What I learned from two breastfeeding experiences

Before August (which is Breastfeeding Month) ends, I would like to share my two breastfeeding experiences. Breastfeeding is something close to my heart since I've seen the benefits with my first child (even if she was only mixed fed - you'll know why in my story below) and now with my second. When I breastfeed, I could feel how much my babies need me and that I alone could give them all the love and nourishment that nothing and no one else can.

R's story

First of all, when I was pregnant with R, I vowed to try breastfeeding as it seemed practical (siyempre tipid) and I've heard a lot of benefits. Although I haven't researched much about it, I thought it would just come naturally and easily. But I guess I was wrong.

I haven't written about R's birth story yet (hopefully ASAP since it will be her 3rd birthday tomorrow). Anyway to cut the story short, she had to be kept in the NICU for the first five days and another 5 days in the level 2 Nursery since she contracted Neonatal Pneumonia. We couldn't latch because she was intubated (tube connected to a respirator was placed in her mouth and respiratory tract). I didn't have much breast stimulation except for my pump. Good thing it was enough for my breasts to be engorged on the third day. Unfortunately drops of thick colostrum just stuck to the pump so R was not able to get that. Milk flowed on the fourth day and what I pumped, I gave the nurses in the NICU. My breastmilk was passed through a tube to her navel. Unfortunately, when the tubes where taken out (I was already discharged then and just visited R daily), the hospital started on bottle feeding her my breastmilk. I was so disappointed. R thus developed nipple confusion. And because I wasn’t directly breastfeeding, I felt I didn’t produce enough milk. My maximum milk pumped per session (2-3 hours) was 2oz. That’s why we resulted to mixed feeding (alternating breastmilk and formula).

However, on October 13, 2010, I had a very wonderful experience. I tried to latch her again and she was able to feed from me directly without any trouble at all.

But, with the lack of knowledge and research, I still wasn't able to exclusively feed her. The most was a 60% BM and 40% formula ratio. Then starting 6 months, she again had nipple confusion and I exclusively pumped since then up until she was 1 year and 2 weeks old. Nevertheless my daughter was very healthy. She never had diarrhea, nor high grade fevers, and colds/cough would last 3 days max.

JD's story

Before I gave birth to JD, I really vowed that this time around I will exclusively breastfeed him. I told Daddy A to support me by not buying any formula, even if there comes a time I would beg him to (probably from sore nipples or lack of sleep). This time I researched a lot. I also prayed to God and Mama Mary for a successful breastfeeding this time around.

Thankfully, JD came out healthy (pending post too on his birth story). He was also roomed in that night. My nipples were sore from all the latching. But I tried to endure it and with the help of the nurses, we were able to correct his latch. Though admittedly there was a time I doubted myself and almost asked for formula. By the third day, my breasts were engorged and I already had colostrum which JD was able to have. Milk also flowed starting the fourth day. Being well-informed this time around and with our hospital being stricter now in terms of their breastfeeding policy contributed to my exclusive breastfeeding with JD. As of the moment, at 2 months and a half, JD is still exclusively breastfed.

Here are my key learnings:

1) It will be a painful start - Talagang masakit sa umpisa. You will battle with engorged breasts and sore/cracked nipples. But the only way to overcome them is to go through it all. No way out of that but to breastfeed and breastfeed continuously. For engorged breasts - use hot compress (can be a hot towel); for sore/cracked nipples - lanolin cream (I used Pigeon since it's much cheaper than Avent). Baby's latch should also be corrected - his mouth should be covering your areola, nose is not obstructed, his chin rests on your breasts and you could see his jaw working that suckling motion.

2) Size does not matter - Funny story, I was buying nursing bras sa mall and asked for new stocks from the sales lady, sabi ba naman "Maam nursing bra po ito" (at parang gusto ako ituro sa pre-teens section for beginner's bras). Sinabi ko nalang "oo alam ko, bagong panganak ako, nagpapasuso ako". It's true you can breastfeed kahit from negative A pa ang cupsize mo, o kahit ang tingin ng iba pantal lang yan. Ang masaya, when you breastfeed, para kang nagpa Belo! You can go 2 cup sizes higher.

3) Akala mo lang wala pero meron meron meron! - Same as above, some think when your boobs are small, walang makukuha si baby. Specially for the first few weeks, when baby is fussy (which is normal because they are establishing your supply), even well-meaning relatives will offer, "bigyan nalang yan ng formula, kawawa naman baka nagugutom". Be confident that he/she is getting enough. Your body is capable of producing enough milk for your baby, exactly what he/she only needs at the moment. To illustrate:

Image from http://www.ameda.com/breastfeeding/the-first-12-months

4) Bakit ako mahihiya - Most view breasts as sexual objects, when their primary duty is to nourish a human being. There will really be times you have no choice but to breastfeed in public. It's a noble duty and something to be proud of. I've even experienced expressing breastmilk (with a nursing cover naman) in the presence of my staff and other co-workers.

