Showing posts with label Breastfeeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breastfeeding. Show all posts

Wednesday, 9 September 2015

How I manage my expressed breast milk for my caretaker to feed my baby

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As a new mom before going back to workforce, I have progressively trained my body to pump during working hours and breastfeed during the hours where I expect myself to be at home with baby.

Since my baby is the first grandchild ever in my father-in-law's family tree, you can imagine that they could not bear to hear the slightest cry from my baby. Certainly, they would like to ensure that my baby can be fed right away once she is awake.

In order to demonstrate to my family that feeding breast milk is easier, faster and more convenient, I have put some thoughts into how my mother-in-law can prepare the breast milk and feed my baby as soon as possible. Here is the practice I am currently adopting:

Items required

  1. Storage bottles (Bumblebee standard size)
  2. Teats (Hito silicone slow flow standard teat - breastlike)
  3. Electric hot water dispenser
  4. Timer


Preparation the night before

  • My storage bottles are my baby's feeding bottles. 
  • I will ensure that each storage bottle is filled with 3 - 4 oz of breast milk. This is my baby's intake per feed. 
  • Since I will be away from home for 12 hours, I will prepare 5 storage bottles (4 feeds + 1 stand by feed) in the fridge. 
  • I bought extra teats and prepared the teats in advance. Since I have quite a number of storage bottles, I took out some of the bottle caps and fixed the teats into the ring. I will leave the teats with ring in the sterilizer. 

When my baby is up for feeding time, what my mother-in-law will do is:

  1. Take out the readily available breast milk in the storage bottle.
  2. Fill some hot water into a cup using the electric hot water dispenser.
  3. Warm the milk by placing the storage bottle into the cup filled with hot water.
  4. Set timer for 5 minutes [We have timed earlier that milk is warmed in 5 minutes using 98 degrees hot water].
  5. Once time is up, take out the bottle cap and replace with teat. 
  6. Feed baby.

How do I find this method?
  • When my mother-in-law set the timer for 5 minutes, she can still hold and play with my baby while waiting for times up. At least she doesn't need to rush to mix milk powder into warm water at the right quantity and test the milk temperature, while my baby gets cranky and cry out loud. :-)
  • Since the storage bottles are the feeding bottles, it means my mother-in-law doesn't need to transfer the milk into special feeding bottles. This will save time in milk preparation, avoid unwanted spills, and save the time spent in washing feeding bottles. :-)
  • Of course, I will need to invest a little more time every night to make sure that all the items are well prepared. 


How do you prepare your breast milk for your caretaker to feed your child?


- underweight mom

Sunday, 6 September 2015

Confession of an underweight mom

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So my baby has finally turned 6 months old. I've waited so long to blog about this.

How do I feel like being a mom?
I feel like I'm running on a threadmill non stop, racing against the time. I feel so exhausted all the time. I feel like I'm being tortured by baby for not allowing me to sleep from 2am to 5am during midnight recently for 1 week since she doesn't want to sleep after milk.

What challenges do I face as a new mom?
Just like any other new mom, breastfeeding is a challenge to me. To be more precise, it is a different set of challenges to an underweight mom like me since people tend to have the perception that I will not have sufficient breast milk for my baby.

It is a challenge to me because my confinement lady was not exactly pro breastfeeding. She kept commenting that I am so skinny (my pre pregnancy weight was 38kg) and I don't have enough supply for my baby. I am pretty sure anyone who looked at me would have doubts that I can actually breastfeed.

