If you have decided to breastfeed your child exclusively let me congratulate you by saying that this is one of the best decisions that you'll ever make. I have been successfully doing so for the past 7 months and I'm proud to say that my daughter has never tried formula.
Many thanks to breastfeeding, I'm now 3 kilos away from my pre-pregnancy weight and common coughs and colds are the only sickness that my baby has ever had.
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I share a strong bond with my baby because of breastfeeding. |
However, the path to a breast feeding life is not easy. I have encountered challenges such as fatigue (from waking up every now and then to feed my baby at night), bleeding nipples, engorgement, etc... But I'm so happy that I didn't give up because I'm now reaping its rewards! =)
And so I would like to share and give tips on how I was able to do it:
1) Have the right mindset -- BE POSITIVE!
In life, it is important to have a positive outlook despite all the challenges we encounter. The same goes in breast feeding - it is not easy but if you are really decided to give your baby the BEST you will not give up no matter what! To simply put it, if you think breast feeding is difficult and impossible then it will be!
I have encountered people who were against breastfeeding, but I was able to ignore their negative comments because I maintained the right mindset. (Positivity always wins! ;p)
2) Get support from other people
You will need all the support that you can get from your family, colleagues and friends. Your number one source of encouragement should be your hubby (heads up to all the husbands in the house!). The closest people in your life should support you and they should avoid saying things like "you won't have enough milk" or "you can't do it".
If possible, join a breast feeding community like
La Leche League.
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Left: My baby when she was 4 days old; Right: My baby at one month.
See the difference? |
3) Research/educate yourself as early as possible
Do your research while still pregnant - read books and magazines, surf the net and ask people who have successfully breastfed. Do this so you will be fully prepared on the challenges ahead and to distinguish facts from myths. One example that I always hear is this:
They say: Your milk will eventually dry up.
But the fact is: Breast feeding is based on supply and demand. If your baby continues to feed from you (or if you continue to pump at work, for example) you will not run out of milk!
For this reason, I personally don't encourage mixed feeding with formula as doing so could dwindle your milk supply.
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I learned about breast milk storage through research. |
Websites that I recommend are:
babycenter.com,
kellymom.com,
workandpump.com. They offer complete info on BF facts and basics, the correct latch, how to increase milk supply, engorgement, proper milk storage, pumping at work, etc...
4) Keep the formula away
Don't buy a formula "just in case". Believe it or not YOU WILL HAVE ENOUGH MILK... you just won't see it. After birth, your body will produce colostrum (and later on, milk) and tiny drops of it are enough. Your baby has a very small stomach and is not like an adult who needs to eat one full meal to satisfy his hunger. When your child cries don't be bothered...formula is not the solution!
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Infant formula is more of a foe than a friend when it comes to breast feeding.
Photo credit: ABC News Radio Online |
5) Eat right
Eat healthy food and drink lots of fluids. It doesn't necessarily have to be soups - water and juices are fine.
6) Arm yourself with some breast feeding gear
Treat yourself with some paraphernalia that will help you breast feed. Get a pump, buy a breast feeding cover, pumping bra, breast milk storage bags, nursing bras (review
here) and so on. Don't scrimp up too much - you are already saving a lot by not spending on formula!
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My Ameda Purely Your Ultra breast pump is serving its purpose. |
I will make a separate blog about my breast feeding gear, hopefully soon.
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No excuses: Do you really want this or not?
Now you might think that breast feeding is not for you if you're a working mom. But guess what? The person who inspired and encouraged me is a full-time working mother who had low milk supply during her baby's first month. Nevertheless that did not stop her and she did her research on how she could increase her milk supply. To this day, she continues to breast feed her son who is now almost a year old. (Many thanks to you, Madina for the support! :D)
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Celebrities like Gisele Bunchen, Beyonce Knowles and Miranda Kerr are breastfeeding advocates.
Photo credit: huffingtonpost.com |
If we can do it, so can you!
Good luck!
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A breastfed baby is a happy baby! ;p |
Note: Consult your baby's physician or your lactation consultant if you are breast feeding a preemie.
*To know more about celebrities who breastfeed, click here.