5) Invest in good equipment - The benefits will outweigh the costs, specially the cost of formula milk! My next post will be on my breastfeeding gear (see link here).

6) There will be a lot of challenges but they can be overcome - From wrong latch, low milk supply, thrush, rusty pipe syndrome (blood-tinged milk), no place to pump, storing breastmilk, relactating, nipple confusion etc. Get all the support you need (it's important that you seek advice only from those who have successfully breastfed) and do your research. Here are websites with a wealth of info on breastfeeding:

http://www.ameda.com/breastfeeding/the-first-12-months

http://kellymom.com/

http://workandpump.com/

http://www.chroniclesofanursingmom.com/

http://www.thealphaparent.com/search/label/Timeline%20of%20a%20Breastfed%20Baby


I hope these would be helpful to moms out there who would like to commit to a successful breastfeeding career.  

Tagaytay getaway

Posted for August 8 and 9, 2013

This post is long overdue but I have to publish all the entries in my draft folder before my maternity leave ends this week. This was the Tagaytay adventure I mentioned in this post. Before I start, let me just mention that this Tagaytay trip sort of became an annual tradition already for our little family, which started with our honeymoon in 2009. Eversince, Taal Vista Hotel has been our favorite place to stay in. You just have to book/reserve a room days in advance specially for long weekends as the place is usually fully booked. Hindi talaga pwede ang walk-ins.

L-R: Honeymoon December 2009, National Heroes day August 2011 and 2012 respectively

This time around Mama and my bro C were with us. We left that Thursday at around 11am. Traffic was a breeze, probably because the long weekend actually starts tomorrow pa. We were just fortunate that Daddy A had no classes today because of St. Dominique's feast day. We stopped over at Shakey's in Paseo de Sta. Rosa for lunch. There was butterfly/moth stuck on the window beside our table, Mama said it's probably Papa dining with us. Bro C and Daddy A decided to checkout also the sports shops there. Only bro C was able to buy running shorts from Nike. The rubber shoes Daddy A liked in Mizuno didn't have his size.

We reached Taal Vista around 2. Complimentary drinks (iced tea) welcomed us at the lobby. We checked into our Mountain View wing (older building but nevertheless renovated) room. It had 2 twin beds and a sofa. They brought in another bed since we reserved for 3 adults. Bro C settled in the couch. Mama and R got the other bed, JD and I on another, while Daddy A had one just for himself.

 My life and loves all in one room

Loving this portable travel cot/co-sleeper. It closes into a bag. Will blog about it in my travel post.

After settling in and a short nap, we hopped over to Sky Ranch just beside the hotel. It just recently opened kaya hindi pa masyado madami ung attractions and restaurants/food stalls. Nevertheless, R enjoyed it. Entrance was at a promo rate of P50. P100 talaga siya. Children below 3 feet get in for free.

 

Children 4 years old and below were not allowed for the horseback riding. We just asked to take a picture with R for posterity. Un nga lang, she got scared when the horse started moving and whining.

Carousel nalang muna for her.

That's JD, snug inside the sling - another travel essential.

We then had dinner at Bulalo Point along the ridge. Sayang, I was not able to take a picture. Basta it overlooked the Taal lake and volcano. Un nga lang it rained. We ordered bulalo, bicol express and tapa.

The following day, we had our complementary breakfast at the hotel. Lamon levels kami except for bro C na high blood (oo kahit ting-ting yan lagpas 140 ang BP niyan).

Ang mga busog

 Loving their new furnishings

 Our customary family pic by the lake view

Going back home we stopped by Rowena's, Mr. Moo's, fruits stands and wooden furniture shops. Patawa lang ung conversation namin sa car nung nasa Mr. Moo's sila Mama and Daddy A:
Bro/Tito C: Galing ng mga nagagawa ng gatas ng kalabaw, pati gatas ng kambing. Eh gatas kaya ng ina? O kaya gatas ng lola?
R: La naman gatas lola, mommy lang
=)

We also dropped by to see TJ, the newest cousin of R & JD.

I really love these times spent with the family specially in the outskirts of the metro. Looks like it's going to be an annual thing after all.

Daddy A's birthday - The slumbook edition

It's Daddy A's birthday today! Di ko feel mag "cheesy" post kasi baka maumay kayo kaya let's do a slumbook edition instead para masaya diba?! Magagamit ko rin to na kodigo incase we join some married couples' Q&A game hehe. So let's start.