The whole confinement month really drove me nuts because I just couldn't understand:

  1. Why is it that I feel so engorged and people tell me its not enough. 
  2. Why is it that I keep feeling the milk let down reflects but people tell me that is not enough.
  3. Why is it that my milk keep leaking but I only get to feed her 3 times a day. 
  4. Why is it that my milk is leaking and I'm staring at my baby being fed formula. 
  5. Why is it that the course I attended strongly encouraged us to feed our baby during midnight to help continuously sending signals to our body to produce more but the old folks disagreed and strongly believe that I need to rest and sleep through the night. 
  6. Why can't they understand that I want to feed my baby during midnight hence I want to sleep with my baby but my baby slept with my confinement lady and it gave me and baby a hard time to adjust when the confinement lady left. 
  7. Why can't they understand that I just want to give the best to my baby and I didn't even mind about hard work and sacrifices of a breastfeeding mom? 
  8. Why can't they just trust that I can breastfeed like any other mom? Just because I'm skinny and I used to work late even during pregnancy it doesn't mean that I can't fully breastfeed like other mom! 
  9. Why do they have to compare me to another new mom who has abundant of milk (who can pump 7oz from 1 side and another 7oz one and half hour later?) 
  10. Why do they have to say to me that I can get breast milk from her if I don't have enough supply? 
  11. Why is it that I can't try my way in breastfeeding, based on all the research I have done and courses I have attended, but instead should listen to you that its not enough and its useless to see doctor? 


I feel so challenged when I have to go against all odds. And I felt like my brain is tearing apart as I just don't understand why is it that those that I learned on my own contradicts what the experienced old folks told me. Until a point of time I don't know who to believe and trust.

In the end, when I brought my baby for 1 month old check up, she referred me to another paed who is also a certified lactation consultant to help me in breastfeeding. The lactation consultant checked on me and told me that there's nothing wrong with me and I can just go ahead with exclusive breastfeeding and pump twice a day for storage. So I decided to trust the lactation consultant and did exactly what she advised. And true enough, things worked out well and now I'm still fully breastfeeding my 6 months old baby :-)

To be honest, I never felt not being trusted so much in my life and the prejudice that was being thrown straight to my face. Just because I'm skinny. That's the biggest challenge I face in breastfeeding as a new underweight mom.

How about you?

- the underweight mom




Friday, 26 June 2015

Friday, 19 June 2015

Breastpump Review Ep3 - Medela PISA vs Spectra S1

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Medela PISA vs Spectra S1

What's your take? 

Honestly, it is not comparable. Its like comparing orange and apple. S1 is a hospital grade pump but not for PISA.

Let me point out a few significant differences as below for your references:
  • S1 is hospital grade pump, PISA is not
  • S1 weighted 1.2kg, PISA is 3.2kg
  • S1 inbuilt rechargeable battery, PISA 8 AAA battery
  • S1 and PISA both have 2 phase expression
  • S1 close system (not for sharing), PISA open system (can share)


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Medela PISA Vs Spectra S1

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pnsa pump(2)
This is sharing from a singapore mummy, Audrey Yeo which I obtained from a FB group administrated by her. I learn a lot from this group and thus would like to share the review as follows. You may also join her FB group to get more updates and notifications. 

Features 

S1 is a hospital grade pump.
It has a very unique suction where it vibrates ur nipple during suction, triggering your letdown to come faster and also helps to stimulate milk production unlike other pumps which will just pull and release.
It allows you to customize your pumping experience. You can set the suction power and suction duration separately. It is Close System, has a timer(auto off at 30mins) and night light(under handle) to make it easier to pump at night. Has a massage button to help achieve a letdown faster. In-built rechargeable battery which can last around 3 hours of pumping
PISA  is medela’s best normal range pump with the strongest suction. It is an Open System.
It starts off with 2mins of fast suction before it changes to slower longer suction automatically. It comes with a detachable battery pack which requires 8-10AA batteries.
PISA  Cycle: 48-74, stimulation at 117 (12Levels)
S1 Cycle: 38-54, stimulation at 70 (12 Levels)
Experiment made on PISA Level 8 Vs S1 Level 6 (based on the same suction strength and cycle) for 6 sessions each pump.
PISA Cycle: 48, Stimulation 117
S1 Cycle: 46, Stimulation 70
Time taken: 20mins
End results: S1 have an average of 30ml of extra yield as compared to PISA.
Comparison:
S1 weighs 1.12kg and PISA is 1.95kg(1.6kg without batt).
S1 is much quieter than PISA
S1 have separate individual setting for suction strength and duration, PISA has a JOINT suction strength n duration setting.
PISA with eneloop rechargeable battery can last more than 15pumping sessions, S1 last around 3hours of pumping session.
S1 is much bulkier than PISA.

