Hi, Hive and Mom friends!
Lately, I've been writing about my Motherhood experience as I have many photos that I can share stories with. I will share with you my breastfeeding experience.
Breastfeeding is a personal choice
First and foremost, even though I wasn't a mom yet, my personal choice in the future would be a breastfeeding mama. I've heard many stories that it was difficult, especially from my mother. As her firstborn child, my mom told me that I refused to be breastfed as I never liked it. So, I was bottle-fed. My younger sister and brother were all breastfed.
I thought breastfeeding was easy but it was not
Right after I gave birth, I was in my hospital bed, midwives assisted me to breastfeed my baby. Damn, it was painful. My son had difficulty to latch and then he bit my nipples. I was bleeding. I was crying and in pain. I had not enough sleep. I don't want my baby beside me. I gave it to the midwives and let them feed my baby with formula milk.
I just wanted to sleep. Every time the midwives brought my baby to me, I begged them not to give it to me. Please feed him with formula milk. I had bruises on my nipples.
The midwives also let me borrow to use a breast pump machine so that it would help to stimulate more milk. They suggested that when I go back home, I should rent the machine. My baby was mixed-fed in the hospital and we got released from the hospital when my baby gained weight, finally.
The Liquid Gold
The photos below were taken in March 2020, when my baby was already 1-month old. Photos were taken at different times, night and day.
130 ml each bottle during the night pump
150 ml (left bottle) and 110 ml (right bottle) the day pump
The brand I was using was called Medela. Other mom friends in the Philippines were like, "Oh, can I borrow your machine when you're done with it?"
They knew that this brand was expensive and very effective. But I never owned this machine, it was rented for several months.
Of course, I was very proud of my liquid gold. If only I could donate the extra breastmilk that I stored in the fridge during those times. I used the others for the milk bath. Thanks to the healthy foods I eat. I never taken any vitamins since his birth. Good thing my appetite for food was amazing.
Breastfeeding is exhausting
This is how I looked like when I was in the hospital when my son was about a few days old. I had no time to brush my hair. The chubby cheeks of my son, he got it from me. Like mama, like son. :D
My son turned one month in this photo. Look at that chubby cheeks.
Indeed, breastfeeding is exhausting as I was always tired. When the baby sleeps, I fall asleep, too. I struggled doing house chores because to be honest, I prioritize my sleep. I was suffering and in pain with my Cesarian Surgery. I lost so much weight that I needed to eat more to gain weight. I was always hungry so I needed to feed myself to feed my son.
Some breastfeeding mamas are so conscious about losing weight and would love to eat less or diet. My suggestion is not to care about gaining weight. It is important to focus on eating healthy food as we need a lot of energy and at the same time, giving food to the baby.
I stopped breastfeeding my son when he was 15 months old because I was pregnant with the second baby. The baby girl stopped breastfeeding at 2 years and 3 months. In total, I was breastfeeding for 3 years from 2020 to 2023.
No regrets with breastfeeding
As long as I have milk on my breasts and the baby won't refuse, yes to breastfeeding.
What's your experience with breastfeeding?