📷 photo credit: zhian

     During my pregnancy with Zhian (1st child), I was worried because I don't know everything about being a mom. I'm scared if I can do all those responsibilities, I was keep on thingking if I can be a good mom. But as time goes by, I already accepted that is my life now. All I did to conquer all those fears and worries was, I read books, watch videos, asked  my mother, asked other mothers and taking notes with doctors advices about motherhood. So my post for today,  is I want to share the informations I've read, watched from videos and learned from other mothers, ALL ABOUT BREASTFEEDING. I hope it will help for those mothers specially first time moms.

WHAT IS BREASTFEEDING?

- is feeding a  baby or young children with milk from a womens breast.

- it is also known as nursing.

Brief History

    According to what I've read, in greek and roman empires women are usually feeding only their own children. But royal families before employed wet nurses to feed their royal children. In 15th century, Europe have attemps to use cow's or goats milk and in 18th centuries, they used mixed cereals with broths they used this for substitute of breastfeeding but all of that failed. Other places like Canada, women do not usually suckle their babies because they believe that breastfeeding is a low class and uncultured practice. Breastfeeding became seldom during 19th century when infant formula was improved. During 1960's and onwards, breastfeeding revival and continued  into the 2000's. 

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING?

-  breastmilk contains all the vitamins and nutrients that a baby needs for first six months of their lives.

- breastmilk is packed with disease-fighting substance that protect a baby from illness.

- breastfeeding have alot of benifits for the child and the mother.

SOME BENIFITS OF BREASTFEEDING

-BABIES-

* helps improve cognitive developments.

* it decreases the risk of respiratory track infection.

* lowers risk of diarrhea.

* lowers risk of luekemia.

* decreases risk of asthma.

* decreases risk of food allergies.

* lowers risk of obesity.

* lowers risk of celiac desease.

* lowers risk of type 1 & 2 diabetes.

-MOTHERS-

* first and foremost, breastfeeding is less expensive than infant, so it's budget friendly 😊.

* less postpartum depression.

* better uterus shrinkage.

* less blood loss following delivery. 

* it delays menstruation and fertility.

* it decreases risk of breast cancer.

* lessens the risk of cardiovascular disease.

* and lower risks of rheumatoid arthritis.

HOW TO BREASTFEED?

What are the best positions of baby during breastfeeding?

📷photo credit: zhian

1.) The cradle hold - this is the most common position in breastfeeding. I usually use this position because I'm comfortable nursing Zhian before and now nursing Ythan. 

• turn your baby's chest towards your chest.

• cradle your baby's head in the crook of your arm.

• bring your baby up to your breast.

• keep baby's bottom under your arm.

• hold your baby's body close to you.

📷 photo credit: zhian

2.) The cross-cradle hold - this can work in either hands.

• support your baby's neck and shoulder.

• your baby's head is free to move.

source: google.com

3.) The underarm hold - this is best position after c-section or you have twins to feed.

• hold your baby on your side.

• support baby's neck and shoulder.

source: google.com

4.) The lying down - this position is best at night but make sure you won't get sleep while feeding your baby.

• curl down towards your baby.

• rest your breast on the bed.

• help your baby find your breast.

• snuggle up.

source: google.com

5.) The lying back - great position if you have fast flow milk.

• support your back.

• lie back.

• let your baby find his way.

Correct positioning in breastfeeding is very important. If you are in right position you will be comfortable feeding your baby and the baby can eat comfortably as well. It can prevent or minimize nipple soreness.

STRUGGLES OR DIFFICULTIES MAY ENCOUNTER DURING BREASTFEEDING AND HOW TO MANAGE IT

Even though breastfeeding journey os such wonderful experience, struggles are really TRUE. Here are some examples I've encountered and other moms out there during our breastfeeding journies.

1. During your first time breastfeeding a baby it is very painful.

> to manage it, you need to find a good position when breastfeeding to prevent or minimize pain of the nipples.

2. Low breastmilk supply.

> you need to drink more fluids and drink the broths specially broth of moringa will help increase the volume of your breastmilk.

3. Sleepless nights or lack of sleep. You really need to wake up in the middle of the night when your child is hungery, you  can't have a substitute to prepare milk like your having formula milk and you can let someone prepare it.

> you  need to find something that would not make you feel sleepy. (play games, watch videos)

> you can pump your milk put in a bottle feed and let your partner do the feeding so you can rest.

4.  If your baby is sleeping and you feel your milk don't have space anymore, you will feel pain also.

> so you can pump it also put in  bottle or breastmilk pouch put in refrigerator and save it for later after your baby finished sleeping, in that case you won't disturb your baby's sleep. 

5. When your baby is on teething stage, struggle is real. He or she will really bite you.

> pumping milk is still one way of coping  this problem.

> you can train your baby not to bite you.

6. When you need to go other place, feeding is a bit hard.

> look for breastfeeding area.

> use cover up.

> use nursing wears like this,

you can check other designs by clicking links below.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=578123759214037&id=500566716969742

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=578123099214103&id=500566716969742

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=578122829214130&id=500566716969742

To give you more insights and tips about breastfeeding, I conducted a short interview via messeges with people i knew. 

JEMARIE

- 30 yrs. old a mother of 3 beautiful children she is a travel agent in Tacloban Leyte, Philippines.

SHIRLEY

- 30 yrs. old as well and also a mother of 3 children, she is a domestic helper in kuwait.

BABYLYN

- 28 yrs. old a mother of one 9 yr. old daughter she is a government employee.

JONNA MIE

- 27 yrs. old a mother of one full time mom.

KRIZA

- 26 yrs. old a mother of 3 and a full time mom.

ANNE

- 29 yrs. old a mother of 2 she is an online sellet in Tacloban.

JACHIN

- 27 yrs. old a mother of 1 and she is government employee.

Some of the mothers answered not in pure english, you can ask me by commenting down.

     For me, breastfeeding is a painful journey yet fantastic and amazing experience. It is a bond of you and your child where in both can have plenty benefits. I hope all momies will do breastfeeding.

Thank you for reading what I've shared. Thank you for the support.