Verdict

S1 is more suitable for people whose concern is more about increasing yield and also to have a more comfortable pumping experience as u can control the suction strength n duration individually. It is also suitable for mummies co-sleeping with their babies as it is a very silent pump. Recommended for Home use, in the Car, and Office use. S1 is also suitable for people who are more concern about budget as it is around 50% cheaper than PISA.
PISA is more suitable for pumping on the go, or for traveling as u will not need to worry about not having enough battery charge as it is very convenient to get AA batteries in convenience store. It is also suitable for people who are more brand conscious as Medela has been a trusted brand and it has a service centre in Toh Guan.


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Friday, 12 June 2015

FTWM BF Journey Ep1 Pumping Schedule

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WORRIED THAT BOSS MAY NOT LIKE IT THAT I TOOK UP A LOT OF TIME PUMPING.
Thats what most of the mummy worried about... Started work and finally I settled with my awesome pump schedule :)
Always committed with my midnight pump because it helps to maintain my milk supply and hopefully do some wonder by increasing it.
  • 2am (30mins)
  • 5am (15mins)
  • 9am (10mins)
  • 12nn (20mins)
  • 4pm (15mins)
  • 7pm (20mins)
  • 10pm (20mins)
As you can see, I will need to pump 3 times in my office at least if I do not work overtime, Therefore, I will settle back with about 10 to 12oz . Each pump time I will take about 10-20mins depending on work schedule.
Sometimes if i am too busy I will move the 9am to 10am then continue with 2pm then 6pm. These days I will pump only 6 times per day.
Have a nice day!

Thursday, 14 May 2015

Freemie with Medela PISA

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My maternity leave is coming to the end. As I am going to resume work soon, I have been busy pumping to build up my breastmilk storage.

I am glad to be given the opportunity to try Freemie by XuaAn Best. I am currently using Medela PISA, however I find it inconvenient as I need to hold the 'horns' for the milk to flow into the bottle. With Freemie collection cups, I can pump handsfree with my shirt on and multitasks.

How to connect Freemie to Medela PISA
It is rather easy to connect Freemie to Medela PISA pump. Basically you just need Freemie's Quick Connector and Tubing and connect to Medela's tubing.

Since there are some mummies posted in facebook network that you can get the same or more yield if you replace Freemie's valve with Medela's valve, I have decided to give it a try.



My thoughts after using Freemie with Medela PISA
  1. Yes, you can get the same yield using Freemie with Medela's valve.
  2. To prevent leakage, it is best if you position your body straight upright.
  3. You need to ensure that your bra is tight fitting enough to hold the cups to your breast to avoid loss of suction. This may be a challenge if you need strong suction to draw out milk from your breast.

Where can I buy Freemie collection cups?
XuaAn Best is selling Freemie at RM340 with free shipping (including to Singapore too). Currently they are having a 5% discount storewide --> Price after discount is RM323. If you are unsure whether Freemie will work with your pump or not, they can offer you a free trial with a minimum deposit. This is definitely a plus point for those who wants to try out before purchasing it.


Coming soon...Milk storage and bottle feeding


- HX

Wednesday, 6 May 2015

What is in your breastmilk? - new mother diary Ep5

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What's in your breastmilk?

