made to ensure that I can provide only the best nutrition for my daughters is sufficient enough. A mother's love for her child is absolute. If all the mothers and future mothers would only know the wonderful contents of breastmilk they would want to give it to their child. They call breastmilk "the liquid gold" because of its rich content.
Photo credit to family and conutrition.com
photo credit to Wong Jui Juan
The powerful contents of breastmilk are not the only amazing thing.
Listen! your body produces powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral nutrients for your baby while you are sick and when you're baby is sick.
Amazingly, the composition of your breast milk changes when your baby is ill. If you’re exposed to a bacterial or viral infection, your body makes antibodies to combat it; these are then transferred to your baby through your milk. The levels of immunity-boosting cells, called leukocytes, in your milk also rise rapidly whenever your baby is unwell.
And because breast milk is very easy to digest, it’s also the ideal food for babies with upset tummies. If a baby gets an illness, or his mother does, the protective components in her milk tend to increase,”6 explains Professor Peter Hartmann of the University of Western Australia, an internationally renowned expert on lactation and breastfeeding. “A breastfed baby is likely to recover faster than a formula-fed baby because the mother’s body will produce specific antibodies against whatever infection he’s picked up.”
And it’s not only about nutrition and immunity – breastfeeding when your baby is sick or upset comforts and soothes him, which is not to be underestimated as an important benefit.
SOURCE: Medela.com
Some of the amazing benefits of breastfeeding your child.
Here is the list of the wonderful benefits of breastfeeding for the mother.
The benefits of breastfeeding for the child and the mother is overwhelming. It is more than enough for you to draw on the inspiration and power to continue breastfeeding. The sacrifices of a mother are somehow small compared to the magnitude of its benefits.
I will always be a proud breastfeeding mom and I will do my very best to share my learnings and experience of my 10 years breastfeeding my 2 daughters. This is my life long advocacy and my life purpose to share the good news and wonderful benefits of breastfeeding to all mothers and future mothers.
Today, Alexis still breastfeed during night time before going to sleep, and while on ECQ when I do not go to work she sometimes asks for a quick afternoon breastfeeding.
My 5-year-old youngest daughter, Alexis, will soon wean from breastfeeding on her own.
I made a promise to myself to give Alexis that important decision since my eldest daughter, Anika, was forced wean from breastmilk since I was pregnant when she was 4.
Me and Alexis had really formed a special bond, my youngest daughter is the sweetest child of all.
She would hug me and kiss me as she can. Alexis would constantly tell me she loves me and constantly brags that my breastmilk still tastes delicious sometimes she tells me its taste like chocolates!
I would sometimes ask Alexis when would she stop breastfeeding. Before she was 4, she told me when she will turn 5 she would stop. Know when asked she would tell me never. HAHAHAHA... Time will only tell when will be the right time for her to truly wean and be independent of my breastmilk. When that time comes I know she will become a strong and independent child full of love, strength, and charisma.
This blog is dedicated to my youngest daughter Alexis. Today as you turn 6 years old, always remember mommy's deep love for you and Ate. Always be humble and caring for others. Be responsible and do your best to find your passions. I am dreaming of you finding and building your own life to help others and to build service for the community. May you discover and build your own products that people need and to be of great use to society.
To my 2 daughters Anika and Alexis, when you became a mother yourself I will be here to support you on your own breastfeeding journey. Pass on to your future children the deep bond that we experienced through breastfeeding and give them your best out of your love.
I love you Anika and Alexis may you become a superhero like me to your own child.
A superhero that produces its own food for their baby, not just a simple food but super awesome breastmilk.
Memoirs of a breastfeeding mother(Part 1) Anika Chapter- here is the link to Part 1
I will be forever grateful to you if you share my blog with your family, friends, and love ones XOXO
Comments