On Tandem Breastfeeding

So here's the promised blog on tandem breastfeeding:

After I was sent to the ward, my family came shortly after and brought along my 2 girls. Auni and Ulfa were excited to see me and the baby (though i think they were more excited to get the gifts hubby and I bought for them :) we told them that the gifts were from the baby).

We named the baby, Nuha. Auni and Ulfa both kissed the baby. Talked to me. I think Auni talked to me more. Ulfa was more interested in the toys. Auni was afraid that I was in pain and she kept on stroking and kissing Nuha. She has always been very caring towards her family members. When it was time for them to go home, they both hugged and kissed me. Both Ulfa and Auni went back with my brother and sister-in-law So after my delivery, I was discharged the next day with my baby. On the day I was discharged, my hubby brought along my 2 girls to fetch me and Nuha from the hospital.

When we got home, Ulfa was still alright seeing me nurse Nuha. It was during nighttime when she wanted to be breastfed too. I told her to wait till after I nursed Nuha. So after nursing the baby, I nursed the toddler. The next day, everytime Ulfa saw me nursing Nuha, she wanted to feed too and this time, she refused to wait. She will cry, wanting to nurse at the same time. So, I had to feed Nuha on one side, and Ulfa on the other.

It was actually quite funny to see one small baby and a toddler nursing side by side...as days drew on, it got quite tiring too. It was too trying to position both together to feed. Plus when Nuha had her growth spurt, Ulfa wants to nurse at every feed.

So I did what I think all mothers have to do at one point of time. I had to "sweet talk" her. I had to persuade her to stop breastfeeding. It was tough at first. Every time she cried, I caved in and breastfed her.

Finally, she stopped nursing completely after 2 weeks of "sweet talking". I must say that it was a join effort by hubby and me. Hubby also participated in the "sweet-talking" and persuasion. He would carry Ulfa and distract her when I was feeding Nuha.

Now, if you ask Ulfa whether she wants to be breastfed, she will say, "No, Ulfa's 2 years old. Ulfa drink milk from cup." :)

I had envisioned myself breastfeeding Ulfa for 2.5years. But I only managed to do it for 2yrs 3mths. Nevertheless, I am proud of myself for having achieved thus far. Now breastfeeding Nuha, I hope I can do as well too.

I really salute those mothers who are into total breastfeeding. It is no easy feat. But the bond it creates, it is simply special :)

Meeting Pro-breastfeeding People

We had a family function over at Mom's place yesterday. Got to meet my new little nephew. Last saw him when I gave birth at the hospital. He is so good-looking. He's got dimples and long eyelashes. He's quite tall too. We put him and Baby next to each other. Baby is slightly bigger of course, since she is a full-term baby and nephew was born premature. But he's getting on quite well.

I had a chance to meet people from the extended family who are pro-breastfeeding. It was fun as we were exchanging notes. They made it seem like breastfeeding is a natural thing to do - which of course it is supposed to be. It was so fun. I was never close to them before but having something in common made everything so much easier. Really want to meet up with them again.

On Bronchitis & Breastfeeding

I brought Princess to see a pediatrician on Tuesday as any mother would be worried if told that their child has moderate bronchitis and might need to be sent to KKH.

The PD took one look and said that Princess looks active for someone with moderate bronchitis. She then asked me whether Princess was given inhaler/nebuliser when we took her to the GP. We replied she wasn't. Then the PD asked whether she was wheezing when she was at the GP. Again, we replied she wasn't. PD then proceeded to examine Princess. PD then said Princess does not have moderate bronchitis. If any, it appears that she might be having early signs of bronchitis and we shouldn't be too worried. PD also changed the cough mixture since she said Princess had lots of phlegm. This PD that we went to was the one that we always took Princess to before she turned 2.

I was very disappointed with the GP. Actually, when we took Princess to the GP, the tone that I got from the GP was one that was very cold. Like as if he doesn't care much for kids. I bet he does not have any children. He is a total opposite of his colleague (the one we always see). His colleague, Dr Chong, is very fatherly, handles kids well and explains things clearly to us. I know that Dr Chong has a daughter as he once shared with us that he understood how we felt as parents as he is a parent himself. Unfortunately, Dr Chong is not a full-time GP at the clinic and it so happened that the day when we took Princess there, Dr Chong was not around.

Hubby said that he will never again patronize the clinic again. Actually he said this right after Princess had her check-up with the GP as hubby felt that the doctor on duty was very unprofessional.

I'm kind of glad that what Princess has is not as serious as what the GP said but we are still monitoring her and giving her medication as required. So far her fever has broken.

Now on the topic of breastfeeding. Haiz... As I've said, I'm very pro-breastfeeding now since I breastfeed my Baby exclusively. I have nothing against those who give formula to their child coz for Princess, I did that too.

Baby's Having A Cold

I think Baby has caught a cold. Possibly from one of the people who came to visit. Actually I kinda know who she could have gotten it from and I'm pissed that some people are so irresponsible. If you are not well or a member of your family is not well then don't visit a newborn. You can visit later. I won't even hold it against you. I can't possibly chase you away, can I? And now poor baby has caught a cold.

I'll be going to see a paediatrician later. It opens at 7.30p.m. I hope Baby feels better soon. So sad seeing her sneezing and such.

As for my previous post on breastfeeding, I've got some answers from the mommoes in MummySG forum. My baby could be going through a growth spurt then coz now she's feeding better. I also learnt that I can burp her in between feeds as she might have a gassy tummy and that is why she keeps wanting to feed.

I am really enjoying my breastfeeding journey so far as I know I'm giving my child the best.