smile emoticon heart emoticon
What's in your breastmilk?
Part 2
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In part one, colostrum was mentioned. Essentially, what is colostrum and why is it so important?
It does sound a bit strange for many mothers who does not know that there is colostrum before milk.
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Healthy mothers will produce colostrum in the beginning during pregnancy and continuing through the early days of breastfeeding. This special milk is yellow to orange in color- a bit thick and sticky... It is low in fat, and high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies to help keep infants healthy. Extremely easy to digest, and is therefore the perfect first food for your baby. However priceless it is, it is low in volume (measurable in teaspoons only- hence even if you were to express, you might get only drops. However, you will need to keep in mind that a baby's stomach is very small, whatever you make is whatever that is needed by your baby. It is always enough.), but high in concentrated nutrition for the newborn.
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Colostrum also has laxative effect on the baby, helping him pass his early stools (meconium), which aids in the excretion of excess bilirubin and helps keep jaundice at bay.
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When you keep latching and latching your baby on, your breasts will begin producing mature milk days after within the week. Then volume will start to increase. In those first few days it is extremely important to breastfeed your newborn at least 8-12 times every 24 hours. The more often the better. This allows your baby to get all the benefits of the colostrum and also stimulates production of a plentiful supply of mature milk. Hence this also fits to say that your baby is designed to behave that way- to increase your supply, to make sure that their body has enough to expel bilirubin at the same time.
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Inside colostrum, are living cells- it defends the baby against harmful agents and immune factors are always higher in colostrum than mature milk. Many experts also name it to be the 100% safe vaccine for babies. I mentioned before it contains IgA, this is the instrument that protects against germs, namely the mucous membranes in the throat, lungs, intestines and more.
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Colostrum also has an especially important role to play in the baby's gastrointestinal tract. A newborn's intestines are very permeable. Colostrum helps seals the holes by "painting" the gastrointestinal tract similar to shellac which prevents foreign substances from penetrating and possibly sensitizing a baby to foods the mother eats. There's high concentrations in protective white cells, used to destroy disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
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Amazing isn't it? Liquid gold.
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All you need to do is just keep feeding, whether you "see" or don't "see" your milk coming and you're on the right flight. 

Sharing by Daphne Lee-Yang, Certified Hypnobirthing Educator

Friday, 1 May 2015

Breastpump Review Ep2 - Medela Freestyle Vs Spectra M1

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Medela Freestyle Vs Spectra M1


After mummies (or you) have decided the decision tree on which breast pump suit you best, you would probably looking for a home or travel base used pump. Often, you may want to buy a dual purpose use of pump right?

I have personally used both pump. Let me summarise my review as follows:

Pumping time : 30 mins
Let down : FS 11 and M1 7sec
Yield FS and M1 : FS 8oz and M1 6.5oz

Pumping time : 20 mins
Let down : FS 14sec and M1 8sec
Yield FS and M1 : FS 7oz and M1 7oz

Pumping time : 10 mins
Let down : S1 8sec and M1 11sec
Yield FS and M1 : FS 6oz and M1 7oz

The pump do give different yield and different let down time. Personally I find that FS suction suit me better as it is gentler. I reckon that M1 do give a vibrate which a lot mummy find that helps in simulation. However, M1 suction is a bit too hard for me. It actually hurt me a little. Thus I vote FS.

As I am an EP mummy, I need a stable pump. My friend who use M1 (2/3) has problems with their pump, either mother spoilt or part spoilt. Luckily for me, I have been using for no.2 my FS still serve me very well.

I pump 8 times a day and it has been almost 24 months. And yes, I am a satisfied user (except for the price is a little bit too high - 1 FS can buy 4 M1).

More specification review for your reference below.

Love,
Hot MaMa

Give me a like at my FB to keep me sharing <3
_________________________________________________________________________________

Medela Freestyle vs Spectra M1 Review

This is sharing from a singapore mummy, Audrey Yeo which I obtained from a FB group administrated by her. I learn a lot from this group and thus would like to share the review as follows. You may also join her FB group to get more updates and notifications. 
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Features
M1: It has a very unique suction where it vibrates ur nipple during suction, triggering your letdown to come faster and also helps to stimulate milk production unlike other pumps which will just pull and release.
It has a Joint suction strength/suction duration control, as u increase the suction strength, the suction duration will also get longer. It is a Close System and will auto switch off at 30mins. Has a stimulation button to help achieve a letdown faster. In-built rechargeable battery which can last around 1.5 hour of pumping.
 Freestyle: It has a Joint suction strength/suction duration control, as u increase the suction strength, the suction duration will also get longer. It is a Close System.
It starts off with 2mins of fast suction before it automatically changes to slower longer suction. You can undo long suction by pressing the letdown button. It has an lcd screen with timer. It comes with an internal battery that last around 3hours.

