Ante-Natal Class No.2: Breast Feeding
This week’s class was entirely on the subject of feeding your own baby. A fellow participant commented: Human Milk for the Human Baby. Me likey this very much.
A few things that I’ve learnt which I find very useful: -
1. Proper Latch-On: One of the more frequent excuses I heard among the folks who gave up breastfeeding is “No Milk!” Since I have no prior experience myself, the instructor did enlightened us that the main reason for this is that the baby did not latch on properly thus regardless of how much sucking he/she did, there is no milk coming out. Two problems will occur. Firstly, mother’s nipples will be so sore, she’ll be afraid to let her baby suckle on them. Second, the baby himself/herself will be terrified since this source is not satisfying his/her hunger.
2. Signalling: This part is quite a no-brainer. You demand more from your body, your body will know how to react accordingly to meet the demand and vice-versa. Although as simple as it sounds, I guess, discipline is a major issue here.
3. Poop Chart: This, Alex and I especially like. Like most concerned friends and relatives, they will go ” You sure ah, your baby getting enough milk from you? No need formulakah?” The instructor shared with us how to gauge whether your baby is feeding enough. Check the outlet. What comes in, must go out! lol
Lastly, would like to share a video on the amazing baby’s first journey to getting his/her first meal. I want to do just that when Mini Diong comes!
December 14th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
have a chat with sila - for nursing and other baby care tips
December 15th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
good baby/mummy rapport helps. otherwise there’s always the old breast pump to fall back on… good luck!
December 16th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Lil: yea
Selena: hehe.. i think i sud worry more abt the production than the extraction first… i’m really hoping that i’ll be successful at this
December 20th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I encountered several people (including my MIL) who told me they never breastfed because there’s no milk!! I so wanted to tell them off!! There’s no production because baby isn’t sucking well (your latch-on notes), which then fails to send signal to your brain (your signaling notes) hence ‘no milk’. Many gave up because of sore nipples and I must say, it takes much perseverance in the first few days to endure the pain and tiredness. My 4 days hospital stay was great because the midwives keep coming to check on the feeding. My milk came in after 4 days and I was ecstatic! =) Don’t worry, you will do just fine.
December 20th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I like the video you posted. Ariel knew how to suck almost instantly! They put her on me for feeding after a couple of hours. =)
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:54 pm
hey ath - it was a very challenging first few weeks for me. despite the “natural”-ness of it, it was difficult. allie latched on well, but it took almost a week for my milk to come in so the poor girl was hungry. of course she had a bunch of very nutritious colostrum during this time. but 17 months later i am on a weaning plan, and have very much enjoyed breastfeeding. i will tell you that i never cried so much before i attempted breastfeeding
give it time and perseverance. i think i got the hang of it about 2 months into the process 
January 4th, 2010 at 9:17 am
theory is always easier than practical… all the best!
