On Breastfeeding And Unsolicited Comments

It was more than two years ago when I had a pledge that I will exclusively breastfeed my son primarily due to the benefits it brings to both mother and child.

I was 8 months pregnant when I had my prenatal check up and found out that I had Pregnancy Induced Hypertension so I sought advice from my OB if I can travel already and she said the earliest possible I can go would be best. So, I wasn't able to check my baby bag yet but J and I proceeded to the province already.

Little boy few days old

Three months old (with milk from his cheeks)

When I gave birth with my son in the province, I wasn't aware that the hospital doesn't practice exclusive breastfeeding yet. Worse is they feed the babies with formula in a bottle not with medicine cups. During my post op day 2, I told mom and the nurses to room in my son for me to be able to breastfeed him because I felt fullness already. But because I was a first time mom that time, I could hardly make my son latch. Despite the malunggay supplements I have been taking and the eagerness to make him latch still, it was pretty hard for me. I asked J to buy breastpump but because our malls in the province was a bit behind there was no available decent pump. I had to resort to a Hello Kitty pump which costs php800 and only lasted for a day! What we did was look for a pump online and J had it delivered but it happend a week after already. Just imagine the fullness already on my breasts. Terrible thing was mom kept on feeding my son that time with formula. We continue to argue with each other regarding my choice of exclusive feeding. Every time my son would cry after feeding she would say, "maybe your milk isn't enough" that's why she would give him formula again. It lasted about two months when she insisted on this idea. I was in a battle between keeping my milk supply enough and my mom making it otherwise! I was taking malunggay supplement at a maximum dose already according to the advices of breastfeeding advocates and yet mom and other relatives thinks that it still best to mix feed. There came a point where I stopped buying formula but when she arrives from the grocery, she has a formula on her hand and the next thing I know she's feeding my little boy again with formula milk! She also said that I shouldn't feed him when I am stressed because I might transfer it to him. I was able to finally make him latch when he was a month old already. So the first month, it was all breastpump and I wasn't able to empty my breasts that time and I realized it really feels good when you are able to feed your baby well.

Five months old doing grocery shopping (he was awed from the wide array of milk)

There was a time when he was three months old and got confused of the nipples already. Mind you, they (mom and aunts) still continue to feed him with formula when they borrow my little boy from me. I was really crying when in the middle of the night I couldn't get him to latch because he was looking for the bottle. I had to make him sleep by doing the lullaby.

Good thing, I recovered already and was cleared to travel back to the metro again  so I don't have to battle with the unsolicited advices. I get to feed him exclusively until he was 8 months and stopped again because I had a little girl on the way.

When I had little girl, I was able to breastfeed her with ease when I visit her at the NICU. She latches really well despite her condition when she was born and I am still breastfeeding her exclusively and still taking supplements to keep my milk supply enough. I still opt to continue until she likes it because not only that it is readily available but saves a lot of money also.

Me and my little girl

How about you? Did you have a hard time doing it the first time?