1. Don't give yourself additional stress!
I witnessed many mummies crying in despair (both my sisters included) as they worried they do not have enough milk for their babies. This is worsened by the constant crying of the babies.
When I started breastfeeding Jiejie, I did not tell myself I need to exclusively breastfeed Jiejie. I also comforted myself that babies do not need to really drink milk for the first 24 hrs, so that give me some reassurance if I am not able to "produce" enough milk. For the 1st 2 days at the hospital, I sleep/rest when I can, and get up to breastfeed my girl when the nurse brought the girls to me. Simply put, I just did what I can.
2. Block out the "noises".
I am really blessed to have my mum staying with me during my confinement. Although my mum was not too supportive towards TBF, she did not "encourage" me to supplement with formula. But I think it is important to learn to block all the "concerns" of the naysayers.
What worried me most was Jiejie constant crying for "milk". I had to tell myself I needed the time to freshen up, I needed to be away. I was lucky I had all the aunties and uncles around to carry and pacify my girl when I steal some time away.
3. Persevere through the first week
Everything seems to be fine during your stay at the hospital. However, things start to go haywire the moment you stepped into your house. Speaking from experience, the hardest time to carry on is during the 3rd day. This is the day when you just settled back at home, and just when you want to settle to sleep, the baby starts screaming every other hour. My best advice is to PERSEVERE. Once you get through this stage, things will be much smoother.
4. Latch on and/or Express as often as you can
I know this is not easy as I typed here. But I do find the benefits of latching on often. Latching on (even so for comfort sucking) helps to stimulate milk production and is also great bonding between you and your baby.
Although expressing can be
Of course, breastfeeding is not always a bed of roses. I had my fair share of down time with all my 3 munchies.
There are problems of cracked nipples (ouch!), super bad engorgements (Urrgh!!!), silence cries in the bathroom, unsightly leaks etc. And having to lug the ultra big breastpump with me everywhere I go for 12 months, the constant lookout for a nursing rooms is nothing I looked forward to. But I have learnt to cope with it.
Getting a good (& dual) electric pump saves time (total blessings) and a chic and cool nursing covers add that special touch when you do need to breastfeed in public (I feel the "high" when other mummies comment on how cool my nursing covers is) and being not too paranoid on the "hygiene factors" on the places you express helps too. I have tried to express many times in shopping malls toilets as nursing rooms are not in existence yet. Of course, I tried to clean my hands as best as I could before I start expressing.
Of course, getting the support of your hubby is KEY! I am so glad my hubby supported my decision to breastfeed exclusively. He even bought me the expensive breastpump. During the early days of engorgement, he tried his best to massage all the sore spots to ease the pains. Communicate to your hubby constantly and get his support, and psych yourself and him, "You can DO it!"
Having said all these, breastfeeding is getting more popular here in Singapore. Nursing facilities are more commonly found in shopping malls compared to 5 years ago. And all these helps to make breastfeeding in public much easier.
All in all, I have enjoyed my breastfeeding journey. It is a special bond between you and baby that nobody can share. And I am way on my third round with baby A.
Just my 2 cents worth.
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