One Year Down, One More Year To Go!

I think you have read many times my disbelief on how fast a year has past by since our little precious came into our lives. It also means I have successfully fully breastfeed for a year plus now. Wildan will be 1 year 1 month old this Saturday. I am proud of myself for reaching to this level. I was determine to breastfeed even before I was pregnant and was even more determine when I was pregnant. I used to talk to my belly and said to the little one inside that I will nurture him with all the nutrition a mother's milk can give. At first I was a bit concerned since even my mom only breastfeed me for 19 days. Yes ladies and gentlemen...19 days coz she can't stand the pain. I think most of you know why the pain. The longest she breastfeed was 4 months...my youngest brother. But still, I was determine.

It wasn't easy especially if you are a working mum. To husbands....don't take it for granted when your wife decides to fully breastfeed. Support her in anything she might need. Help her. Breastfeeding is more than just putting your baby's mouth to the teets and feed it. It requires strength, effort and patience. SERIOUSLY!!

I think one thing that helps me reach to this level (chewah...mcm level apa jer kan?)...is that I have never instill the thought of..."eh...nanti xde susu macam mana?"..."susu kuranglah"....all I can think and put in my head was...I want to breastfeed and I want to do it at least until Wildan is 2 years old. That's it and I just do it. Your body will react to your positive mindset positively.

No doubt there were times when the production did go down especially when I was sick...and that happened at least twice. So I had to take extra effort to wake up at night and pump to get extra EBM for Wildan's supply. Even my production is not like some lucky people that can get 20 to 30oz in one session of pumping...Alhamdulillah...until today I can still manage. I think for me, having the right pump also helps a lot.

I have 3 pumps. Yes, 3. Why 3? hmmm...kind of a long story. When I was still pregnant, I bought Medela Harmony Manual Breastpump. Why? Because I think it was good and I can do manually and it was on sale. But when I gave birth...I find that it was tiring and takes extra energy to pump. My hands were tired. So, I bought Medela Mini Electric Pump. It is a good pump. No doubt all Medela pumps are good but you need to choose the one that suits you best. I used it until I went back to work. Then, I realized, pumping each side will take 15-20 minutes which made it 30-40 minutes for me to finish both sides. Which also means...I will have to excuse myself from work for at least one hour to pump. 3 sessions mean 3 hours. hmmm....that is not good isn't it? So, I decide to invest to buy another pump...Medela Freestyle. Although it is expensive but it was worth it!! I love it! It has hands free function which means I can pump while doing house chores, can tandem pump with my hands free and I can double pump. Which also means...I will take half the time to be missing from work since I can pump both side simultaneously. So, I've been using Medela FS since October 2012. :) My other two pumps have been stored. I wanted to sell but......kind of sayang lah pulak.

Medela Harmony (Manual Pump)

Medela Mini Electric

Medela Freestyle

** Pictures from google

There have been ups and downs throughout the year. There are times when Wildan is teething and he likes to bite. OMG!! I felt like crying coz of the pain...during the bite and my skin was cut becoz of it. Each time I want to start to pump, I would close my eyes...and pray for it not to be painful. Fuh! But I need to pump. At home, Wildan doesn't want bottle if am around...so direct feed all the time. Sometimes, I will take weeks for the cut/wound to heal. Ouch!!

Some people are not well informed about breastfeeding. Be it about how to breastfeed to the goodness of breastfeeding. It is the best supplement you can give to your child to boost his/her immune system. Someone said to me when Wildan was sick last two months.."eh..Wildan bukan fully breastfeed ker?". In my head I said..."Noks....ko ingat susu aku ada ilmu sakti boleh bagi anak aku kebal?" When you breastfeed your child it doesn't me he/she will not get sick. They will still do becoz it is one way for them to build their immune system. Breastmilk contains antibody that helps built the immune system. Bukan buat anak-anak anda jadi kebal yer puan-puan. Plus, you will have to see your genetic as well. I have asthma, so Wildan might be sensitive and prone to have sickness that can relate to it. Again, it doesn't mean he is immortal. :P



So, am going to continue my conquest for at least another year. Lets do it!! :)

He's A Big Boy Now

I still couldn't believe I have one year son. Yes, Wildan turned one on 29th May 2013. We have waited for him to come into our lives for 6 years and he is such a bundle of joy. He loves to give that cheeky smile of his whenever he tease us with his behavior.