On feeling Like A Cow

No, actually I don't feel like a cow...I just thought that the title is catchy, that's all ;)

I've been on full breastfeeding since Day 1 of giving birth. I'm starting to feel tiredness due to lack of sleep. At times, Baby takes a long time feeding. I find myself dozing off at times while she's still at her feed. I'm not too sure if I'm doing it right. See, she will latch for a feed. Then she will feed on one breast for 15 to 30 mins, fall asleep and then she doesn't want to feed anymore. When I touch her lips or around her mouth, she'll purse her lips. So thinking that she is already satiated, I'll put her down. 5 minutes later, she'll start screaming for milk again. She'll then latch on the other breast for 15 to 30 mins, fall asleep and does not want to feed again. But 5 mins after I put her down, she screams for milk again. I'm not too sure if I'm doing this breastfeeding right. I know I have enough milk in me as each time after her feed, there is still smilk left over. At times, I will pump the milk out. I also realise that I am never able to pump all the milk out.

When I'm in doubt, I will check with the other mommies in the mummysg forum. So I guess I need the help of other mommies in this.

On another note, I brought Baby to the polyclinic for her neonatal jaundice check up . Her jaundice level has gone down to 190. Since it is coming down, the doctor - a very nice lady - suggested that she only need to come for check up a week later. Doc said that as long as baby is feeding alright (she's feeding every hour at times), pooing and peeing alright, then the jaundice level will come down. I am so glad that Baby does not have to keep on going for check up every day like last week. The poor girl had to have her heel pricked every single time. Pains my heart to see her like that.

Breastfeeding Obstacles

Baby is currently on total breastmilk. I told myself that for No.2, I really want to do total breastfeeding. I didn't manage to do that for Princess when she was a baby. With Princess, I did a combination of breastmilk and formula. That continued for about 4 months till she was totally on formula.

When I had Princess, I was clueless about breastfeeding. I know that it is good but I didn't know the challenges that came with it. I had mastitis twice. Oh, I can still remember the fever, the chills, sore and bleeding nipples. I didn't know how to manage all that. I didn't know who or where to ask for help. In the end, I gave up. I felt guilty when I stopped the breastmilk totally. Trust me, up till now, I still feel guilty and regret for not giving Princess the best that she deserved.

Learning from the experience I had with Princess, I told myself that No. 2 will be different. That I will perservere and not give up breastfeeding. I want to give my child the best. On top of that, I can save on buying formula milk. I did my research on breastfeeding. I went into forums to seek help from mommies who breastfeed their babies. With all that, I ventured into total breastfeeding as soon as Baby was born.

At KKH, I learnt from lactation consultants on massaging the breast and the tips on breastfeeding. I invested in an electric breastpump. Again, I perservered through sore nipples. I must say that though it hasn't been smooth sailing, the experience I had breastfeeding Baby so far has been so much better than the experience with Princess. No bleeding nipples, no mastitis. I guess this comes from experience and research.

However, there were other obstacles that I had to face when breastfeeding Baby - Human Obstacles.

First, it was my mom. She knows that breastmilk is the best for Baby. Naturally, for the first few days, Baby keeps on wanting breastmilk every 1 to 2 hours. And of course, I had people coming to visit. At the same time, everytime Baby wants her feed, I have to leave the guests to feed her. So mom suggested supplementing with formula coz she said maybe Baby was not getting enough from me. I told her that my breastmilk was enough but she insisted that since Baby keeps on wanting milk, then it must be that she's not getting enough. I told Mom that I will only feed breastmilk and nothing else. After awhile, I guess Mom moticed that I was determined and that Baby seems contented and therefore she agreed that I was doing the right thing. Now whenever people come to visit and I have to excuse myself, she will always tell the guests that I'm doing total breastfeeding and that breastmilk is the best for Baby.

2nd obstacle- Hubby. Hubby was not happy that I was waking up every hour or so at night to feed Baby. He said that I was not taking care of myself and therefore suggested supplementing with formula. Of course I said "No". I told him that I'm giving Baby the best she can ever get that she can never get from formula. Whenever I read anything on the benefits of breastfeeding, I will show it to him. Now, he supports me totally in breastfeeding.

3rd obstacle- Mother-in-law. MIL came over to visit and held Baby in her arms. After awhile, Baby started to cry. Hubby told her that Baby wants milk and that Baby was on total breastmilk. MIL said "That's good!" Then she stopped herself and backtracked and said "Oh, but when you go back to work, how are you going to feed her? Better supplement with formula." (MIL had volunteered to care for baby when I return to work)

I told MIL that I'll express some breastmilk that she can feed the baby with while I work. She said it's not possible. I told her that it is possible and it has been done and people are still doing it. She was not convinced. She then tried talking to hubby to get me to supplement Baby with formula milk so that it'll be easier for her when I return to work.

Haiz! I'm so tired of having to explain to people why I'm doing this. I know this is the best for my child and I want only the best for my child. So I am standing firm on total breastfeeding. Now, I'm seriously thinking of taking unpaid leave after my maternity leave so that I can continue breastfeeding Baby. MIL came over yesterday and asked me when I was returning to work and I replied "Next year". She was shocked but hubby told her that I was thinking of extending my leave. She then kept quiet.

MIL is a very nice lady. But why is it that breastfeeding comes with a lot of obstacles? Everyone knows the benefits of breastfeeding but they keep thinking that it is a hassle. Shouldn't I be the one who decide if it is a hassle for me? If I don't find it a hassle, then why should others bother. Urrgghh! So frustrating.

Anyway, I'm still determined to go on breastfeeding. I really hope that I will not give up even when faced with obstacles.