Friday, April 11, 2014

On Breastfeeding @ 1 year

Liane and I have been direct breastfeeding since birth for the past almost 12 months. Our first meeting was a beautiful memory etched forever at the depth of my heart: the breastcrawl and skin to skin. When I gave birth for her, I saw the shock of raven hair, her skin color and her strong cry brought me to blissful tears. But when she finally reached me, she latched on to me and she looked at me. Her eyes, my eyes were the last thing I saw before I passed out. 

It has been a blissful experience with a lot of memories I treasure in my heart. It has inspired me to grow as a person, as a mother to L and has allowed me to nurture not just my own baby but more babies who we have shared and donated breastmilk to. 


Along the way, we have met new mommy and baby friends and I have nursed L everywhere: in church, at the mall, airport, beach-- name it. She has also discovered what I fondly call "breastfeeding acrobatics" which makes our nursing sessions even more fun and memorable. 



She is also Mommyfide's inspiration for me to provide fashionable, affordable and Modern Mommywear for breastfeeding moms and the sole reason why breastfeeding is close to my heart. 



But it wasn't always easy at first. Being a new mom and persevering the first 3wks up to 3 months, establishing milk supply, adjusting to not sleeping straight at night, unli latch and growth spurts, plugged ducts, sore nipples, limited wardrobe and more! 

But today, L is turning 1 year old in less than 2 wks. I feel like I earned a medal for coming full circle. Breastfeeding her has become so valuable to me:


1. It is her instant comfort whenever she is not feeling well: teething
2. Helps her sleep
3. No painful ears when we travel by plane, so she is such a happy traveller
4. We travel and go out without worrying if we packed enough bottles, formula, sterilizer, etc. it allows us to travel light.
5. The savings (!!!!!!!)
6. The experience. Ohh when she looks at me and smiles, when we play while she is latched on or when she tries to put her foot in my mouth because she wants my undivided attention when I am on my phone while we nurse-- stuff like these.
7. Jumpstarts her immune system. Babies spend 40 wks in the womb, but the last that develops is their immune system which breastfeeding complements! Isn't that amazing? 
8. The bond I have with L :)
9. Best thing my boobs have ever done
10. Lost pregnancy weight quickly

I miss how she would be latched on to me all day and all night when she was tiny. Trust me, it gets better. Today she looks forward to meal times, would play or like to go out on a walk instead of nurse... Would be too distracted to nurse for more than a few minutes when we are out. All these things.

Mommies and mommies-to-be, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you have very limited time and window for this experience with your children. 

I feel like I am a super hero and have super powers for making milk even while I sleep! What's your super power? 

Indeed, it is a selfless act of love and devotion only a determined mother can provide. Daddies can change nappies, Grandma can babysit for a bit, Nanny can take over for awhile, Grandpa can do playtime... But only Mommy can breastfeed :)

Many have asked me for tips how to succeed because I have made it look easy. Just set your mind to it, no bargaining... Enjoy your baby, enjoy, live and love the experience while it lasts and trust me, it will be hard before it becomes easy and it will get better and better. 

 I think a breastfeeding mother and child is a beautiful sight. We will be breastfeeding until L self weans whether that will be when she is three or when she is 30. Hehehe!


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