My Breastfeeding Experience
Breastfeeding ... The best gift a mother can give to her child. It is one of the best things a mother can share with her child. As a mother who was given the opportunity to try breastfeeding and be successful at it, I want to share with you my experience …
I am a mother of 2 beautiful children. My eldest, Chloe Victoria, is now 6 years old while my youngest, Lance Raymond, just turned 1 this year. I had the chance to breastfeed my eldest but chose to feed her milk formula instead. Back then, I thought that milk formula was more nutritious for my child. I was wrong …
Having been blessed with another child, I was determined to try breastfeeding. This time, I knew the many benefits that came with it.
Let me start with giving birth ... I gave birth through a repeat cesarean section because I was considered a high risk patient. I had a history of pre-eclampsia from my previous pregnancy, thus, the reason for the repeat cesarean section. I also had a mass that was located subcutaneously along my old cesarean incision. This mass was suspected to be endometriosis. Ultrasound result said it was not. The only way to confirm was through excision biopsy. Luckily, I was giving birth through a cesarean section. My OB-GYNE advised that once she opens me, she will check and see.
I underwent a repeat cesarean section, a tubal ligation and a mass excision. My OB-GYNE removed a mass that was already the size of a “santol”. After getting the histopath result, it was not even near endometriosis. Medically speaking, I could not remember the term for what it was, but in layman’s term, it was just an accumulation of fat tissues.
During my hospital stay at Medical Center Muntinlupa, both my OB-GYNE and Lance’s pediatrician advised that I breastfeed. My OB-GYNE suggested breastfeeding to help my uterus contract and be able to go back to its normal state faster and to help my hormones prevent a mass recurrence. Lance’s pediatrician also recommended breastfeeding so that the baby can reap from its numerous benefits.
After 24 hours, I was informed that the baby could not be roomed-in because he was undergoing phototherapy and was being given antibiotics because of an infection that he might have contracted from me when I had a urinary tract infection during my 2nd trimester. I decided, if the baby could not be roomed-in, might as well breastfeed him at the nursery.
The nurses at the NICU were very encouraging. They told me not to worry if my milk seems so little. Frequent stimulation from the baby’s sucking will send signals to the brain so that there would be more milk production. I went to visit Lance every 3 hours to breastfeed him. It was hard at first … my nipple seems so small and I was still adjusting on how to make him “latch-on”. I also felt that my milk was not enough to satisfy his hunger. I was frustrated … The NICU nurses continued their support and encouragement. True enough, within 24 hours, my breasts were filled with milk and hard as a rock! This time, I wish I had bought a breast pump.
A week after giving birth, typhoon “Milenyo” arrived … As we know, Southern Tagalog was the worst struck (we live in Muntinlupa). There was no water and electricity. No means to wash bottles nor sterilize them. The typhoon was, in a way, a blessing in disguise. Exclusive breastfeeding was the only choice.
Exclusive breastfeeding was a challenge. Challenge is the correct word to describe it because it was not an easy task. Only those who are determined shall succeed. It requires the mother to be on-call 24/7, which means that the father only gets to share with the feeding if breast milk is pumped and given through a bottle.
Initially, my nipples became sore from prolonged and frequent sucking of the baby. It was swollen, painful and at times, seemed chapped. I had to be patient … The NICU nurses advised that a cotton ball soaked with water should be used to clean the nipples before and after feeding. After cleaning the nipple, it should be air dried. The breast milk provided protection for the nipple’s skin which seemed to act like an antiseptic. In a month’s time, my nipples have adjusted and no sign of soreness, chapping and the like would be seen.
My breasts were like watermelons when I was breastfeeding … Breasts that are filled with milk become large, heavy, hard, painful and leaking. This was the sign that either your baby needs to feed or you need to pump the milk. During re-fill times, breasts ache too. It feels like there is a surge of electricity in your breasts. This is a sign that your body is producing more milk supply.