Comparison
Freestyle Cycle: 50-80, stimulation:112 (9Levels) M1 Cycle: 24-38, stimulation:64 (5 Levels) M1 weighs 296g, Freestyle weighs 364.5g M1 is much quieter than FreestyleM1 last around 1.5hours, Freestyle last around 3hours. M1 is slightly bulkier than Freestyle.
EXPERIMENT: Freestyle Level 7 Vs M1 Level 2 (based on the same suction strength) for 2 sessions each pump[fyi, 2 sessions is enough torture already]
Freestyle Cycle: 50, Stimulation 112 M1 Cycle: 38, Stimulation 64 (This is the closest setting that i can set) Time taken: 20mins
End results: Freestyle gave me Major Blocked Ducts!! My Yield Decreased by 120ml from the usual 470ml. In absolute pain and depression!

Thankfully m1 managed to help me unblock the ducts with its very long suction. As a blocked duct saver, i manage to unblock everything in just 15mins(the pump after 1st freestyle trial and 20mins the pump after 2nd freestyle trial). Under normal circumstances, i manage to get my usual yield in only 10mins..
Freestyle’s suction is very surfaced, concentrate on just the nipples. But m1 sucks very deeply that u can feel all the way right under the areola, where all the milk ducts are. Thus m1 can draw a lot of milk during letdown. Thus its recommended to use low strength during pumping and only increase the strength when letdown occurs..


Verdict


M1 is more suitable for people whose concern is more about emptying their breast, preventing blocked ducts and also mummies who need to get their pumping done as fast as possible due to time constrain.. It is also very pocket friendly as it cost just around $200.
Freestyle is more for people who needs longer battery span and it has a belt clip. It is also suitable for people who are more brand concious as Medela has been a trusted brand and it has a service centre in Toh Guan.
If you have a lot of money, u can buy freestyle for show too. Its also a good tool to disturb the ever so peacefully sleeping hubby(not fair!!). Since it results in lower yield, it should be a good pump to use when i wanna stop breastfeeding.. ;p
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Tuesday, 28 April 2015

What is in your breastmilk? - new mother diary Ep4

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What's in your breastmilk?
Part 1
Bonjour everyone! Am gonna spread some goodness about breastfeeding today.
Back to basics: How does breast milk protect your baby from falling sick?
That is indeed the million dollar question, how? Not that simple when you think about it again really. Mommy has gotta maintain her supply, must ensure that she eats well enough and what not, but, it is totally worth it.
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Breastmilk is like a living complex substance, similar to blood. It has a long list of health-promoting and active germ fighting ingredients. Hence it protects little ones from all kinds of infections, common and not so common ones.
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A drop of breastmilk contains around one million white blood cells, called macrophages ("big eaters"), they gobble up germs. It is also power-packed with immunoglobulin A (IgA), which coats the lining of babies' immature intestines, preventing germs from leaking through. By coating the intestinal lining, it acts as a protective paint, it prevents molecules of foreign foods from getting into the bloodstream to set up an allergic reaction.
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Colostrum (breastmilk from first few days after birth), is especially rich in IgA, appears at the time when the newborn is first exposed to the outside world and needs protection from germs as well as foreign substances entering his body. Think of colostrum as your baby's first important immunization... Amazing isn't it?
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The contents of breastmilk is always tailor-made. Custom-designed to protect babies. Mommy will produce antibodies to fight a specific germ when baby's in contact with something new and bad. Hence when mommy falls sick, best is to continue to breastfeed.
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There's also this myth I constantly hear most parents say. 
-When I am sick, I shouldn't breastfeed. *shakes head*
It is the total opposite of what you should do when you're sick really. I'll talk about this another time.

