Just To Share A Little

I am a mother of four and a firm believer of breastfeeding. Trust me, breastfeeding does not happen naturally, as many claim to be (at least for me). That is why, good knowledge about breastfeeding is extremely important prior to delivery. Lots of perseverance and determination is also required.


I did not really breastfeed my first-born, Brandan, (not that I did not want to) but because I did not know how to do it(It was the biggest regret in my life!) Back then in 1998, I guess breastfeeding was not strongly encouraged by the hospital. The usual practise was : newborns would be bottle-fed and mommies would be guided to breastfeed during their "free time". So my assumption was: bottle-feed baby till the milk comes in.


The milk did come, but I was so busy trying to remove the engorgement that I did not breastfeed my baby (not understanding that putting baby to the breasts was one of the solutions). And so it went on and on.... one problem after the other..... and my baby was so used to the bottle that he wailed and screamed when I put him to the breasts. Also, due to the fact that I did not breastfeed him right from the beginning, my milk supply was not there.


It all voiced down to one cause : NO proper guidance and information for a first-time mom.


My second child, Bryan. I read up a lot during my pregnancy and started nursing right from birth. But the experience was not a bed of roses as my boy was terribly jaundiced for four months! His weight did not increase much and so I was really doubting on my supply! Even the specialist could not find the cause of the jaundice.


Often, I would call the breastfeeding hotline to get voices of encouragement. Yes, I had gotten lots of it but no one could help me with my son's jaundice and weight increment problems.


Nursing my number three, Braven finally gave me more confidence and joy as I saw him grow beautifully and chubbier each day. The only problem I encountered was that my nipples became his pacifier and for twenty months, I could not get a good night's sleep.


Finally, I've got the most blissful breastfeeding experience with my daughter, Teresa Beth. She only feeds when she wants to and is growing happily and beautifully everyday!


With the many different experiences I have gathered, I thought that it would be nice to share them with my friends and those who need help in breastfeeding. Afterall, I realise that many experiences I have learnt are not found in books or from the experts.


With this, I hope sincerely that I will be able to help someone out there, a desperate mommy perhaps, who just wants to be assured that she is breastfeeding her baby right !