Where did time go? I asked that question to myself during the first 6 months of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding requires time and patience. During the first 3 months, your nipples have a slow-flow. This means that your baby takes more time to feed. The baby usually feeds 15-20 minutes during each feeding every 2 to 3 hours. Back then, I felt like I was a “milking cow”. I spent most of my time breastfeeding Lance during the first 6 months. You see, babies’ breastfeeding habits are different from one another. Lance was the type of baby that sucked vigorously during the first 5 minutes and eventually slept while sucking on my breast from time to time. It was during these times that I felt that he was taking forever to finish his feeding.
Aside from the discomforts that I have mentioned, breastfeeding is not very accepted socially by the public. It was so hard for us to find a place for me to breastfeed whenever in a public place.
Why put up with all these when it is so much easier to give the baby a bottle of milk formula? Antibodies, a boosted immune system, higher IQ, hypo-allergenic and economical are some of my main reasons. Also, the bond that a mother and baby shares during these times are priceless!
Aside from the above mentioned, I discovered benefits not only for the baby but for myself as well. Despite always being sleep-deprived, my skin was fair, smooth, flawless and glowing! I think this was the only time I could remember my skin being perfect. I also lost a lot of my pregnancy’s excess weight.
However, I was always hungry after breast feeding which lead me to eat more. Instead of gaining weight, I was able to maintain the weight that I lost.
Breast milk is truly custom-tailored for baby. It is constantly changing to suit your baby’s exact needs. Its quantity also matches your baby’s appetite.
During Lance’s first 3 months, milk flow was slow and ranged from 1 to 3 ounces per breast. In the succeeding months, milk flow became faster and much more in quantity. I was amazed at how breast milk could actually predict how much and how frequent a baby needs to feed. When my breasts start to leak milk, my body signals that baby needs a feeding.
By 10 months, I started to alternate breast milk and milk formula. This was the time when Lance was eating solids on a regular basis. He was also breast feeding less frequently which led to a decrease in my milk supply. By 11 months, I decided to fully shift him to milk formula. It was his teething that led me to this decision. He bit my nipple and it bled! From that time, I was afraid whenever he would breast feed because he pulls on my nipple when his gums hurt. Of course, he was unaware that when he pulls on my nipple, he already has teeth.
To conclude my breastfeeding experience, I would say that if given another chance, I would do it all over again. Breastfeeding is an experience only a mother can share. It is something special that strengthens the bond between mother and child.
Lastly, I would like to share with you the numerous benefits of breastfeeding for YOU and your BABY: (Links from references will be posted below)
· Breastmilk provides the exact needs of your baby, whether pre-term or full term. No milk formula can do that.
· Breastmilk contains unique components:
o that help in absorption of iron
o that protects the GUT from harmful bacteria
o that aids in the digestion of fats
o that contains special growth factors and hormones that contribute to optimal growth and development
· Breastmilk is your baby’s first immunization. It contains antibodies that strengthen your baby’s immune system.
· Breastfeeding, if done exclusively for a minimum of 6 months will provide protection for a baby with a familial tendency for allergic diseases such as asthma and eczema.
· Breastfed babies are less likely to be obese when they become adults.
· Breastfeeding leads to optimal brain development or higher IQ.
· Breastfeeding contributes to optimal oral development.
· Breastmilk is always available, fresh, economical and just the right temperature.
· Breastfeeding provides a feeling of security to the baby.
· Breastfeeding aids in contraction of the uterus after giving birth.
· Continued exclusive breastfeeding delays the return of ovulation and menstruation.
· Breastfeeding helps you lose weight.
· Breastfeeding diabetic mothers tend to need less insulin or medication for their diabetes.
· “Mothers who breastfeed for at least 6 months throughout their lifetime have a decreased risk of breast cancer” (http://medicalreporter.health.org/tmr0297/breastfeed0297.html)
REFERENCE: http://medicalreporter.health.org/tmr0297/breastfeed0297.html