Friday, 24 April 2015

Breastpump Review Ep1 - Spectra S1 vs M1

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Spectra S1 or M1 

After mummies (or you) have decided the decision tree on which breast pump suit you best, you would probably looking for a home or travel base used pump. Often, you may want to buy a dual purpose use of pump right?

I have personally used both pump. Let me summarise my review as follows:

Pumping time : 30 mins
Let down : S1 1min and M1 28sec
Yield S1 and M1 : S1 7.5oz and M1 7oz

Pumping time : 20 mins
Let down : S1 50sec and M1 13sec
Yield S1 and M1 : S1 6oz and M1 7.1oz

Pumping time : 10 mins
Let down : S1 56sec and M1 29sec
Yield S1 and M1 : S1 4oz and M1 6.8oz

The pump do give different yield and different let down time. Conclusion is, M1 is good for a quick pump for me but I find that S1 give me a better simulation. I feels that S1 works like a milk booster pump.

As I am an EP mummy, I need a hospital grade pump to sustain my supply thus, I would consider buying a S1 at home and M1 due to the weight and size.

More specification review for your reference below.

Love,
Hot MaMa

Give me a like at my FB to keep me sharing <3

_________________________________________________________________________________

This is meant to share with mummy who considering S1 vs M1. 

This review is by Audrey Yeo, a singapore mummy. 

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(Experiment conducted by Drey Drey Yeo)
S1 is a hospital grade pump.
It has a very unique suction where it vibrates ur nipple during suction, triggering your letdown to come faster and also helps to stimulate milk production unlike other pumps which will just pull and release.
It allows you to customize your pumping experience. You can set the suction power and suction duration separately. It is Close System, has a timer(auto off at 30mins) and night light(under handle) to make it easier to pump at night. Has a massage button to help achieve a letdown faster. In-built rechargeable battery which can last around 3hours of pumping.
M1 is a normal usage pump.
It has the same unique vibration suction like s1, just that the vibration is much faster for m1, therefore it might not be noticeable.
It has a Joint suction power/suction duration control, as u increase the suction power, the suction duration will also get longer. It is Close System and will auto switch off at 30mins. Has a massage button to help achieve a letdown faster. In-built rechargeable battery which can last around 1.5 hour of pumping.
Comparison of S1 Vs M1:
S1 is 1.12kg and M1 is at 300g
S1 is much bulkier(C:64cm, H:19cm), M1(C:37.5cm, H:7cm).
S1 battery last longer.
S1 may be able to help achieve more yield due to its unique suction.
S1 is much silent than M1.
S1 has stronger suction power.
M1 empties the breast much faster due to its longer suction duration(lv3,4,5)
Verdict:
S1 is more for serious pumping where your concern is more about increasing yield and also to have a more comfortable pumping experience. Recommended for Home use and Office use.
M1 is very portable due to its size and weight. It can empties the breast much faster due to it’s long suction duration, good for people who need to get pumping done in a short duration. Recommended for pumping on the go or for multi tasking(cooking, playing with kids while pumping).
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Friday, 17 April 2015

Every mother have milk, enough milk, produce sufficient for baby need - new mother diary Ep3

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Supply = Demand = Supply

Have Faith because you have MILK!

It is tough, tougher as I thought because my milk is not kicking in and I am in depressed with a crying baby and unsupportive CL. CL who tells me I do not have milk and my breastmilk is not good enough. 

When you are already in this depression mode, what you can do is, find a support group or someone to motivate you. Gina is a certified LC and a mother of four. Very experience and big heart to share, she write this as follows that I want to share it out to you. 

Read this many many times and print this into your heart..