Vital statistics: height - 5' 9 1/2", waistline - 33-34, shoe size - 10 1/2
Hobbies: playing PSP, videoke
Sports: volleyball, basketball, boxing
Favorite basketball team: NBA-Miami Heat, PBA-Alaska Aces - pag talo yang mga yan, bad mood na yan
Favorite basketball player: NBA-Dwayne Wade, PBA-Calvin "The Beast" Abueva
Favorite athlete of all time: Manny Pacquiao - di rin mapakali pwet niyan pag may laban si Manny
Favorite color: Blue/Green
Favorite song: After All (by Peter Cetera and Cher)
Favorite ulam: Kare-kare
Motto: Be good so that others will be better
Other trivia:

• His father gave him his name. All his brothers and sister were named by his mother (and all of his brothers had their father's name attached as a second name). His father was given the choice when he was born. So he asked his officemate "Pre ano bang magandang pangalan? Gusto ko ung parang lumilipad." Thus his name, which I may say he lived up to. Daddy A always seem to soar and strive for greater heights. Salutatorian yan nung high school at cum laude naman nung college.
• He does the grocery in our household.
• Mas matagal pa yan sa banyo kesa sakin. Andaming seremonya at kung anu-anong pinapahid.
• Kung hindi daw siya nag asawa malamang pari na siya ngayon

Etong matindi, kaloka or kalokalike?
Nung binata pa daw siya, eto ung mga sinasabing kamukha niya:

 

Hmm, pwede ;)

Pero nung naging tatay na sya eto na ung sinasabing kamukha niya:

In fairness, hawig niya rin si Matt Ranillo nung kabataan niya:

Images above from the web

Peace mahal! Sana wag ka magalit sa mga sinambulat ko hehe.

Happy 31st Birthday Daddy A! We love you so much. Thanks for being a wonderful husband and father. May God continue to bless you with many more years.

O Holy Night

Last night, we were awe-inspired with the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Diocese of Cubao. Our family was so blessed to attend this glorious occasion because Papa was to be posthumously awarded one of the Supra Montem awards for service.

The event started with a high mass presided by the Most Reverend Bishop Honesto Ongtioco at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao. I was teary-eyed (correction: tears were flowing) during the procession palang. It's been a long time kasi since I last cried from Papa's passing in April. And everything there reminded me of him, from seeing all our parish priests, the Cathedral, the Diocese he so loved and served.

(Photos courtesy of Tito Chappy of PLDM)

Bishop Honesto Ongtioco

 

Bishop Soc Villegas followed by Cardinal Tagle

 

  Our beloved parish priests

 

 

The mass was so solemn, except for one incident that tested me and my mom's patience and understanding. Not to dwell on it further, all I could say is we truly are a product of my father - Bro. Rudy. We would never be disrespectful nor pick a fight specially in church. We said peace to her (a daughter of one of the awardees) during the mass despite how she disrespected my mom. She came naman to her senses by apologizing to us and we gladly accepted it. Just as Bishop Ness reiterated, the award is not to place you on a pedestal or for you to be too proud. It should instead humble you in the spirit of true servitude.

Here are some pictures of the mass:

His Eminence Cardinal Tagle

All the priests

After the mass, we were greeted by members of our parish PLDM and our Parish priest Rev. Fr. Steve Zabala. Again naluha nanaman ako with all their congratulations. These are the people, who together with Papa, served the Lord and the community.

At the reception and awarding ceremony naman:

Here's Bishop Ness giving the opening remarks:

Since I was breastfeeding JD then, Mama and bro C went up to accept the award. I also couldn't even take a picture since my hands were full.

To top the night's events, we enjoyed the company of Fr. Steve, Tito Chappy, Tito Fil and Tita Sylvia at our dining table. It was full of nonstop laughter and banter. I could tell that my daughter R also enjoyed the night too. And who wouldn't, with the beautiful music care of the choir as well as the priests. Masaya pala talaga kasama ang mga pari. Hindi lang sila puro sermon hehe. They're actually cool to hangout with.

It was really so fortunate for our family to have experienced a night like that. Thanks so much to Papa and to those who nominated him. Sayang lang it would have been happier if buong pamilya kaming nandun.

If he were alive though, I'm sure he would be too humble to say that others deserved it more. He would say he is not perfect. But with his almost 20 years of service to the church and the community, and with what we have experienced, he truly deserved it. Let me tell you now that in all those years he served the parish, hindi kami halos nakakapag out-of-town trip during long weekends and holidays (nakakatampo na nga minsan). He would only think of his service and mass duties. He would always tell us, let's celebrate the holiday as a family, in church. Kaya hayun, kahit bagong taon at nagpuputukan, sama kami kung san man siya magserve.

