Part 1: Breastfeeding Experience (2nd Time)

For some, you may know how my 1st breastfeeding experience with Jeriel was. Mummy was being naïve during that time and also didn’t have all the wonderful mummies support, Mummy actually almost fail to give Jeriel BM. Mummy got to know all the wonderful mummies much later when Jeriel was few months old.

• Breastfeeding for the 1st time
• Jeriel's last Breastmilk
  

Even though he was only 100% BM for 1st month and the supplement with formula, some mummies consoled Mummy said it was better than nothing at all. Mummy could not imagine how Mummy can be full time pumping 3x at home because there was no proper place to pump in office. Mummy was the 1st few people who tried Spectra 2 which was earlier launched to hospitals in 2004. It is bulky but quiet and cheap at that time for double electric pump. Avent Manual pump was Mummy’s stand by in case no electricity or when Mummy need to pump in the car (while PaPa driving) if we need to go out. Mummy’s inverted was quite bad that Mummy could only use the Spectra 2 as single pump in order to have maximum suction rather than using double pump.

That was the 1st Breastfeeding experience....how about the 2nd one?

This time, Mummy had more supporting friends with a lot of tips. Mummy got Medela Nipple Former from Vivian (FabulousMom) and was wearing on and off when Mummy was pregnant. Mummy should wear often but sometimes just forget about it.

• Preparation for Baby no 2 (Ariel)

PaPa forgotten to bring the Medela Nipple Former for Mummy when Ariel was born in the hospital because it was a rush and delivery was so fast. So, Mummy was holding the breast initially to help Ariel to latch. Poor Ariel, she was having problem to latch especially when it kept dropping from her mouth after latching. She would be crying and screaming. Mummy had to be calm to avoid making the situation worst so Mummy kept talking to her to continue suck out so that it would be easier for her. Now, Mummy got a short nipple and the right breast is usually harder to latch because it will go inverted but once Ariel sucked, it will be ok. Ariel slowly getting use to it which Mummy is proud of her little girl.

For the first time, Mummy didn’t need the Nipple Shield to breastfeed. Also first time, Mummy experienced nipple sore because Jeriel time, Mummy was using Nipple Shield, so never got nipple sore. For the first month, Mummy breastfeed Ariel directly by demand round the clock. It was sleepless night and 3 times fever due to engorgement. Mummy’s engorgement was even worst than Jeriel’s time that Mummy got to get SOS help from a few mummies who have been patiently replying all my emails and sms. Mummy’s breast was swollen and stuck. Mummy tried a lot of thing, from hot pack, cold pack, cabbage etc… It was a painful experience pumping out the hard red swollen breast. It was hard for Ariel to latch, poor girl…

Mummy’s freezer was filling up fast and this would not be good when Mummy start work because Mummy’s breasts fill up too fast after each feeding/pumping. Ariel couldn’t empty Mummy’s breast.

Supply > Demand

• To pump or not?
• Fever again?
  

At last, Mummy went to see Dr Koe when Ariel was 1+ month. She asked me to get rid of hot pad which will over stimulate the breast. So, just use a simple cold towel (using pipe water) and wrapped the breast to ease the swell. When the swell ease, this would avoid Mummy from pumping too often and just direct feed Ariel to achieve Supply = Demand. It worked for 2 weeks that Mummy didn’t need to pump to ease the pain, no engorgement, just direct feed on demand. Then Mummy started only to pump about a few days before Mummy started work to train Ariel to drink EBM via bottle.

Initial plan, Mummy wanted to pump in the morning 6.00-6.30am, 11-11.30am, 5-5.30pm and 10-10.30pm. At last Mummy only pump 3X instead of 4X because Mummy couldn’t manage to find time pump at night at home. Why? Mummy would share in another post..in short, busy busy….or maybe Mummy giving excuse?

Also initial plan was to keep to the same schedule on weekend like weekdays, but Mummy gave up. Why? It was hard to keep the schedule because Mummy usually alone with Jeriel and Ariel on Saturday. - managing both kids, warming milk and feeding Ariel and pumping etc…Weekend and holidays just direct feed Ariel and no pumping (sometimes pump 1X in a day if can find time and also when toooo engorge).

Our apartment freezer is full and Mummy had to get space from Sam Yee’s fridge who was nice to give Mummy one row. Well, still not enough…another post to share…

Wow, looks like Mummy need to write a few posts on:

• Freezer space (Jeriel refused to drink….more)
• Pumping in office
• Breastfeeding in public
  

So far, Ariel has been on BM and EBM till now. A lot of people commented that she is very chubby and she is getting heavy to be carried too..

Other related posts on Breastfeeding Experiences.