I organized his birthday party on 1st June and invited our family members, few neighbors and close friends. Thank God he slept for almost 2 hours before the party starts so he was very friendly and bubbly through out the party. He played in the ball pool and was passed around from hands to hands and he didn't show any tantrum at all. I as usual was busy entertaining guests. I really hope they had fun that day...especially their children. We had ball pool and inflatable bouncer to keep the children busy while the parents eat and catch up. More pictures will be posted later. I was busy...so I have to wait for photos from our photographer. hehehehe

 

Wildan is now a big boy. Time goes by so fast. He is now 74cm and 8.92kg. He spends most of his time at the nursery which I wish doesn't happen that way. If only I can quit my job and be with him all the time. hmmm...still planning on that. Now he can stand up on his own and walk a few steps. He loves his toys present he got for his birthday. Thank you for all who came. He understands more than what you think he understands....and can blabber a few words. The other day, I was trying to feed him porridge....but he shook his head and said "na nene"...which I think means "nak nenen" (I want milk) and tug my blouse. Yes, he is still fully breastfeed. I am very grateful for that. It does requires 100% commitment and determinations with lots of patients.

Wildan still loves music and he's routine is still pretty much the same. He will be awake at 7am everyday, eats 4 times a day, not fussy about drinking plain water and can drink straight from a cup. I hold it for him of course.

There are more things I wanna write but I'll have to write some other time. Till next time.....

I love breast feeding

When I got to know I am pregnant, I have set my mind that I am gonna fully breastfeed my baby. Now, he is 7.5months and I am still fully breastfeeding him. Someone asked whether I have mixed his diet with formula milk and when I said no, she said that I have lots of milk supply. Well, let me tell you something. I am one of those super ordinary mummy whom each pumping session will get about 4-6oz of expressed breast milk. To me that's not a lot coz I've seen other women who can pump up to 30oz per session. But Alhamdulillah...that is enough for Wildan. Determination is also a factor. I was determine not to mix with formula milk that I would pump 5 times a day instead of 3 times. Even woke up in the middle of the night to pump. There are times especially towards the end of the week where I have to send a fresh EBM to his nursery to make sure his supply is enough. I really don't mind....coz I love it.

Here is some of the reason why....

1) I love the way he looks at me when he is breast feeding. He's eyes are so cute
2) Now, at night, he will crawl to me and find the point himself and breast feed while laying on his stomach. How cute is that?!
3) I get to eat what ever I want as much as I want and still I don't gain any weight
4) My baby rarely get sick and if he does...it won't be for long
5) I don't have to pay for formula milk
6) My baby really bonds with me....that cute boy will call "Ma..." at night when he can't find me in bed.

I hope I can continue this journey until he is 2 years old. But right now...am trying to target 1 year old first. :)

Wildan's Diary : Alhamdulillah...He is 6 Months Old

Alhamdulillah...Wildan just turn 6 months last 29th November 2012. I am grateful and thankful for his well development & health. I am also proud that he is a fully breastfed baby. There were ups and downs especially when he has his growth spurt and drank 6 to 7 bottles of 5oz milk a day and I had to go to his nursery during lunch time to send supply. Lucky my office is only 10- to 15 minutes away from the nursery.

Since he has reach 6 months, I am now starting to feed him solid. His first food was a mixed of apple and carrot. He seems to like it. :). A friend of mine, Puteri said she did a mix of apple and pear for her son so I tried it. Wildan loves it. He can't get enough of it. Lucky I made extra the first time I fed him with the recipe. He screams when I stop feeding him wanting more and smiles when I feed him more. What a chicky boy! Oh..he can also hold his own bottle now. :)

Pump, Pump, Pump ke Potong Rumput?

When I was committed to fully breastfeed, as a working mom, I know will have to pump at work. Giler tak pam? Mau meletop! :P And...of course to keep stock for Wildan to feed while he is at nursery.

Wildan is my first child, so I had no experience what so ever in this pumping thing. I heard of Medela and Avent brand. I bought my first pump when I was still pregnant. I went for Medela Harmony Manual Pump. Why? Because it was kind of within my budget RM199 and I thought it wouldn't be that difficult. Better than pumping using my hands directly to pump.

I begin pumping as early as 7 days after I give birth. hmmm...than I found out that, yeah...using a pump is good but manual pump can be tiring. I am surely not gonna use it at work. Then I'll be doing more pumping than my actual work. :p After discussing with my working mum friends, they advice me to buy electrical pump. And I did. I bought Medela Mini Electric. Why? Again, because it is within my budget. I got a pretty good package deal complete with ice pack, cooler bag and extra bottles.