Love,
Hot MaMa

Give me a like at my FB to keep me sharing <3

___________________________________________________________________________________________

By Gina,

What's the #1 worry for pregnant mommy in TBAN? Worry of not enough milk right? Do you know our ancestors (from about 100 years ago) never have this problem/worry? Because there were no Formula milk! With the creation of FM, and with its unethical marketing gimmick, they have successfully convinced mothers in the past 100 years that modern mothers would most likely not have enough milk! Our grandmothers and our own mothers are victims of this!.
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And today groups like TBAN are spreading the awareness that human beings are born to be breastfed, that ALL mothers will have colostrum and only a very small percentage (about 1%) might have difficulty producing enough milk. It really does not help the new anxious pregnant mother to receive advice to “supplement first la, it’s ok to top-up, don’t let your baby starve, don’t so insist on DL DL DL DL, don’t  put stress on the new mother". 
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Just because you did all those things and you ‘turned out ok’ does not make it ok. Your ‘turned out ok’ case may be because you were lucky.
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Research has proven that the BEST way to increase supply is to DL DL DL. And because you didn’t DL all the time and still manage to fully BF and it ‘turned out ok’, please don’t go telling people that DL is not so important, because for the majority, they will have problems when they don’t DL. Do you want to be responsible for a new mother who took your advice, do not DL all the time, pump and let CL feed, and then eventually have to struggle with her supply. Or the mother who pump often and ended up with plugged ducts and mastitis because she did not DL all the time? 
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Your experience is just your experience. It’s just ONE case. Lactation consultants and breastfeeding specialists have the opportunity to encounter hundreds and thousands of cases, and we are able to see and understand what work or don’t work for the ‘majority’. We also understand that there is no ‘one size fits all’, but there are certain natural laws that hold true most of the time ie the law of gravity is true and real, unless you are on the moon! So the laws of breastfeeding and milk production are true and real unless you have ‘special conditions’ (which affects only about 1-2% mommies). 
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But what should a new mother do to ensure that she’s really doing her best? 
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First and foremost – Be strong and determined to breastfeed. LEARN about breastfeeding BEFORE baby’s arrival. Learn about normal baby’s behavior! 
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Secondly : when in the delivery ward, review all you have learnt about breastfeeding newborn. Many people actually forget what they have learnt because they attended one class when they were 7 months pregnant, and then never seek additional info on breastfeeding after that.
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3rd : seek help immediately from the right people especially if you are breastfeeding  non-stop, and cant even get to sleep. Be willing to get out from your comfort zone and out of your house to seek help. If your baby is sick, will you go to the doctor or do you call the doctor to come to you? Do you think breastfeeding your baby is important enough to seek help even if it means going out during confinement?
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4th: know what to expect ie poo and pee, and if your baby is not giving you the adequate amount, seek help!!! Don’t say things like “I was so determined to breastfeed until I cause my baby to be so dehydrated and have to be hospitalized etc etc etc. That’s why I think we shouldn’t be so nazi about breastfeeding”. Before your baby got so dehydrated until need hospitalization, there are tell-tale signs already, and you have to seek help.
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5th : shop around for breastfeeding friendly doctors and hospitals. Insist on this. You are the paying customer!
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6th : don’t let your CL / old folks etc bully you or spoil your breastfeeding dreams! You got to be strong and determined for your baby’s sake. Your baby depends on you to protect him.
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The newer threat today in the guise of helping mothers is the BREASTPUMP, misleading mothers to think they absolutely must pump their breast as early as possible to get more milk. Or using the pump to determine if a mother has milk or 'letdown'. This is utter nonsense! The pump can never replace the effectiveness of a baby suckle. Sure, breastpumps does have its benefits, but if someone encourages you to exclusively pump instead of helping you direct latch, or simply waving off direct latching as impossible due to whatever condition, ALARM BELLS should ring! Stay away from this person and seek help from a more experienced and knowledgeable person with good track record for helping mothers direct latch.
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Do you really want to breastfeed? Then breastfeed!! And arm yourself with the right info and knowledge! Do whatever it takes!
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DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL
All the best.

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Friday, 10 April 2015

How much breastmilk should my baby drink - drinking enough? - new mother diary Ep2

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How much breastmilk should my baby drink?

This is a very common question that a mother would ask. Let me tell you, the answer is, nobody knows - exactly. 

