Breastfeeding

Hi,

I will be sharing my breastfeeding journey on this space to encourage myself and any fellow mummies who may benefit from it.  Please note that I am still learning and picking up knowledge from a mix of professionals, volunteers from breastfeeding support groups and other breastfeeding mothers who have been through / are going through a similar journey.  My journey is still ongoing and may be different from other mummies / mummies-to-be.

FIRST ATTEMPT @ BREASTFEEDING

On 23rd September 2020, the day that Mendell was born, I immediately nursed him.  He was able to suckle so well at the first attempt that the nurses were so surprised.  I was very pleased too that I was able to provide food.

SUPPLEMENTING WITH FORMULA MILK

On 24th September 2020 afternoon and evening, I was informed by a few postpartum nurses that I would have to consider giving Mendell a bit of formula milk to supplement the colostrum I was providing.  The reason was that Mendell had not been able to urinate for the first 24 hours (he was only passing meconium) and the doctor wanted to rule out any health issues.  Hence, on that evening, Mendell had his first taste of formula milk.  I had thought that I would be able to entirely breastfeed my son but in this kind situation, it is just not possible.  Was I upset?  Not really.  I would rather follow the medical professionals' advice than go against it, though all that I have read and learned about formula milk has been negative.

SIZE MATTERS

Throughout my stay in the hospital, Mendell was fed formula milk thrice while the rest of the time he latched.  Some mothers experienced problems latching.  For me, that was not the problem that I was experiencing as Mendell is a natural.  My problem was that I didn't know how to carry Mendell well.  At delivery, I have gained about 26kg and Mendell was born 3.6kg.  The anaesthetist was jokingly asking me what did I eat during my pregnancy.  My response, "Everything I like."  After my delivery, this cute anaesthetist advised me to get lots of pillows when I nursed.  She said, "Your baby is big.  If not you will get a lot of body ache."  Size really matters and though I know that it is actually easier to carry a bigger baby, it is still tough for me simply because I am relatively petite and baby's neck is not that strong yet.  The ability to hold your baby well and providing comfort during breastfeeding is very important.  This is something that I am constantly learning.

BREASTFEEDING POSITIONS

There are several breastfeeding positions.  You may find out more from here.  For me, my favourites are cradle and side-lying position.  I have just attempted the biological nurturing position (because we started out doing skin-to-skin and then he "crawled" to my nipple) and I am still trying to support Mendell better in that position and also for him to breathe without obstruction.  I don't think I can do the football hold position yet as I do not know how to harness my strength to carry Mendell using 1 arm.

Updated by Pam on 03/11/2020.

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After Mendell experienced a few choking, coughing fit due to my forceful milk flow, I decided to consult Alona Hodik (Lactation Consultant) for a home visit.  During the visit, Alona shared with me the natural breastfeeding position.  You can learn more about it here.  My forceful milk problem is solved as being laid back controls my milk flow better.  Imagine a waterfall from a height of 90 degree angle (upright siting position) versus from a 45 degree or less (laid back position).  Mendell was able to cope better with the milk flow.  

For mummies who are familiar with the cradle position, I don't know if you find yourself having badly strained arms but I did.  With this natural breastfeeding position, you will not encounter this problem anymore.  Basically, this position is how you do skin-to-skin but baby's body is diagonally on you.  Make sure that baby's belly is on your belly too!

I am so glad I had Alona over because Mendell appears more satisfied after each feed!  His feeding interval is no longer 30mins!  I used to feed him almost the whole morning!  I also feel more confident as it is easier for me to latch him independently.  

If you are have other breastfeeding issues, you may like to consult Alona here.  Highly recommend her services!

Updated by Pam on 16/11/2020.

EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFEEDING

On 1st October 2020, after supplementing breast milk with formula milk for a week, I was finally able to exclusively breastfeed Mendell.  In fact, I could already do so on the 5th day or so but I thought I needed a bit more time to be well rested.  Rest is very important for the production of breast milk.  Also drinking ample fluids would help!

When I first started on my breastfeeding journey, I thought I would latch in the day and give expressed breast milk (ebm) via bottle for in the middle of the night feeds.  The 2 bottle feeds are at around 1.30am and 3.30am as I used to sleep at midnight.  Mendell would latch for the last time and I would sleep and wake up at around 5am to get ready to latch him.  Sometimes he may not be awake yet so I had to pump as I would be experiencing a letdown already.

I continued with this practice until my confinement nanny completed her services with us.  For the first night, we bottlefed Mendell and I find it to be inefficient.  As I am a rather impatient person, I find it excruciating when Mendell wails while waiting for my ebm to be warmed up.  That's when I decided to latch Mendell for all feeds.  Though I may be impatient but I am never troubled by the breastfeeding duration when I am at home during my maternity now.  It is different when we are out (depending on the purpose of the trip) or when I start to resume working from home.

Today I latch Mendell all the time.  For hospital runs and outings, I had experimented bottlefeeding to reduce the feeding time.  However, I found that latching is still the way to go as I felt that when Mendell cries for milk when he is out, he is not necessarily crying out just because of hunger but also that he needs comfort.  So now when we bring him out, we would find out the location of the nursing rooms first. 

FORCEFUL MILK FLOW

The problem that I have now is forceful milk flow on my right side.  Consulted my Breastfeeding Mothers' Support Group counsellor and she recommended that I hand express (video here) a little first before breastfeeding.  Hopefully this will be resolved soon. 

Updated by Pam on 12/11/2020.

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Problem has been resolved since I started on the natural breastfeeding position on 14/11/2020.  See above on "Breastfeeding Positions".

Updated on 16/11/2020. 

OVERSUPPLY

Before I begin on my breastfeeding journey, I aspired to have plenty of breast milk so that my baby would not have to starve and I do not need to rely on formula.  I did not know that oversupply can be an issue too.  Read this.  

PUMPING

During my stay at the hospital, the lactation consultant and postpartum nurses would encourage that I pump breast milk after each feeding to stimulate milk flow and production.  The truth is, after a while, I have enough milk and do not actually need to pump so frequently.  I would think that I would only need to express breast milk in either of these 2 situations, (i) be on-site at work (ii) be at an event that I cannot bring Mendell along.

Updated by Pam on 12/11/2020.

To be continued...