My breastfeeding journey

 

Dear future mommies,

Breastfeeding is a beautiful, yet challenging journey. Whether you plan on exclusively breastfeeding, exclusive pumping or bottle feeding your baby, it's totally up to you and remember that your choice won't make you less of a mother.

My breastfeeding journey started as early as my pregnancy. I determined to breastfeed my baby because of tremendous benefits of it. For the baby, and for the mommy. But those benefits won't come easy, although it's a natural thing and breastfeeding probably exists since Prophet Adam era, there is a lot for me to learn and it doesn't come naturally.

But till today, after almost 4 months of breastfeeding Iryss, I strongly believe that determination is the main key for breastfeeding.

Because of my determination, I started reading blogs on breastfeeding, watch videos on YouTube and I'm sure you can find them on the net and I started doing what I felt right for me.

To begin with, I started eating milk booster as soon as I was 6-month pregnant and particularly these two: 

You can buy this from this link: Nufiya Milk Booster

You can buy yours from this link: Milk booster cookies

 Nufiya drink worked as I started leaking towards the end of pregnancy, but I stopped consuming it because my sugar reading is kinda high. So, I just stick to the lactation cookies. They are not too sweet and delicious too!

When giving birth to Iryss, my hospital didn't teach me on how to breastfeed right away because I was going through c-section, so I couldn't even sit upright for 24h. Iryss was bottle-fed (formula milk). During my 2nd day only the nurse taught me how to breastfeed. It was such a short session, I wish they provide longer session for new moms.

In Melaka, we're lucky to get nurses come and visit us at home everyday till the 10th day, and alternate days till 20th day. So the nurses help me out with breastfeeding. They also shared tips and tricks on how to breastfeed and they gave me hope to continue doing so. Not gonna lie, your nipples are gonna hurt, lucky for me they didn't bleed. It's hard to get baby latching during the first few days. But you gotta push for it. 

I continue eating the lactation cookies and another thing that works for me was bertunku (hot compress) around breast area and at my back. That really helped in stimulating more milk in the beginning.

You can buy it from this link: Tanamera hot compress

Because my milk production wasn't a lot initially, I kept doing that before pumping. Yes, I was exclusively pumping in the beginning because Iryss didn't latch. But the nurses told me, to stimulate more milk, and to teach Iryss how to properly latch, I had to direct breastfeed her. 

Later, Iryss got jaundice. It's pretty high and the doctor at clinic advised on alternately giving formula milk, so we did. At that time, my milk production has improved and because I didn't own a proper breast pump, I experienced breast engorgement (bengkak susu). Oh my god, that time, I was crying so much because it hurt like hell. With my c-section wound, I couldn't walk or sleep properly, with learning how to deal with baby, with painful breasts, I broke down.

Luckily, I found a trick on how to reduce breast engorgement on tiktok and this blog and you can check it out here: https://milkbarbreastpumps.com.au/blogs/breastfeeding/clear-a-blocked-duct-with-your-haakaa-epsom-salts

It helped a lot!

Another trick I learned was to consume Sunflower Lecithin as it has been recommended to combat recurrent plugged ducts. I'm gonna you save some time and not to try searching for one at physical pharmacy because they didn't sell Sunflower Lecithin there. The only have soy lecithin. 

You can buy it from this link: NOW Sunflower Lecithin

After that incident, I learned my lesson. To always pump whenever I feel my breast is 'full'. And to always invest in good wireless pump.

I'm thankful to find this wireless pump, though it's not the most exclusive one, it works well and easy to be used. I buy mine from this link: Youha wireless pump

With determination, patience, perseverance and good support system, alhamdulillah Iryss is fully breastfed now. 

My doctor recommends me to continue taking pregnancy supplements when breastfeeding. I also consume supplements that help me with my milk production and give me all nutrients needed for me and Iryss. Here are the supplements I consume on daily basis:

Before breakfast:

I'd drink 1 glass of Wildan goat milk (chocolate flavor) that's mixed with 1 scope of Shaklee ESP, a plant-based soy protein drink for long-lasting energy.

Then, I'd take 1 tablet of Surbex Calcium-D3 and 3 tables of Shaklee Omega

I feel much more energized after taking these supplements and not gonna lie, Shaklee ESP is so sedap that I'm looking forward to drink it every morning.

After lunch

I'd take 1 tablet of Blackmores Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Formula, together with 4 tables of Shaklee Alfalfa Complex. 

After dinner

I'd take another 4 tablets of Alfalfa Complex and drink another glass of Wildan goat milk with 1 scope of Shaklee ESP.

Please consult your doctor before consuming any of these supplements. I'm just sharing my routine with you.

You can order yours from the following links: -

- Wildan goat milk (chocolate flavor)

- Surbex Calcium D3

- Shaklee ESP

- Shaklee OmegaGuard

- Blackmores Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Formula

- Shaklee Alfalfa Complex

I just registered as member for Shaklee because I'm using their products and I saved a lotttt! If you're interested to try Shaklee products and interested to becoming a member, you can DM me on instagram, @aliahnazamusa. Only sharing what's good for me and my pocket hahaha

Although I'm directly breastfeeding and I prefer doing so, I also bottle train Iryss during working hours. So I'd stock up my milk and store them in a milk storage plastic that I bought from this link: Momo House milk storage bags

my milk stock

This Shopee store sells cheap and high quality storage bag. If I were on the go, I'd bring my pump and a few pieces of milk storage bags in this cooler bag: https://shp.ee/8k69bd3. Super convenient!

As for baby bottles, I got lucky because I bought 1 complete set of Tommee Tippee Feeding Kit for half its price. It includes 1 x Steriliser, 1 x Bottle Warmer, 2 x Bottle Carriers, 4 x 260ml PP Bottle, 4 x 150ml PP Bottle, 1 x Bottle and Teat brush, 4 x Milk powder dispensers, 1 x 0-6m soother, 1 x Teat Tongs. So worth it! For only RM659. 

You're lucky, because Tommee Tippee official Shopee store has the same discount today: https://shp.ee/rutcbb3

Bottle train is important especially if you're returning to work. Do not start too early because your baby might be confused between your breast and the bottle, but do not start too late like Aliah here. Because Iryss would cry a river during every bottle train session lol.

I only bottle train her during working hours and at night, it'd be direct feeding, as it helps with milk production as well. 

To be able to breastfeed Iryss is definitely a great blessing. Every time after feeding, Iryss will smile and that automatically brightens my day. I hope I can breastfeed her till she's turning 2 years old. I hope every mother that's reading this will experience the joy and gift of breastfeeding.

Till my next post.

xo