I didn't get to breastfeed Kate. I wasn't really prepared that time. I thought since it's a natural thing, it should be easy, right? WRONG! She had a hard time trying to latch and I wasn't as informed then as I am now. When I was preggy with Jacob, a college friend invited me to attend breastfeeding meetings and classes to help prepare myself on the how-to's, do's and don'ts of breastfeeding. Since then, I was determined as ever to breastfeed my second child. As soon as Jacob came out, they brought him to me to latch. I gave birth at 36 weeks and 5 days. Earlier than expected. I think it's because I got sick during my third trimester. My immune system was at its lowest, so I had chickenpox again. Yep, chickenpox isn't a once-in-a-lifetime thing after all. Anyway, he was too sleepy to latch. I'm glad that the hospital where I gave birth is a breastfeeding-friendly hospital. They don't use bottles for newborns, just cups or syringe/droppers. I had ceasarian delivery, which is why I wasn't able to breastfeed Jacob on the first day. So, they gave him formula. In order to maintain my milk supply, I pumped for the meantime with a manual pump. Ang hirap! The next day, I asked the nurse to wheel me into the nursery so I could breastfeed Jacob. He was crying at first, then fell asleep (again!) while trying to latch.
We went home after 3 days but we had to bring him back to the hospital again due to rebound jaundice. Jacob stayed at the NICU for 3 days without me. I brought breastmilk everyday but they had to supplement with formula because the milk that I was pumping then wasn't enough.
Finally, Jacob's home. The first two months was really hard. Everytime he latches, it REALLY hurts! The agonizing pain lasted for a month. I'm glad it didn't bleed or anything. He wakes up every 15 - 30 minutes. Sakit sa ulo! It wasn't like this at all with Kate. I was thinking, does it have to do with my milk?
During this time, I felt guilty because I had less time with Kate. I'm just thankful that Kate was very okay with the yaya. Bringing Kate to school was also a challenge. Every time I leave the house, I need to bring Jacob along because I didn't have stored milk. I was too lazy to pump (I'd rather sleep than pump!). He would cry and cry the entire ride going to school and back home.
By the time he reached 3 months, he started sleeping longer. From 30 minutes to 3 hours. Hay, heaven! I was able to store milk already. For the first time since I gave birth, I left Jacob at home and brought Kate to the mall for some girl bonding. We can't be out too long (2 hours max) or go too far. But, it still felt so great! I was sling-free! Haha.
At 4 months, Jacob had to be confined due to acute bronchitis and amoebiasis. We stayed in the hospital for a week. His Pedia suggested that I mixfeed him with lactose-free milk but I wasn't able to do so because he resisted the bottle nipple. He would scream at the top of his lungs every time he sees the bottle. He also didn't like the cup, syringe, dropper... anything that is not my breast. When we got home, his sleeping hours changed. From 5 to 6 hours of sleep, down to 1 to 2 hours. Hay, we meet again, puyat.
According to the Pedia, Jacob is lactose intolerant. So, after 5 months of exclusively breastfeeding, I decided to stop. I need to train him already to feed from the bottle. I asked help from friends and from an email group of moms. A lot of them said that I just have to be patient, trial and error of teats, and not to give in so easily. I did all these except the trial and error of teats because I find it costly. On the first day, It took us 6 hours before he finally gave in. Nakakaawa. I resisted the urge to breastfeed. The next day, 6 hours went down to 4 hours. Finally on the third day, he didn't refuse the bottle anymore. Patience lang talaga at tibay ng loob.
There you have it, my breastfeeding journey. It was hard and challenging, but I would have wanted to continue breastfeeding Jacob until he weans by himself. He's in formula right now but no regrets.
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| Jacob at 1 year old in SG |
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