Monday, July 29, 2013

A Pinch of Salt

For two consecutive Saturdays, I had blocked milk ducts in my right breast which was very painful. Turned out it was caused by a milk blip or blister. Both times I cleared it with hot compress and massaging it while pumping. Because it happened 2 consecutive weekends, I wanted to see someone professional to ensure the blockage was completely cleared.

Blocked ducts can lead to something serious - mastitis, which is the infection of breast tissue. It is extremely painful and will cause a fever. Worse, it will affect your milk supply. The most effective way of clearing the block is to have baby latch on. As I'm not latching, my next best solution is hot compress and massage. I was recommended Mdm Rokiah who is very experienced in helping mummies clear their ducts through breast massage. So off I went making an appointment with her.

Mdm Rokiah also specialises in post natal jamu treatment and she has a small shop in Joo Chiat. The moment she touches my breasts, she shakes her head. Very very blocked. Full of big lumps. She pressed and she squeezed and she rubbed and I was treated to a session of breastmilk facial. The milk squirted everywhere - my face, my hair, my body, my legs. Whilst she did managed to clear abit, the bad news was be caused they have been blocked for so long, my milk is actually cold. The right temperature should be body temp, but mine was cold. Out of the fridge kinda cold. In a way I was glad B wasn't latching coz I can't imagine him drinking the cold milk. No wonder he gave me a disgusted look when I tried to latch him recently. Oh well.

I wondered if I would feel this bad about myself if I had not gone for the massage. But according to Mdm Rokiah, they are a time bomb waiting to explode. So I guess better be safe than sorry.

The woes of a breastfeeding mum.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Another New Phase

So I've took the plunge. I left my job to be a sahm for now. I hadn't been happy with my job and had intentions to leave, but when we found out I was pregnant, I decided to stay till after my maternity leave. However, having spent nearly 3 months with B, there is no way I can go back to work. I know, after the first few days, I'll be able to settle into a routine, but I simply refused to. The separation anxiety will drive me nuts. This I what DH wanted to, so we are in a good place.

I never thought I would miss the corporate world, but now that this really is happening, I'm surprised with my own emotions. But, it is what I want and it's gonna be totally worth it.

On a happier note, B is doing great. Everyday I look at him I count my blessings. I cannot believe we created this little person. Every time I watch Deliver Me on tv or babies being born, I feel the emotions the parents are feeling and will instantly be brought back to the day B came to this world. Best experience ever and want to relive it.

Life is good now, still sleepy from all the midnight pumps, but, 3 more months! Endure!!!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Increasing Milk Supply

Breastfeeding is one of the most difficult task of motherhood. I always thought it would just come to you. Clearly no. 

If you followed my earlier posts, you would have read that I had issues with breastfeeding - I don't exactly know even till now what the problem was, but I suspected it could be the size or B being a very impatient baby and refused to latch if the let down is slow. That affected the milk supply. As afterall, milk production is based off demand and supply. The more your baby nurses, the more milk your breast will make.

After the decision to exclusively pump and bottle feed B, I went through a long journey to increase my supply as he was drinking fast and furious. I even had to supplement fm for a few feeds just to build up the BM base.

When I first started to pump, I could only manage to pump 50-70ml. Then for the longest time, it was 60-70ml and he was already drinking 90ml by then. With my 2 hourly pump, it increased to 100ml and stayed that way for awhile. Gradually it increased to 120ml, stayed that amount for awhile... Continued the process and now the average pump yield at every 4 hours is between 160-230ml. If I drag a session to about 5 hours, it goes up to 260-270. I have to say I'm very happy with where I am now, and both my home fridge and my mum's fridge has bags of BM.

Truth be told, I took so many things that were supposedly helpful in increasing the supply therefore can't quite pinpoint what exactly worked. Perhaps a combination of everything. Here's what I did:

- Took Motherlove More Milk Plus. A fenugreek supplement 3x a day
- My gynae prescribed Domperidone which has a side effect of increasing BM
- Drank ALOT of water. And I mean alot, I have a water bottle with me all the time. It doesn't have to be plain water, it can take the form of juices or soup. For me, it was water or hot milo.
- Eat more. Just like when one is pregnant, take more smaller meals. Snack on healthy snacks like biscuits, energy bars.
- Oatmeals. I had at least one serving of oatmeal a day, either for breakfast or as a drink during the day
- Organic mothers milk tea. Read that this worked for many and I ordered it online. Personally I feel this was what worked for me and my ss increased the day after I started drinking this.
- Pumped every 2-3 hours and then 4 hours when supply is established. Drink while pumping.

Above all, rest is most important but practically impossible with a newborn. I guess my body has learned to cope with it but I have more time to nap now, esp when B is napping.

There is another method of increasing milk supply and that us to power pump, ie pump for 10min, rest for 10. Continue for an hour, once a day. Results can be seen in a few days. I was rather keen to try it this weekend, but maybe next time. Oversupply is not a good thing either and I don't want to freeze the BM.

I shall do an update if I do power pump and see if it works

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Saying Adieu for Now

Yesterday I went to Dr W's for a follow up Pap smear post delivery. I miss going to her clinic so much... All the anticipation, waiting and finally seeing baby on the ultrasound scan.

I made her a thank you card and she seemed genuinely appreciative. Chatted a little about B, showed her some pictures and video. Very nice. Held back my tears all the time. 

Towards the end, she said she'll leave it up to me on when to fix my next Pap smear appointment, generally every 1-2 years. Before I left, told her I'll miss her so much, which I know I will. I just have this strong affinity and connection with her.

Her clinic assistants know I missed coming in, and we had a good chat while waiting for my turn. When I left, one of them said to the other, "I have a feeling we will see her again very soon!" 

Noooooo... I'm not ready!!!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

The First of Many

Vaccines that is.

We have recently changed the PD for Bradley. The pd he was seeing previously was based at the hospital. We have since gone back a couple of times to see her but made the decision to switch to one opposite our home. I wasn't exactly comfortable with the previous pd and needless to say, having to travel to and fro TMC is a nightmare with their parking problems. The new pd however, I feel very comfortable, and not only is it opposite our home, it is also opened in the evenings on certain days.

Anyhow, B was due for his first vaccinations - Rotarix and 5-in-1.

"rotavirus vaccine protects children fromrotaviruses, which are the leading cause of severe diarrhea among infants and young children"

"The 5-in-1 injection combines vaccines againstDiphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DPT), Polio and Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) in 1 injection".

When the doctor jabbed him, he cried and my heart broke. But thankfully he stopped after the plaster was on. I cannot imagine having to go through this with him every month.

At nearly 10 weeks, B is doing great! He's 5.9kg and 61cm, all in the top percentile. He's extremely playful during his wakeful periods and have more or less settled into a routine. We can also make out the differences in his cries and other than my midnight pumps which are killing me, everything's great. We love him so much. I cannot imagine life without him and would give up the world for him. That includes waking up 1am and 5am for pumps.......