Now, Wildan is already 4 months 2 weeks. I have been pumping for 3 months. Although Medela Mini Electric is good but it is a single pump and...it makes quite a loud sound. I will go to my office surau to pump...2 to 3 times a day. But since it will take about 30-40 minutes to both side, 2 times is normally my number. One day, one of the clerk came in to pray and it was raining. I was sitting at my usual place to pump covered with my shawl. I was also chatting on my blackberry. When the girl came in..she said..."wah...hujan-hujan pon ada orang potong rumput yer?". I looked at her and said, "huh? potong rumput? mesin pam akak lah". She said.."Huh? ahahahah...yer ker?" Enough said....ahahahahah....my pump sounds like a lawn mower. :P

Actually, I have ordered Medela Freestyle. From what my friend told me, I can't wait to receive mine and start using it. It will surely safe a lot of time and I can do other things while pumping. And sure hope it doesn't sounds like a lawn mower. LOL One thing though...I will have to sacrifice 7 months of shopping to buy the pump. Anything for my cikenit bam bam. :D

Wildan's Diary: 4 months 2 weeks

I hope it is not too late to start writing his diary. Today Wildan is 4 months and 2 weeks old. Too lazy to count by days. :P He is doing okay for his age. His development is somewhat at an average level. Not too fast or too slow.

He talks a lot...baby talk that is...and he laughs out loud. He has now established a routine. He will sleep at 8pm and wake up 2-3 times at nite to feed and will be wide awake by 7am. This is great during weekdays but for weekends...hmmm...not so good because when he is wide awake and all energetic, we wants to play. Wildan, mummy need her beauty sleep...please. However, he has yet to roll over and seldom sees him trying to do so. I really hope he'll do it soon.

Up till yesterday since he was about 2 months old, he will breastfeed to sleep but today I have decided that I want to train him to fall asleep on his own. I know it will be a challenge to mute away his cry for attention but I was determine. What do you know? I did it!! He did it. He fall asleep on his own tonite. Mummy has such a good boy. So proud of you!! Lets hope this will continue and become a routine as well.

Travelling with EBM (Expressed Breast Milk)

Been meaning to update this blog with other entries before this one but didn't seem to find the time to. I don't even remember when was the last time I cooked dinner. Hmmm....

Okay, back to the main subject. During my 3 months maternity leave, my boss called me to tell me that the company will be sending me for a 4 days course in Indonesia. Told me to bring my little one along. Well, no need to tell me that...of course I will have to bring him. My hubby won't be able to handle him alone.

My little precious is 100% breastfed. Alhamdulillah (thank God) that so far the supply is sufficient and I pray it will continue until he is two years old. :) by the time the travel date to Indonesia comes, he's 3.5 months. Since this is the 1st time travelling with infants, I asked around to get more info about it especially about safety. Apparently there is nothing to worry about. We even went to see a doctor before we flew, and the doctor said since Wildan is 100% breast fed, I don't need to worry too much and he seems to be a healthy baby.

Now, that's settled. The only thing I will have to think about is transporting EBM with me. I will be attending a course and hubby will be taking care of Wildan in the hotel room while I'm gone. Of course I will have to bring EBM with me and not to forget my pump. The EBM will only be for the 2nd & 3rd day usage. Thawed EBM can only be used within 48 hours. At that time, I was thankful that I have just redeemed a cooler bag that is just perfect for this from a loyalty card points.

Our flight was at 9.15am so I booked a taxi to come at 6.30am. Don't want to be late. It's about 1 hour drive to the airport. Since this is the 1st time for me to transport EBM, I decided to put the cooler bag inside my luggage to be checked-in. Although I have read that EBM are allowed to be brought up to the cabin but I don't know for sure. I packed 6 bottles EBM at the very last minute at around 6.15am just to ensure that it stays chilled as the icepack will only last about 8-12 hours. Our flight will arrive at 12.15pm (6 hours later) and I think we should be able to be in our room latest by 2pm. And I was right! So, I quickly took out the EBM and transfer them into my hotel room mini bar. However, to my surprise..the EBM and my ice packs are still frozen. I think as they were packed inside my luggage, my clothing and other thing compressed the cold and keep them in stable temperature so they didn't thaw or melt. It was good because that way, I can just put the ice pack in the small freezer space inside the mini bar that they usually put small ice cubes and continue to freeze it.