If only we could continue his service. But admittedly as of the moment I'm not yet ready, and I don't think I could match up to him. I used to serve as a lector in PLDM when I was still single, but being a full time mom to 2 little kids has kept me tied up. It's unfortunate that my children will grow without seeing their grandpa Rudy. But he nor his kind and humble heart will never be forgotten. I will try to impart to them the values that my father has taught and instilled in us.

I miss you Papa, bigtime! Pero I know you're smiling down upon us.

National Heroes' Day

Another holiday this August but we just decided not to go to the malls. Nakaka-umay din pala. Anything that has to do with the family, kahit hindi malling masaya parin talaga. So pictorial mode lang kami sa house that day. Our little photographer R had some shots of her own:


L-R clockwise: selfie foot shot, pasimpleng kurot kay JD, half selfie, The Conjuringkinking

We also had our family pic taken. We converted R's room into a mini studio. Viola, that's the photo in my new blog header.

Dahil ginutom kami with all the posing, we decided to have meryenda. Kaso walang parking anywhere sa Maginhawa street so we went to Katipunan instead. We had meryenda sa Brothers Burgers.



Afterwards, we went to National Bookstore and got R some stamps, craft punchers and scissors. Enjoy si Bagets.

East side Sunday

For the first time, I wasn't too keen on going to the mall. May halo kasing fear of giving into their end-of-season sales. Eh lately pa naman, with all the holidays this month, we became mall rats. And sadyang mahina ang willpower ko sa mga sale. So this Sunday sinamahan nalang namin si Mama sa whatever errand niya. She wanted to go lang daw to Loyola, Marikina to give a mass card to a family friend whose father passed away.

While in the car, R decided to play photographer:



Parang bitin talaga ang Sunday paghindi ngmall so sabi namin mag Eastwood nalang kami. I thought to myself medyo high end ung stores dun so hindi naman siguro ako mapapabili (fingers crossed).

After browsing through the stores (thank God hindi ako bumigay, hehe), we had meryenda at Taters, near the cinemas and Timezone. Throwback lang, this was where we were able to witness R's first steps.



Afterwards, we went to Timezone for R's usual arcade games. We also got her some glow-in-the-dark stickers and an animal toothbrush from our remaining Timezone card points. Masaya na siya dun.



Before going home (sadyang mahina EQ ko), napabili parin ako ng cute polo shirt for JD. Pagbigyan na, para sa anak ko naman eh ;)

QC, Ninoy, and Maring

We had a very much extended weekend this week because of the holidays and typhoon Maring. I do feel sorry for the victims though. But it also made me thank God for sparing our lives and our home, and for keeping us together, warm and dry.

I used to fear torrential rains because during Ondoy and Habagat, flood waters reached our garage. Fortunately, our street's drainage was fixed before the rainy season came.

So what did we do during those four very rainy days?

Monday (QC day) and Tuesday:
Taong bahay lang ang peg, we spent most of the time cuddling in bed and watching the news. Si JD marunong narin sumelfie:


Wednesday (Ninoy Aquino day):

The rains were unpredictable but kinda letting up, so we headed to Trinoma with Mama. She took advantage of the Home fair sale. She got herself some bowls and also bought us a floral centerpiece for our dining table (thank you!). We had dinner at Tokyo Tokyo's Ramen House.



Thursday:
We went out for JD's monthly check up. Usi lang naman si R, she wanted to see how her baby brother will react to the injection.
R: It's ok JD
JD: waaah!
Me: It's ok. R you're next
R: No. JD lang.
Hehe swerte niya sa November pa next check up niya.

Afterwards, we had lunch at Robinsons Galleria.


Sale din dun, hay sinusubok talaga si will power! Si Daddy A dapat ang bibili ng shoes pero wala siya nagustuhan. While moi ended up buying 2 pairs sa Aldo. Super sale naman kasi, ung nude peep toe that I got for P1,300, P4,295 ung original price! Dun ko din nahanap ung comfy, casual loafers na gusto ko. Before heading home, we bought bibingka for R's Filipino Day the next day.

So eto na un, Friday, natuloy na ung naudlot na Filipino Day nila R sa school. Here's my little Maria Clara:

Hinatid ko siya sa school kahapon. Pero hindi pala Maria Clara ang peg ng anak ko, kasi pagdating palang sa classroom:
R: Hi Enzo!

Patay tayo diyan.