I’ve been nursing Noah since Day One, and even though he had a few formula feeds while waiting for my milk to come in during the first few days, he’s been on total breast milk since then. As I am a SAHM, there’s no need for me to express my milk for him to drink from a bottle, and I love how convenient it is for me to feed him.
My breastfeeding journey hasn’t always been this smooth. I had a really good supply, and the little boy hardly had to do any work to get the milk. He has a short frenulum, and a poor latch, which I didn’t realize until he was about two months old. By then, it was really hard to get him to improve his latch, and I suffered from all sorts of problems. (Those of you who have been reading my blog since Noah was born, will probably remember those old posts about my blocked ducts!) I used to have sore and bleeding nipples, and rows of blisters would form on my nipples once a month. This usually occurred together with my blocked ducts, and I even had mastitis on a few occasions. I felt as though I was punched in the boobs, and that I had a huge blue-black on my chest. I had to see the Lactation Consultant a few times, and my massage lady made emergency house calls once a month whenever I had blocked ducts. I even had to use a sterile needle to burst the blisters on my nipple on my own, because it was too painful to continue nursing Noah. He was drinking milk mixed with blood for a while, and I only found out about it when he spat up pink milk one day. In fact, I only stopped suffering from blocked ducts after Noah was about nine months old.
Breastfeeding is really not easy, especially for first time mums. You’ll need lots of help and support, and if you don’t have that, chances are, you’ll be very tempted to give up. I was fortunate to have other experienced mums giving me advice through the initial tough days, and now, I enjoy nursing Noah so much that I dread having to stop. (That’s a long story, related to our IVF story, so I’ll save it for another day.)
The Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group Singapore, together with Save the Children, is organising a FREE event this Saturday, 3 August 2013, from 930am to 1230pm, at Emily Hill. There’s something for every mum! If you are a new mum, or a mum-to-be, I think the breastfeeding help, as well as the experts’ panel discussion, will be very informative. If you are currently a breastfeeding mum, you can join other nursing mums in the Big Latch On at 1030am, and nurse your little ones together. Your toddlers and preschoolers can also participare in the children’s story and craft, organised by PlayDate. If you have stopped breastfeeding, do still bring your kids to have some fun at the event. More information can be found on the Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group Singapore Facebook Page. (Remember to ‘like’ the page for tips on breastfeeding!)
How to get there by MRT: Take the NEL, and alight at Little India MRT station. Take Exit A and walk through the Mackenzie carpark and up Niven Rd (next to Italian restaurant Sole Pomodoro). Turn right into Mt Emily Road, and walk up for about two minutes. You will then see a flight of steps on your left. Walk up those stairs, and Mt Emily is at the top of the hill.
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