Breastfeeding

As the year comes to an end, I thought I would share my experiences on breastfeeding. As I will be heading back to work soon and 'might' bring breastfeeding to a close (*sniff sniff*), I want to note them down here, so that I can always remember how much I enjoyed it.

- No one tells you how hard it is as the start. Many mothers I have spoken to after having a baby tell me that they struggled with breastfeeding. I guess the main issue is latching on correctly, and that is where we get damaged nipples. I had tremendous support from Grumpy, my mum and the midwives (who cared for me at the hospital and also after returning home) on my breastfeeding efforts. And with that, I was able to overcome that first hurdle of learning how to breastfeed.

- Breastfeeding is all about demand and supply. The more my baby feeds, the more my body responds and produces more milk. As per Tizzie Hall, the first 8 weeks is all about establishing a good milk supply by the mother. I have been fortunate enough to have ample supply of milk for Little Bambi, and so I have never needed to top up her feeds with formula. Grumpy and I bought a second hand freezer from Gumtree a few months ago, to store bags of expressed milk.

- You become extremely thirsty after a feed. Its true. Some days when I head to Chaddy with Little Bambi, I bring two bottles of water from home with me. One is not enough. I drink so much water these days.

- You become very hungry after a feed. Oh my, some mornings after feeding Little Bambi, I will have two serves of breakfast. And after that, morning tea as well. I read that its important for mums to have a balanced diet, and that includes carbohydrates. And so I eat rice, bread and potatoes (as much as I please). Other times I am usually careful with carbs, but not while I am breastfeeding.

- You become exhausted after a feed. It feels like all my energy has been sucked out of me sometimes. I remember during the early days, I will crawl back to bed after Little Bambi's first feed and just lie there for 30 minutes.

- During winter, your body becomes very cold after a feed. I remember how I used to put on another jumper after feeding Little Bambi, and I will say "OMG I am freezing!"

- Milk flows out pretty quick, like a running tap! Haha Until today, I still laugh when Little Bambi chokes while feeding because she can't keep up with the flow. And there is milk everywhere if she pulls out. Up in her nose, her forehead, all over the pillow, the chair..

- While feeding, Little Bambi makes funny noises, like she's going "Mmmmmmmm" and this has got to be MY MOST FAVOURITE PART about breastfeeding. She sounds like she is enjoying her feed so much that I get such a strong feeling of satisfaction on my part.

- When she was about 3 months old, I would un-hook my nursing bra to offer her a boob, and she would open her mouth really wide and swing her head left to right (very quickly), looking for the nipple. Like a ravenous lion.

- Mastitis. This awful awful word... and I have already had it twice. The second time was only about two weeks ago. I suffered with a fever, cold shivers, my entire body was aching, I also had a throbbing headache. I thought I was going to die. And the doctor prescribes me antibiotics, which is equally bad because it passes on to baby from my milk.

- You don't have your period while breastfeeding. So I guess this could be a way of contraception. Not that I am already planning for baby number two. But I don't think its possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding.

- You have to wear wireless maternity bras while breastfeeding which makes you feel super UNsexy. I wear maternity bras from Marks & Spencer and they fit so amazingly well. These M&S bras that I have look nice too, compared to others I have seen in Myers. And of course, M&S are not available in Australia. So I got mine from KL and London.

- I am still a little shy when feeding Little Bambi in very public areas like restaurants, cafes or even in front of family members. I usually look for a Parents Room to feed her in shopping centres.

- Breastfeeding while on the go (when we are out, or even while we were travelling in Sydney) is so convenient, because there is no need for bottles, sterilising, warming up milk etc.

- It is free! Formula, on the other hand is expensive. However, while breastfeeding, I still eat my pregnancy vitamins.

Above all, I think it is the bonding and the closeness that I have with Little Bambi is priceless.