Simplicity

Before I gave birth, I have decided to take the path of breastfeeding for Sean. All the research have shown the wondrous benefits of breast milk, how it can help to build up the immune system of babies much better than formula milk.

Before I delivered, I told the nurse proudly…”TOTAL BREASTFEEDING for Sean!” I still remember the first time that I attempted to breastfeed Sean, it was rather awkward. The lactation consultant came to check out my milk supply, gave it a squeeze and colostrum squirted out! I was amazed! Haha, I never thought that I will witness such a scene my entire life. The next thing I knew, she latched Sean on and he was sucking away. I felt maternal, I was a mother!

It wasn’t easy picking up breastfeeding. My hubby had to help me latch him on during the first few days. But things got better after we got back home. I was getting more confident, and Sean was getting better at latching on too.

As the title goes, no pain no gain. It was really quite painful during the beginning. I thought to myself, my pain is his gain. So I endured! The lactation consultant at TMC even mentioned that only 1% of Singaporean mothers can persist breastfeeding for a year. I wonder if I would be one of these 1%…so far, it’s been 2 months and 1 week. My target is at least 6 months.

The next pain for me was the numerous times that I had to be ‘on call’ for being his milk-machine. Sometimes, he could call for his milk every hour, meaning that I had only maybe 30 minutes of rest in between of each feeding sessions. As compared to formula milk, breast milk is digested much faster, hence, I have to wake up an average of 3 times each night to feed him too.

Now about my recent pain..dealing with engorgement! On Tuesday night, Sean woke up slightly later than usual, hence, I ended up with an engorged right breast. The pain became so excruciating on Wednesday night that I teared when breastfeeding him. I came down with a low fever at night and I felt awful. But, I shall perservere on!

Hence, no pain…no gain!

When do you know that you have become a mother? (Some points are pertaining to breastfeeding mothers, and the last point is dedicated to his papa.)

1) You hear children’s songs ringing in your head more often than pop songs.

2) You will be thankful to have at least 3 hours of sleep in a stretch.

3) You are not able to survive through shopping and dinner without feeling engorged.

4) The moment you step out of the house, you already start missing your little fella.

5) The places that you contemplate in travelling to are sentosa or batam. (And 2 days 1 night is the max consideration)

6) You used to enjoy looking at other people’s wedding photos on facebook after you were married. NOW, you begin to pay extra attention to other people’s baby photos.

7) You have to take turns between your family members to have your dinner so that there is someone to attend to the little fella.

8 ) Celebration of mother’s birthday in the past at restaurants is now changed into ang bao money.

9) Sometimes you just wish that the little fella takes a longer nap.

10) Your husband no longer needs an alarm clock.