Back to the equation that I always talk about, breastmilk supply = demand = supply. Therefore, how much you baby should be drinking is actually up to your baby! If you ask any, any paediatric, there isn't an absolute answer. Then of course you will ask, how the paediatric know my baby is drinking enough?

The indication? Baby weight. 

As long as baby is gaining healthy weight then it is all right. In fact, baby stomach is very small in the first few days of their life. Have you thought of the size?




Source: www.theperfectlatch.com

However, there is a rule of thumb that my LC told me (if I am feeding formula milk) which is 2.5ounce per pound of baby weight. Therefore, as you baby grow, the feeding will be more.

Let me share with you 3 indications that baby is drinking enough taking the rule of thumb aside because I do not really believe in that.


  1. Baby is continuously gaining weight after 10th day. 
  2. Baby looks satisfied after each feed.
  3. Baby have at least six to eight wet diapers a day.


During my confinement, my CL have been nagging and nagging persistently that my baby is not drinking enough. The baby could not sleep well because my breastmilk is not thick (fats) enough, my breastmilk supply could not satisfy my baby need and etc.

And to the extend, she asked me to pump and show her much much in ml I am producing at that point of time. Well, if you have already read my "myth breastfeeding" and "breastfeeding tips" you knows by now, ALL THIS IS TOTALLY RUBBISH!

So people, stay calm and feed.

Love,
Hot MaMa

Give me a like at my FB to keep me sharing <3








Friday, 3 April 2015

Are you ready for Breast-feeding? Prepare emotionally and physically - new mother diary Ep1

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Breastfeeding
when you think you know it all..



When I was first pregnant, I thought I knew it all, I thought breastfeeding is a natural thing that just come with the baby. As it is supposed to be a natural thing, taken it for granted, never ever in my life I would have thought to do research on it.

Baby was naturally vagina born. She is so beautiful and everything just fall into place like my desired birth plan. My gynae was very co-operation on my hypnobirthing and it is just... so beautiful...

I am ready to give my baby the first feed. Nurse put her lying on my chest and my baby just latch on. Thank god. She have the most perfect latch ever. The nurses just could not stop praising how smart my hours born baby is. The latch is just so awesomely-perfect. Baby was then carried away to the baby room and I am allowed to rest. 



The second feed came not much longer after that. I let her latch on and baby just keep sucking and sucking. For a few minutes she fall asleep and I then put her to the baby cot. Third feed came again not much longer after that and it continues with shorter and shorter interval.

Ok. Something is not right.

Next day, baby start crying after a sucking for a while. Panic mum button is on! Why? What has happened? Nurse asked a LC to came over for consultation. During the consultation, LC gave me some pointers that every new mum should know about breastfeeding or at least prepare themselves for it. Well, it is very much vary from individual but it is do apply for me, personal experience.

  • Milk do not come immediately after birth. In the initial stage (1-3 days) only colostrum are produced. I call it the first gold milk. Colostrum is the best (full of antibiotic and immunoglobulins) and it is sufficient for your baby's demand. Read more here.
  • Milk supply equal demand. Every mum would have sufficient supply for their babies. Supply = Demand = Supply. Read more here.
  • There are a lot of old people saying (myth) about breastfeeding. Believe in yourself and believe  always believe that breastmilk is the best milk for a baby. If anyone else tell you otherwise, ask them talk to WHO. Read more here.
  • Breastfeeding is NOT the cause of jaundice. Jaundice is NORMAL among new born babies. Read more here.
  • There is no best pump, there is no best milk booster if you do not latch. Only with latching, breastfeeding journey can be a sustainable journey. But of course, some of us would have reason of why she could not DL. However, if it is possible do keep on DL. It helps you in every way and of course it is one of the reason why you want to breastfeed? DL is the best bonding time.
  • Tips of success.
  • Diet of a breastfeeding mum.


Keeping all these, I went back home and begin my confinement journey. Read my trouble confinement journey here.

Love,
Hot MaMa.

Give me a like at my FB to keep me sharing <3