I still direct feed on arrival day but hubby started his full time baby sitting job on day 2 and 3 and those were my full day course days. I would go back to our to during tea break to pump. Day 4 am back to direct feed. On departure day, I pack the frozen ice pack & chilled EBM into my cooler bag. This time, I did not pack them inside my luggage but hand carry them instead. Yes, all airport allow EBM to be transported on board. However, you may want to ask the airport staff once you arrive to ensure there is no problem during your departure. This way, you can plan on how to pack your EBM for transportation on the way back.

This is how I pack my EBM

This is my suggestion or tips if you are planning to travel with EBM.

1. Take out/pack your frozen EBM at the very last minute before you depart to your destination. This is to make sure your ice pack can last as long as it can.
2. If possible, put your cooler bag inside your luggage so that you can retain the temperature so that your ice pack will stay frozen (this will depends on how long your journey is, mine was about 9 hours till we reach hotel room). This will help to avoid complication for you to refreeze the ice pack especially if you are staying at a hotel.
3. Once arrive, transfer the EBM and ice pack into the mini bar (if hotel) and make sure the mini bar temperature is at high. Most hotel will set it at low. Most minibar will have small freezer poket inside the mini bar. You can place your ice pack there.
4. You can pump new stock while you are travelling but make sure the EBM age is not more than 72 hours once you reach back home to freeze it.
5. Most airport will allow you to bring EBM aboard the cabin but you might want to check with the airport security the day you arrive to prepare for your departure on your way back. This helps you to plan on how you should pack your stuff. Especially for international flight.

I was also relived that Wildan behaved on flight. Just make sure you nurse your baby during take off and landing to ease off the pressure. If he's full, a pacifier would help.

Wildan happy in flight. :D

Breast Feeding : Tips, Obstacles & Challenges

Am starting this entry where I left off in my last entry. While I was waiting to be warmed up after the surgery in an isolated room, I can't wait to see my baby again because I didn't see his face clearly in the operation theater. I also hope that hubby has arrived. It is the hospital policy that husband can't be in the OT during the procedure.

So after 30 minutes, finally the nurse push my bed back to my ward. I was anxious! I have waited for this moment for 5 years (7 years if I count the age I actually want a child). Once I am back at my cubicle, I saw hubby walking vastly towards me with a smile. He came and kiss my forehead and said "Yang, baby kita comel mcm muka awak. Mula-mula saya ingat anak cina mana tadi". (Dear, our baby is cute and looks you and at first I thought it was a chinese baby) I can't help to smile hearing that. Did he actually forget that his wife has chinese blood and looks like one? :-P My friend told me that when the nurse called hubby to see the baby he immediately left all his things and followed the nurse. LOL

Few minutes after that, the nurses brought our precious baby to us after they gave him his BCG and Hep B shot. And now, my story on breast feeding starts. Some women are kind of lucky to have milk early as in even when they are pregnant. Well, I am not that some. I am one of those normal women who has no sign of milk during pregnancy. If you are one of these women like me, do not worry. If you are determine to breastfeed, the milk will be there. If you read my previous post, you would know I have gestational diabetic. So, my baby was born with low sugar reading. When he was brought to me, the nurse told me his condition and said they want to give him formula milk to raise the sugar level. That is my first challenge. At that time, I didn't even think whether I have milk or not, I just immediately said "NO!" and I want to breastfeed 100%. They told me to do it every hour and if the sugar level is still low, they might have to feed formula milk.

Right after that, I immediately hold Wildan and breastfeed him. What do you know?! I have milk. Well, colostrum to be exact. Colostrum has the highest amount of nutrition and antibodies you can ever give to your baby which you normally have for the first 3-4 days after giving birth. After 3 hours, they check Wildan's sugar level and it has rose a bit even not to the normal level yet. I was so happy and kept on breastfeeding him. One thing that helps is, Wildan is also a baby that knows how to suck the nipples the right way. hehehehehe....by midnight (I gave birth at 9.50am and met Wildan an hour later) the sugar level has rose to the normal level it should be. yey!! I did it!! NO FORMULA MILK!!

However, here comes my 2nd challenge. Something happened the next day that made me so stressful that I almost didn't produce milk at all. Wildan was crying the whole night because the milk was insufficient. Am not going to reveal what happened here but if you want to know, you can PM me in facebook (that is if you are in my friend list). I called my hubby crying while I told him what happened because I was so frustrated. In fact, I called him a few times that night. Thank God I have composed myself by the next day and milk started to pour back as usual. It is true when people said don't stress yourself because it might effect your breast milk production.

