TLM Breastfeeding Diaries feat. Melissa
1) What's your current breastfeeding day to day is like and how do you feel about it?
I'm a stay-at-home mom to my 9-month-old and 5-year-old. I breastfeed my baby on demand and offer her 1-2 solid meals a day, but she's not eating much solids yet, so she, my little milk monster, mostly relies on milk, especially before naps and bedtime.
Some days, we stay home for better naps, allowing her to nurse freely and cuddle up for contact naps. Other days, we venture out for adventures or follow her big brother's activities, and I would just nurse her on-the-go.
Feeling accomplished knowing I provide nourishment and comfort for my baby. It can be tiring and repetitive, but I cherish the privilege of exclusively breastfeeding her and building a special bond.
2) What's been the hardest part about breastfeeding, and how did you manage it?
With my second child, I chose to exclusively breastfeed for the first time, after exclusively pumping for my first child. Learning to get my daughter to latch was a new experience, and it had its challenges with a steep learning curve, especially since she had to be hospitalized for 3 days after I was discharged.
I sought help from the hospital's Lactation Consultant (LC) and also had an LC come to my home to assist with the transition from bottle to direct latching. I felt greatly encouraged when the LC shared that each time my daughter nursed, it was a practice session, and with her feeding frequently, both of us would improve over time at breastfeeding.
Another challenge I faced was learning to trust my baby to feed on demand, and to take enough milk via latching. Having mainly bottle fed my first child, I found it difficult to “let go” to allow my baby to lead in her feeding. I just felt that I needed to quantify something!
Counting wet and dirty diapers helped reassure me that our breastfeeding journey was progressing well. Especially since my baby indeed had an abundance of diaper output consistently, this gave me a lot of reassurance that breastfeeding was going well!
3) What steps (if any) did you take to prepare to learn about breastfeeding before you deliver?
I actually did not do much preparation for breastfeeding. I just dug out my breast pump from the storeroom 😅
My goal was to exclusively latch my baby if I could. I wish I did more preparation work like taking part in a prenatal workshop, and equipping myself with knowledge about positioning, how to tell if my baby has fed enough.
4) What's about breastfeeding that has been a surprise for you?
Each breastfeeding journey is unique and different. For my first child, I exclusively pumped and managed well on 6-hourly pumps once I returned to work. For my second child, I am exclusively latching her and she is very much attached to me and goes with me everywhere so that she can feed on demand.
I had to be away from her for a short 3 days to attend an overseas wedding once, and my body, well, and my heart too, did NOT take the separation well, even though I was trying to pump as frequently as she would normally feed.
I was confident of managing the pumping well having gone down the EP route before but I was so wrong!
“So yes - I was truly humbled by this experience and am learning many new things on my second breastfeeding journey.”
5) What would you like to share/advise other pregnant mums?
Don’t be daunted by breastfeeding!
It is truly a precious gift that mums can feed, nourish, comfort and bond with their babies. So let’s embrace it! 🩷
Give it a try! Seek help if you need to by attending workshops by IBCLCs or engaging IBCLC visits after you’ve given birth to check in.
I also found it helpful to be part of a breastfeeding mums community (FB groups, WhatsApp chat groups) to ask questions and seek support.
You’ve got this, momma! 🙌🏻
- Melissa, Mother of two to a 5 year old and a 9 month old
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