My 3rd challenge was cracked nipples and it hurts like hell! It started on the 5th day. Maybe because Wildan was breastfeeding quite frequent. Thank God I recovered by day 8 but before that, I would shout in pain each time Wildan starts sucking. Seriously, I don't want to experience that anymore. When you go to ante-natal class, they teach you about breastfeeding but didn't actually tells you how to take care of the tool which is your nipples.

Tips on how to PREVENT cracked nipples:
1) Once you are pregnant, wash your nipples with only warm water. Please avoid and make sure you do not use any soap (any kind) and protect your nipples from it. How to do it? Apply some nipple cream to your nipples after you wash and wipe it clean before you bathe. The cream will protect the nipples from any soap water to touch it.
2) Make sure you do No 1 even when you starts and are breastfeeding. Make sure you buy nipple cream that is baby friendly which do not require for you to clean it first before breastfeeding you baby.

Tips on how to HEAL cracked nipples:
1) Press some of your milk and apply to your nipples area and let it air dry. You will need to repeat this a few times. Feed you baby with the less painful side first at least until the other one heals.  OR
2) Wash you nipples with salt water (soak it of possible), wipe dry and then apply some of your milk to the nipples area and let it air dry.

This is the nipple cream I use
'Pigeon' Nipple Care Cream @ RM39
You can find it at any pharmacy

My 4th challenge starts when Wildan was diagnosed with jaundice. Beside the lack of sleep because I need to breastfeed him even more frequent (every one hour to be exact), I have to go to the clinic every two days to check his bilirubin level. And with just after 5 days of surgery, I was quite strong to handle it. Thank you Allah. However, one day, Wildan's reading went high and he had to be admitted for phototheraphy treatment and I was admitted with him. While waiting for the transport ambulance to transport us to the second facility of the hospital, Wildan was put under the blue light. We were waiting what seems like forever and Wildan kept waking up wanting milk. Once he cool down and sleeps, I told the nurse am going to eat for awhile. The nurse said ok and if the baby wakes up, she will "top up". Okay....let me tell you. I am superbly annoyed  and pissed off with the terms 'top up'. Why? Because 'top up' means they are going to feed your baby with formula milk. My 2nd challenge had something to do with it!! I was mad when the nurse said that and immediately said NO! I told hubby to go eat first and then take turn to watch over Wildan. I was so afraid that they are gonna feed him with formula milk. What the hell is this? Aren't government hospitals are all about 100% breast milk? Why are they assuming I want to feed formula milk to my baby? I am okay if the nurse asked me whether she can feed formula milk to Wildan but she simply said she will feed Wildan with formula milk and assume I will be okay with it. So yes, the terms 'top up' pissed me off!!

After one night of phototheraphy treatment, Wildan's bilirubin level has gone down but here it comes again. The doctor told me that his weight has gone down. His birth weight was 3.16kg and now he is 2.81kg. I know for a fact that baby looses their birth weight at first but will start to gain it later but the doctor made it seems like it is a big deal. He said normal for a baby to loose about 10% of their birth weight but Wildan is loosing about 11% and it is advisable to feed him with formula milk. Oh come on!! What the hell is wrong with this hospital? Do they have a conspiracy against breastfeeding or are they just testing me? 10% and 11% is not to far off. Again, I feel like slapping the doctor for even suggesting that. FYI, this is not the same hospital I gave birth in. And as usual, I told him NO and said I will breastfeed and check his weight again for the next two days and see if there is any increase. What do you know?! It did!! So again, NO FORMULA MILK!! Now, the last time we check his weight was when he is 22 days and he weight 3.6kg.

This is my advise especially for first time mothers who want to breastfeed. Be committed and don't simply surrender to any kind of challenges or obstacles. Just believe that you will have the sufficient milk your baby needs. Trust me, now my milk is pouring and if Wildon doesn't feed every half an hour, it will start to leak. Think happy thoughts and believe. 

Before I end my entry for today (which took me almost a week to finish because Wildan kept on waking up wanting milk), I would like to share the best thing I have ever bought to help me ease the tiredness of breastfeeding. I know you will have sore arms after holding your baby for so long, so nursing pillow really helps. This item was recommended by my dear friend Lana and I really thank her for that. I also love Medela milk collection shells that I bought. It helps me to collect the leaked milk and then I can store it.

'Safe N Sound' Nursing Pillow @ RM119 each
You can buy it HERE

'Medela' Milk Collection Shells @ RM69.00
You can read more about it HERE or can buy it HERE

This might have been the longest post ever. Hope if anyone reads it, you will find it useful. :)

Until next time..ciao!